Severe Blizzard

I agree with the posts saying that this is a disappointing start to the winter. Also - why no S.E. thread? Isn't it bad enough that there is nothing interesting developing here without being reminded of this by presuming no one in the S.E. will want to post as there is nothing to discuss. A moan-page would be more apt given the awful year 2011 has demonstrated to be in these quarters. A thunderless summer for the 4th consecutive year and now another long spell of tedious zonality with the usual useless rainfall quantities and lack of variety. Missing out on the snow is another kick in the teeth while already 'down'. The current weather is just like what we have suffered virtually all year but a bit colder. Hardly pleasing or inspiring. I wish I could move north where all the action seems to be - thunder in summer and snow in winter and plenty of variety. I have never known such a westerly based year that has produced such little variety and has been so dry.The mean barometric pressure has been well below average in this region for every month since May, yet the rainfall has been mostly lacking throughout. Having a dry year from anticyclones is enjoyable as the associated weather is often sunny and pleasant. I'm sure I am speaking on the behalf of many southern members when I say that it is very hard to feel enthusiastic about another run of westerlies (or variation on this theme) which will deliver the usual few minutes of drizzle and days of windy and damp conditions. Let's hope we can wipe the slate clean and get rid of this dross for 2012 as like many other storm and severe weather enthusiasts in the South and S.E., I am truly sick to death of this endless current synoptic set up that has gone on all year. I completely despair at the next 10 days of maps and models which shows little opportunity for a change bringing something more wintry, wet, stormy (anything interesting) into southern areas. I almost wish the Euro High of November was still here because such a mild build-up for so long might just lead to something different from the current outcome. Sorry to grumble - rant over. Seriously though, as I am the local weather 'nut' I only seem to be included in conversations when the weather does something interesting. The long standing current conditions result in little stimulating conversation and everyone seems to be so grumpy and depressed at present. i can't help feeling that if something interesting was developing then there would be plenty to invoke stimulating conversation. Sorry if this post is off topic but I need to let off steam sometimes. Definition of 2011 in the S.E.

Try Guildford for an 'exciting, thrilling & rewarding' thunder experience (sarcasm intended). 2011 - 3 days so far and not much chance on improving the total if this awful summer is anything to go by, especially this last dreadful week of potential & unfulfilled stream of mess-ups, letdowns and downgrades for this area. 2010 - 4 days (slept through the single rumble on Sat 23rd Oct) 2009 - 6 days (of which 2 were single discharges which were both missed). 2008 - 15 days (where 5 of these were in April, 2 in March and 1 in January). Summer 2008 was as bad as this year for thunder. Even the 'famous' 6th August light-show missed this part of S. England as the usual mechanism to provide us with our unprecedented lack of thunder activity got into gear - the curse of the plumes being pushed east into the low countries as yet more Atlantic dross (S.W.ly's) has to reassert. Note: My annual average for thunder at Guildford (1992 to 2006 sample period) is 16.3 days - we have had one average years worth of thunder over three and a half years. Unlike in the 1990's and before - when a plume failed, the unstable westerly or S.W.ly situation that followed usually provided a 'consolation prize' - we can't even get that now. So much opportunity yesterday and today. Yet the pressure is rising and it will be yet another cloudy high (no doubt). Sorry to veer off topic - this type of summer and lack of thunder is becoming seriously boring, especially when there is no other event on the horizon.

