{"id":4948,"date":"2025-12-19T09:30:30","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T09:30:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/dorset-history-centre-blog\/?p=4948"},"modified":"2025-12-19T12:43:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T12:43:17","slug":"dreaming-of-a-white-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/dorset-history-centre-blog\/2025\/12\/19\/dreaming-of-a-white-christmas\/","title":{"rendered":"Dreaming of a White Christmas…"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s that season where we start to think about whether we will get snow for Christmas. We thought we\u2019d look back through the archives at snow in Dorset over the years. Weymouth bay saw ice in 1963, cars being dug out, picturesque Dorset cottages and fields covered in a gentle white sprinkling like icing sugar \u2013 ooh it makes you feel all cosy doesn\u2019t it?!<\/p>\n

It looks like 1962\/1963 was quite a time of it for snow, with ice in the sea at Weymouth and even windblown icicles hanging from the railings along the seafront \u2013 what an incredible sight that must have been!<\/p>\n

A document from the old Dorset County Council, referencing specifically 27\/28th December snowfall and the 29\/30th December 1962 blizzard, contains a map of Dorset indicating the areas affected by the snowfall, and wonderful before & after photographs. The key indicates that areas where \u201cLengths blocked by snowdrifts exceeding 2 feet depth shown in black\u201d and \u201cLand more than 250 feet above sea level shown thus\u201d – thus being the dotted shaded areas. One can see from this map that the areas northwest of Dorchester were particularly affected.<\/p>\n

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Map of Dorset showing snowfall in 1962. DCC_A537_(01)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The before and after photographs contained within document the extent of the depth of snowfall in that notorious winter season \u2013 with roads literally filled with snow between the banks rendering them completely unpassable.<\/p>\n

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Images of “the road to Sydling” in January 1963.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In this image of 23rd<\/sup> January, note the road sign on the right hand side in each of the images, the road is completely buried!<\/p>\n

In this image of Holway Lane near Cattistock the snow banks are as tall, if not taller, than the men working hard to clear them \u2013 imagine doing all that by hand \u2013 how exhausting!<\/p>\n

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Men shovelling snow at Holway Lane near Cattistock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The following log documents meticulously the locations and corresponding before and after negative numbers \u2013 this must have taken some time to compile.<\/p>\n

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—<\/p>\n

Horses proved a great aid in bad weather with a make-shift plough attached to some heavy horses to clear the road in Shaftesbury. This image is estimated to be between 1935 & 1965. If anyone can help us date this more accurately, or if you have any memories or stories from this time, we would love to hear from you.<\/p>\n

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D-DPA\/1\/People\/38<\/a>: Horses pulling a plough to move snow.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

—<\/p>\n

Weymouth was a pretty scene, with ice floating in the harbour, snow on the beach and icicles hanging from the railings along the promenade and from the eaves of buildings.<\/p>\n

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D-HBT\/4737<\/a>: Ice on the sea at Weymouth, 1963<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n