Hello,
Thank you for your email.
Here at the National Meteorological Archive most of our official weather records do not begin until the 1860s. However, we are lucky enough to hold quite a large collection of Private Weather Diaries, kept by private individuals with an interest in the weather, which pre-date our official records (some diaries date back as far as the 1730s!).
I was able to find just such a diary which was kept in Exmouth, just down the road from Lympstone, during 1855. The entry for 6th January 1855 was as follows:
It was a fair, but cloudy day with the birds singing as if it were spring. There was a north, north westerly moderate breeze and the temperatures were 48F (8-9C) at 9am; 50F (10C) at 3pm and 47F (8C) at 9pm. The mean average temperature for the day was 48F (8-9C).
You mentioned an interest in foggy weather. I am afraid that there was no fog recorded on 6th, but foggy mornings have been noted for 3rd, 4th and 10th.
Unfortunately, there is no mention of snow - I hope this doesn't ruin the mystery of the footprints!
I hope this information helps.
Best wishes with your research.
Kind Regards,
Kate Strachan
Assistant Archivist