Jonathan Powell of Positive Weather Solutions said the country should prepare itself for "back-to-back" harsh winters.
Last winter was the coldest for 31 years, with the average UK-wide temperature from 1 December to 24 February being only 34.7F (1.5C), compared to the long-term average of 38.6F (3.7C).
The Met Office had predicted there was only a one-in-seven chance of a cold winter, which was caused by strong anti-cyclonic activity bringing persistent icy winds off the continent, and keeping milder Atlantic breezes at bay.
That statement came after an overly-optimistic forecast for summer 2009, which rather rashly predicted that Britain was "odds-on for a barbecue summer".
While it was slightly warmer than average it turned out to be another damp affair and the Met Office was roundly criticised.
The combination of the two predictions led it to drop public announcements of its seasonal forecasting service, which it has relegated to its research department.
However, Positive Weather Solutions, which claims to have correctly forecast the 2009 washout summer and last winter's plunging temperatures, has continued to offer long-range forecasts.
Mr Powell said: "It is very unusual to have two very harsh winters back-to-back, so most people would have expected a tamer and milder winter this year.
"But this winter will be similar to last winter, although not quite as harsh. We could well see temperatures as cold as last winter, albeit on a less-sustained level.
"We expect periods of disruptive snowfall similar to the snow we saw last winter, although periods of harsh weather will be broken up by milder conditions.
"A White Christmas is a distinct possibility for higher ground in the east, north-east and Scotland and also possibly higher ground in the west.
"And with a combination of snow, ice and bitterly-cold temperatures, we could well see another ‘white-out’ scenario as some areas of the country grind to a halt.

Burrrr!

My flat has single-glazed sash windows and no central heating. Me thinks the electricity money is going to go down more than the regular £10/week....

Jonathan Powell of Positive Weather Solutions said the country should prepare itself for "back-to-back" harsh winters.
Last winter was the coldest for 31 years, with the average UK-wide temperature from 1 December to 24 February being only 34.7F (1.5C), compared to the long-term average of 38.6F (3.7C).

When I used to live on my own, my thermostat was set at 12*C and I wore thermal t-shirt/long pants and socks under my indoor clothes, as well as a hat and a hoodie. Kept me very warm.

Last year wasn't "harsh" by a long shot.

And as for it being "unusual", it depends on what timescale you're working to.

When I was a kid, we had more winters like the last one. I remember going to school in the snow which lasted some time.

Well, since the weatherguessers told us last winter would be mild, and the previous summer would be hot, I set no store whatsoever in what they are guessing this time.

My prediction is the nights will be long, the days short, there will be an extended period of gluttony towards the end of December and into the new year, and we will suffer or enjoy a variety of meteorology.

It was from the company that said it would be cold last year.