With a yellow warning for snow in place in Oldham tomorrow and Friday, we look back at when it REALLY snowed in the borough.

The Met Office has today issued a yellow alert for snow in Oldham with “heavy snow” forecast for the next two days.

Part of the borough is also covered by an amber alert for snow that is in place across the North West of England.

 

The amber weather warning - which advises of potential risk to life – is in place between 3pm on Thursday and 12pm on Friday.

The Met Office says that the yellow warning means that heavy snow has the potential to cause disruption.

 

What to expect:

 

  • Possible travel delays on roads stranding some vehicles and passengers
  • Possible delays or cancellations to rail and air travel
  • Some rural communities could become cut off
  • Power cuts may occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected

The Oldham Times: Children roll a giant snowball down King Street in the 1900s Children roll a giant snowball down King Street in the 1900s (Image: Newsquest)

Light snow is expected to fall in Oldham from 8am until 6pm tomorrow. Sleet is then forecast from 6pm until 7pm with light and heavier snow showers continuing overnight.

Strong winds and blizzard conditions are likely, especially over higher grounds with maximum temperatures reaching 5 °C.

The Oldham Times: Residents pictured in Diggle after heavy snow in the 1900sResidents pictured in Diggle after heavy snow in the 1900s (Image: Newsquest)

Further light snow showers are then expected through to Friday morning until 9am with rain, sleet, and snow set to clear later in the day.

It is forecast to be drier on Saturday with lighter winds and further rain, sleet, and snow possible on Sunday.

The Oldham Times: Snow on King Street, Oldham in the 1900s Snow on King Street, Oldham in the 1900s (Image: Newsquest)

Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: “Snow, ice, and low temperatures are the main themes of this week’s forecast, with the UK under an arctic maritime air mass.

“Snow could lead to some travel disruption, with a chance some rural communities in the north could be cut off."