I feel sorry for those in Scotland with endless wet and dull weather. My gripe is that this is the FIFTH consecutive S.W.ly Atlantic dominated summer and the FOURTH consecutive summer that has been deficient in any interesting events in this part of the S.E. Thunder has only been heard on 3 days this year (23rd April / 18th June / 28th June) after the paltry 4 days total in 2010 and 6 days in 2009. Although there were 15 days in 2008, very few of these were in the summer and all these totals fall short of the 25 year mean of 16 days per year expected for Guildford. This summer has produced a concoction of boring and predictable situations with long boring waits with the end result being yet another downgrade. Today is yet another example - heavy showers, perhaps thundery, clearing to sunny periods. Yet again, there were no showers, just the usual cloudiness and breeze and humid discomfort when the wind decreased. Today's letdown follows last week's when this region was supposed to get thundery showers on Wednesday - only for the usual culprits to get yet another exciting event. Unlike summer's in the 1990's and early 2000's where a downgraded heatwave breakdown was usually followed by a showery S.W,ly-N.W.ly which did yield interesting events - it seems in recent years a heatwave breakdown downgrade also includes the 'unsettled' weather that follows it. This is the fourth year of this type of summer crap where patience is running very low. Nothing seems to change and this pattern is reminiscent of the endless mild and rubbish snowless winters about a decade ago. It's either; (1) Cloudy (stratocumulus) & humid on days of promised showers and thunder events. The whole of July seemed to be dominated by sunny mornings, cloudy and humid afternoons and sunny evenings - data suggests a sunny month with just one dull day and 14 dull mornings - the extent of this afternoon cloudiness is hidden. (2) Breezy, dull and humid and warm in S.W.ly warm sectors followed by a cold front with barely any rain. (3) Frequent promises of thunder events which all get downgraded - pity other areas don't get the downgrades for a change. (4) Constant run of Atlantic depressions that bring boring, predictable and dreary weather continuing this dirge of a summer. Good points of summer 2011 (1) It gets light early in the morning and dark late in the evening! We are even slowly losing that privilege as we descend into autumn. (2) The warm, sultry and bright weather is good for cycling and working if the humidity can stay low. (3) The long periods of dry weather and missing showers benefits cycling and work. Bad points of summer 2011 (1) Another Atlantic dominated summer. (2) No proper anticyclonic weather since April, hence any heatwaves have been short lived and there is always enough humidity for cloud formation and sufficient stability to cause this cloud to become layered but not enough to prevent its development. (3) This dreadful lack of thunderstorms persists for an unprecedented fourth year. (4) Certain locations of the U.K. are favored over and over again with interesting events despite the synoptic situation previously resulting in the S.E. being favored. (5) Any hot weather is accompanied by unpleasant high humidity and there is an unpleasant humid feel on the 'cooler' days. (6) Any rain is in small amounts and there have been no large totals - except for 5th~6th June, which I missed when on holiday. (7) Forecasts are frequently WRONG. This is usually when something interesting is forecast for this area but if it is somewhere else, then the forecast usually proves correct, often days in advance. Our downgrades are usually only hours before the event. Time for a change - these dirges of summers are becoming predictably boring as we pass from one month to another with no feeling of real satisfaction at all. I am not one of these people that likes endless rain but I do like SEVERE events and it would be nice to be treated to such an event a few times each month. Although I loathe humid and cloudy conditions with a passion, I find hot and sunny weather with low humidity (such as in 2003 and 2006) thoroughly enjoyable and makes me MORE energetic and actually motivated to get up in the morning. I really hope we can lose this Atlantic dominated dross by the start of the winter as the only hope on the horizon is that we may get a fourth decent winter freeze after this fourth rubbish summer. After this awful summer the thought of an Atlantic dominated winter with no snow or cold fills me with real dread.

Thunder started at Guildford at 1215. Heavy shower from 1210 approx. (indoors, shopping, so unable to see what was happening - would you believe it?) Moderate to loud thunder after 1218 and able to watch storm after leaving supermarket at 1223 onwards. Lovely overhead C-C lightning at 1226 with crack of thunder travelling in N.E. direction and becoming more 'boomy' as it increases in distance. Initial discharge was 0.5 mile away. Heavy shower ease at 1233 and current rainfall stands at about 4 mm, Thunder still rumbling to N.E. and some hopeful activity to S.W. and south too. It is also becoming VERY dark.

My link Thought I would include my post on December 1981 which I created two years ago.

O.K. I am on a break at work and have not had a chance to read other posts, but will do later. I have great pleasure in announcing that there was a heavy thundery shower at Guildford today. Details are given below. Although the rainfall amount was small, the thunder and textbook passage of this cold front was impressive and was a pleasure to see a Cb approaching after all this absence. The 18 claps of thunder were 'moderate' with a rather loud boomy one (1453) as the shower moved to the S.E. of the area. Cb with dark base encroaching from N.W. from 1330. Surface wind direction was light S.W. Heavy thundery showers, with some very heavy rain from 1425 to 1503. Squally wind at times. In greater detail: Thunder approaching at 1425 with continued moderate thunder at 1428,1429,1431,1432, 1432, 1433, 1435, 1437, 1440, 1441, 1442, 1444, 1447, 1453, 1455, 1457, lightning only – horizontal blue CC fork to S.E. 1501, 1503. Lightning observations in italics. Heavy bursts of rain at 1426~1429, 1430~1433, 1434~1436 and large droplets at 1441~1442. Surface wind was north at 1455 and remained N.W. in the wake of the cold front. 2.5 mm rainfall.

