Summer Sun

We could have 20cm 7 inches of snow by this time next week!

Some significant snowfalls likely next week nearly 40cm for high ground in SE Scotland! 10cm to 20cm widely or 3 to 7 inches in old money and upto 15 inches (1.3ft) in SE Scotland

Snow depths by 18:00 Wednesday Don't underestimate this event it could be a major one with significant snowfall similar to that or maybe more than 2010

Fantastic GFS so far a major snow event is on the cards for the bulk of England and wales on Monday with significant disruption certain if it comes off Another spell of heavy snow for the North during the Tuesday morning rush hour spreading south during the day SNOW FEST COMING TONIGHT I CAN FEEL IT

Very hard to predict amounts this far out but 5cm to 10cm maybe as a general estimate at this stage

Re to the above yes there could / will be travel disruption widely but the SE is likely to see the snow arrive for the rush hour hence greater risk of Major disruption on Monday evening Into Wednesday and round 2 for possible significant snowfall Starts in the west, south west England could miss the snow and get rain instead (details very low at this stage) By 9am is continues to spread east By lunchtime is slowly moves east and continues to intensify on its back edge By 18:00 it continues to spread east but only slowly as it moves close to London By 00:00 it slowly dies out So Monday and Wednesday could both see the first widespread and significant snowfalls of this winter as the UK becomes a battleground between rain pushing in from the west and the cold air hanging on for the bulk of the UK

All chart update times can be found here - Thanks

After a mild start to 2013 snow now seems likely from this weekend Post your reports here

After a week of uncertainty the UK is now into a cold spell with some bitter temperatures on the way Sunday may struggle to get above freezing for some, into next week and attention turns to the possibility of heavy snow on Monday as a band of rain moves north west to south east as this hits the cold air snow will fall there is also the potential for another snow event on Wednesday as more rain moves west to east

Snow Warning As Met Office Issues Alert Severe cold, ice and snow is set to strike all of England, according to a new Level 2 Alert issued by the Met Office. The Met Office has issued a weekend weather warning with snow expected to blanket most of England. The Level 2 Alert warns there is a high risk of severe cold, icy and snow conditions between Saturday morning and next Tuesday. The alert highlights all of England as being at risk. The Met Office warned: "The snow event on Monday may bring 2cm to 5cm (0.75 to 2in) quite widely across England as it spreads southeastwards, with greater than 5cm falling over hills. "This warning may be extended early next week." Sky News weather presenter Isobel Lang said temperatures will plummet on Saturday, heightening the risk of sleet or snow. "Outbreaks of rain across southern Britain will turn to sleet or snow," she said. "At this stage around 5cm to 10cm (2in to 4in) of snow is possible over more hilly areas with nearer 2cm to 5cm over some low-lying areas later. Some snow may fall in London." The Met Office also warned of the dangers of cold ahead of the weekend, especially those who are most vulnerable. It said: "Prolonged periods of cold weather can be dangerous, especially for the very young, very old or those with chronic diseases. "If you want more information about how cold weather can affect your health please visit www.nhs.uk. "If you are concerned about your health or somebody you care for, please contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647, www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk, or your local pharmacist." Lang advised that Sunday is likely to be even colder than Saturday, however it may be brighter although temperatures will remain just above freezing point. "Some more significant snow is possible into Monday, and this could bring disruption across central and eastern Britain - so keep an eye on the forecast," she said. A Level 2 Alert means there is a 60% risk of either heavy snow or widespread ice, or temperatures below 2C for 48 hours or longer. The highest cold weather alert the Met Office can issue is Level 4, which is classified as a national emergency. http://news.sky.com/story/1036684/snow-warning-as-met-office-issues-alert

Before any members start to loose faith after this mornings GFS run may I take you back to Midnight and what Ian Fergusson posted

06z ensembles

UK Outlook for Wednesday 16 Jan 2013 to Friday 25 Jan 2013: It should remain cold across many parts of the UK, with a good deal of dry and frosty weather, especially for central areas, but there will be some wintry showers and persistent rain, sleet and snow to watch out for on occasion. The detail of where the snow is most likely to be is currently uncertain at this time. At the moment, scattered snow showers look most likely to affect eastern parts of the UK with a risk of some significant snowfall here, whilst occasional periods of persistent rain and milder conditions may fringe into western areas, but turning to snow as it runs into the cold air. An ongoing risk of icy stretches overnight, and freezing fog may also be an issue during the cold and clearer nights. Updated: 1146 on Fri 11 Jan 2013 http://www.metoffice...st_weather.html Exciting times ahead I feel with some battleground situations setting up!

