Gord

I don’t have a problem with challenging forecasts and looking into why they might or might not be correct. But to dismiss one as useless before anything has happened seems a little unfair. As we discussed on here last weekend, it’s best to draw an overall impression using several forecasts. Watch how they update and evolve.

Well, I'm just grateful to be in a position that we actually have a snow cover to worry about! Still need to remember just how unbelievably lucky we got at the start of the week.

Mind you, having said all of that, looks like there are heavier rain showers heading down this way. At least I got the dog walk in early!

This morning’s light rain has hardly made a dent in the lying snow. Just been out for a dog walk, still frozen underfoot. So that mini milder sector hasn’t done much harm. Was worried it was all going to go back to slosh underfoot , but it hasn’t.

Happy New Year! Got patches of light rain and drizzle passing through here this morning.

Putting the snow to one side, the dry and sunny weather taking us into New Year is most welcome after all the rain this month.

The trajectory of the Cheshire gap showers has changed and are now heading our way. The system pulling away into the English Channel is pulling them around. Problem is, they won’t get this far. Maybe someone north of Wolverhampton might catch further flurries or snizzle.

Here in the Black Country, it’s probably best to quit while we’re ahead. I don’t know if our luck could have continued with the temperatures and dew points so close to marginal. I’m sorry for other parts of the West Midlands who haven’t had anything yet. I work on the railways on local routes. Last night I was working on trains to the Airport and trains to Wolverhampton. Two completely different experiences and it was sad to see no snow east of Birmingham. I hope more areas get to join in next time.

Just like yesterday, just had to drive into Birmingham for work about an hour ago. Again, very little on the ground east of West Bromwich. Could see the decaying showers to the north east. Interestingly, hit a light rain shower on the Aston Expressway. No evidence of any snow at all here in the city centre. Just damp. We have been very very lucky in the Black Country. Only a few miles from disappointment.

Stopped here too. The stream that was following it and heading to more eastern parts of Brum is getting cut off and weakening already unfortunatly. But, it might not be up there with the memorable snow falls of March 2013, December 2017 or March 2018. But I think I will be remembering the past two days simply because it's the one that ended the drought. I didn't really post on here throughout Autumn and most of December because I honestly thought we were heading for yet another yucky winter. I even refused to get drawn in over any excitement for this week. I like being wrong sometimes.

We've got them now!

Gone heavy here, but not the giant flakes that others are reporting. Must be elevation?

Could well be. I was thinking as the thing continues to twist it’s way south, it may send them to our east? And I’m working on mainly International shuttles on my job on the railway this evening. So would be nice to see some snow out that way!

Bit of a temporary streamer set up behind the main area. It’ll get cut off as it all pivots. But for now, I think the pivoting could send those showers to more eastern parts of Birmingham and perhaps Solihull. It will all get cut off at some point though, so enjoy what’s coming through now.

Not lying as readily as yesterday. But that’s to be expected, falling in daylight hours and not as heavy. But hey, this morning’s snowfall on it’s own would be an improvement on anything over the past (almost) 3 years. The fact it’s falling on top of already fallen snow is even better.

Reading the reports from further north, it does seem that it’s dragging milder air from the North Sea. Snow to rain for a few so far this morning. The North Sea just can’t cut it unless it’s a true easterly/north easterly.

Just driven here to central Brum for work. Once I was down off Gornal mountain, it was a very easy drive. In fact, once I was past West Bromwich, there was hardly any lying snow left...and none here in the city centre.

Gornal mountain

Back into the lighter stuff as it slowly continues to pivot. We have been unbelievably lucky and we’re going to have to try really hard to bite our lips and not moan when normal service resumes this winter. Seems like only the M5/6 corridors have been lucky enough to get this one so far.

Sorry for those who just have rain this morning. Been there many many times. As for the folks in Coventry, I wouldn’t give up yet. There’s a solid bit of precipitation that hasn’t weakened yet swinging it’s way close towards Warwick. I think you could still see something from that.

I can sense the relief in here this morning. 33 months with no measurable snow is a long time.

Well exceeded expectations here. A couple of cm.

Moderate snow here and we are getting a light dusting. It’s pushing through quick, it looks like the pivot is happening north of here in Staffordshire and Cheshire, so the best covering will end up there I reckon.

Interesting to see the warning issued. Icy roads from any showers are probably the main concern. Always worth remembering that a warning is not a forecast. It’s preparing us for something that might have the potential to happen. Having said that, I am interested and will be having a look out to see how it pans out.

Most of them are. But I think the MO one can be quite good. Not every time granted.