Snow and ice in Hampshire and Dorset through the years

During the spring of 1908, the United Kingdom experienced an event that left a lasting impression.

For four days, starting on April 23 and ending on April 26, the southern regions of England were blanketed in heavy snowfall.

In the years that followed, snow became a rarity in the United Kingdom until some of the southwest saw falls of up to 14 inches in 1916 and 1917.

In the early months of 1963, a severe winter descended upon the land, bringing with it a relentless freeze that gripped the entire region.

The cold spell began with a blizzard in December and lasted until March. January was so cold - the coldest month of the 20th century.

Due to exhaustion, more than 50 employees of the Bournemouth Corporation failed to report for work on January 1.

The snowstorm had blanketed the area with a staggering 14 inches of snow, causing a standstill in construction projects and leaving many individuals, especially those in the building industry, temporarily unemployed.

Several North Dorset villages were left isolated in February due to a snowdrift that reached a depth of 8ft.

In the winter of 1978, a remarkable snowfall descended upon Dorset, reminiscent of the extreme freeze experienced more than a decade earlier in 1962-63.

Snowfall on February 15 was followed by gales and blizzards on February 18, with at least six inches of snow in most of Dorset and areas cut off by drifts.

In December 1981, some parts of the south saw 12 inches of snow, while January 1982 saw 1-2ft of snow and very cold temperatures.

During the winter of 1985, a substantial amount of snow blanketed numerous regions, causing Poole Park Lake to freeze completely and resulting in the closure of several schools. In January of 1987, Dorset managed to avoid the brunt of the heavy snowfall, but the landscape was still adorned with small patches of white.

In the year 2009, a sudden snowfall disrupted the usual mild winters that had been experienced throughout the 21st century. The impact was so severe that more than 100 schools in the local area had to shut down.

The A338 Spur Road was closed after a gritting run failed to prevent a series of collisions, causing chaos on other roads.

In a surprising turn of events, the south coast experienced an unexpected shift in weather as winter came to a close.

The arrival of snow and ice, known as the notorious "Beast from the East," left a lasting impact on the region in 2018, causing disruptions that will be etched in people's memories for years to come.

Schools were closed, roads were eerily void of vehicles and people stayed cosy in the warmth and comfort of their own homes - unless they were crafting a snowman in the back garden of course.

Train services were cancelled and people were advised to check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours.