Styx

I too have a question for Mr Data, or any other person that may know the answer: What is the record number of consecutive days the temperature in London has been below freezing? ( Specifically in recent history, since the last war ) My absolute guess is less than a week, but perhaps I am completley wrong !

Under ' Profile Customisation' theres an option to display a background profile picture. I've downloaded something, but the format wont allow it to be visible, except showing a bit at the very bottom of the screen

Just a quick observation..this forum is so polite.. I have become accustomed to the Aussie forums, which are so-in-your-face and brash, but I guess that is just the Aussie way. Quick question. Regarding the profile page, ( which I' hope to be putting a bit more work into soon ) , how can you have it so the background picture is visible. It;s not such a big deal, but I tend to get a bit annoyed at myself when I can't work something out..

July 25 1986 was the first time snow settled where I live since 1951 ( Hobart is at sealevel ). It began at dusk very heavily, and persisted off and on until around 9am the next morning. And it wasn't just a dusting either - 8cm - closing schools and businesses. There was sooo much excitement..so many people in the streets building snowmen and having snowfights! Every adult became a kid for the day! I was I was 12 at the time, but I remember it being a really warm morning ( didnt take a jumper to school ). By the afternoon, the wind shifted into the south ( cold Antarctic wind here ) and there was a bit of rain. 8cm settled on that day, compared to 2cm in 1951, and previous to that there was 14cm in 1921. The 19th century ( according to newspaper reports ) snow settling at sealevel was a frequent barring a couple of decades. It looks as if there was about 20 sealevel snow events in that century. The best we have managed since 1986 is brief light snow flurries ( mostly at night or close to dusk or dawn ). Snow settling to 200 metres or thereabouts has become a rarity ( once every 5 years or so ). When it comes to Climate Change, Hobart's snow record tells the story.

I'm going along with what Moose said. When was the Stevenson screen first used to sheild the thermometre from elements that affect a proper reading? Ground radiation, wind chill for example. I was discussing this with a guy from my local Met office. Records officially began in 1882 where I live, but the Stevenson screen only came into play from 1905 onwards. Any readings prior to 1905 therefore should be taken with caution. And heres another thing to think about. I was astounded to see that in temperature records for Hobart there was a listing for a minimum of 2.8C on Christmas Day in 1902. (The average is 12.0 ). The weather guy told me that the written record was difficult to decipher ( untidy hand writing and smudged ink ! ). It was included though, but there was a question mark about its accuracy, as there is for many *individual dates*. I'm sure deciphering old hand writing on old paper and "guessing" what the numbers are is a world-wide problem.!

Firefly Thanks so much for posting your observations,! The images and the thoughts were in my mind long after I first read your post! The pictures are really amazing to me, I had no idea that such snow scenes could still be possible at the height of summer (even at that relative high elevation). Is it possible that the snow/ice buildup in that location (3rd picture) is accumulation over several years? ( Ice upon ice sheet )?

I'm going for a WARM October, hoping that will be a prelude to a dramatic temperature slide for the winter for you guys ( I know all you want it..) !! 13.3 Equalling the CET record.

Better if Cyclonic did the updates guys, don't you reckon? - too disjointed to follow otherwise! It was also his idea in the first place, he deserves directorship (if he wants it ) Styx: Short time contributor, long time reader

I live in Australia - 3 days without the heater this side of winter. That usually means I can disconnect it from the powerpoint! Nice!

Cold in SE Australia today. 8C in Hobart ( 7 below ) with cloud and occasional showers at 3pm. Snow falling above 500 metres Sydney 12C so far the coldest Septmber day since 1934

7am Sunday: 15C and Overcast. 8C above average for this time of day.. but.. showers not too far away... Been very mild for weeks now, but a cold change with air from the Antarctic shelf expected to arrrive at the end of the week. Snow line to 400 metres is my call!

I'll post my first ever post on here, with a Tasmania weather report: 2.30pm Overcast in Hobart 17C...2C above the September average. Calm. It always reminds me of typical Saturday weather, and funnily enough it is Saturday.