[Scotland (Alba) Regional Discussion 28th March 2013 22:00hrs>]

What a fantastic day and the light has much more of Spring-like tinge to it. Feels pretty good too, highest temperature for a good number of weeks with a maximum of 7C at Glasgow airport, however, the last time there was an April maximum as low as today was in 2008.

[Scotland (Alba) Regional Discussion 28th March 2013 22:00hrs>]

I can't seem to find the Scottish temperature series on the Met Office website. Anyone got any info on how March faired?

I believe that provisionally it was something like the 6th coldest on record so I would imagine that the mean would be close to 1.6C (very similar to 1979). Really an exceptional month with so many amazing statistics in the context of this month and season as a whole. I few stats of note is that at Glasgow airport this month was the second snowiest since 2000 and just behind December 2009. Yesterday also saw a record low for easter sunday at Braemar with a minimum of -12.5C - that is quite a temperature for this time of year, also on many occasions this month there was a minimum value that was lower than coldest February temperature (and February was the coldest month of meteorological winter in Scotland)! The recent run of consecutive days of snowfall was also amazing and on two consecutive occasions last week there was a covering of snow before dawn making it the latest date for falling snow. Again, those stats are just a few of many in what was the most memorable month in a long, consistent and another good season for cold and snow and it's certainly worth reviewing later this month. 2013 was the March edition of noteworthy months for winter weatehr that we've seen in the past 5 years. The only thing it lacked was a few more records and a big snow-depth. What I've noticed in the past few years is the great annual contrasts in months: for example, a record warm April in 2011 followed by a much colder month in 2012, record mild March in 2012 followed by 2013, very mild October in 2011 followed by a cold October last year, record mild November 2011 then a cold month the following year..... We've just above seen everything which just proves the variability in our current weather and last month also enhances the prominence of HLB and cold conditions of recent years.

Who knows what April 2013 will tun out as nobody anticipated the events of last month. It looks like this month will start on a settled note, on the chilly side but not quite as deep as the cold of recent weeks, and there should be some lovely sunny spells too. I think most of us will settle for the fact that Januaryesque cold is behind us now, the current set of conditions is a little more in place with Spring weather but nonetheless the cold weather is continuing and this will have consequences given how Spring has barely been given a chance this year and the vedgetation in the countryside, the gardens and snow-covered hill tops look frozen in winter. A good number of frosty nights should also continue the consistency of cold conditions since late September, we could even see a low of -10C somewhere in the highlands. Winds could turn to more of a northerly in the coming days so for some there maybe a few wintry showers - the only thing 2012/2013 has lacked was a snowier November so it would be nice to have some snow to mention this month. Eventually, around a third of the way through, we should see low pressure pouncing in from the atlantic which will bring a real change to the weather. The final two-thirds of the month are up for grabs, preferably it would be nice to get some classic Spring weather for once and by the final third, the first warm spell of the year would be something to look forward to. Let's hope that this month offers the pleasant Spring conditions for great days out aswell as capturing the fantastic variability of Spring weather at that same time rather than dull, wet, excessively benign but mild conditions. Enjoy the rest of easter Monday everyone!

[April 2013 CET Forecast Contest (2012-13 Competition)]

April CET statistics and trivia AND entries

19.7 ... warmest April daily mean (29th, 1775)

16.3 ... warmest daily mean 1-15 April (15th, 1945)

12.0 ... Craig Evans!

11.8 ... warmest April (2011)

11.6 ... Backtrack

11.2 ... 2nd warmest April (2007)

10.6 ... 3rd warmest April (1865)

10.5 ... 4th warmest April (1943)

9.4 ...

9.3 ... Polar Gael

9.2 ... average for 2001-12

9.0 ... DiagonalRedLine -average for 14 yrs 1862-1875 (surprise?)

