Winter 1947: 'General Inference' and Discussion at 0600 on 2nd February 1947

'The frontal trough over southwest districts will continue to move slowly northeast bringing thaw conditions and rain followed by showers and some fair periods. Ahead of the front there will be a broad belt of snow which will be heavy locally, especially in North Wales, Southern Pennines and Northern Ireland. In low lying coastal areas however much of the precipitation will be in the form of sleet or rain. Scotland, east and northeast England will have snow at times and more general snow will spread slowly to east England. Visibility will be generally poor or very poor especially in the thaw behind the front and hill fog will be widespread. Further rain will spread to southwest districts later. Winds will be southeasterly, fresh or strong with a gale in exposed places, but will veer southerly and moderate temporarily behind the front' At 0600hrs-clear skies over near continent with temperatures as low as 5°F (-15°C) in NW Germany. Everywhere in Britain is cloudy with strong E to SE winds. Occluded front lies Channel Is-Devon-S.Ireland. Ahead of this is a band of precipitation falling as rain in Devon, Dorset and W.Ireland, sleet in Bristol area and snow in parts of N.France, SE England, S.Midlands and Ireland (zone from Dublin to Donegal Bay). A few sleet and snow showers on the east coast. Temperatures are generally just above freezing although Waddington, Honiley and Little Rissington all report 29°F (-1.7°C). Behind the occluded front temperatures are higher with Scilly, St Mary's reporting 44°F (6.7°C). Overnight minima-just below freezing in many areas with Cranfield and Little Rissington being the coldest on 25°F (-3.9°C).Warmest overnight was Scilly, St Mary's on 42°F (6.1°C). Previous day's maxima-once again, close to or just above freezing in many areas. Little Rissington was the coldest with 31°F (-0.6°C). Higher in the west with Scilly, St Mary's reaching 43°F (6.1°C). Snow cover/depth-snow cover, in some form or other, still widespread. W.Scotland look to be generally snow free (apart from Eskdalemuir 1"). Snow depths have generally reduced so that Boxted is now reporting 7". However Collinstown (just north of Dublin) reports 9". Outlook-'Thaw conditions spreading slowly northeast with much very low cloud and fog. Some snow in north England and Scotland'. In fact, as is so often the case under these circumstances, the northeastwards movement of the milder conditions was to provide some interesting weather over the next few days!