What have we done to deserve this, Guildford got electromagnetic storm repelling properties or something? Wokingham gets thunderstorm with 1 cm hail this afternoon. Guildford remains dry and sunny with scattered cumulus apart from the Cb / Cu to north which lasted much of the evening. All we get is another horrid humid sticky evening - probably from moisture advected accross from everyone else's downpours - accompanied by headache, nausea and fatigue. occasionally feeling groggy when actually getting a storm may be worthwhile but having to suffer while someone else gets the fun is a real kick in the teeth. Well, just tomorrow morning's potential now then if that fails..... another indeterminable tedious wait of boring summer dross and S.W.ly garbage no doubt. Let's hope we get something before I go on holiday after mid-August. With the unpleasant nature and negative s**ds law aspect of this horrid year, something will probably kick off during the four days I am away from Guildford, only to return to more crappite again. Sorry about ott griping but I am truly sick to death of this summer and missing out all the time. The 'NSC' is designed to let off steam is it not? Maybe one day I can have something constructive, scientific and interesting to discuss and feel sorry for others who miss out for a change. I feel that this is highly unlikely in 2010.

Still nothing. Usual story on the rain radar as all the showers pass to the north with no chances for the storm starved central southern S.E. to see anything. There was a heavy shower at 1102~1115 with 3.4 mm rainfall, and my hope that there would be at least one clap of thunder was not realised, yet again. All we have had since is the usual cloud with sunny peirods as other areas get thundery showers. There is one more chance - as this shallow low moves east and introduces a light N.W.ly or northerly then this region may benefit tomorrow before the next area of high pressure builds. Let's hope this window of opportunity doesn't come in overnight when there is no surface heating unless it can hang around well into tomorrow, otherwise kent will benefit while we miss out again. If this doesn't succeed then it's more tedious waiting and it will be well into August before the next opportunity arises. Let's hope this new area of high pressure delivers proper sunshine and pleasant temperatures & humidity, and isn't going to sit over France with embedded fronts and more S.W.ly dross like the last few weeks. Please - no more stinking high humidity without storms. Whether we are ending up with a 'good summer' like 1976, 1983, 1984,1989, 1990, 1995, 2003 or 2006 (only 1990 was really disappointing for thunder) I still think summer 2010 is a throroughly disatisfying season which is not helped by the crap summers for storms in 2008 & 2009 in this area.

Good point. The sunshine and dry weather is pleasant enough, like we had in June. It's this horrid unsettled dry weather which annoys me so much especially when we get yet more high humidity and no storms - again - and wake up the next day knowing any chance of a thunderstorm has gone and won't return. It's 1000x worse when others get the storms and several times over while we miss out so much when there has yet to be FIRST thunder event of the season here. :lol: Summer 2010 is a thoroughly frustrating season and I wish the sunny and dry conditions of June had continued into July with none of this S.W.ly crap. Winter 1991~1992 brought more pleasure than this poxy thunder-less summer and the fourth in a series of increasingly bad performing years for thunder. In the meantime, I think I am going to have to try and exercise a lot of patience tomorrow at work, what with another horrid hot sticky night and poor quality sleep and then having to deal with more humdrum life without a thunderstorm. I think I will leave the telly off in the morning as Kirkwood's infuriating cheerful smile and banter saying all those storms have now moved away and it won't be a bad day and it will be dry in the S.E. for the rest of the week may result in a steel tipped work boot through the screen or window!

