An interesting winter 1953-54, December 1953 was very mild and virtually frost free. January 1954 started with a short wintry spell but it became unsettled with gales mid month and very mild, Kew Observatory recorded a maximum of 14.2C
Then a change took place with high pressure developing in the Iceland region and intensifying as it move toward Scandinavia.
A trough approaching from the west gave rain at first then increasing snow in the west as colder air was pulled in from the continent. The last week of January and first week of February was bitterly cold with severe frosts.
Some minima
Thetford: -13.9C on the 1st
Welshpool: -20C on the 2nd
Hawarden: -17.7C on the 2nd
Ice covered or partially rivers, canals, lakes and ponds.
26th January-7th February 1954 CET: -2.5C
After the 7th, the cold relaxed as low pressure pushed down from the north, ending the cold block.
MANCHESTER SUMMER INDEX for 2021: 238
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