8.9 ... Bobd29

8.7 ... mikeocarrol

8.5 ... average for 1981-2010

8.4 ... easy-oasy, AtlanticFlamethrower

8.3 ... Stationary Front

8.2 ... Gavin (better luck this time! ) , dec10snow

8.1 ... virtualsphere, Norrance, Jackone -average for 1971-2000 (and 20th century 1901-2000) (also 1971-2000)

8.0 ... mulzy - average for 19th century 1801-1900

7.9 ... Rybris Ponce, The watcher -average for all data 1659-2012, also 1961-1990, also 18th century 1701-1800

7.8 ... DR(S)NO

7.7 ... AVFC, Roger J Smith, Kentish Man

7.6 ... millhouse, Mark Bayley, The PIT, DR Hosking

7.5 ... summer blizzard, m1chaels, seabreeze86, Adeyrn Coch, Weather-history, TonyH, A Winter's Tale

7.4 ... 22nov10blast

7.3 ... jonboy, stewfox, geoffw -average for 1659-1700

7.2 ... Portland Paul, sundog, Nibrasso, Harve

7.1 ... pij20101, Midlands Ice Age, RAIN RAIN RAIN

7.0 ... IanR

6.9 ... Steve B, Cymro, Ferryhill Weather, DAVID SNOW

6.8 ... Snow White, Terminal Moraine, Aphelion369

6.7 ... ihatetherain, Paul T

6.5 ... CongletonHeat, BARRY, Duncan McAlister

6.3 ... March Blizzard

6.2 ... Xyplode

6.1 ... Carl46Wrexham

6.0 ... SomeLikeItHot, Gael-Force

5.8 ... Yarmy - 18th coldest (tied) 1986 (coldest of past half century)

5.7 ... AWD

5.6 ... be cause

5.4 ... fifth coldest (tied) -- 1917 (coldest 20th century) also 1743,1770,1799)

5.3 ... geoffw

5.2 ... third coldest (tied) -- 1782 and 1809

4.7 ... coldest Aprils (1701 and 1837)

-0.2 ... coldest April daily mean second half (19th, 1772)

-0.5 ... coldest April daily mean (2nd, 1917 and 3rd, 1799)

Thanks to RJS for the trivia.

Looks like April is going to start on a cold note, probably turning to closer to average temperatures and it's all up in the air with regards to the final two-thirds. I don't mind which side of the average this month will end up as, but I'm hoping for a very Spring-like month with some elements of early summer and late winter weather. I'm going for a below average month overall. 7.5C

[This is the end]

I wish you all the best for the future Stewart. Your fantastic input and forecasts will be greatly missed on here and many have learnt alot from your work.

[Scotland - Alba Regional Discussion 20/03/13 21z ------>]

A beautiful combination of Spring light and winter air and conditions. Today was the 9th consecutive day of snow here and at Glasgow airport it was also the 9th consecutive day of sub 5C maximum values - this just getting silly now ! This afternoon and evening had some more snow showers sometimes quite heavy with graupel and with a setting sun and lovely blue sky it had the look that a rainbow was around. Looking forward to a decent frost tonight, maybe some convective activity too and this evening Scotland take on Serbia. The game was in doubt but some bravehearts helped to clear the pitch of snow. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/scotland/21944797

[Scotland - Alba Regional Discussion 20/03/13 21z ------>]

8th consecutive day of snow here today with a few flurries. Another really cold day too but the wind has now eased somewhat. It's hard to believe that this time last year we were all enjoying that record-breaking warm spell with temperatures into the 20s in many areas. A year later, maximum temperatures are barely exceeding 3C (even for the likes of Tiree) and some of the most prolonged and 'deep' cold in March, occuring during the second half - a very different scenario to the usual share of northerly incursions or polar mariime air. One of the other weird aspects of this month is how Spring never really started - other than some of those glorious days back in that settled spell at the end of February - and we are enduring conditions that are akin to a decent cold spell in the depths of winter. March is renowned for its taste of late winter weather, but nothing on this insane level. During most years, we enter Spring at some time around the tail-end of winter before being treated to typical short and rather benign northerlies. I would like to see the run of sub 5C days see out the month which would nicely round-off this bizare spell of weather. It'd also be interesting to see this last into the first couple of days of April as I feel that some records could be broken (such as the coldest maximum for April which is -1.0C). Once the Easter weekend has passed then it would seem appropriate for Spring 2013 to finally make an appearance but after all we have no control of the weather to adjsust to our desire and that is a fudamental element that keeps the weather interesting. I'm absolutely positive that Spring will happen this year and possibly for a good chunk of April there could be the sort of Spring weather that is suitable for picnics, easter-egg hunts etc and through past experience don't underestimate the ability of mother nature to create dramatic turnarounds. The model thread has been pretty amusing recently especially Gavin's posts that include Victor Meldrew quotes and yet more straws to clutch (p.is that is what you get for being an annual mildie lol!) but condidering how BST is around the corner and the days are getting longer and the sun is getting stronger - here's a musical excerpt to reassure those who are dismayed by the recent vile temperatures

