Jump to content
Snow?
Local
Radar
Cold?

fergieweather

Members
  • Posts

    1,801
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    119

Posts posted by fergieweather

  1. As a UKMO colleague says, putting current NWP output in very good perspective: "... Looks like major hemispheric re-configuration after next weekend's disruption. Not surprising then to see a period of comparative chaos in deterministic output. But northern blocking looks a possibility, so we'll have to watch out for extrusion of low GPH out of the eastern Arctic. EC32 firming up on cold signal..."

  2. Makes sense, though they seemed more bullish at the start of the month in regards to cold.....I remember the further outlook being more committed in terms of end of month cold and of course their video highlighting this liklihood turned a few heads. This seemed to be based on the EC32 and I'm intrigued to what they have seen to slightly back off the scenario to a point that they appear less confident of potential synoptics than they were 2 weeks ago.

    They currently stick with the 30% PROB scenario for colder, dry / blocked into the 15d trend period. That's remained consistent recently. However, they note that it remains a continued theme, so they're in no way disregarding it. Doubt much stock given to GFS way into FI however - they'd be forever chasing their tails if they bothered with that stuff. They stick with ECM output (and MOGREPS of course) as the primary driver for the longer MR in any case above anything churning-out from the American model.

  3. But we are not the METO and it is Model output Discussion.

    Oh absolutely - please don't get me wrong, I wasn't for a moment suggesting it shouldn't be discussed (!) but merely responding to specific queries as to what UKMO's take is on CFS. So, folk can make their own judgement... for my part, I'll take the wisdom of Exeter's boffins over it... one of whom wrote to me today, quote, "...CFS doesn’t get a look in (in MR preparation), and based on my own experience of its performance, nor should it..."

  4. Yup, UKMO stress the flavour of expectations into 10-15d period, which (consistently of late) sees the blocked option continuing as a minority solution:

    " 4. Trend for Days 10-15 : Strongest signal is for an unsettled type to persist, bringing further spells of rain or showers to many areas and probably moving more towards a NW’ly flow bias. However, still an ongoing lower prob alternative (about a third of ensemble members) suggesting drier, colder conditions developing later in this period.

    5. Discussion : Strong signal for generally very cyclonic and unsettled conditions to dominate through this period. An upper vortex becomes established over the NE’ern Atlantic next week whilst downstream ridge amplification also takes place, limiting progression and leaving a S/SW’ly synoptic type with further frontal zones and spells of showers across much of the UK through the week. There remains uncertainty over timing of frontal zones on Tuesday/Wednesday, with EC and GFS both suggesting waves running along the front. Later in this period EC, NCEP and MOGREPS ensembles tend to agree that the flow trends away from the SW’ly to more of a W, then NW’ly bias. This would make for a continuation of the unsettled flavour, but with temperatures falling below normal more widely..."

  5. meto update yesterday was very vague about the cold prospects.in the more reliable time frame what about the possible storm for late sunday latest models look like it will effect only the northern parts of the uk although low confidence in this comming off and thats only 4 days away not over a week away.

    Took part in interesting discussion last night with UKMO colleagues re potential snow possibilities for some areas into Saturday. We didn't bother discussing the longer range stuff this time...!!

  6. The key to any forecast is twofold

    1-the ability to be entirely objective with head ruling and any preferences held under total control.

    2-an ability built up with years of experience at being able to anaylse the data available from whatever source to give the most likely weather in the time period given.

    Indeed so John.

    And yes: They really do 'forecast'. And have PhD's. And unblinkered view of models. And other important stuff...;-)

    I see innumerable changes made each day to the raw NAE / GM output by the Ch Forecaster, MR Forecasters etc., based on 'forecasting skill'. The recent snow event in W Country was a classic example of how they tweaked NAE with published methodology outside raw model scope to better account for evaporative cooling and WBFL lowering (with the correct result).

    I'm astonished the question even requires asking...!!

  7. hi ian.would you agree this and other runs including ecmwf are at least heading towards the bbc "end of november easterly"video from the the other day?

    EC-32's output had already leaned in this direction and that was the driving rationale behind the recent BBC video. Rest assured the med-range stuff and updated UKMO seasonal has been subject of as much discussion today at BBC Weather as on this forum...!

  8. 6. The CFS is about as useless as an already melted chocolate teapot

    I'm not going to pronounce any judgement on CFS as I'm wholly unclear on it's demonstrable performance or validation, but in my mind, it's noteworthy how I've never seen it cited / mentioned - ever - in any piece of UKMO guidance / briefing / analytical documentation looking into longer-range prospects.

  9. I think "fearing the worst this winter" has opposite meaning for many, who will be more than happy if it's mild & essentially non-descript! The model thread does seem to have an awful lot of cold-seeking / cold-wishing bias, which might be better served on other parts of the forum? Surely model discussion should be focused solely neutrally on the potentIal outcomes, rather than a wish-list for specific weather type? Just my thoughts... cheers!

  10. Hi folks, just to reiterate a post I sent on 3 Nov quoting (see below) the UKMO Chief Forecaster; you will note again from this how they anticipated some snow potential and crucially also note how raw NAE was tweaked at Exeter using a technique they regularly employ to give more reliable indication of snow potential by evaporative cooling... so I don't think they were off the mark; the raw NAE is just that - raw - and rarely followed without many tweaks at Ops Centre throughout every day....

     "New (NAE) run doesn’t suggest any snow but tweaking with Wilderspin/ Lumb (method) readily produces some, as also does UKv (which is considered overdone with its 5-10cm locally). Wet snow considered as low to moderate risk on N+W flank (UKV suggests some) but depends critically on ppn intensity and tracking..."

  11. Yep, noticed it on the NAE on Friday, proved to be correct.

    UKMO-UKV turned out to be the closest solution with prognosis for locally 5-10cm; back on Fri we called for 10% chance but low track was v uncertain as was ppn intensity in any one spot to lower WBFL. Tricky forecast per square mile of region to get right, but good UKMO models spotted it all by Fri and no others did...

  12. UKMO stance is currently based on MOGREPS-R, which has 50% members supporting the deeper wave further NE on Sunday. Last two runs have given same outcome. So, UKMO have moved in this direction , quote, "...but confidence remains low.... risk of snow on NW & W flank of this deeper solution assisted by intensity of PPN as well as the lower sfc pressure and it's corresponding decrease in WBFL..." Snow given 10% PROB and mainly Midlands, especially the north.

×
×
  • Create New...