dryfie

Obviously shows Alesund with the normal W’ly flow up to about 30hpa, when it becomes very light. Above 25hpa it veers to the NE and starts to increase. This continues until burst, when it’s E’ly gale. Of course it may increase further above that level. Interesting to see how things develop at this site (does the transition level rise or fall, and how quickly?).

Having little trust in satellite measurements, here are some results from balloon soundings around midday: Canada 71082 Alert 82N, 71917 Eureka 80N and 71924 Resolute 75N all showing 10hpa winds from 330/340deg 66-115kts. and 5hpa 350 deg up to 124kts Greenland 04320 Danmarkshaven 77N burst at 14hpa, 325 deg, 49kts 04417 Geosummit 73N at 10hpa 235 deg, 19kts Norway 01001 Jan Mayen 71N burst at 13hpa, 350 deg, 21kts 01004 Ny-Alesund 79N at 30hpa = 310/07, at 25hpa = 020/12, at 20hpa = 045/05, at 15hpa = 080/16, at 10hpa 090/14 and at 6.8hpa = 103/35 Russia - Most of their balloon flights terminate well above 10hpa, so don't help (no sniggering at the back!) Raw data courtesey Ogimet

After a terrific day yesterday with milky blue skies, near calm and temps 9 degrees, cloud has edged back from the southwest this morning. Still signs of ground frost, so I guess the cloud hasn't been back for long. Pity for the kids that half term isn't till next week (or even the week after for some). To my surprise the potted peach in the conservatory is in full flower, whilst outside a good show of snowdrops and wild daffodils just about in bud. Notably low river levels for the time of year.

Sorry, but does that mean good or bad?

Not quite the correct forum, but nearest I can find: Many years ago I recall learning that not all countries use the same procedure for working out the equivalent of 'daily' temperatures such as we use for CET. Instead of (0900 min+2100 max)/2 there were variations. Think for example that Germany was (0200 + 0900 min + 1400 + 2100 max)/4. If my memory is correct over this, does it make much difference in the daily results obtained and, if so, does it make comparisons between affected countries impossible? Thanks in antic

The milder air now well established at higher levels. Note that none of our mountains have appeared in the UK coldest places for a while now. It only takes the slightest of breezes to rapidly mix the warmer air down to lower levels, though calm, sheltered locations will remain cold. Doubtless some will disagree, but it seems to me that the breakdown of this cool spell seems to have been well forecast.

D&G council seem to have had a bad few days with regard to gritting in our patch (try harder Garry!), including the Lockerbie to Eskdalemuir bus sliding off the road. Fortunately it was the mid-morning rather than schooltime trip, so bus was quiet. Nevertheless, driver in shock. Drove up to East Neuk yesterday pm for a funeral today, with only 'hazard' being few flakes of snow West Linton area. Sadness of today's event somewhat lifted by the glorious dry weather here in Elie.

Afraid that this summary is inaccurate. The Met Office version is: "The confirmation comes as quality control testing, including physical inspections, cross-checking of stations and sites and further testing of equipment was carried out on a number of sites where records were provisionally broken. These quality control measures are in accordance with the internationally-agreed World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) standards, which are required to be accepted as official records. Records broken Record-high temperature records have also been verified for Wales, with 37.1°C at Hawarden Airport, Flintshire, on 18 July now verified. All appropriate standards have also been met to confirm a new record high temperature for Scotland of 34.8°C at Charterhall on 19 July. A previous provisional reading of 35.1°C was reported at Floors Castle, Borders, but, following inspection, the site set-up was not fully compliant with observing standards so the value did not meet the criteria needed to be declared as an official national record. " The Floors Castle reading was disallowed following site inspection a day or two later, apparently due to an area of horticultural fleece which had been erected nearby.

Light to mod here in far south

Somewhat surprised by difference in forecast emphasis; Met/ITV playing down wind speeds, so no warnings, whilst BBC/Meteocrap slavishly and stupidly following models, thereby fooling the ignorant amongst me.