The question is when the will the synoptic change and how? The current situation would have been perfect during the depths of winter as yet again northern blocking prevails as a reguuar occurance. I've got a feeling that the jet will remain a fair but south into the start of April. It may stay cold for the time of year but with the possibility of high pressure over the UK or a northerly, it may ironically look and feel more like Spring than it does now. Hopefully by the end of next month we'll be talking about conditions akin to the April's of 2003 and 2011 and looking forward to a May like 2000 or 2008.

In the meantime, over the coming days we have got an easterly flow to deal with which could potentially deliver some accumilations to eastern counties. It really is remarkable to be talking about snow from an easterly wind this late into March albeit without the oompth of late November 2010. At this time of year despite the stronger sun and cold air in abundance, the dry and relatively stable easterly flow over a colder north sea could be a problem for a sunshine and beefy snow showers set up. If it was mid-November, with a warmer north sea, a very strong and unstable easterly flow carrying -20C uppers then we could be in business...lol.

But for the Isles of Arran, the Kintyre Peninsula and parts of Dumfries and Galloway, in some sense and on a local scale it has surpassed anything we've seen since the new era of winter post 2008 (with the exception of those big snowfalls in March 2010 and 2011 in the highlands) with scenes akin to 1963. The thing is that strangely, there used to be a consensus (especially in the MT) about how impossible it is to get lying snow in March. Here we are in late March, and some of the least likely areas to see a snowflake during an entire winter with the effects of the guff stream (allowing for palm trees to grow) has been hardest hit with many, many feet of snow paralysing relatively remote and isolated areas. In some sense, the geography of Kintyre and Arran may make them the worst possible areas to be badly affected by a snowfall with vital routes being cut-off and subsequently various communities being isolated from the outside world despite the relative proximity to Glasgow. But in these situations, the islanders and rural folk have brought out the best of the community spirit with the most vulnerable being looked after - a very different society to suburban areas). Hopefully here the situation improves for everyone and the wildlife. For Arran, easter is an important time of year but I hope that the effects of this cold spell won't hit the islanders and farmers further down the line. I suppose, be it wind, rain, snow, sun or warm or cold, there is always going to be a cost or a consequence to what the weather throws at us - that is just a simple fact of nature - but for what the weather actually stands for, in its own pure, natural and dynamic way is what makes people (and Brits, not to mention Kilters) talk about it, interested in it and love it.

[Scotland - Alba Regional Discussion 20/03/13 21z ------>]

There's still lying snow - mainly on the grass which makes measurements a bit more difficult but probably arpund 2cm. The whole area is looking very good under the blanket of snow, especially the fields and the Campsie Fells where there were some massive drifts. The last of the snow was during the afternoon which remarkably made this season snowier than 2010/2011! And the strong easterly wind felt bitter. The most notable thing about yesterday was that the maximum temperature was only 1C at Glasgow airport. I had a look through the records going back to 1973 and only one day in March 1980 equalled todays high. I find that amazing, considering how late it is the month and roughly this time last year it was 20C. I enjoy an element of winter in our Spring weather, but into April I'd be nice to actually have some proper Spring weather and also the last of the winter weather (ala 2012) and the first of the summer weather (such as 2011). But it has to be said that this month probably is the March equivalent to November 2010. Each month has also contributed to the winter 2012/2013 in its own way (December had coldest maximum temperature, joint coldest, longest spell of lying snow; January had the longest run of temperatures below 5C, joint snowiest month/ most consecutive days with snow at Glasgow airport; February had the largest snow-depth here and the most air frosts....).

[Scotland - Alba Regional Discussion 20/03/13 21z ------>]

It's been a very snowy evening like it was at Hampden. A shame about the result and the performance from Scotland tonight - our squad is a lot better than that but all Rhodes through Forrests lead to Euro 2016! The good news is that it's a very wintry looking scene outside with the snow driven by the strong SEly wind. And I'm glad to say that despite the snow-melt earlier, it is settling again and just about everything is white. Hopefully the front will continue to bring more snow overnight but this would cause further problems from the hardest hit areas in the SW.