Yes - Typical :wallbash: :wallbash: :wallbash: At this rate I will be drawing my old age pension before any storms affect Guildford and that's another 23 years away! This morning was the mother of all let-downs. I completely ignored the BBC forecast risk of heavy rain for the 'S.E.' and had my Monday morning bike ride as usual as I wasn't expecting any decent rain or thunderstorms. My prediciton was, of course correct (sorry, I'm not normally big-headed B) ), and at least I got a good 32 miles in which were in the Sahara Desert conditions which the 'S.E.' (away from kent) is known for these days. For much of the trip there was the constant reminder of this latest kick in the teeth after days of excruciating high humidity and seething annoyance in the form of threatening altostratus to the east. There was a brief heavy shower at Bramley at 0925~0938 which actually made the road wet but on reaching the B3000 back to Guildford the ground was dry again and there had been absolutely no rain. I am truly sick to death of this summer and lack of thunder and that was after an awful 2009 and 2008 (see all my other posts). At least June was a pleasant anticyclonic month with SUNSHINE and low humidity and none of this 'unsettled and mainly dry in the S.E.' nonsense. If the weather map has low pressure and fronts on it - I expect rain and hopefully thunderstorms and not continued dry conditions, no thunder and the c**p which we've had recently. If this current so-called 'unsettled' spell can't deliver - we want the sunshine and high pressure back despite the drought problem. Anything is better than seeing endless storms crossing France and clipping kent while all my location gets is 'humisery'. It's ironic that the forecast is always for the S.E. to have the driest weather with fewest storms yet the true S.E. (kent) gets the goods while areas further west repeatedly miss out. Well, can't keep waffling but here's to the tedium of another week ahead with no surprises, no chance of storms in central southern England, any forecast of any event which might affect this area being downgraded but the dry and thunder-less forecasts coming true and the overall feeling of being totally deflated and having to wait another month of sweltering misery for another chance which will no doubt fail in this horrible year.

I have an excellent article on this from the weather magazine. Might be able to scan this and send it but the 'original' is a photocopy too.

I posted in the NO STORMS CLUB earlier today. Just to say that at Guildford thunder has only been heard on ONE day (25th March) this year and without doubt this is the worst year for a lack of thunderstorms. From a historical perspective; 1990 was a very poor performer but there had been good thunderstorms in the preceding winter. 1976 produced 3 good storms in July although the preceding months were quiet due to the drought conditions. 1972 was a dry and cool unsettled summer but storms arrived after 19th July. 1959 was a long hot summer but some good storms in July and August between dry and hot periods. 1949 - No thunder data. 1933 - A hot and dry summer - but - a deluge of 131 mm in 5 hours at Fleet, Hampshire on Tuesday 26th September. There may be hope yet proving events can materialise in a 'barren year'. 1921 - An extremely dry year with a possible deficit in thunder like 2010. The lack of thunder is especially frustrating with all this humid misery in the lead up to another 'let down'. I am begining to feel like I do in WINTER when we have endless SWlys and boring weeks of dross and no sign of snow. The only difference in summer is that the 'boring' weather can be pleasant and conducive to outdoor activities. This is fine if one is not stuck at work, having to slave away in humid and unrewarding conditions especially at weekends, when we always seem to get the hottest weather, and is far from enjoyable and annoying when it repeats. Focusing on other interests helps to quench the boredom but this is not easy when unable to do so such as when at work and having to suffer these horrid humid conditions head-on. Sorry to veer off topic slightly. SW situations just never deliver the goods in this part of the UK - either mild and drizzly in winter or breezy and cloudy / humid and sticky and thunderless in summer. The summers of 2008, 2009 and 2010 have all had periods of SW type weather and have all been dreadful for thunder deficit. This year is at least producing nicer weather, except the days with high humidity, as anticyclones have had a greater influence than the other years. All we can hope for is a change of situation to one which can deliver and hope that if and when (and that's a big if and when) it does - that everyone gets favored at one time or another.

