A COLD snap has brought snow and ice to Somerset in recent days, with temperatures falling below zero throughout the south west region.

This month’s snowfall will surely have reminded some locals of prolonged wintry conditions in December 2010, which saw widespread disruption across the county – and temperatures of -13°C.

The County Gazette reported that parts of West Somerset were “crippled” by heavy snow on December 23, with one shop owner in Dunster reporting zero customers in two days, when business would usually be booming in the run-up to Christmas.

Marcus Kravis, chairman of Minehead Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: “The snow has affected businesses a lot, but there are people out and about. I’ve never seen such deep snow in Minehead.”

People staying at Butlin’s in the seaside town were allowed to stay at the site for an extra day free of charge because of the treacherous conditions on the roads.

Somerset County Gazette: Snow on Exmoor on December 10, 2022.Snow on Exmoor on December 10, 2022. (Image: Leanna Coles, Somerset Camera Club)

Despite the weather, West Somerset Railway was able to keep its trains running thanks to a mammoth volunteering effort, which helped ensure children got to visit Santa.

Railway manager Paul Conibeare said: “We had volunteers clearing lots of snow, so the children still got to see Santa.

“I couldn’t make it into Minehead on Monday, so I helped out in Bishops Lydeard instead.”

Earlier in the month, around a dozen school were forced to close because of the blanket of snow covering the county, with many bus and coach services unable to run.

Somerset County Gazette: The Santa Express makes its way through the snowy Somerset landscape in December 2022.The Santa Express makes its way through the snowy Somerset landscape in December 2022. (Image: Steve Speck, Somerset Camera Club)

Hazardous driving conditions were reported on the A3038, where a lorry became stuck in the snow, and on the A30 at Hendford Hill (Yeovil) and Babylon Hill (Sherborne, Dorset).

On December 3, the Met Office confirmed that Somerset had been one of the coldest regions of the UK, with the mercury falling to -11°C overnight.

Conditions were particularly treacherous in the Yeovil area and on Exmoor. Homeless services operating in the county said they were “stretched” but able to cope with the increased demand.

Somerset County Gazette: Somerset was buried in snow for much of December 2010.Somerset was buried in snow for much of December 2010. (Image: County Gazette)

And residents woke up on December 17 to find the county covered in snow once again, causing even more skipped days of school.

Five days before Christmas, temperatures plummeted to -13°C overnight with 20cm (8in) of snow falling in some areas.

Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton reported 50 weather-related fractures in two days, saying it would usually treat around 20.

Across the UK, the AA and RAC dealt with record numbers of breakdown calls, while travellers were advised against going to airports unless they were certain their flight was going to take off.