[Scotland - Alba Regional Discussion 20/03/13 21z ------>]

Brrrrr. Sensationally cold for late March and it's even more bitter in that brisk wind! I woke up to a very wintry scene with 2cm of snow on all surfaces and there has been snowfall here throughout the day. If my memory is correct, I think this is the latest date for lying snow here since I can remember. Sadly just about all of snow has gone except a few patches on the ground but I'm delighted to have seen such a wintry scene this late in the season, and also this season's snow diary has equalled the no. of snowfall days recorded in 2010/2011. Snow and cold by no means is unusual in March, but the persistence and how potent it has been (especially for the second half of the month) has been amazing. And one other remarkable thing is that easterlies are still feeding very cold air. At Glasgow airport, the maximum temperature was 3C, recorded during the early hours - which is a shame as the coldest maximum for March since 2000 was 2C. It's still snowing but the flakes are too small and the wind is too strong for it to settle again so hopefully it'll become more promising later this evening. It's now certain that the very winter-like conditions will last into next week - possibly ending with a snowy breakdown. I don't see this month being the coldest on record but come review, this month should go down in Scottish weather history (like March last year, but for very different reasons). And once this cold and snowy weather is out the way I intend to do a review of the winter weather that's been here since late October and it has to be said that there hasn't been a lack of cold weather since Autumn. For April, I'd like to see more classic Spring-like weather for once, with the first warmth, more sunshine and April showers and some generally normal and pleasant Spring conditions aswell as the last of the winter weather.

[Scotland - Alba Regional Discussion 20/03/13 21z ------>]

Radar looking good. Here's hoping that Glasgow gets a pasting. The next snowfall here would equal 2010/2011 which is quite impressive and hopefully the latest date for lying snow too. Very low maximum temperatures and the cold set to last into next week. This could be a historic month to reflect back on, and a polar opposite to March last year! For now it's time for bed. Hopefully a snowy scene to wake up to in the morn.

[Scotland Regional Discussion 17th March 2013 18:30>]

And it's the familiar story of snow that failed to settle. I sure hope that the event later next week is a lot better than this.

[Scotland Regional Discussion 17th March 2013 18:30>]

Here in Bearsden the snow has been as heavy as it has been all day but unfortuantly it isn't heavy enough to settle on the wet ground.

[Scotland Regional Discussion 17th March 2013 18:30>]

More snow flurries today but recently in the afternoon it has turned just a bit marginal. I'm delighted to hear that some areas have had a great snow event so far but for some other areas it's been a bit underwhelming. The temperatures have been alright but I'd imagine that a combination of factors have resulted in a lack of lying snow - wet ground, light snow, too windy... - and even in some of the hardest hit areas it was a bit marginal in the afternoon but I suppose that is to be expected at this time of year. Maybe as temperatures fall tonight, conditions could be bit more favourable but more organised, heavy and widespread precipitation is also needed. I'm quite happy at just seeing snow this stage in the season, but given the potential this set-up had then I suppose it's been a bit underwhelming. Then later this week, there is another go at a frontal snowfall but this sort of set-up has been quite common since the New Year and last minute changes resulted in the front failing to reach Scotland. For this end of the central belt, a few possible scenarios is that the front fails or make progress beyond Glasgow, or if the front makes progress across the country, it will certainly fall as snow initially but the region will be on border line of the more marginal conditions to the south west, or the profoundly less-marginal conditions to the north east but in the future runs I'm sure other scenarios will emerge.

[Scotland Regional Discussion 17th March 2013 18:30>]

Correction on my earlier comment about the front - NMM shows heaviest precipitation, and hence (probably) THE main occlusion, coming in around 5am as expected, with intensity much greater than currently across Fife and the Lothians (which will be quite something).

Greatest marginality at the coast when it hits before we see temperature heading back down again through the morning. Remember the orange warning isn't in effect until 5am and so opportunities remain for those who've missed out so far.

Yeah, what surprised me that all of this snow has arrived well ahead of schedule so it seems that the worst is yet to come. So how and why on earth the met office haven't issued a red warning?! I presume that the NMM shows quite a severe scenario for more eastern areas but what effect will the front have on more central areas?

