Tucco

95/96 was a great winter in the North. Perhaps the cold wasn't as prolonged as this winter, but there several memberable severe events. True blizzard conditions in late Jan and again in early Feb, something that hasn't occurredhere yet this winter. In terms of snow days lying here we will need about another 20 days lying snow to beat 95/96. This would need a good few cold spells over the next few months. The classic winters 47/63/79 had widespread blizzards something that hasn't occurred yet. Indeed blizzard conditions have been very limited.

Light snow. Temp -0.9C. Max -0.4C

Philip Eden has posted on the UK sci, its coldest start to winter since 1981 in Scotland. More media hype I'm afraid.

I would place 1978/79 with the other group of winters esp for the North of the UK. The number of days snow lying was higher at several sites. Over 100 days snow lying occurred in the snowiest parts, that wasn't achieved in 47/63. Here I've never felt conditions were that severe this winter, prolonged yes. Widespread blizzards is an element missing from this winter, so far.

The prolonged nature of the cold spell was notable. But I never felt the conditions were particulary severe/intense. I would have much preferred a repeat of easterly events of 87/91. Snow depths weren't a great deal more than last year, there was actually less drifting. The truely severe winters as 78/79 were in a different league to this spell.

Snow cover still 80/90% here. 5 weeks on Weds morning of continous snow cover at 0900z. Mark Teesdale

The wind has decreased here over the pasted few hours. Southerly never than strong here, the only direction we have some shelter. Temp 0.4C moderate snow odd heavier burst. Mark

The Okehampton figure of 55cm was achieved from several falls of snow. The figure has to be questioned anway, its not mention in the Meto review of the event. The last single event 2ft fall was the S Scotland snowstorm of Feb 2001. The conditions were far more severe than anthing seen since. 50/60cm combined with subzero temps and winds up to 70 mph. http://www.carnwath.org.uk/snow.html Mark

For Teesdale 85/86 was a more prolonged cold spell with longer snow cover. Depths were greater in 95/96, 91,87 plus early 80's. The 1979 cold/snow was a different league to this spell. Low Etherly at a modest height of 155m asl had 62 days consective snow cover. Mark

Snow lying here a day earlier. Snowfell overnight on the 15/16th with full cover at 0900z on the 16th. Snow level was around 250/300m that morning falling through the day as the air turned colder. Mark

2/3cm more cm's here. Freezing fog. Temp -1.8C, after another ice day. Mark

A66 is shut mainly because of the appauling management of the road by Ameymouchel. There was more snow in the winter in Jan/Feb 1996 the road was only closed for a couple of days. I real affort was made to keep the road open by the local crews from Kirkby Stephen and Bowes. Ameymouchel should be ashamed in their pathetic response. A factor must be the amount of grit the A66 would take to keep it open due to blowing snow and ice. When its closed the can save grit. If the cold weather does return next week, road conditions across the country could be dire. Mark

Looks like your snow cover has just got to last over the weekend to survive until the next cold spell. What are the road conditions like in the Eden Valley? mark

Glaze/ice on nearly all surfaces. Fresh SE winds low cloud. Temp -2.2C Across other threads netweather and other forums, never heard as many reports of accidents across the country. Mark

Nearly got an another ice day here, max 0.1ºC Currently -0.9ºC light snow at times, some drifting. Mark

Nice temp OON. Sheltered parts of Eden Valley could be lower still, the topography is ideal for frost hollows. Mark

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/pics/Rmgfs845.gif Windchill combined with snowfall/drifting withsub zero temperature is a rare combination for most on this forum. Actually think the strongest wind speeds with be recorded at Warcop Range in Cumbria in the lee of the Pennines. In the 1987 easterly it recorded a gust of 74mph in sub zero temps. Mark

To get near to -20C you'll need deep powder snow. Appleby got down to -20C in Jan 1940 with such conditions. Mark

November 1992/93 were both cold months. Mark

Must be bad in Carlisle already, because a lot of Carlisle schools have been closed for today. :wub: Mark

Maybe you are? How much snow in the Eden Valley? Mark

As the wind increases and the Easterly develops on Fri/Sat the shrs will have a better chance of making it across the Pennines. Mark

Low pressure off coast is shown on latest fax as is trough to our North. http://www.wetterzentrale.de/pics/bracka.gif Mark

Send it here Mark

I think its the new Sunderland based radar thats gone on the blink. Should be back soon. Mark