Early Season Snowfall From Autumn 1878

[Weather-history]

A letter by Dr George Burder of Clifton, Bristol written on the 8th November 1878

"In the closing hours of October and first of November a remarkable snowstorm visited these parts.

At 10pm on October 31st, after two hours of heavy rain, snow commenced falling. at 11pm, the air was thick with falkes of enormous size and the gardens were already becoming white. by daylight on November 1st, when the fall had ceased, snow lay on the ground to an average depth of 4 inches. The effect upon the trees and shrubs was disastrous. Many of the evergreens were torn to piecesby the weight of the superincumbent mass, tall conifers were bowed to the earth or broken off in the middle and large trees (as the oak, elm and birch)lost many branches."

This early season snowfall was a sign of things to come.

[phil nw.]

I had a look at the 1878/9 Winter Monthly CETs after reading your post--remarkable.

Dec,-0.3C,Jan,-0.7C,Feb.3.1C so a Winter Average CET of only 0.7C-if my maths are correct.

I have pasted the quote from our own site,

"1878-79: Another snowy one! In the north, snow cover remained for 3 months! Snow recorded in November, December, January, February, March and April! "

[Weather-history]

Only 2 weeks later, there was an even wintrier episode. Snow fell heavily on the morning of the 12th of November in the Durham, North Yorkshire, Cleveland and the Westmoreland districts to the depths of 18 inches. Interestingly, the snowfalls was accompanied by lightning.

From T.W. Blackhouse of Sunderland

"On the night of the 11th, there was a fall of snow which is generally acknowledged to have been heavier than any remembered to have ever fallen in so short a time. It drifted to some extent, but its average depth was 10.5 inches. There was a thunderstorm during the snowfall with the most dazzling lightning nearest at 5.15am."

Grimsby: 3 inches of snow on night of 11th

York: 11 inches of snow on the 12th

Stanley Vicarage: Heavy snow; violent thunder and lightning

Newcastle-upon-Tyne: snow

Lochbroom: Very severe snowstorm

Druid Ahburton: Snowing to 4pm on 12th, 4 inches deep, lighnting in evening

East Layotn: 18 inches deep of snow, drifted 6ft

Whitley: Very severe thunderstorm with snow