Alan Medlock Valley

We may not see consistency in bringing in the cold (if at this stage it is likely) for about a week yet just as others have said on this site earlier this evening. So there's no need for wrist slashing just yet.

Yes that's the one - we did quite well, a bit better than was forecast tbf, the lane here was very slushy as well.

Yes last Winter was a shame, early February gave us 2 ice days here with a below average CET and a snowfall of 4 inches, but apart from early February being OK it was a disappointing Winter overall, only 2 proper accumulating snow events here, one in December and the one in Feb, still the past is the past and let's not dwell on it too much.

Another great place, and better than Denshaw is the village of Holme in West Yorks, just to the SW of Holmfirth. there's quite a few terraced property there and is about 1000ft. Look at this snow! >>> http://en.wikipedia....Winter_1978.jpg

Diggle is another good place in Saddleworth, probably within the top 3 snowiest. Especially the higher you go up Huddersfield Road but it's the lack of property available that would be a problem to you.

Yes mate Denshaw is probably the best place in Oldham borough for snow. Also Sholver is right up there too, highest street in Sholver is about 980 feet. Take a look on ordnance survey or Google maps.

We don't do too badly for Easterlys here even though we have the Pennines just a few miles to our East, in a moderate flow the showers do get over and gives us a good covering but in that setup I've noticed western parts of Manchester have none at all but we get quite a bit, although our best sort of setup for proper disruptive is snow that moves in from the WNW or NW - nothing in the way to moderate the intensity of the snowfall. Something like January 2010.

True, plus if there's a direct westerly flow with cold air place of course inland then Snowdonia must moderate some of the heavier bursts around South Cheshire and the Crewe area. whereas here it just slams into us.

Indeed, bizarre how you haven't had 6 inches though since 2008, I think even most parts of the South have managed that.

I think one of the reasons is you are sheltered by the Welsh hills, while St Helens and Manchester arn't, plus your not in a good position for Irish sea streamers but St Helens and Manchester are.

Yes the BBC or Met Office don't post a video just for the fun of it. They take a cautious approach most of the time in these situations and only when they have a high degree of confidence they then do a video.

I have to admit that the Met Office's medium term forecasts have been rather accurate for a while. Not sure if it's the "GloSea4" supercomputer they are now using http://www.iop.org/news/12/sep/page_57337.html

Me too, while Dec 2010 was fantastic January and February that followed was odd as we didn't have any real sustained cold in those months. February was particularly mild indeed. I only recorded 3 air frosts in that month here and the max's were usually above 8C. In fact just looked through my records and not one flake of snow fell after mid January 2011 until a minor snowfall in mid December 2011. Quite unusual for here as we usually get some snow in Feb March and April.

Bahhh! nothing better than relaxing in a chair with a glass of whiskey (or whatever you prefer) and a roaring fire whilst looking out on a wintry landscape at Christmas. I think it makes things feel more festive.

True at least those charts don't show a balmy Spring-like Southwestrly, a step forward is better than backwards. Could be a lot worse.

-5 uppers getting close to Saddleworth and Oldham

Speaking of Scandinavia I remember this Chelsea game, watch how the snow starts to get going through the video, this sort of snow in this game wouldn't continue in our country or this Winter due to 'elf and safety' and injury concerns, though let's face it after a while the ball won't move properly anyway

Easier said than done for it to move properly over here, last February saw most of Europe in the freezer, yet most of the UK only seen the outer edge of it in February. Still can't rule anything out though has to be said.

Like others on here I think it would be good to see a proper Winter, BUT sometimes we have to face the reality that our climate is maritime and heavily influenced by the Atlantic and gulf stream so lots of snow and cold isn't our default pattern in Winter and never will be unless something cataclysmic happens. But instead mild, wind and rain is our default Winter pattern. Sometimes it seems like nothing can stop the Atlantic train once it gets going. Or the Azores high parking itself to the South bringing very mild Winter weather. If we was 800 miles east and north of here then we'd be laughing every Winter. The fact is if you want to see a lot of snow every Winter then the UK is not the place to be, the past few years were the exception rather than the norm. Years ago we had more snow but there was many mild Winters that I remember as well, so it is not a modern thing. The UK, Ireland, Western France and Iberia are the mildest places in Europe in Winter due to where we are positioned. No where in the UK does as good as places like the Nordic countries, Eastern France, Germany, Poland, Ukraine etc all do far far better in terms of snow and cold. But it is only the weather after all, so let's take it on the chin like big people and at least try to enjoy what it will bring, after all we have no control over it so I won't get too fussed if it is mild. I have nothing to lose over something like that.

Being the age I am (57) I have obviously seen my fare share of snow over the years, it is true that snow depths years ago were deeper, snow was more heavier in the 60's (obviously 62-63 stands out) and also in the 70's and 80's but then we had a huge lull here like most of the UK after 1995/1996 up until 2008/2009. Of course it snowed every Winter after 1995/96 but the depths were never more than about 4-5 inches here. Mild Atlantic systems reigned supreme back then. Obviously I haven't lived in this house all my life but the worst snows I have seen at this location was probably a few and they were about equal amounts. There were a couple of events in the mid-late 1970's when me and the missus first moved in here can't remember the exact dates where we had about 50cm on each of them with drifts to well over 2 feet on the field. Never seen it as bad since. Then we had about 40cm on a few occasions in the early and mid 80's - again with drifting then as we got into the 90's things changed hugely for the most part. I won't say since 2008 there has been a definite pattern change again but I may change my mind in the near future. But who knows this Winter may be like last years or even milder. Nothing can be ruled out either way.

Unsettled Halloween http://www.wetterzentrale.de/pics/Rtavn1441.png

True that Gibby, even some of the more "respected" posters that seem to show vast knowledge of Winter weather (I won't name them as it would be unfair) seem to drift away not to be seen for a while when mild becomes reality. I guess it is their preference but I do know what you are going on about.

True, they should be more specific and not give out conflicting forecasts.

Met Office say "one or two wintry showers" for parts of NW England tomorrow. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/nw/nw_forecast_weather.html So I should imagine parts of Yorkshire may well get a few more.

Exactly - I reckon a good East or North Easterly could easily push snow showers right the way through Birmingham and to the Eastern part of Wales, but mind you they would find it difficult to find their way to the Welsh coast in tact or as potent due to the Welsh mountains. Like I said "most" cases if you bothered to read my post properly, in some cases there are exceptions.