Just to say tomorrow - 7th July - is the anniversary of the last prolonged and heavy thundery outbreak in Guildford (where 29.5 mm rain fell in heavy and thundery showers from the late morning onwards). This will mean that from tomorrow evening, thunder will have only occurred on 5 days in the preceding year! If current electrically dead conditions persist then by August 1st, thunder will have only occurred on 3 days in the preceding year. This amounts to just six rumbles - how's that for detail. The storms include; Wednesday 2nd September - one rumble. Missed by observer. Wednesday 2nd December - one rumble. Missed by observer. Thursday 25th March - four rumbles and some lightning. Witnessed while working outdoors. July 6th has produced some impressive thunderstorms in the Fleet and Guildford areas in the past, here are the known events; 1999 - Afternoon thundery showers in warm unstable situation with low pressure nearby. A 'dry' storm locally, though. 1996 - A day of heavy showers becoming thundery in early evening. 1991 - Overnight heavy thunderstorms with much electrical activity. Affected much of southern England. 1989 - Lively convective storms in late afternoon. Loud thunder. Local rain with Basingstoke flooded but only 4 mm at Fleet. More thunderstorms following night. 1983 - Afternoon convective storms but little rain. 1.5 mm at Fleet. Much more rain fell at Alton and London (Wembley area) with some flooding. 1973 - Afternoon thunderstorm at Fleet with 12.5 mm rain. Severe storm and floods at Hook, Surrey. How much longer can this storm starvation go on? Surely something is going to happen before the end of this month. Meanwhile more slaving away in unpleasant sweltering stormless / rewardless humidity to look forward to. Yes ... and it's on a bl***y Friday and Saturday again - just when work is the most demanding even in nice cooler conditions. What fun (sarcasm intended). Just a footnote: Summer 1972 was very cool with 21 deg.C not reached until July 12th! (Fleet, Hampshire) and the hottest day was only 25.5 deg.C on the 17th. Despite an unsettled theme to that summer, rainfall was very low and thunder was lacking. There was an impressive outbreak of thunderstorms over southern England on the 19th with 34 mm at Fleet. However, London and Guildford missed out. Exeter reported 90.4 mm in the early hours with some streets under 9 feet of flood water. There were thundery outbreaks in the next two weeks and everyone saw something.

How about the 6th January 2010 and the heavy snowfalls and lesser snowfalls on the 6th February 2009? I've experienced impressive weather on various '6th's' too. I agree that this summer is like 2006 and also think the hottest weather is still to come. There was talk of the dreaded 'Atlantic' taking over for the first week of July and goodbye to the summer (and probably no chances of cool weather showers or thunderstorms in the S.E. / central southern areas - as we always miss out in this situation unless the air is VERY unstable and the showers are in the right area). Our only chance seems to be when the synoptic set up leads to a cool NWly via troughs in the isobars such as happened regulary in the summer of 2001. Now this westerly / SWly influence is affecting northern areas where it is unsettled while the south continues with this lovely summer sunshine. The dry conditions are enjoyable but a thunderstorm or two FOR EVERYBODY would be most welcome - perhaps like the regieme in July 2006, July 2003, July 1999 or (for those who can remember) the glorious July's of 1983 and 1984. Here's hoping we may get a 1980's style 'surprise' next week sometime!

I tend to agree. The lack of thundery activity and related interesting events, yet again, is frustrating. However, the pleasant sunshine and comfortable temperatures are making this summer enjoyable, nevertheless. It is great to see no sign of the Atlantic firing up with those horrid depressions bringing endless S.W.lies with mediocre rainfall followed by days of gusty winds and dust blowing around as the ground is so dry due to this part of the U.K. always missing the showers in this set up. This is how much of summer 2008 panned out in central southern England. Similarly, the lack of S.W.ly winds has meant humidity has been comfortable which is essential when working outdoors doing manual work. There is nothing worse than having sweltering humidity to NOT GET A THUNDERSTORM at the end of it - like last year, 2009. The current pleasant weather also makes people friendly and more relaxed whereas days of cloudy and drizzly S.W. type weather or high humidity alike are associated with high levels of grumpiness which is not conducive to improving morale when already annoyed about the lack of exciting weather. This summer may be going like 1990 with a lack of thunder but due to anticyclonic conditions where everyone is in this together and not like the last two summers where this part of the U.K. has repeatedly missed the action. Thunder has not been heard in June since 2007 now. Thunder has only been heard on 7 days in the last 22 months and on 10 days in tha last 2 years, now! The average is 16.3 days per year (Guildford, Surrey). Also just wondering if this year may turn out to be like 1994 with a poor start then the 'cracker' arrives. A very quiet start to the season ended on Friday 24th June 1994 with several hours of good electrical activity, although Guildford seemed to escape the higher rainfall totals with only 13.5 mm while Fleet received 42.0 mm with a severe line squall and associated roll cloud (the cloud also seen at Guildford) and parts of kent received 40~50 mm rain widely. Summer 1994 went on to produce some good sunny hot weather and other storms. Here's hoping for 2010.

