Longhope saw the first flurries of snow of this winter today. Following heavy overnight rain storms, the village and surrounding hills had a light dusting of the white stuff for the rush-hour. More sleet and snow showers continued on and off throughout the day, and as darkness fell, thunder and heavy showers of hail and snow were had, with temperatures hovering just around freezing for much of the time. The forecast is for more of the same, with very high winds and more storms set for Friday and the weekend. Batten down the hatches!