Cold weather alert updated and extended Issued at: Friday 11 January 2013 at 09:49 There is a 70% probability of severe cold weather/icy conditions/snow between 0600 on Saturday and 0600 on Tuesday in parts of England. This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services. Please refer to the national Cold Weather Plan and your Trust's emergency plan for appropriate preventive action. The snow event on Monday may bring 2 to 5cm quite widely across England as it spreads southeastwards, with greater than 5cm falling over hills. This warning may be extended early next week. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/coldweatheralert/

Potential for Severe Wintry Conditions Risk of Heavy Snow Monday and Wednesday could bring major disruption. http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/cgi-app/reports?LANG=en&MENU=weekahead&DAY=20130111

6.9 to the 10th

Snow charts for Monday tea time Just before the Tuesday morning rush hour By 18:00 Wednesday Friday 18:00 next week

Nationwide alert for up to 8 inches of snow BRITAIN is braced for a “deadly cocktail†of cold, snow and ice, prompting officials to issue a widespread weather health alert. Temperatures will plummet across the whole country from today with up to eight inches of snow likely by the middle of next week. Britain will become a “battleground†between two weather systems which threaten to deliver snow, ice and gales. Forecasters say freezing cold air and snow from the North Sea will batter the East coast while the South faces a snowy onslaught from the Atlantic. Councils across the UK are poised to mobilise gritters and snow ploughs as the extreme weather threatens chaos on the roads. The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for snow this weekend with a Level-2 cold weather alert warning the impending big freeze could present a health risk. It said the winter blast will arrive tomorrow bringing snowstorms, freezing temperatures and ice. Forecaster Helen Chivers said: “It is going to turn much colder with eastern parts of the UK expecting the heaviest and most frequent snow – and that includes London. “From Saturday onwards we have the risk of snow over the rest of the country, with snowfall along the East coast likely to be pretty heavy at times. “Cold air from the North Sea will bring snow to the East, another band of mild air from the Atlantic will come into the South which will bring a mix of rain and snow when it meets the cold air. “A mix of snow, cold air and the risk of ice have given rise to the cold weather alert.†She added that overnight temperatures in the North could dip as low as -7C (19F) while the South could reach -3C. Age UK last night warned extreme cold kills thousands every year and urged people to look out for vulnerable friends and neighbours. The charity’s director general Michelle Mitchell said: “It’s vital that older people and their families take sensible precautions to protect themselves from the cold. “Steps such as closing the bedroom window at night, keeping room temperature at 21C at home during the day, and wrapping up well when outside, can literally save lives.†The Weather Channel forecast up to eight inches of snow in the Midlands next week. Forecaster Leon Brown said: “Next mid-week, the battle zone between moist Atlantic weather and the easterly cold brings the threat of snowfalls across central Britain, with some forecast solutions giving 10 to 20cm [8in] of snow.†Jonathan Powell, forecaster for Vantage Weather Services, warned of weeks of snow, ice and “extreme biting coldâ€. He said temperatures could plunge as low as -15C with no let-up until the middle of next month. “A band of rain will meet freezing cold air from Friday leading to extremely heavy snowfall, with most places in the firing line,†he said. Yesterday’s Daily Express stated the Met Office forecast -15C. This forecast was in fact made by an independent long-range forecaster. http://beta.dailyexpress.co.uk/news/uk/370020/Nationwide-alert-for-up-to-8-inches-of-snow

More from Twitter Matt Hugo Details aside 31 of the 51 EC ensemble members show a synoptic pattern similar to that of the midday ECMWF for next week = cold n wintry. Keeping a close eye on this and I think, at the mo, that Monday will be the first real risk of any snow for NW Eng. 12Z ECM model not an outlier and pretty might 'right down the middle' of the ensembles. ECM ENS mean supports the synoptic pattern of the midday run with southerly tracking lows or 'slider lows' next week. Cold n wintry outcome.

12z ECM full ensemble Cold short term Milder trend longer term

Tonight's NOGAPS ensemble has updated

ECM short ensemble Cold remains the form horse tonight

More tweets Matt Hugo The 12z ECM is an absolute snow-fest of a run! Jeez if that verifies it maintains the cold but a major risk of snow with it. Still a lot of model divergence & the extreme nature of the 12z ECM almost makes it unlikely but ENS will be interesting

All model output times can be found here -

'We are ready if it snows', say councils COUNCILS across the region say they are prepared for the worst, if predictions of a snowy start to next week come true. Weather forecasters expect the weekend to bring a more marked drop in the recent unseasonally mild temperatures, with fleets of gritters on standby. Tony Conlan, a forecaster from MeteoGroup UK, the weather division of the Press Association, warned of the possibility of “moderate to heavy snowfall†for the North-East and North Yorkshire on Monday (January 14). Mr Conlan said temperatures of up to 5C were expected for Friday and Saturday, falling closer to freezing as the weekend progresses. He said: “Saturday night looks as if it will be a cold and frosty night, with a chance of wintry showers. “Sunday looks similar, with some sunny spells through the afternoon. “Some snow may arrive later in the day, mainly for Northumberland and County Durham. “Next week is going to be colder, with the potential for some snow at times. “Although it is difficult to predict in detail, Monday night looks the most likely time for a period of moderate or heavy snowfall.†Some forecasters have predicted a prolonged cold snap lasting several weeks and affecting much of the UK. Officials at two of the region’s biggest councils – Durham and North Yorkshire – have sought to reassure residents that they are prepared for severe weather. A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council said: “We constantly monitor the weather conditions and as soon as we see road surface temperatures getting towards zero, we make arrangements. “Our gritters usually go out at 5am, but if it is going to be more severe, they will go out the previous night.†Meanwhile, Durham County Council this winter boosted its fleet of gritters with ten new vehicles. A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman added: “We understand from that there will probably be a chance of snow during the weekend. However, it is not expected to be particularly heavy. “That said, our teams are on standby, as they always are at this time of year. We have plentiful supplies of salt and are prepared for more severe weather should it occur.†Meanwhile, the Institute for Advance Motoring has issued advice on driving in snowy and icy conditions. For more information, visit http://www.drivingadvice.org.uk/