Freezing-Point

I have a picture of me when I was 5 from the 78 event. I am standing at the top of our road which was totally blocked by drifts over the top of the hedges either side. It was not the snow depth, but the severe drifting that was the problem. Alot of the ground had no snow on whatsover as it had just been blown away. And all this at just 300ft asl and 8 miles from the N.Sea

Its now 2c here. And the warmer air is still to arrive. I think I will knock the heating off tonight! The drizzle is now blowing and swirling around, I think it may be getting slighly heavier now. Everything is now soaking wet and pools are stating to form on the ground. If this continues I am going to go out for a walk with my new wellies and mac on. As you can see I am not bitter at all about the poor forcasting of this NON-EVENT in the North East.

The N.Sea has certainly seen to that. Wait till we get the NEly later in the week

So far here its just not been cold enough. Lowest has been 0c during snowfall this morning. I remember -2 during showers in Feb 1991. I am expecting more from the NEly later in the week. Temp has shot up here from 0.8 to 1.6c. I would be very suprised if there is anymore snowfall tonight in this area below 200M. Even if the ppn does intensify the wind is so strong coming of the sea that the effects of upper cooling will be cancelled out. I think this is staying as rain.

Not a scratch on the 1991 event so far here. I seem to have avoided alot of the showers and when they do arrive they don't last long enough. But the main reason is that is just not as cold. I remember -2 during the snow in 1991, whereas its about 0 during the showers now. Lets see what tonight brings.

2nd decent shower hitting here now. Its very windy and drifting is starting. Things can only get better.....

Just watched the Sky News Weather..... Quote 'A significant snow event....up to 2 inches of lying snow'. Thats pretty insignificant don't you think? Or on the other hand if you look back at the last 5 years, I suppose it is. If all runs to the current projections I would be expecting alot more than that. 1 heavy soft hail shower can give 2"

Snowing lightly in Newcastle now. Its -2 so lying.

I agree. We have always had a cyclic pattern to cold / snowy winters, its just this one is lasting a little longer that the pattern suggests. Steve, can you answer.. (or anyone) 1. What has caused the cyclic pattern of the last 200 years, when CO2 / warming effects are really a recent event? 2. If there is a cause to this cycle, (and it cannot be GW) how can you be so sure the cycle not about to switch back, because PROBABILITY is telling me that it is, soon.

In the North East I have not had one day which I would consider warm or sunny so far this summer and and really don't expect to get more than one or two for the remainder if we are lucky. I still have my heating on, My 95 year old gran says this is the worst summer weather she can remember and that says something. It just sums up the British weather over the last couple of years, both summer and winter that is. There is no problem with Spring and Autumn weather its just the summer and winter never get going. So until there is evidence to suggest a serious pattern change anyone that predicts a hot summer or cold winter is betting against the odds. I don't measure summers and winters on average temperatures that is just daft. For me (and most of the population) summer is measured on the amount of warm sunny days and winter the amount of snow and prolonged cold (amount of frosts overnight does not count in mid winter) My prediction for Winter 08-09 is.... Gererally another let down so don't build any hopes up..... Brief interludes of cold, but nothing that stays for longer than 5 days. Snow is possible just about anywhere in the UK, but, if you are one of the lucky ones it will not last longer than 3 days. So what I am basically saying is that the UK is stuck in a pattern which will not allow long periods of summer or winter weather. If you disagre then please let me know what facts to base it on. Just going out now to clean the rust from my new BBQ which has not been used yet.

There is a large shower area heading our way. Its in Northumberland at the moment, but it may be all further inland. We will know in about an hour.....

Its sleet here right at sea level (Blyth, Northumberland). Reports of heavy snow in Morpeth (300 ASL) 8 miles west of here.

Fully agree. People have short memories. i look fwd to your explanation

Is it settling up there?

By the time the core gets here it will have broken and be just light to moderate sleet. I can't remember the last time the NE had any significant snow (4inch plus) from this type of system. We will have to wait till later in the month when the NE winds bring it.

Your dome seems to be holding up well

Exactly my point. i guess we are not used to it anymore. But if its going to be more common then 2-5 cms is a light covering.

I think some people need a 're-calibration' on the definition of heavy snow. I would say an inch every 15 mins with visibilities down to 50M.

Sleety showers here in Newcastle. Mostly soft hail.

look at the radar. meto The 'Tyne and Wear Streamer' is forming. Showers are merging...

Its coming down again here so there is more heading in your direction

LOL. And I will post you some snow to cool them off

You are right, but the wind is turning a little more in that direction. There is a second crop of showers heading in ETA 2.00am. You will get something from these.

I fell sorry for you in your dome. Its getting heavier here with massive flakes. Around 2cm I would say. Temp at -1

The first snow of the winter is falling here... Radar is showing showers streaming into an orderly queue. hopefully this will be longer than the average shower.... temp is -1.5 so nice powder