Hi, I haven't been on this forum for a while, mainly due to a lack of interesting weather! Now we are in mid-June and yet again there is no sign of ANY thundery activity in Central Southern areas (I won't say S.E. like last summer and summer 2008, as London and the real S.E. got pasted leaving areas just to the west thunder-free on these occasions). Please can I rejoin the No Storms Club - I think I may qualify. Rundown on thundery activity in the last YEAR (Guildford, Surrey). (1) Tuesday 7th July 2009 - Heavy thundery showers in unstable westerly situation. (2) Thursday 16th July 2009 - Heavy rain and thunder during evening as cold front edges in from S.W. against a S.E. surface flow. (3) Friday 24th July 2009 - Slow moving thundery showers in an unstable westerly situation. (4) Wednesday 2nd September 2009 - Single clap in evening heavy rain at Guildford. Missed as I was at Fleet where there was just heavy rain. (5) Wednesday 2nd December 2009 - Single clap in late afternoon torrential showers at the end of a long wet period and before the cold winter. (6) Thursday 25th March - Teatime torrential rain with thunder as cold front moves N.E. So, a major lack of thunder and with all this anticyclonic weather here to stay, the 3rd consecutive totally thunder-free June likely now. Here's hoping to some nice surprises. Plume situations are pretty useless in this part of the U.K. as all we seem to get these days are Kent clippers, so slow moving unstable N.W. situation showers with cool upper air may be the only way to get the goods again this year.

Warm daytime at Guildford, followed by teatime thundery shower. Max. temp. today was 17.0 deg.C, the warmest day of the year so far. Thunder to S.S.W. at 1659. Very heavy rain at 1701 to 1706 with squally wind from S.E. around 1705. Thunder (although muffled by the torrential rain) at 1707, 1708 and 1711. CC lightning seen with last 2 times. Further rain to 1720 then light to moderate rain around 1735. This was the first thunder of 2010 and the first of ANY thunderstorm observed since 24th July 2009. Although rain was very heavy, only an estmated (will not know the rainfall value properly until the 0900 obs. tomorrow) 3~4 mm fell in this shower.

We did do well in early January, but to be pedantic Guildford seemed to get less than surrounding areas such as 23 cm at Fleet and up to 40 cm nearer Petersfield and in parts of West Sussex. Even at Dunsfold near Cranleigh I can see that many trees have been damaged by the weight of snow so depths must have been considerable. I think the current issue is that February has continually failed to deliver the goods in this area, especially with so much promise and that there is the potential for a possible historic event next week or a major disappointment. I know I'm being a tad bit greedy but if the potential is there then it would be great to benefit from it. If the potential wasn't there then I would be pleased with our event in January. Next week may be our last chance to see some decent snow and this may be the last potentially decent winter before things return to normal next year? Guildford had a good 15 cm by early evening on 6th January so we did well on that occasion and this was the best early January snowfall since 1982 (there were lesser falls in 1985 - 5 cm (Fleet); 1987 - 12 cm (Fleet) and 1994 - 5 cm). Apart from additions on the 13th January (4~5 cm) and a few hours of wet snow on the 20th, the rest of the winter has produced very little snow. Guildford missed the 21st & 23rd December events by a very close margin and there were only dustings on the 18th and 20th. The 'best' weather of the 2009~2010 winter for this area was in January and my conclusion is that February is becoming a very disappointing month especially if the Midland snowfest - South rainfest comes off next week. A long anticyclonic spell with dry condtions and severe night frosts would have brought pleasant conclusion to this winter and ushered in a lovely sunny start to March. Sorry about the length of the post but I do enjoy typing

