Leeds felt the full force of Mother Nature for two months in 1947 as daily snowfall and freezing temperatures caused untold chaos and inconvenience for residents in a city still recovering from the Second World War. It proved to be one of the worst winters on record, with the heaviest snowfalls since 1814. The extreme weather conditions were aggravated by the immediate post-war shortages of food, fuel and materials. These images showcase the aftermath of the heavy snowfall which started in early February and lasted until mid-March. They are published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. They also run heritage blog The Secret Library Leeds, which provides a behind the scenes look at the Central Library and highlights from its special collections, including rare books hidden away in the stacks. READ MORE: The Second World War bombing raids which brought death and terror to Leeds LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

1. Winter of 1947
Snow ploughs clear snow from Coal Road at Seacroft. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

2. Winter of 1947
View of heavy snowfalls on Tong Road, looking towards the Beulah Hotel at Farnley in west Leeds. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

3. Winter of 1947
Otley Old Road at the junction of Tinshill Lane to the left and Farrar Lane to the right. A post office telephone van is in the centre. Cookridge water tower can be seen behind the houses on the right. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

4. Winter of 1947
This snowfall had begun on February 2, 1947. This is Eccup Lane five days after ploughing with a heavy angle bulldozer. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

5. Winter of 1947
The depth of snowfall is evident in this view of Cookridge Lane after a snow plough has cleared the road. To the left the water tower can be seen. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

6. Winter of 1947
A snow plough at work on Coal Road. The old windmill on Mill Green can be seen in the background. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

