Spikey M

Isn't this why they tested the mobile phone emergency alerts earlier this year? I am assuming that's on the scrap heap as another screw-up from this government, but it could have been invaluable if the storm does take a more northerly track over night.

We didn't on the East Coast.

How do I apply for membership to this club?

This summer is essentially the same as last summer. It's the same stuck weather systems, due to the same meandering Jet Stream. Its just that this time we find ourselves the wrong side of it. Terrible summer all round here in Barling, Essex. We were even robbed of that "record breaking June" that the rest of the country enjoyed, as we were stuck under a North Easterly and 10c cooler than 20 miles in land. Bleugh.

More marginal rubbish. Getting rather annoyed at my parents for not moving us to Sweden when they had the chance.

It's like busses. You wait all winter for a bit of weather, then 2 lots turn up at once.

At this point the models aren't sure if you'll need a snow shovel or an umbrella. It looks wet, but it's too marginal to call.

It has been a remarkably boring winter down my way save for the lucky few that got the snow in December. No storms. Not much rain. A few frosty mornings, but just... meh. Mother nature owes us some thunderstorms this summer.

Very much ready for Spring now. I want to get my shorts out of the loft. Humph.

Depends on conditions already in place. It takes less time if it's going with the flow.

Lots of ice in Great Wakering / Barling, Essex. A puddle that has been splashing pedestrians all day has now frozen over and 2 cars have nearly crashed because of it already. I appreciate Ice is obvious at -3c, but I'm surprised the Met Office haven't got a Yellow Warning for ice in place.

Graupel?

It's not pointless if you look at the matrix. Unlikely but would cause disruption if it happens. Which is correct. If it does snow and they didn't have a warning out we all know they would be dragged through the mud.

My phone says snow... the sky Still says rain.

Missing out as usual in Great Wakering, Essex. Heavy rain. All the white stuff about 5 miles west of us and the radar keeps it there all night.

I was reading something the other day that said the Jet Stream acts like a river. A strong Jet runs straight, a weak one Meanders. We get snow most often in the Spring because that is when the temperature difference between the hot and cold latitudes is at it's lowest. This causes the Jet Stream to meander due to the low strength of the Jet Stream and that meandering is what allows for the cold air to be pulled down from the polar region / warm air to be pulled up from the South. Which is why the Saharan Dust on my Wheely bin from last week, has now been washed away by snow. You have to love this country sometimes. I am aware this is probably common knowledge on here, but you asked why we seem to get weather in the wrong seasons so it seemed relevant.

I can't understand why the BBC are focusing on the South West and reporting "mostly calm" conditions in the East so far? It has been terrible here for hours now. My garden is a wreck, a neighbor has lost solar panels and the pubs bottle bin has relocated over the road.

We're going to have nothing left.

Already very windy and 2 fence panels down in my garden, here South East Essex. The peak isn't for another couple of hours yet either.

That's odd. I'm in South East Essex and it's already 50 kph.

I thought it was half term anyway? Mine are off for it.

I have, they just think it's a storm like any other. If I end up under an overturned Lorry then it is on them.

This is why they need to promote their chart that shows risk / likelihood far more. It should be shown right alongside the warning on the forecasts.

Everyone is just rolling their eyes at me when I talk about this. I have to drive a 70 mile round trip tomorrow afternoon / evening (in Essex) and I'm pretty worried. My manager doesn't want to know.