[The Big Freeze of ten years ago...]

I'm on the Isle of Man, and we don't often get lying snow for long here - obviously the surrounding sea tends to keep temperatures that bit higher. Even here though, it was cold, with snow lying for much of the month. The mean 24 hour temp was only 2.7°C - the coldest December recorded since Ronaldsway started in 1947. There was ice in some of the inner harbours, despite the salty water. 

[Met Office loses BBC contract]

Just checking my location forecast on the BBC website, and as always, it's still using the descriptor 'Breezy'. The quoted wind speed overnight is 1mph! They've had months to sort out this bug. It really is very poor.

[December 2016 monthly statistics]

Only 50mm of rain here - the driest December since 1975.

Mean 24 hour temp 8.8C, 2 degrees above average and the 3rd warmest on record. No air frost at all, no snow, not even a hail shower.

Only 29 hours of sunshine though, with all that cloud.

Storm Barbara was the only gale in the whole month.

[Winter Thoughts & Hopes 2016/17]

There was lots of mention in the longer range seasonal predictions for a 'front loaded' winter, with blocking and cold more likely than not, and for a while there it was looking like it was happening, but we've just had this change to mild SW'ly's. I like a winter high overhead, with cold frosty nights, and calm bright days. It's a weather type we hardly seem to get these days, even in the 'traditional' slot of late winter/February. We're due some cold though, after the last few winters.

[Wednesday 23rd November General Weather Chat]

What a change it was for today! Cold, but calm with sunshine, and now turning frosty. The sort of winters day you can still get out and get something done. A big change from the rain and gales over the last couple of days.