I know what you mean. Working outside is not much fun with all this cold damp stuff. I do not relish another week of cancelled outdoor leisure activities - another wet and miserable Monday, which is the only day in the week available for my cycling activities - and having to work in freezing cold rain on the other days. It is a real kick in the teeth when this part of the S.E. gets rain and the Midlands get yet another snowfest while there is no hope in Hell of anything worthwhile happening down here. I would even prefer a return to mild S.W. dross next week - for all areas - than having to go through another cycle of marginality letdown and the S.E. / Central Southern location happens to be the area to miss out again. Roll on spring and the Bartlett! However, if these current models could change and the current feeling of the Midland snowfest / S.E. rainfest being written in stone changes to something which actually favours the S.E. for heavy snow and a historic or epic snow event then bring it on! The south has done well in other epic snow events that have pasted the Midlands, such as 25th April 1908. Hope this post doesn't offend any readers, but I am getting pretty fed up with missing out on the big events and seeing all this promise and anticipitation of a week to rival the worst weeks of January 1984, January 7th 1986, December 8th 1990 and late February 1994 (for my area) does not bode well for morale. The problem with this winter has been that there have been far too many 'wrong side of marginal' type events in this area and disapointment has been high, especially this month with all the promise of the severe cold two weeks ago being put back on every run. I have never seen so many days when rain has fallen at 0.5 to 3 deg.C as during this winter. I'm surprised we haven't had a major freezing rain event this year with the way the situations have panned out.

Love the snow and love the proper cold. However, this winter is getting tired, especially this dissapointing February. The lack of decent cycle rides, a waterlogged countryside and unpleasant damp and cold conditions, without snow, are becoming a nuisance. Working in frequent drizzle and damp is not much fun and the grumpy customers add to the lack of motivation to want to get up in the morning and remain in a good mood. Non-weather hobbies play a role to bring pleasure - especially some decent music - to help forget the miserable and unrewarding weather for a few hours. Either bring on more snow (for the central southern - S.E. area) with crisp cold, the odd ice day and some decent nighttime frosts or bring on some lovely sunshine and clear skies. As for spring - the sunshine, showers and hopefully (this year) some decent thundery showers are eagerly awaited - the humid sticky heat without thunderstorms, of summer is not awaited with pleasure. Spring can be the most enjoyable time of year as temperatures are moderate and seldom too hot, and recent years have shown interesting synoptics and events but also prolonged droughts and sunshine, without high humidity, which are great for working and leisure outdoors.

There have been several - but not recently. December 7th 1937 - heavy snowfalls in New Forest. December 15th 1950 - Very heavy snow on I.O.W. where depths reached 15 inches! December 8th 1967 - Heavy snow along south Coast with 11 inches of snow at Brighton. This fell in 8 hours and was accompanied by thunderstorms (due to convection over the relatively warm English Channel). Parts of Wales and the north coast of N. Ireland saw 17 inches and 14 inches respectively - so northern areas do well in this set up - but the south coast is favoured if the circulation is overhead and convection plays a role and maintains the intensity of snow in the cold and unstable air mass. March 27th 1975? - Mostly a frontal event. March 19th 1987 - Heavy snow along S. Coast with depths of 20 cm. 5 cm reported in 10 minutes. There was no closed circulation with this event and tended to move along the trough line with north to south then N.W. to S.E. movement. The snow storms of late April 1981, which affected Salisbury Plain severely, originated on a large depression which slowly moved S.E. with waves forming on the occluded front. This was not a classic 'Polar Low' - i.e. small depression developing in a baroclinic zone near Iceland and moving rapidly S.E. or S.S.E. Hope this info is useful.

Guildford, Surrey. 5 to 6 cm of fresh snow overnight and this morning. Maximum depth at 11:30 am, was 13~14 cm but more typically 10~11 cm. A slow thaw has reduced much of the snow cover on roads and from branches of trees. Final depth at 9 pm was 13 cm on some ground but more typically 8~10 cm. January 2010 is becoming an exciting winter month and in league with January 1979 & 1982!

Guildford, Surrey. Snow depth was 9~12 cm at 11:30 am increasing to 15~17 cm by 6 pm. These depths were taken as an average. There were a few pockets of 18 cm depths but seldom less than 15 cm away from treated roads and disturbed snow in gardens etc.

