MARCH was an unbelievably wintry month, particularly when compared to the glorious one last year. As then, high pressure governed our weather.

Unfortunately, on this occasion, it was centred North of Britain, rather than to the South. As a result, raw winds from the east or north-east, often strong, held sway.

Mean temperatures were an astonishing 4C (7F) below normal, even 2C (3.5F) chillier than for the average January, and a staggering 9C (16F) colder than those in March 2012.

Then, on the 27th, the peak, about 21C (70F), was no less than 19C (34F) higher than on the same date this time.

That March was the mildest for 30 years, this one the coolest for 50.

In fact, it was the most bitter month since the exceptionally arctic December in 2010, an incredible 3.5C (6F) icier still. It should be warming up quickly during March, but the final ten days were 3C (5.5F) chillier than the first.

Monday the 11th was widely the coldest day since January and in any March on record. Temperatures struggled to reach freezing even at low levels.

Together with a near-gale, it felt absolutely evil – and such conditions were repeated a few more times.

At least, due to the wind and cloud, the mercury didn’t plummet to extremes at night, but the hardest frosts came largely at the end of the month. Soil temperatures down to 30cm (1ft), also sunk to their lowest of the winter then, 4C (7F) below what they should be.

So, plants will certainly be slow to start growing this season.

It was dull, in stark contrast again to last March. It was much wetter, too, though fairly dry compared to other months over the past year.

Rainfall was generally just above the norm.

At Carlton, near Stokesley, the 17th was the second wettest March day in three decades.

Half the month’s total, more than in the previous two Marches combined, poured down, some as snow.

Friday the 22nd saw widespread disruption to transport and power supplies as blizzards swept north-east across Britain.

However, they didn’t get to all our region. The area roughly east of the A19 escaped with only a few flurries.

Curiously, on the morning of the 25th, you might have found quite thick ice on puddles.

Yet, temperatures had remained above 0C (32F) all night. As it was breezy and the air dry, there was considerable evaporation from wet surfaces, cooling them below freezing.