It’s been a brutal month weather-wise – but it’s not over yet, with snow forecast to fall in Greater Manchester today.
Winter has so far been uncharacteristically mild and we’ve not had much in the way of snow yet.
But the arrival of Storm Gladys – the UK’s fourth named storm in a fortnight – that might all change.
Yellow weather warning are in place for parts of the UK further north than us.
Despite dodging the worst of the weather warnings this time, there are snow flurries forecast in several Greater Manchester boroughs today.
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Snow in Marple Bridge in Stockport. Credit: Unsplash, Richard Pennystan
According to the Met Office, Oldham is the most likely to see some snow today, but there are glimpses of the white stuff in other boroughs too.
Here’s the borough-by-borough forecast for Thursday 24 February.
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Manchester – It’s a day of heavy showers and scattered sunshine for Manchester today, with highs of 4° and lows of 3° – but it will feel as cold as -2° into the evening.
Oldham – Oldham always seems to be the Greater Manchester borough that gets the best snow, and today is no exception – there are heavy snow showers predicted almost all day, with some potential rain at around 4pm. It might feel as cold as -5° there today.
Rochdale – It might look like snow in Rochdale today, but don’t get too excited – it’s mostly set to turn to sleet and rain as the day wears on. Heavy snow IS forecast to fall at about 7pm, but it may not stick after so much rain.
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Bury – There are heavy showers and scattered sun all over Bury, with some big downpours expected in between 7pm and 9pm.
Bolton – Bolton’s snowfall is forecast to arrive early in the day, with a heavy snow shower expected at around 11am. But it will then turn to sleet, and back to classic northern rain by the afternoon.
Wigan – Much like Bury, Wigan will be hit with some heavy rain showers throughout the day, with a few patches of sunshine in between.
Salford – There’ll be some heavy rain falling at intervals across Salford today, with temperatures feeling as cool as -3° in the evening.
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Trafford – The southern edge of Greater Manchester is looking like it won’t see much in the way of snow today – instead, it’ll be a day of sunshine and showers, with a chance of sleet around 7pm.
Stockport – There are rain showers forecast all day in Stockport, bar some potential dry spells between 5pm and 7pm, and at 8pm.
Tameside – The Met Office is predicting heavy rain showers mid-afternoon and again at around 9pm.
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
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Met Office gives verdict on how Storm Boelo aftermath will affect Greater Manchester this week
Emily Sergeant
Storm Boelo is finally on his way out, and now the Met Office has given its verdict on what we can expect from the rest of the week.
In the aftermath of two successive storms, Storm Austen followed by Storm Boelo – the latter of which affected Greater Manchester – the UK is now able to begin recovering from the effects of the adverse weather.
But the Met Office has warned that, although there is no named storm, strong winds and heavy rain will continue to affect parts of the UK early this week, before high pressure brings calmer conditions.
Yellow national severe weather warnings are in place for parts of Scotland and western areas of the UK today (Tuesday 27 October), including areas of the North West, as gales and spells of rain bring the potential for ongoing disruption around the region, particularly on exposed coasts and higher ground.
“The continued winds could hamper recovery efforts in some places,” forecasters also unfortunately confirmed.
⚠️ Strong winds and heavy rain continue across parts of the UK early this week with a yellow weather warning in place, before high pressure brings calmer conditions for many from Wednesday ⛅
Read our news release to find out more 👇
https://t.co/EQU4vvaA3B https://t.co/hpvTd8v7EZ
As rest of the week pans out though, conditions will begin to settle down and showers are expected to become ‘less frequent’, while winds also ease for most, although gales could continue for a time in the far north.
Thursday is expected be ‘largely dry’ with lighter winds and variable cloud, with a touch of mist and fog likely across parts of England and Wales during the morning.
From Friday and into the weekend, light rain will team up to potentially affect northwestern areas of England, but for the most part, temperatures are expected to remain close to, or slightly above, average for the time of year.
“From Wednesday, high pressure will start to build which will ease the winds and bring a quieter and largely drier end to the week for many, although some rain is still possible in the North and West,” explained Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, Steven Keates.
“However, with wind warnings in place, those in warnings areas, particularly in northern Scotland and western high ground, continue to be exposed to strong winds and heavy rain before the more settled weather arrives.”
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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Popular pumpkin patch attraction describes ‘catastrophic’ impact of Storm Boelo
Daisy Jackson
Bates Farm, one of the most popular pumpkin patch attractions in the North West, has shared its heartbreak after Storm Boelo forced its closure on the busiest day of the season.
The Warrington-based family farm said the financial impact has been ‘honestly catastrophic’, after they had to cancel all tickets for Sunday.
Sisters Ali and Fiona Wilshaw, who run the farm, said it was simply not safe to allow members of the public onto the farm in the storm, with ‘crazy’ gusts of wind.
They later shared a video that showed their marquee was badly damaged and many footpaths turned to deep mud.
The sisters said they were ‘heartbroken’ to have to close at such a busy time, but stressed to followers that ‘your safety and our integrity will always come first’.
On Saturday, as Storm Austen and Storm Boelo chased each other across the UK, several people shared videos of themselves getting battered by the weather at Bates Farm.
And it’s pretty clear from that why Ali and Fi decided to cancel all tickets and close for the day on Sunday.
They wrote: “We have put in so much love, energy and investment putting on this event at this scale. The cost to cancel and refund everyone today on our busiest day of the season is honestly catastrophic, but business aside, your safety and our integrity will always come first.
“To think last night we were running round Tesco trying to stock up on milk and now we are in the depths of recovering the site to go again tomorrow. All emails and enquiries are being responded to as quickly as possible and we are doing our best to open up more available slots next week.
“We are being tested like never before, but pulling together in true force. Huge shout out to the whole team and Farmer Fi the absolute queen in any crisis.
“Thank you all for your patience and especially thank you to those who have sent such kind words and support, we are so grateful to have customers like you.
“We will be back tomorrow to enjoy the remaining of this tough season, we are putting in so many provisions with wood chip paths, undercover seating and an indoor barn to make your visit as enjoyable as possible. Ali & Fi.”
Anyone who had tickets to visit Bates Farm on Sunday will be refunded, and can book in for another date.
Bates Farm has safely reopened its autumnal experience and pumpkin patch today.
Daisy Jackson -
24th February 2022 