Today - Wednesday 6th January. Heavy snow in Guildford at last. Snow fell from 6 pm Tuesday 5th to 5:30 pm today with the heaviest periods of snow around 8:15 pm to 9:30 pm last night, 2 am to 4 am then 3:45 pm to 5:15 pm today. The remainder of the time, the snow was moderate with some heavy bursts. Depths at Guildford ranged from 9~12 cm around 11:30 am to a lovely crisp 15~17 cm by 6 pm this evening. Satisfaction at last! I'm pleased Portsmouth & I.O.W. did well out of this too, as posters / snow enthusiasts from there were feeling as disillusioned as I was until last night. So, no more posts from me on the whining thread for a while, I think. For those who have yet to see decent snow this winter - I hope your wait isn't too long now. Thoroughly enjoyed doing a 9 hour shift in the supermarket car park in the snow today and working in heavy snow is easier than rain as the snow brushes off clothes and doesn't soak through. The only clothes 'casualty' today were wet work boots as snow infiltrated around the laces and wet trouser hems which froze just before finishing at 8:30 pm. Lovely frost now so our lovely snow will be preserved a bit longer. Seriously though, this snow could be around for quite a while now and with some hopeful top up snowfalls. Wonder if we will make 14 days of continuous lying snow in January 2010?

It's even worse in Central Southern / Western S.E. England where areas to the East of Guildford have had some excellent and prolonged heavy snow and less than ten miles to the west heavy wet snow fell on the 21st~22nd December while this location missed much of the fun. Frustration levels are still high after the dreadful summer (2009) for lack of thunderstorms followed by a similar annoyance in November with coastal thundery showers never reaching inland despite forecasts. More annoying still, it's the locations that got all the storms in the summer and November that are having all the snow now. I'm not enjoying this winter nearly as much as last years, although I take comfort that last year the best of the cold and snow was still to come. This year's pattern seems to be characterised by the following; (1) Marginality ~ Any 'snow' event associated with precipitation levels greater than 1 mm fall as rain - in plentiful amounts. (2) Any chances of snow or snow events are associated with minimal precipiation levels. If anything does fall, it is missed in an eyeblink and thaws quickly when it rains. (3) Very hard to ignore a consistant pattern of downgrades. Plenty is promised but this fails at 6 hours to up to 3 days before the 'event'. Funny how there are no other events which develop as a surprise or any of the partly hopeful forecasts get upgraded. (4) Other locations get the 'event' they are predicted, or 'extra' from surprise events. Guildford area is promised a dry week - It's a dry week we get! (5) promises, promises. Every snow event is put back. "It will snow on Monday". Sunday night arrives and Monday is downgraded, but a new situation will develop for Wednesday. Tuesday night arrives and Wednesday will be rain but another event is expected at the weekend then it doesn't materialise. IT IS SOOOO FRUSTRATING. This winter is barely any better than 2005~2006, which had plenty of opportunity for decent cold and snow. This repeatedly failed to materialise in this area with the let down of late December 2005 then the rubbish February and the dreary dirge of a continuation of this into March. A total waste of opportunity with a long cold period - at least we had a wonderful summer that year though. Many other locations had a frustrating time that winter too, unlike this year. I know I sound thoroughly miserable - but it is hard to be enthusiastic about missing out on something many others are enjoying, over and over again yet hundrum life goes on and on without any compensatory pleasures. Can't even go out for a decent cycle ride as its too cold, windy or b****y raining again. I'd miss a month of rides for a repeat of 2nd February 2009. So, to tonights models and forecasts. Some of the week ahead looks wonderful, or did earlier this evening. Already there is talk of next weekends snow being downgraded and our chances during the week don't look so good according to the METO. Some say this is a 'very special winter' - currently, the only special thing about it that here it is probably the worst for prolonged snow distribution frustration since 1983~1984. I would love to be proved wrong in the next week, , and be writing posts about snow depths and comparing with other locations rather than having more of the frustration that has been abundant so far. Time is running out and there is the risk that the mild stuff will be back and all our chances will go. Just to prove a point - the lowest minimum temperature (-7.2 deg.C) and amount of snow (2 events - 4 cm and 5 cm respectively) were better in the record mild winter of 2006~2007 than the lowest minimum of -6.4 deg.C and 1~2 cm depths seen this winter! If a mild winter can produce snow and the enormous potential as seen in 2009~2010 can't deliver, then there is no hope.