The Swansea Blizzard of 1982 🌨️📷

Swansea is lucky to see a dusting of light snow these days, but the scene was far different 40-odd years ago.

This week, enjoy a collation of some amazing photos and memories of the winter of 1982, Swansea was hit with some of the deepest snow and coldest temperatures in living memory.

The Swansea Blizzard of 1982

In January 1982, a severe blizzard swept across Wales, remembered as one of the worst snowstorms of the 20th century. Starting on the evening of January 7th, snow fell relentlessly for 36 hours, blanketing Swansea and surrounding areas with drifts as high as 19 feet.

The unprecedented snowfall paralysed transportation, leaving major roads like the M4 impassable, and stranded towns and villages across South and Mid Wales.

Locals endured biting temperatures dropping below -20°C, while shortages of essentials like bread and milk led to long queues.

Schools closed for up to two weeks, and emergency efforts, including military aid, were mobilized to deliver supplies and dig out communities.

Swansea Blizzard Memories

The stories below have been lifted from posts scattered across various websites and Facebook groups. While I’m sure it must have been a tough time for many, the overriding feeling for most, is a happy one.

Cazadors:

“January 1982, that was real snow. Over a foot of snow on level ground and drifts taller than a man’s head. People were walking on the snow down lanes between stone walls and hedges and they’d feel a difference under foot and realise they were walking on top of a car.”

Owen Short:

“[I] remember frozen blocks of sea left on the beach at Mumbles when the tide was out, and packed snow patches alongside some Gower roads were in the shadow of the hedgebanks right into June."

Alison Williams:

“Oh, I lived in Horton: no electricity, no heat, hardly any food. The helicopters dropping bread. Able to walk on top of the gates and hedges in Horton lanes, we were completely cut off. A tough couple of weeks but fun.”

Phillipa Leighton-Jones

“I lived on Derlwyn hill in Killay. It became our sledge slope. The snow plough came once, carved us out a new sledge track and left. We were out there for days. Best winter of my life!”

Carol-Ann Mabbett:

"Remember this vividly, 6 years old and stuck in Port-Eynon. Snow completely covering the patio doors. Lucky because we had a freezer full of food, coal central heating, Rayburn for cooking and dad had a generator. Essentials were brought in via boat 😊"

Mark Shea:

"We lived in Upper Killay at the time and it felt like we were cut off from the rest of the city for a few days. The main Gower road was like a ski slope and there was no traffic at all. It was like a great adventure at 9 years old."

Philip Thomas:

"I lived in Blaen-y-maes then and didn't have two ha'pennies to scrape together. The local shop put up its prices for milk, bread, coal, and the necessities. I sincerely hope Karma catches up with whomever benefited from that profit.”

Stuart Henderson:

“In West Gower we had significantly more ... we were snowed in for a week and a half with no electricity before the army were sent to dig us out. The then Prince Charles came to visit us in Knelston School as we were the last place in the UK to get dug out.”

Diane Royle: 

“I was 8 days overdue when Pontardawe snow appeared overnight .. all we could see of our car was the aerial poking out! A kind neighbour took me to Neath hospital in his jeep just in case. Thought bumpy ride may have induced labour but no such luck.”

Gary David Neill:

"We woke up to it on the Friday morning. The first customer in Swansea Market came in about 11.30. The market had to close for a week because of the weight of the snow on the glass roof!"

Alice Rosalie:

"That was PROPER snow. We listened to Swansea Sound who told us what was happening and who needed help. "Anyone in a 4x4 free to pick up lady in labour?" "Mrs Jones has run out of bread, can someone deliver?" Etc.. it was fab!!"

Ian Smith:

"Woke up and looked out of the window, the snow was about three feet deep. I [thought] 'no work today, back to bed'. About half an hour later two policemen knocked our door. They'd come to get me to take me to Ystradgynlais to get a JCB. I was a driver at the time and spent the next week clearing roads. I only went home once in that week to drop off some coal for my wife and then straight back. Finally went home and had a bath on the Sunday!"

Mary Price:

“We walked from Killay to Swansea. When we got to the office, the boss told us we could go home. They would not be opening. So we walked back to Killay! I can't believe we actually did that."

Do you have memories of Swansea from the blizzard in 1982? Comment below to let me know!

Catch you on Sunday!

Andrew