[SE, London and East Anglia Weather Discussion - Dec 2023 on]

 

1 minute ago, Met4Cast said:

It's a real shame convection is so shallow today, lower heights and we'd be looking at a proper event!

Having said that despite shallow convection the lower levels are rather saturated with much drier air above the cloud layer so the usual issues with evaporation etc shouldn't apply today in theory. 

A few CM in the lucky spots by the end of the day possibly. 

Are the temperatures not a bit high for settling snow?

[Competition: How hot is it going to be?]

37.6 - Heathrow on Monday 18th July

[Storm Eunice - 18th February]

2 minutes ago, Snowyowl9 said:

This says it all but is behind by 1 hour...

We re in the gap for a change..

Do you have a link for this? 

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

6 minutes ago, danm said:

The convection from off the Suffolk cost down into London has been fizzling out but back building increasing/intensifying off the Suffolk coast again?

I was thinking that but maybe hoping more than reality. 

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

After the last few days of snow melt I have come to several conclusions. Apart from weather fronts giving large dumpings of snow I can no longer be bothered to chase cold spells in February. After January I will leave it until the next year. If there's one thing worse then no snow it is having snow that doesn't settle or melt quickly. Sun is just too strong even with clouds. 

Also not to expect any settling snow after a mild spell as the ground retains heat for a while. The only way round this for some people was  getting a large covering at night that lowered the ground temperatures and allowed the snow to settle or some hard frosts for a few days before any snow. 

And finally not to waste time with weather apps as they are rubbish. 

I realise that we do get some very good snowy spells in February but boy is it exhausting. 

 

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

Are we expecting winds to remain ENE for tonight? 

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

2 minutes ago, Daniel* said:

This is most unique cold spell I’ve ever known and not for a good reason never seen so much falling snow but the lingering ground heat has cost dearly. The temperature has remained subzero over the 36 plus hours, yet as soon as it eases it thaws. So frustrating I could have seen a good covering today.

Yes, really is such a shame. I willing keep this in mind for the future reference so as to avoid disappointment when it happens again. 

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

1 minute ago, Ian Docwra said:

Depends where you are - how thick the cloud is, etc.  Heavier snow showers will both cut out the solar warming and bring colder air down with the snow, lowering the temperature.  The same cycle can continue until late afternoon when the sun's warmth is gone.

With the showers being alternating between lighter and heavier I am going to assume will have to wait until around 3pm for settling assuming any showers are around at that time. 

Thank you for your level headed input over the last week while many of the rest of us  got a bit overexcited. 

 

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

3 minutes ago, Ian Docwra said:

Regarding temperatures, something that may be worth bearing in mind is that the sun at the moment is getting high enough to provide a little warmth even through moderate cloud.  This means that its radiative effect can warm many surfaces and objects enough to raise them a little above freezing even when it's snowing lightly.  This includes cars and conservatories, paths with some bare areas showing (dark absorbs heat much more than snow) and metal garden furniture, for example.  These can all be sitting at a degree or so above freezing even if the air temperature is not.  The stronger wind reduces the effect as it drags the heat away and evaporation cools the surface.  Today's wind is much lighter than yesterday's and the warming effect is more apparent.  If we were in mid-December, solar warming would be much less significant.

 

When do you think the solar influence today will reduce enough to allow for better settling of snow? 

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

1 minute ago, Easily sled said:

Heavy snow but actually melting what was already there (which wasn't a lot).....

I think at this time of year in the daytime you need a snowcover for existing snow to accumulate on otherwise will struggle. Been the issue here. Slightest patchy coverings due to snow falling at the wrong times of the day and small melt even though no sun and temperatures still below freezing. 

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

Is the snow settling for anyone on areas that don't have snow cover on? 

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

Would I be right in assuming that snow won't settle now due to the solar energy?

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

Who cares if it is breaks down on Sunday. It's Tuesday now.. This is the UK so be happy with this rare cold spell and stop worrying when it will end. 

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

1 minute ago, Howie said:

Seriously what is that about? 

There has to be something causing them to stall around that location. I just have no idea what it is. 

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

That's the 3rd band that has stalled at around the same location in London since Sunday. 

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

Is that pain in the backside weather system finally decaying? 

Actually not sure it is actually 

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

Just now, danm said:

The snow over south Essex is taking an age to get into NE London...

It's won't move any further west for some reason. It's been at around the same point for a while. 

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

2 minutes ago, danm said:

Not sure, but the northern edge of it is getting sheared away, so its reducing in size and in intensity to some extent. 

Yes, not sure it will last long even if it gets here in one piece. 

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

Just now, danm said:

The blob is still moving towards London, but does seem to be losing some of its intensity. 

Is seems to have slowed down to a crawl suddenly or am I imagining it? 

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

Dam that blob is slow. 

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

This band coming from the East on the radar looks a bit similar to last nights snow band. 

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

But last night was -2. Would that not be enough for ground temperatures? 

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

When does the solar energy reduce enough do we think?

It's Early February and is below freezing with no sun after a frosty night and the snow still doesn't settle. That's why I love snow in December /January. 

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

1 minute ago, Tim Bland said:

Temp -2 DP -3 moderate snow..but it’s still struggling to settle Ground is just a bit too warm still 

How can the ground be warm though? No doubt it would settle after dark. 

[South East, London and East Anglia regional discussion - 8th February onwards]

Is the snow settling on the ground for anyone? Not Doing much here