If you think the double glazing in your Cheshire home could do with an upgrade or a bit of TLC, now might be the perfect time to pay it some close attention as it’s being suggested that this winter could in fact be the coldest we’ve experienced in ten years… and that’s after the hell that was the Beast from the East last year!
Forecaster for Exacta Weather James Madden warned that November is showing signs of some stormy weather and the first proper snowfall, with temperatures over the month predicted to potentially fall below average, the Daily Express reports.
He went on to say that December is also looking to be colder than average, with widespread snow early on in the month. And between Christmas and New Year, there may well be “potentially crippling snowfalls and ice storms” thanks to low-pressure storm systems coming to our shores, clashing with colder air.
Mr Madden further added: “The tendency towards colder and more disruptive forecasts this winter is linked to low solar activity and how it will impact our jet-stream and sudden stratospheric warming.
“The sun is currently blank of sunspot activity and the bad news is that this is going to get any better as we enter a new solar cycle, in fact we could be going into a period with the lowest solar activity on record.”
Insulating your windows at this time of year is a must as an awful lot of heat escapes through this part of the house… which you certainly won’t want if it’s going to be as chilly as they say.
As well as making sure you’ve got the best double glazing installed, you should make sure you check the sealing on the windows and replace this if it’s worn or you can feel any drafts. Window insulation film may also prove to be quite a useful tool and all you have to do is stick it to the window to help keep the heat in.
And take a quick look at the window treatments you have. If you’ve only got thin blinds covering the glass, they won’t keep the heat in. Perhaps consider swapping them out for thicker lined curtains or drapes to help keep your house warm this winter.
However, there may not be as much cause for panic as Mr Madden believes. The Met Office has said that this weekend could actually see above average temperatures hitting the UK, with a bit of a heatwave to come for weeks before the wintry weather really sets in.
While this may or may not actually come to fruition (although we obviously hope it does), it certainly can’t hurt to be prepared and do all you can at home now to ready your home to withstand the cold temperatures that will inevitably arrive at some point.
