The Answer You Get Depends on Who You Ask
The UK could be in for a period of severe weather conditions with more snow and ice than the country has seen for decades. At least that’s what a leading insurer would have us believe that forecasters are predicting.
Although forecasters are often chided for getting or guessing the weather wrong, not all seem to agree with ‘Severe Weather Forecast to Hit the UK’ the headline of a release published by the Insurer. In fact Forecasters on the BBC Web site predict that the weather will remain unsettled through February, but say the country will experience temperatures well above normal for the time of year.
So who is fooling who? The insurer’s release, which warns that cold weather can play havoc with cars, is loaded with 'staying warm' tips and advice for motorists and homeowners.
I maybe selfishly inclined to take the forecasters more seriously than the insurer. Why? I have a feeling that the company’s forecast may be nothing more than a ploy to scare us in to switching allegiance or taking out additional coverage.
But then again the country may be past due for a snowy winter. Looking back 50 years, there seems to be around six really snowy winters on record - 1963-64; 1965-1966; 1976-77, 1977-78, 1981-82 1984-85. During some these winters snow on the ground virtually all over the country was measured in feet. As unbelievable as that may sound today there are those among us who will tell you that there were colder winters with even heavier snow falls in the 1940’s.
I was in conversation with a few of them the other day and heard about walking four miles to and from school with snow drifts at over six feet. At over 70 or maybe 80, they also experienced cold snaps during which it was deemed too cold and dangerous to take babies outdoors.
So far this year we have had our fill of days with temperatures below and above average. So regardless of what forecasters and insurers say, I don’t think now is the time to worry about who is fooling who. And you know what? It may not be a bad idea to heed the insurer's advice, prepare for the worst, and go on and winterise your car and check-up you central heating now.
