Met Office Forecast In The Telegraph

[johnholmes]

Admittedly, looking at the CET figures from December 1995 to December 1996 there were some cold months. Both Decembers of 1995 and 1996 were much colder than average. February 1996 was pretty cold to. But January 1996 was 0.1c above average.

Surprised that it was colder then 1986/1987. I calculated 1986 Decembers CET, January 1987 CET, February and march-Divided it by 4 (Ended up as 3.675) (Hope I’m right) did the same with 1995/1996 and surprisingly 1995/1996 was 0.2c colder at 3.4c during Dec-Mar.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The official winter period is 1 December to end of February, always has been, and I suppose it will always stay that way.

[The Enforcer]

This is dragging it further off topic, but what the hell.

If the UK had a genuine big freeze this winter, it would really ram home the shortcomings of the selfish society we live in. Technology should enable us to cope better, but in reality it's reserved for the privelidged few, but we've been resting on our laurels for too long. The big freeze would expose:

- the inadequacy of the public transport system;

- the overstretched road network;

- the inability of roger to adapt to the road conditions;

- the lack of care for one's fellow human being;

- the lack of financial support for the emergency services and healthcare;

- the lack of forward planning by utility companies with privatisation allowing fatcats to swallow up all the profits that would previously have been available to the public purse/enable sufficient forward emergency planning; and

- the unsustainable work-dominated lifestyles that many people are coerced into (epitomised by having to travel miles to get to the workplace) would grind to a halt.

Edited October 10, 2005 by The Enforcer

[leaskovski]

- the inability of roger to adapt to the road conditions;

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Say what? :o <_<

[The Enforcer]

Say what?  :o   <_<

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

roger = someone you don't know

Normally used in the context of causing a nuisance or getting in the way, thus:

"I almost got knocked off my scooter this morning when roger didn't indicate at a roundabout"; or

"I'm sorry I'm late for work, but roger was ahead of me in the queue at the petrol station and took over 10 minutes to pay for his petrol"; and

"I can't put out the recycling, because roger has stolen our green bin"

It is particularly useful in explaining a frustrating situation where the use of stronger language might lead to problems (parents/boss etc) and in connection with sites like this where, arguably, a more appropriate swear word would either get edited out or lead to a ban.

[Gray-Wolf]

This is dragging it further off topic, but what the hell.

If the UK had a genuine big freeze this winter, it would really ram home the shortcomings of the selfish society we live in. Technology should enable us to cope better, but in reality it's reserved for the privelidged few, but we've been resting on our laurels for too long. The big freeze would expose:

- the inadequacy of the public transport system;

- the overstretched road network;

- the inability of roger to adapt to the road conditions;

- the lack of care for one's fellow human being;

- the lack of financial support for the emergency services and healthcare;

- the lack of forward planning by utility companies with privatisation allowing fatcats to swallow up all the profits that would previously have been available to the public purse/enable sufficient forward emergency planning; and

- the unsustainable work-dominated lifestyles that many people are coerced into (epitomised by having to travel miles to get to the workplace) would grind to a halt.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We see a similar world out there, the great new, untested,post socialist world of the naughties.

[Snow Queen one]

I agree with all Gray Wolf and others have said.

Optimus Prime how old are you?

We have houses that are run on centeral heating now and that requires an electric pump If the power is cut the heating does not work. In the old days you used to have an aga or a rayburn fire that burnt coal and would heat up the water as well. If the power was to be cut off for prolonged periods then people in houses that do not have chimnies or other forms of heating would get very cold. Like the house i live in has only central heating no open fire.

Unless you have the money to provide and alternative source of heat then as another members said people especialy the old would die.

We should all just hope it is not as bad as it has been made out to be. Couple of cold snaps with lots of snow then a warmer period would be a good pattern for a lot of cold lovers. <_< :o

Edited October 10, 2005 by Snow Queen one

[snowmadchrisuk]

Theres one thing for sure. If It turns out to be a warm winter this is the year the media and met office will be remembered for making a right tit of themselfs~!

[Roger J Smith]

No worries, my winter driving skills are actually quite good. <_<

[The PIT]

This is dragging it further off topic, but what the hell.

If the UK had a genuine big freeze this winter, it would really ram home the shortcomings of the selfish society we live in. Technology should enable us to cope better, but in reality it's reserved for the privelidged few, but we've been resting on our laurels for too long. The big freeze would expose:

- the inadequacy of the public transport system;

- the overstretched road network;

- the inability of roger to adapt to the road conditions;

- the lack of care for one's fellow human being;

- the lack of financial support for the emergency services and healthcare;

- the lack of forward planning by utility companies with privatisation allowing fatcats to swallow up all the profits that would previously have been available to the public purse/enable sufficient forward emergency planning; and

- the unsustainable work-dominated lifestyles that many people are coerced into (epitomised by having to travel miles to get to the workplace) would grind to a halt.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sums it up pretty well to be honest.

[The Enforcer]

No worries, my winter driving skills are actually quite good.  <_<

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good man.

