This was on the PA website

MET OFFICE STATEMENT ON UNEXPECTED SNOWFALL
MET OFFICE News Release issued by the Government News Network on 14
January 2004
The Met Office has issued a statement saying the snow that has hit
Wales, the Midlands and Eastern England today came from a weather
system which was particularly difficult to forecast. The prolonged and
heavy rain turned readily to snow as temperatures fell further than
expected.
Conditions are expected to improve later today, but further wintry
conditions can be expected for some areas over the next few days.