If there's the possibility of a few snowflakes falling over London it has become routine to release severe weather warnings to the effect that the end of the world is nigh. This must be baffling to those who live in upland regions where snow is the norm at this time of year. Compared to snowfalls twenty or thirty years ago it's a disgrace when everything comes to a standstill when we get a heavy frost. A few snow flurries here in the North East of England but not lying.