YORK threw off its thermals as the mercury hit 64 degrees yesterday. Only the leaf fall and nightfall reminded us that summer was over.

Mother Nature's a sly old goose, however. She sends a warm front first, to soften us into thinking that we are in for a mild and sunny winter.

Then, according to the Met Office, her plan is to swap balmy for bitter, by despatching polar air our way. York's toughest modern winters, in 1947 and 1963, are brought to mind by a forecast to freeze the marrow.

The meteorological message is simple. Don't ditch the woollies just yet; and it may be worth swapping those sandals for a pair of snowshoes. Brrr.

Updated: 09:12 Tuesday, October 11, 2005