With deference to the world renowned Beaufort Scale, there is a new Winter weather guide, which I have called, "The Postie Scale."

I have noticed near me in London, Posties were wearing shorts throughout December 2016, only donning trousers for the January 2017 cold snap. I assumed there must have been some Postie sweepstake as they were sent out from the local sorting office. Who could go the longest and prove their ruggedness?

I have seen they are now back in shorts.

I therefore have my own variation on the world renowned Beaufort Scale, which I call the ‘Postie Scale’. It is only applicable in the Winter months and goes as follows.

1. Postie in shorts with fleece tied around waist   =  cold
2. Postie in shorts and wearing fleece                     =  very cold
3. Postie in shorts and wearing jacket                     =  cold and wet
4. Postie in trousers and wearing jacket                 =  expect blizzard or arctic conditions

I can see today is a 2. on the Postie Scale, so for me that means a coat, hat and gloves and probably a brolly!