The thing is, in the UK we don't have a climate - it's different every day. Usually.
But I agree about this surprise thing. You'd've thought that they'd've worked out by now that they're going to need to sweep leaves off the railway in autumn and snow off the roads in winter. Every time there's half an inch of snow the whole blasted country grinds to a halt!
Grump grump grump.
(It's all right. Don't mind me. I'll just go and eat some thistles.)