I remember getting excited about the prospects of this easterly during mid December 1997. The previous two Decembers had easterly spells, the 1995 one was near the start of the month and the 1996 one was at the end of the month and I saw snow on both occasions. The December 1997 easterly was a disappointment though, there were a few snow flurries in the air and even the breakdown was nothing special. Not sure how others thought of this easterly but for easterly fans, I don't think it was one of the best.

Infact Manchester Airport never even got below freezing at any stage.

Forecasts from this period, the sound is low unfortunately

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It was a poor effort easterly but the breakdown was fairly impressive here in Folkestone. The precipitation band intensified at 9am as it reached the SE coast and fell as moderate snow for longer than forecasted due to the continental undercut. Places like Walmer, Sandwich and Deal though escaped all the snow and simply encountered afternoon drizzle once the milder air moved in.

Appoximately 7-8cm fell in those 3 hours at -2c before the drip drip drip started in the early afternoon.

The thaw was rapid from 3pm and by 9pm all trace of snow had gone with the temperature up to 9c (48f) with heavy rain.

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Indeed, Gusty. I've got it written down on my dairy as being wintry enough to cause disruptions over here where it snowed between 9 pm and 1 pm. It was even accompanied with strong winds.
   I was able to knock off work at mid-day on that Wednesday (17th) and looked forward to chillin' out at home for the rest of the day, but the usual 20 minutes commute from the former hill-top based greenhouse to my coastal home location took 1 & 1/2 hours due to a spate of car accidents as everyone got caught out by the snow.
  Then the thaw took place by mid-afternoon as it all turned murky indicating the arrival of the milder air.
  
The next day (Thursday 18th) was a 'orrible and wet day with heavy and continous rain, enough to cause localised flooding. It was also foggy over high ground.
 
Just for the record, the following Christmas holiday break turned out to be very changeable and stormy.

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Must be awful to see this type of snow to rain which I am glad this time is far much better and relaxing than recent winters.  My preference is deep cold and snow with naturally warming up slowly to average to give us time to enjoy the snow.