On Saturday the 23rd of January this year, weather reports all across Surrey forecast large amounts of snow for the following few days. Due to snow reports being generally unreliable for the area many residents thought that little would actually settle, if there was any fall in the first place, so it was a surprise to find the whole area surrounded in blankets of white the following morning.
This was the first time there has been large amounts of snowfall in the area since March 2017, and it was certainly a sight to see. Rooves, gardens, driveways and roads alike were coated in blankets of thick, crispy snow, glimmering in the morning sun. Delicate flakes fell from the sky, landing on everything and everyone beneath. Wherever you turned, you would be greeted with chalky landscapes covered with the light fog of a winter afternoon. It was truly a majestic view, and one that everyone should have a chance to wake up to and experience.
Another thing that was lovely about the snowfall was how much it united families again. Seeing parents and children alike building snow forts and throwing snowballs on driveways was a joyful sight, and it brought into perspective how much fun people of all ages can have with just a little weather change. The day following the main snowfall all the parks and local open areas were lined with snowmen, built by families out to have a good time and create something fun together. It really is amazing how much entertainment and happiness we can get when we turn our screens off, go outside and really embrace what’s going on around us in the moment.
In addition to this, it wasn’t just families that were brought together by the event. On the streets, people were attempting to clear the roads so that drivers could pass by safely, and neighbours were shovelling the snow off of other’s driveways. The elderly were delivered warm food and drink so they wouldn’t have to leave the house, while younger children played and socialised with others in the pavements and parks. In a year where we’re all feeling a little isolated and alone, it was a great opportunity to socialise and enjoy ourselves with neighbours and friends, even if we had to remain at a distance from others.
In conclusion, the sudden snowfall was a great part of this year, and is definitely my highlight of the month. Nobody knows what the future holds for the coming year, and judging by how last year went were almost certainly in for a time that many would consider to be far from ideal. Although it was something small, the event is sure to make some treasured memories for the people that got to experience it, and is something many of us will never forget. I guess it just goes to show that in the middle of all the uncertainty that is the future, the little things are the ones that stand out and make us smile the most.