Took a splendid walk up to the Pen today. Dry, calm and ocnl glimpse of sun, so really good. Surprised to find patches of bree near the summit. Not sure wether recent or pre Christmas. River level centre Dumfries shows new record all time max of 5.32m at 30/2030. Previous was 5.15m Dec 82.

Before Christmas there were a number of individuals who grandly announced/promised to take a break from contributing until the New Year. As this approaches I wonder if a change of perspective might ensue, and herald a change in how the models are being interpreted. Oh, wait……

SW SEPA rainfall totals 36 hours to 1100 Craigdarroch 77.2mm Eliock 76.0 Garls Craig 63.8 Meadowfoot 62.6 Brockhoperig 60.6 Muirshield (Ayrs) 60.0 Camphill (Ayrs) 58.2 Corsock & Dalbeattie 53.2 Lochwinnoch (Ayrs) 52.6

I recall that many years ago there was a party of schoolkids who, together with a couple of teachers, were planning to visit Cairngorm (Elgin or Granton I think). As per their written instructions, one of the teachers phoned the Met at RAF Kinloss to get a detailed forecast. This was appalling, with blizzard-like conditions expected (abhor that phrase, if it's blizzard-like then it's a blizzard!). The forecaster really stressed the danger, and urged them not to think of going. The teacher said his brief was to check the forecast, there was nothing to suggest they should abandon if it was bad. This was the early days of summit weather reports, and forecasters were in awe of the actual conditions up there. There were fatalities.

Just checked radar hoping for trad Christmas walk, but there seems to be a continuous but narrow band of of rain aligned with windflow though Dumfries and Esk. Still, reckon I can manage seasons greetings to you, yours, and our wonderful country.

You're welcome Ms.Swinton!

I've experienced freezing rain myself, but never as extreme as -6. Well done for getting home. Wife had planned to go to Dumfries market, but having walked a few yards up the road she's changed her mind, and that's with the temp above freezing.

Just a wild guess, but for the period quoted the Met Office had a fully manned office at ABERPORTH RANGE. This was manned by professional weather observing staff who kept a 24/7 watch on all weather parameters. They would have been particularly diligent keeping a continuous watch for things like snow, rain and snow, and the various other similar forms of precipitation. I think you can be confident that if they say the 'days of snow' average was ten days per year, then it was! Think that the term '24/7' is probably the most important.

Always wait longingly for this day, the earliest sunset of the year. Today it's 15.37, but tomorrow you'll enjoy an additional minute of late sunshine until 15.38, then getting marginally later day after day. Downside is that this improvement doesn't apply to mornings, with daybreak continuing to get later until early next year.

Coldest I’ve driven in was 2010 on the very long straight between Dolphinton and West Linton. -23 , and that was late morning! Currently magnificent morning here. -12 with -14 overnight.

A 'north channel streamer' seems to have become established over the Rhins this afternoon. Portpatrick is of course right down at sea level, but you don't need to go far out of town before the ground rises considerably. Life, it seems, also exists outside the east coast.

Apart from carrots, that’s the tunnel cleared of everything. Green tomatoes now in the pot for chutney as I’m not sure the fleece will do the job. Chilli and pepper plants in the conservatory, but it always seems pot luck whether they will survive. Peach tree now also inside, luckily it remains at about 3ft. Now that places are getting snow cover there will be a marked reduction in night temps.

Nania - like scene from daughter in Edinburgh this morning

Delivery driver reports having seen slight snow in Jedburgh a couple of hours ago. Nothing any closer to me, in fact virtually cloudless. Still some frost lying on shaded grass.

At the Hydro Friday. Paul Heaton introduced his band and the team they had drawn in their world cup scoop. The first two drew polite applause. The third Senegal…..thought the roof was going to fall in with astonishing cheering. Last was the drummer, who drew England. The audience response was even louder, but somehow different?