Tom Montalbano

Snow starting again in Anerley, after a brief lull. Regards, Tom.

I see your about Yamkin. I was in SE12 for Sun/Mons event and was gobsmacked to hear of your snow depths and dare I say it a little sceptical, (doubting Thomas you see), UNTIL coming through SE20 and on into Croydon for work on Tues. and was astonished to see the amount of snow in Croydon town centre, deepest I've seen since starting work there in 1989. Bought the Croydon Advertiser today, it has an 8 page snow supplement special with some great photos of the area. Are you towards the Shirley Hills, should imagine the snow depths there were 10 ins +. Regards, Tom.

Hi Steve, Back in SE20 at my son & daughters place, they seemed to have done rather better than at my place (Lee SE12) from Sun/Mons. streamer, around about 7ins or so. Had 6" at best in my garden in SE12. I noticed from the radar returns Sun/Mon, that SE20 seems to have been more directly under the Streamer than us near Shooters Hill. Like a lot of places around London, 7" for SE20 is a very respectable fall and I think may have topped Feb. 91 for this locale but not Jan.87. Has there been any snow depth maps produced for the London area yet for Sun/Mons event, does anybody know? I think Philip Eden might be the man for this info. What helps Anerley is that it lies on a slope thats,exposed to the east, in the foothills of the Crystal Palace ridge (Inner S.London Alps). Regards, Tom.

Although ppn light for the most part on 9.00 radar, seems more widespread now. Could areas south and east of London get a bit more than was expected a while ago, dont forget GFS ppn charts were showing snow to pep up again around midnight to S & E of London. I do find those charts tend to exaggerate ppn though. Regards, Tom.

Light snow falling again here in Anerley SE20. Regards, Tom.

Ah cn-d, Biggin never fails to deliver does it. I was ridiculed by my colleagues when I suggested that Biggin Hill had 2" of snow in under an hour, earlier on at work. Its not anything unusual for Biggin, that kind of fall. I remember a number of years ago going up to B.Hill one night for a snow chase. Beckenham/Bromley had rain with a few flakes now and again. Got on bus from Bromley North in steady rain, just past Bromley Common a wall of snow hit us and as we climbed towards B.Hill the snow became heavier and heavier and was settling more and more. Bus arrived in B.Hill High Street, snow was nearly 4" deep, had a look around for a while then got bus back to Bromley, nothing but cold rain there. Back to the now, came out of work in Croydon just before 7 in sleet, New Addington tram stopped nearby and tinkered with the idea of jumping on it (only 20 mins from Croydon) but thought better of it, had I been younger and snowless this week I would've been up for it. I would imagine if B.Hill has 3+ ins then N.Addington has an inch or so. Saw plenty of cars coming into Croydon with a couple of inches on their roofs, no doubt having come up over the N.Downs south of Croydon. Walked down to Anerley (SE20) from Crystal Palace station with a few flakes falling, although seems to have stopped now. Snow cover here has taken big hit but still plenty of spots with some snow and ice, that have a northerly aspect. Heres to the next bout. Regards, Tom

Latest radar shows ppn pivoting now. Stuff over the IOW starting to move slightly W/NW, I wouldnt expect the ppn between east of B'ham over to Norwich to move any further north. It should start to move SW in awhile and then south but can it hold together. Low over N.France still west of the Meridian at midday but as it moves east of that line it should start to pull everything southwards, -5 uppers not expected into N/W. London until 6 p.m. Paul S., not that impressed with the Metos showing since they flagged up the Thames streamer on Sunday(sorry, I know its painful). They had Weds nights snow too far west and last nights snow kicking off too far east. I think the updated warning for London/Surrey for earlier this morning might have been a knee jerk reaction to the snowfall over London/Surrey early this morning. The trouble was the radar still showed everything still moving north and ppn was likely to fizzle and turn back to rain. I'll shut up now, I just sound like I'm being clever and picky. Regards, Tom.

