AS I write this column heavy snow is forecast for this week, and the ‘feels like’ temperature is set to reach -10C.

Of course Met Office weather forecasts are only ever predictions but with their accuracy increasing all the time, it is likely when you read this the white stuff will have properly returned after previous winter falls.

And if the forecast for the next few days turns out to be correct, I am dreading it.

As a kid the excitement of seeing snow falling, and that it was on the ground when you drew back the curtains, was fantastic.

The winter wonderland brought with it the prospect of school being shut, and a day ahead of snowball fights, snowmen building and sledging.

But when you become an adult it becomes an entirely different story.

When I looked at the forecast and heard of the ‘Beast from the East’ all I could think was what a nightmare this could be.

The problem with a heavy snowfall is that trains are delayed, roads become blocked and traffic is at snail's pace.

The authorities issue clever advice like 'leave plenty of time to get to work' and 'only travel if necessary' - but none of that is going to help when trains are cancelled and nothing is moving on the roads anyway.

The snow in December became exhausting after a few days.

The worst part is when it turns to ice. I always find no matter what footware I am wearing, I am always slipping around trying to keep my balance, desperately attempting to avoid falling over.

You also have to wrap up in all those extra layers, but immediately are sweating when you enter into a warm building.

And as for the panic buyers that fill trolleys full of loaves of bread, why can't these people just relax?

One person wrote on twitter yesterday: "It’s snowing here and I’ve just been out to watch the panic buying brigade - 20 milk and 14 loaves - battling it out with trolleys like chariots and battering rams."

All of this makes me wish it was summer until that arrives and it is more than 30C at night, and I can't sleep. And then I think how did I become the moaning Victor Meldrew-type I ridiculed when I was younger.

Anyway I'm off to check the latest forecast and for another moan no doubt!