As we, for now at least, are looking at a milder interlude, I thought that I would attempt one of these about the lead up to the very cold February of 1956.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/mohippo/pdf/p/e/feb1956.pdf

That's the summary of the month. However, on this day 52 years ago, coldies could have been forgiven for throwing in the towel for the rest of the winter as regards a "Beasterly"

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/reanalysis.php?jaar=1956&maand=1&dag=18&uur=1200&var=1&map=1&model=noaa

Not entirely unlike today with our old friend the Azores High prominent and no sign of anything stirring to the East.

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/reanalysis.php?jaar=1956&maand=1&dag=25&uur=1200&var=1&map=1&model=noaa

A week later and little change.

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/reanalysis.php?jaar=1956&maand=1&dag=28&uur=1200&var=1&map=1&model=noaa

With little warning, however, a Scandy High has developed by the 28th, supported by strong WAA on its Western flank.

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/reanalysis.php?jaar=1956&maand=2&dag=2&uur=1200&var=1&map=1&model=noaa

By the 2nd February, the Scandy High is powerful but the real cold blast seems to have passed to the South.

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/reanalysis.php?jaar=1956&maand=2&dag=7&uur=1200&var=1&map=1&model=noaa

By the 7th, a cold anti-cyclone is centred over the UK and Ireland and it begins to retrogress to the North-West by the 11th.

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/reanalysis.php?jaar=1956&maand=2&dag=11&uur=1200&var=1&map=1&model=noaa

A cold regime remains in place for the month

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/reanalysis.php?jaar=1956&maand=2&dag=22&uur=1200&var=1&map=1&model=noaa

None of which could have been foreseen on the 18th January 1956. So, you never know..... 

Sterling effort to rally the morale of the troops, LH!

Thanks.

No doubt the more knowledgeable will be able to point out that SST's were lower, Arctic sea-ice more extensive in 1956 etc. My post is probably bit like trying to convince the wino down the street that his numbers could come up in the next lottery draw.

Still, as the lottery people say, it could be you - our numbers might come up!

Absolutely - and you make a great point. This current spell (which, whilst being a disappointment for many, has delivered some proper wintry conditions for Scotland, part of Ireland, and N/NE England) appeared at a relatively short range. David Porter repeatedly makes the point that a few times this winter the MO has resolutely shown a flip to high pressure to the south of us and mild, only for them the back away as the more reliable period comes into focus.

Nice account Lionel. 

The last true continental easterly here in Ireland at least was back in January 2008, and that only lasted a day or two. 

Lovely recount of events in 2/56, Lionel; thanks.

You can see a subtle hint of things to come in your 3rd link, I would argue- 25th Feb. There's a little ridge stretching NE from the UK and it is starting to take shape over Scandinavia, with an unusual pressure configuration. You've inspired me now- I need to go to Wetterzentrale and look at the steps between 24th and 27th.

February 1956 delivered its most intense cold into France. Mosst of France's records for cold still stand and were set in that very cold February.

Temperatures near Strasbourg fell to as low as -27C doing severe damage to vineyards.

Yes, possibly the beginnings of it there. I think that one difference between that year and the current year is that in all of the charts in 1956, you can see evidence of High Pressure in the high Arctic regions which is usually helpful for us if we want to see really cold air arrive.

Well done Lionel.  This is THE benchmark for a cold spell locally, with the added benefit of 12 inches of laying powder snow, which topped up at times.  A Kent clipper set up on a number of occasions, including one time with upper air temperatures of

-20c ...Edit here is the first occasion: http://www.meteociel.fr/modeles/archives/archives.php?mode=0&month=2&day=2&year=1956&map=4&hour=0&type=ncep

Then on the 9th a mere -16c: http://www.meteociel.fr/modeles/archives/archives.php?mode=0&month=2&day=9&year=1956&map=4&hour=12&type=ncep

-15c on 14t: http://www.meteociel.fr/modeles/archives/archives.php?mode=0&month=2&day=14&year=1956&map=4&hour=12&type=ncep

-14c (all upper air temps) on 19th:http://www.meteociel.fr/modeles/archives/archives.php?mode=0&month=2&day=19&year=1956&map=4&hour=0&type=ncep

and still below -10c on 23rd: http://www.meteociel.fr/modeles/archives/archives.php?mode=0&month=2&day=23&year=1956&map=4&hour=12&type=ncep

Here's the weather report - 15" of snow by 21st in east Kent

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/mohippo/pdf/p/e/feb1956.pdf

Froze were the days.

and 2m temps of -6c.

Probably the most severe spell of weather in Dover of the past century.

Phil. Is this the one we spoke about a year or so ago at one of our 'summits' ? 

It is hard to believe those of us down here are living in the same country, and not a great distance away from proper wintry conditions

Its like the  Game of Thrones world of weather. Warm and sunny down here but cold and snowy up north! 

Next week the north south divide will be even more in evidence with high pressure to the south making it springlike in London but very different conditions in Scotland

How on earth has this exciting thread sharing information about the Feb 1956 monster easterly transcended into a 2018 southern shitefest cold zonality discussion ? .

I could be in snowy winter wonderland within 30-40 minutes from my home right now. Not for the first time. As infuriating as it sounds.

Oh, and can one of you excellent archivists confirm which winter in the 50's had an amazing snowfall in NW England (probably elsewhere as well). I've got 1953 in my head. Course, it was many years before I was born, but I've heard tell.

I've been following this forum off and on for many years, but I don't think I've ever posted here before, as I've been afraid that it would quickly develop into a massive drain on my time.  But this topic is too interesting for me to resist.

Possibly an even better example than 1956 of "where did that easterly come from?" is 1947. Here's the chart for 17th January:

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/reanalysis.php?map=1&model=noaa&var=2&jaar=1947&maand=01&dag=17&uur=1200&h=0&tr=360&nmaps=24#mapref

Here's that for the 22nd:

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/reanalysis.php?map=1&model=noaa&var=2&jaar=1947&maand=01&dag=22&uur=1200&h=0&tr=360&nmaps=24#mapref

And for the 24th:

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/reanalysis.php?map=1&model=noaa&var=2&jaar=1947&maand=01&dag=24&uur=1200&h=0&tr=360&nmaps=24#mapref

It's many a year since we've seen a chart quite like that one.

Apologies. I should have given you specific credit for this type of thread 

. You've done a few of these before I think hence I said at the start that I would try one of these! I should have mentioned you. I didn't remember that you had done 1956. I thought that might it might have been a little bit forgotten - though from some of the posts that clearly isn't the case. As Saint spotted, I wanted to do 1956 just to show that this winter could still turn around. In theory, at least.... 

Others may know better but having looked up "The Weather of Britain" by Robin Sterling,January 1955 seems the best fit(see, I've done proper research  According to Robin, 1955 was snowier than '47 in some Northern parts of Britain. It says that Blackpool had 5 foot drifts on 19th January so that might be the year. He's got nothing to say about 1953!

Yes, another fantastic year. Seems a world away. You do wonder how it can have changed so much from the 17th to the 24th. So no need to give up on 2018 quite yet!