Hi stewfox, I think I reacted to the Meto updated warning for London/Surrey re. ppn arriving early afternoon, in this area. But having looked at GFS pressure charts colder air cant really return south of the Thames until low pressure over France moves east of the Greenwich meridian, which it doesnt seem to do until after 6 p.m and by that time ppn may well start to fizzle out anyway, if not before. Hope I'm wrong, big time. Regards, Tom.

Thanks Hammer. Now when do we think this ppn will start heading south, if at all and will it hold together? Updated warning for Gtr.London/Surrey looking a little OTT already, where is the ppn going to come from before 3 p.m? Just cant see it happening myself. Regards, Tom.

Thanks guys for your quick responses, re. my query about Luton airport. Regards, Tom.

Sorry OT mods, just had a panicky phone call from my daughter who is with friends visiting Krakow. Another friend is supposed to be joining them today, flying from Luton. Evidently Luton Airport is closed for snow clearing and expect to open this afternoon but the snow could return by then. How bad is it in the Luton area at the moment, does anyone know? Regards, Tom.

Well the GFS 06z ppn charts show snow getting into the London area around 6 p.m and not finally clearing until 6 tomorrow morning. Hope they're right, although I think we will get some snow south of the river, I dont think it will be as persistant, or as heavy, as those charts suggest. :lol: Regards, Tom.

Hi Jimmyay, As I've just stated in my last post, no disrespect to the Met Office, but I think the main threat south of the river will come after 3 p.m., not before. I dont see ppn of any note getting here much before 3, hope I'm wrong of course and that its snow, when it does arrive. :lol: Regards, Tom.

Hi TEITS, Having just looked at the GFS run for 00z., the low over N.France doesnt start to clear the Greenwich meridian until between 6 and 9 tonight. That would be the mechanism for dragging the cold air back south of the Thames, I think. Not so good for us in the south of the region but as Dave states, perhaps some prolonged snowfall for those north of London that have it at the moment. Regards, Tom.

Cheers Paul S. I know these ppn charts can be fickle but on the 00z run ppn doesnt clear the Kent coast until 9.00 a.m tomorrow. They show heavy snow in time for tonights rush hour in London and -5 850s getting into the area then. IMO it will happen earlier than that but with lighter ppn, hope I'm wrong about ppn. http://gfs.netweather.tv/gfs.20090206/00/1...ctypeuktopo.png http://gfs.netweather.tv/gfs.20090206/00/18/h850t850eu.png Regards, Tom.

Hi Coast, Yes that looks encouraging, could make my journey from SE20 into Croydon interesting at around 1.00. Still think the place to be will be the Northern Home Counties and Suffolk/W.Essex perhaps. Regards, Tom.

On 8.30 radar ppn looks like its stalled east of Birmingham and although its cleared north of London, I would expect it to move south again in the next few hours. All points north of London and eventually N.London looking good IF ppn holds together. Regards, Tom.

I think the Chilterns could be very difficult for the next few hours, if not already. Regards, Tom.

Interesting 8.00 radar, looks like ppn between London and Birmingham is starting to stall. Some nice returns in that area and no doubt nice snow to go with them. Regards, Tom.

Think the sweet spots will be high ground NW of London. The western end of the ppn, Cardiff to Birmingham has started to stall and move a little eastwards. Regards, Tom.

Turned back to rain here, might return later though. You guys north of London look ok though. Regards, Tom.

Showing signs of stopping and becoming sleety but has left a covering , think I'm too far south for this to stay as snow. Regards, Tom.

Note the radar at 7.00 and the hang back of ppn near SE. London, wind seems to be E/N.E. Must be right on the cusp of the colder air. Bit concerned by radar profile, hope ppn starts stalling or we may lose this snow south of the river. Regards, Tom.

I'm back In Anerley SE20 for a few days, with my son and daughter. Woke up at 6.50 with heavy rain but looked out of window just now and its turned to SNOW. . Hope it stays that way! Regards, Tom. Now snowing heavily and settling, rush hours going to be a 'mare. Regards, Tom.

Just like to add my thanks and congratulations too. A very well run forum and site in general. A fantastic couple of days weather viewing. Well done mods and administrators. Regards, Tom.