Winter 1947: 'General Inference' and Discussion at 0600 on 5th March 1947

'A depression to southwest of Scillies is moving slowly east. It will be dull in Midlands, Wales and East England with some snow giving heavy falls in some districts. Glazed frost will occur locally. There will be rain or sleet in southwest and southeast England and some fog. Glazed frost locally in the north. A slow thaw over most of this area. In Scotland, North Ireland and North England it will be rather cloudy with some snow in the extreme south and rather frequent snow showers in North Scotland thought there will be some bright periods. It will continue cold or very cold but with temperatures slightly above freezing especially in extreme south. Hard to sever frost in central districts of Scotland tonight'

In view of the unusual nature of this day's weather I shall cover it in DWR observation order

At 00GMT on the 5th-yesterday's warm front is shown aligned W-E from S.Ireland,N Devon to Kent. The centre of low pressure is just SW of the Scillies. Temperatures are at or just below freezing in most areas but significantly higher in Cornwall (Lizard 44°F/6.7°C). In southern areas winds are generally ENE to F6 inland (Cranfield) and F8 on coasts (Pembroke). Over northern areas winds are much lighter. The lowest temperature is 13°F (-10.6°C) at Dalwhinnie. There is continuous precipitation over southern areas of the British Isles. From the Midlands, East Anglia and South Wales northwards snow is falling. Aberporth reports blowing snow. Along the south coast and in Cornwall rain is falling with temperatures above freezing. However in the zone between these areas rain is falling with temperatures at or just below freezing.

At 06GMT-the front is now shown as an occlusion slightly south of the earlier warm front position. The front now runs from south Cornwall, along the Channel to cross the French coast in the Boulogne area. Temperatures, wind strength and direction, and precipitation as earlier. The significantly warmer air is still confined to south Cornwall

State of Ground at 09GMT-Snow cover north of a line from north Kent to Bristol Channel. Maximum depths 16" at West Raynham, 11" Cranfield , 9" Finningley, 8" Honiley and Aberporth. Elsewhere, Aberdeen reports 11" and Roches Point (SE Ireland) 5". A number of stations are also reporting 'glaze but no snow' e.g Farnborough, Boscombe Down, Lympne, Hartland Point and Yeovilton.

At 12GMT-the heaviest and most continuous snow now appears to be over the west Midlands, South Wales and the extreme south-east of Ireland. Elsewhere a mixture of rain, sleet and drizzle with temperatures at or just below freezing in many areas. Sunny over Scotland.

At18GMT-much as earlier although precipitation is generally lighter and winds show signs of easing. No sign of any northwards movement of the warmer air and temperatures are now showing signs of falling over Cornwall.

State of ground at 21GMT-level snow depths have increased e.g. Cranfield now 18" (remember this was only 2" at 09 yesterday) , West Raynham 17", Honiley 12",Aberporth 10", Bristol 8". Taking into account the strength of the wind during the day there must be some mighty drifts. Glaze is reported from Croydon, Farnborough, Boscombe Down and Lympne

Precipitation totals for 24 hrs ending 21GMT on the 5th- up to 13mm in the south-east, 32mm at Portland, 23mm at Scilly. A number of stations did not report!

Finally-prolonged sunshine over Scotland, 9.5 hours at Tiree