Snow

Well our walk up the hill was initially lovely but became very bleak, very quickly! Alw kept dithering on the track as snow had drifted quite widely and she was very reluctant to put feet into a drift. Good girl! She was also rather put out about the screaming wind which sent ice particles into our faces and strange snowy tumbleweeds hurtling towards her feet...But we found and checked on our hill pony herd: all looking very relaxed and well 😍. I saw no ewes left up there but tbh I could have searched a bit more. OH doesn't think there are any left ATM so fingers crossed!

I had been able to see for 30 miles or so (quite some distance towards the Wrekin to the North and The Malverns to the East) when we were riding up but the weather front coming from the north meant I rapidly lost that visibility and we could then see and hear bad weather heading our way. We turned for home with hissing sleet following us down the hill. Definitely one of the bleaker snowy days here even though it's glorious sunshine on the yard now. I am so grateful to my mare: she is like a little goat and has excellent self preservation instincts!
 
Storm Bert has hit west Ireland this evening but its the usual blowy, wet, and chilly wind 24hr spell of yuck. We were forecast high 80’s gusts but its not been too severe.
We’re on an exposed hill too and the horses havent been so bothered by it to remain beside hedges and under trees mostly rather than go into the barn.
At least its rapidly melting the snow!
The snow was a few inches, but slow to melt until this evenings rain.
Massive blobs of snow yesterday were slipping off the big trees we’re surrounded by, which had my gelding’s eyes on stalks. He still hasn’t had much exposure to snow so looks bewildered by it..he’s usually the brave one, yet snow seems to just shock him…bless! I’ve been nannying him through it..🥕

The snow does looks dreamy though..despite being a bit of a pain to work in!

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I spent yesterday prepping for storm Bert - tidied away anything that might get blown away or damaged, put weights against the barn doors etc. Made up loads of haynets in advance, nice clean bed for the horses in the shelter.

Have just woken up to it and feel very unimpressed - my fields were drying up and are now a complete deluge again. It's still a bit dark but so far I can't see any damage, however we're in for a long day of it. Stay safe today everyone.
 
South Yorkshire, we've had about 4cm-1.1/2" snow overnight and it's still snowing no problem on main road 4 mile trip to stables and back. Main roads are clearish but all side roads are covered, some of the link roads to neighbouring villages will be hazardous. Stay safe everyone. Edit 8:25 and it's now raining steadily, so the snow on the roads will disappear.
 
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I woke up about 5.30 to snow having been blown against the windows. By 8.00am, I had to push snow off the doorstep to open the kitchen door, it's very wet snow though.and seems to be turning to rain, thank goodness. We have a dog field, about 30 mins away booked at 1.15 and I am hoping we will be able to get there. Fingers crossed.
 
Another couple of inches of snow overnight. Big drifts due to strong winds. All the roads in a terrible state as Kirklees council had neither gritted nor sent a plough through. Power cut in the next village along, ours is ok.

Went out at 7am to get ponies in and of course they were stood out in it, both absolutely plastered in snow. Both very pleased to come in!

The cat was regretting her refusal to come in last night and had to be coaxed out from under the shed bless her, so that I could carry her in.

Turned to heavy rain now so hoping the white stuff will not be around much longer.

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Bluh, it's awful out there, had to coax the dog out 🙄 then went back with a shovel to clear our homemade drains off the lane to stop the water running down our drive
 
Snow nearly gone but now roads flooded. Just drove back on M62 from Manchester airport and the gusts of wind were blowing the standing water like waves over cars, there were a few time I literally couldn’t see anything.

This morning I walked up the hill to a friends and we both went to the yard in her Discovery, it was still icy so were sliding everywhere, kept Pony in today, he doesn’t need to go out in this.
 
Almost thawed here and meant to be 14 degrees all night. Horses have gone from 200g rugs this morning to 100g in the day and now 0g! They’ve had to have a day in today due to the strong wind and heavy rain. I felt guilty but they actually seem quite happy and relaxed to be in. It’s not looking great tomorrow either but at least the snow has thawed so they can hopefully get out for a bit. Not ridden for a week and can’t see I’ll get to tomorrow either…
 
Looks like many people might get snow later. Hope that we do not get much. Makes getting to horses difficult. will be leaving extra hay and water in case late getting there tomorrow.
 
We are forecast it from 6pm ish tonight. As I don't have to consider logistics atm as I'm not caring for one I'm looking forward to it.
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Although if I'm being brutally honest there's nothing nicer than bringing your horse in from a snowy field into a warm clean bed, dry rugs and a hot dinner. Very satisfying and I enjoy the challenge of driving in it too the snow.
 
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Is anyone else forecast heavy snow this evening turning to heavy rain in the early hours of Sunday to continue through the rest of the day? Sounds like a bit of a nightmare!

Currently we're looking at 10 hours of heavy snow from late this afternoon, followed by 15 hours of heavy rain from 2am Sunday :oops:
 
Miss_Millie said:
Is anyone else forecast heavy snow this evening turning to heavy rain in the early hours of Sunday to continue through the rest of the day? Sounds like a bit of a nightmare!
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Yes that’s our forecast too (Midlands). I’ve popped rugs on mine this morning (natives that live out naked 99.9% of the year), put hay out and gritted key bits of the yard. Outside tap was still working this morning so I’ve left extra buckets filled, but I can bring hot water out of yard kitchen and/or kettle, or indeed the house if needed.

The actual forecast doesn’t seem too bad?! Rain aside… if there wasn’t the amber warning with it I’m not sure I’d have done anything extra.
 
Our forecast is currently heavy snow starting late tonight and carrying on until tomorrow evening when the snow is replaced by about 12 hours of sleet. The main roads around here are usually cleared pretty quickly but the lane outside and our drive will almost certainly be blocked so we won’t be going anywhere tomorrow.
 
It's been snowing on Exmoor most of this afternoon but I think we are due for a rise in temps and rain tomorrow so hopefully it will all be gone soon. I've given the ponies extra hay.
But it is warmer than yesterday (even if it doesn't feel it) because their buckets aren't frozen today.
 
Sat at the bottom of the pennines, starting at 9pm tonight (Sat ) we are forecast 9 hours of snow some of it heavy, followed by 10 hours of sleet, followed by 10 hours of rain, taking us till 5 ish Monday morning, the fields will be an even bigger mess. So the neds are having a couple of duvet days. Of course the sleet may turn to snow and the rain to sleet just to make it more interesting. Strangely although I've been out and about for the last 90 mins I've not seen a single gritting lorry and its currently 0°. Be safe everyone.
 
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