[Scotland Regional Discussion 17th March 2013 18:30>]

Latest measurement comes in between 7-8cms. This from an area with no real drifting although will account for some of the build up.

The constant procession of showers continues unabated on radar.

Great stuff! How about a Kilted competion to guess the snow depth at lorenzo's. I'd say Livingston is going to have quite a night, so I'll go for a depth of 22cm.

[Scotland Regional Discussion 17th March 2013 18:30>]

Snow is back on again but this nothing compared to what some other areas are experiencing. Truly exceptional for the second half of March. Radar looking interesting, especially for Fife, parts of the Lothians, Angus and southern Aberdeenshire whilst Aberdeen is having a bit of a lull. A snowy night is instore and it should last well into Tuesday but the action will vary in location throughout the night. Here, I'll be delighted with at least a cm but I'm really looking forward to the reports and pictures in the worst affected areas. If the M-8 is already bad with depths near 2 inches in some spots in the Lothains and Lanarkshire, then there could be some amazing scenes by morning but I'd suspect as consequence from now on, transport distruption should get progressively worse in some spots and it could be a really chaotic rush hour. Traffic cameras are worth keeping an eye, especially the M-8 and other badly affected and busy routes.

[Scotland Regional Discussion 17th March 2013 18:30>]

Snow starting to settle a bit.

[Scotland Regional Discussion 17th March 2013 18:30>]

And the snow is back on with the flakes blowing around a fair bit in the wind making a very wintry scene under the orange glow of the lampost. Hopefully there'll now be further and more regular showers moving south east across the Campsies from Stirling/North Fife.

[Scotland Regional Discussion 17th March 2013 18:30>]

Moderate snow back on but heavier and persistent snow is needed for any accumilations. Perhaps this is a lull before more organised snowfall later in the night?

[Scotland Regional Discussion 17th March 2013 18:30>]

A moderate snow shower has just passed but that the radar doesn't look as promising as it was earlier.

[Scotland Regional Discussion 17th March 2013 18:30>]

Steady-light snow for the last half-hour - feeling bitter in the fresh easterly wind. Brrr. Radar shaping up nicely for eastern areas.

[Scotland Regional Discussion 17th March 2013 18:30>]

Just had another light snow flurry and it's now brighter with more clear intervals.

[Scotland Regional Discussion 17th March 2013 18:30>]

Preciptation has exploded in the Moray Firth during the past hour but the Black Isle and Inverness remain dry.

[Scotland Regional Discussion 17th March 2013 18:30>]

Skies have been mostly overcast and grey like they have been throughout the weekend with only a few brighter pockets just now. There's been a mix of rain/sleet and some snow flurries . Judging by various charts, forecasts and warnings by the Met office some parts are going to see a lot of snow during the next 24hrs. Eastern areas such as the Lothians, the Edinburgh and Dundee areas, and parts of Fife, Stirlingshire, the Borders, Tayside and Grampian and parts of Lanarkshire are in prime position to see some persistent, quite heavy snow driven by a brisk easterly wind which should make for bitter and possibly chaotic conditions. Most of the significant accumilations will be on the high ground where depths could exceed 30cm plus drifting, but inland lowland areas could see accumilations of a few inches or more which is quite impressive for this stage in the season. Some of the higher routes along the M-8 minor roads of the Borders and other elevated roads such as the pass of the Carin O'Mount could have very poor driving conditions and settlements above 100m could have a distruptive start to Tuesday morning. Further west, in Glasgow and the surrounding regions, there should be at least a few flurries making it through the Forth-Clyde valley and perhaps more persistent snow in eastern regions such as North Lanarkshire. For my own region, as always East Dunbartonshire's central location means that it's the middle of the action (on either side of the central belt during convective easterlies or westerlies) so it's hard to judge how much activity there'll be here. It's likely that there should be some snow in the area which will be nice to see this late in the season, but any measurable snow-depth would be the latest I've ever seen here. Anyway, regardless of what happens here it sure is going to be an active couple of days for parts of the country and pretty notable too given how late we are into March and another thing to keep an eye on is the maximum/minimum temperature values which could be exceptionally cold for this time of year.

[Scotland Regional Discussion 17th March 2013 18:30>]

Wet snow here just now.