LAST summer, whilst we in Britain were suffering deluge after deluge, many other parts of the world were in the grip of prolonged heatwaves. These warm dry conditions led to extensive wildfires, particularly in Greece and in California.

News coverage of these fierce flames showed enormous smoke clouds stretching up into the atmosphere. Looking at this, I began to think back to my collage days when one of the modules I studied looked at climatic change in relation to soot particles in the atmosphere. This may sound a dull subject but back the in the 1980s it was really important and it could be said that many tens of millions of us owe our very existence to it.

Through the study of the effect high level small particulates have on climate, the theory of the "nuclear winter" unfolded, further enforcing the stupidity and futility of nuclear war, then an all too frightening possibility.

Whilst the plumes of smoke particles thrown up into the atmosphere by the forest fires were no where near as destructive as a nuclear holocaust I began to wonder whether they would have an impact on this winter's climate, perhaps causing a cooling that could give us a decent bit of snowfall.

I really like snow. I love the way it changes landscapes, making everything seem fresh and brand new. I also like the fact it makes people think much more about the communities they actually live in and I also like following animal footprints as they always tell you a little story about what life is like for the animal you are following.

I can remember following a group of rabbits who would also seem to be excited about snow. The tracks criss-crossed as they were jumping around in rather carefree fashion.

Despite the little flurry we had the weekend before last, it would seem my theory was floored and I will have to wait for another year for my fix of snow, despite all the predictions offered by the weather people.

To be fair, snow is one of the most difficult weathers to accurately predict as it relies on the temperature in the clouds where the flakes form, the air beneath the clouds and the ground itself to be right for snow to hit the ground and stick. Snow can even form in a cloud, the cloud dissipate and then the snow to be blown by winds to appear is if from nowhere. This however is very far from the strangest snow.

In the high mountains in California you can get red snow that oozes blood-like if you squeeze it. This is caused by algae blooms that have grown within it.

There has even been yellow snow, which goes to prove there is always an exception to every rule as you could probably quite happily eat this one.

This yellow snow was recorded in 1902 in Michigan and was caused by yellow loamy soils being blown up into the atmosphere from a neighbouring state.

However, the strangest of all snow has to be that which fell on the Alps in 1922 when snow mixed with spiders, caterpillars and large ants fell upon the slopes.

How and why no one is too sure but it is generally felt it was due to strange atmospheric conditions that resulted in these creepy crawlies being swept up from a warmer country.

I have to admit, unlike most folk, I would really find insect riddled snow absolutely fantastic but the odds of this are far too tiny to even raise my hopes a little, but would a proper cover of just plain old normal snow be to much to ask for?

10:12am Tuesday 12th February 2008

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