Rare October snowstorm
November 5, 2008
Autumn was interrupted by a harsh, albeit brief, taste of what winter may have in store when parts of Down and Armagh were hit by a severe snow storm on Wednesday.
Heavy snow and plummeting temperatures brought the coldest October temperatures in more than seventy years to the area.
More than four inches of snow fell in parts of south Armagh, rendering many roads impassable.
Gritter lorries struggled to cope with the unseasonable weather with drivers facing treacherous conditions as daytime temperatures struggled to reach 5 degrees C.
Armagh Observatory reported that the snowfall on the 28th and 29th was the first time that snow had fallen in Armagh in October since 30th and 31st October 1934.
However, many children were delighted at the opportunity to build snowmen and engage in snowball fights - a fantastic way to spend the mid-term Halloween break from school.
