The cold wintry March of 1937

[Weather-history]

The winter of 1936-37 was largely mild and very wet.

December 1936: 5.3

January 1937: 5.2

February 1937: 5.6

The January and February of 1937 were exceptionally wet for the UK. At the back end of February 1937, there was a change in the pressure patterns with extensive northerly blocking and this heralded a cold and wintry March with frequent snowfalls especially in the north but also times in the south.

The CET for this March was 3.6 and it was the coldest March since 1917, equalled with 1919.

For Scotland, it was 1.1

For Northern Ireland, it was 2.8

Here's the 1st March edition of the Times and the start of the cold March

[Roger J Smith]

Did you think of this after seeing the GFS output for Wednesday, Kevin?

[NorthernRab]

Ahhh, Inverness cut off from the world by snowfall. Maybe it will happen again one day? (or this Wednesday? lmao)

[Weather-history]

Did you think of this after seeing the GFS output for Wednesday, Kevin?

Lol, no I just posted it out of interest.

From the 8th of March 1937 edition of the Times

[johnholmes]

great to read the articles and see the photographs Kevin.

I'm amazed as ever at just how much you seem able to dig up!

[Weather-history]

The synoptic chart for the snowstorm of late Feb-early March 1937

The snowstorm began in Scotland on the 27th of February and drifts rapidly developed and the snowfalls spread into northern England and north Wales on the 28th February. 2ft of snow and 13ft drifts were reported. 107mph gust was recorded at Holyhead as a severe gale developed in the Irish Sea. Further south, drifts were not as bad being as much as 4ft.

On the 6th, Manchester and Sheffield record maxima of just 1C , whilst Dalwhinnie recorded a minimum of -15.6C on the 8th.

On the 11th to the 13th, Ulster was hit by a major snowstorm. At Garvagh, Londonderry, the snow began at 3.30pm on the 11th and lasted to about 12.30pm on the 13th. About 10 inches of snow fell. 12ft drifts were reported in places. The main road from Kilrea to Belfast was completely closed for 3 days. 10ft drifts were reported near Aldegrove.

[damianslaw]

Great reading once again, really enjoy these features. It seems ages since we have experienced a similar synoptic evolution with a low pressure tracking down the centre of the country from NW to SE..