I take issue with some of those on that list.
2002-03 wasn't a front loaded winter, December 2002 was actually mild following the very mild November. There was a poor man's easterly mid month but it was snowless for many parts that December.
2003-04, I would call that a mild winter with each month contain short wintry episodes, they were no sustained wintry spells.
2004-05 had a white Christmas but it was fortunate the short blast occurred at Christmas, in actuality it was a mild December. The only sustained wintry spell came at the back end at that winter.
Recent Decembers have been a throwback to the Decembers of 1970s and 1980s.
I am not necessary saying front loaded winter but we have had snowy/cold or wintry spells/snaps in those Decembers compared to recent December's over past 10 years.
25th December 2004: - The chart say's it all.
I remember there being a smattering of snow on 22nd December 2003: - Proof here as we had a northerly plunge.
December 2002 - I remember wet snow falling and settling giving 1" around 9th and 10th. It didn't last long but it was snowy and cold for a few days daytime maxes of +0.5c -we had an easterly, I remember as I was at college then.
I remember the potent northerly 22nd December 2001 - I was at college then heavy wet snow fell over night not much settled but left a smattering this was following and easterly:
My point is we never seem to get proper snowy type cold weather in December for the exception of 2010 of course.
Home Location - Kellands Lane, Okehampton, Devon (200m ASL)
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Sean Moon
Magical Moon
www.magical-moon.com