I don't know if the point I am going to make has been mentioned before, but I have been weather and model watching for 60 years ..... going back to the days when models were always FI at 48 hours. My gripe is that of last week in January. A lot has been made about the epic start to the 47 winter. However I can say from my perspective that in the West Country there has been no major snowfalls in my area during that week since 1958. Even 1963 and 1978 did not produce much significant snow at this time. The much lauded 'thundersnow' of 2004 only produced a patchy half an inch. May be some of my fellow Victor Meldrews of the weather scene down here in the south could back me up on this.....
That does seem to be backed up by Bonacina although plenty of snow either side that people would die for!
"1962-3 Mid-Nov., especially south west England. 26-29th Dec., blizzards southern England. London 12in drifting snow. Jan. and Feb., widespread falls, especially Devon, north east England 2ft."
"1977-8 8-17th Feb., very snowy north east, east and south west England. Feb 11th, Edinburgh, Durham 1ft. Feb. 15-16th south west England, blizzard with huge drifts."
"1985-6 18-20th Nov, S. England 2ins.; 25-29th Nov., Scotland, 6-12in. 7-8th Jan, widespread. 22-23rd Feb., south west England, 6in. Feb very cold (CET -1.1degC); 1st Mar, blizzard, England. Apr, numerous places more than 10 days snowfall."
"1986-7 18-20th Nov, S. England 2ins.; 25-29th Nov., Scotland, 6-12in. 7-8th Jan, widespread. 22-23rd Feb., south west England, 6in. Feb very cold (CET -1.1degC); 1st Mar, blizzard, England. Apr, numerous places more than 10 days snowfall."