[The Enforcer]

Sums it up pretty well to be honest.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wonder how many people lived within easy walking distance of their workplace in 1946/7 and in 1962/3 relative to now?

[TG312274]

That's a very good point. There's more commuters than there were 50 years ago (I should know this living in a commuter town), and there's also the factor of a lot of workplaces being for example on out of town industrial estates and business parks and the like. Thus you need to have a car, and so if there's a run on petrol the consequences don't bear thinking about.

[torzcooper]

Yhis winter forecast has had me watching with a mixture of interest, excitemant and quiet honestly trepidation.

Lets be serious, how many of us actually have the means to heat our houses and cook a good hot meal without the aid of Gas or Electricity?

We live in a modern house at the moment with no fireplace or wood burner and

I know I would worry about how I would feed and keep warm my 3 kids because if they both went off then we would be really stuck. ( But then I have the VW Camper as a last resort)

I will be the first to hold up my hand and admit to being a snow ramper but to be honest, I for one am erring on the side of not really wanting the winters to revert back to the ones I remember in my younger days. Our ultra modern society just cannot cope with it.

[Mr Sleet]

Maybe people should look after others more though. I mean how difficult is it to pop around to someone round the corner and ask how they're keeping?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey do we have another Aldershot Town fan ? B)

[Wosser]

what are the real odds for a cold winter

[TG312274]

Hey do we have another Aldershot Town fan ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes we do!!! Shame we're not doing to well at the moment though

[coldfingers]

I wonder how many people lived within easy walking distance of their workplace in 1946/7 and in 1962/3 relative to now?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Don't know about most people but in 1947 my grandad cycled 15 miles each way to work, in 62/63 my dad rode a motorbike 10 miles to work in Scotland and had to sleep at work a couple of times as they got snowed in.

[The Enforcer]

Yes we do!!! Shame we're not doing to well at the moment though

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Anything to do with woozey Woozley?

[clv101]

so because we get a cold winter everyone dies off? That's how they seem to interpret it.

If we can't survive a cold winter then how did we ever survive the winters of 1991 and 1987? The most recent years with a very cold month.

Simple, we could get a winter like 1917, 1947, 1955, 1963 and even worse and we would be ok. Their making a big deal out of nothing.

As usual.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, things are very different now regarding energy.

See these three articles:

Aug 27th UK Gas and Electricity Crisis Looming

Oct 9th UK Energy Part 1: The Winter Outlook

Oct 9th UK Energy Part 2: 2005 Quarter 2 Update

To talk of the winters of '91 and '87 isn't helpful, we are far more vulnerable now than we were then. Much less gas, oil and coal and less spare capacity in energy systems. Last winter was 6th warmest in 77 years yet due to gas shortages there was a 4-fold increase in interruptions.

An 'average' winter would have a pretty bad effect this year, vast industrial disruption. A 1 in 10 or even 1 in 20 cold winter would be disastrous.

Edited October 12, 2005 by clv101

[coldfingers]

No, things are very different now regarding energy.

See these three articles:

Aug 27th UK Gas and Electricity Crisis Looming

Oct 9th UK Energy Part 1: The Winter Outlook

Oct 9th UK Energy Part 2: 2005 Quarter 2 Update

To talk of the winters of '91 and '87 isn't helpful, we are far more vulnerable now than we were then. Much less gas, oil and coal and less spare capacity in energy systems.  Last winter was 6th warmest in 77 years yet due to gas shortages there was a 4-fold increase in interruptions.

An 'average' winter would have a pretty bad effect this year, vast industrial disruption.  A 1 in 10 or even 1 in 20 cold winter would be disastrous.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Interesting and thought provoking articles, in '91 & '87 we personally lived in a house with gas/electricity and open fires. Now have gas central heating which will be useless in power cuts. Better go out and buy more wooly jumpers.

[cold snap]

Can we believe this early hype,as we get older and wiser,its hard to believe that once again we are in for a Severe winter,can we believe this?Its hard work,knowing we have been let down time and time again,but as always we hang on to a glimmer of hope,dreams at the moment,but dreams do come true,theres a severe winter there for sure in circulation but could this be the one,i sure the pros and cons of this winter will be mention right here on net weather.

[MediaHype]

Coldest Winter in Decade is forecast

The Coldest Winter for at least a decade is on its way, according to the MetOffice

writes JP

Forecasters say that after some mild years, a cold, dry winter is expected with biting winds from Siberia, hard frosts and snow, particularly in the South & East.

The bad weather will follow one of the warmest Autumns.

[Cloudburst]

Coldest Winter in Decade is forecast

The Coldest Winter for at least a decade is on its way, according to the MetOffice

writes JP

Forecasters say that after some mild years, a cold, dry winter is expected with biting winds from Siberia, hard frosts and snow, particularly in the South & East.

The bad weather will follow one of the warmest Autumns.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How can there be lots of snow predicted if they say it is going to be one of the most 'Dryest' in a decade. :blink:

[yido]

How can there be lots of snow predicted if they say it is going to be one of the most 'Dryest' in a decade. :blink:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They don 't say there is going to be lots of snow, just snow is predicted.

[londonsnow]

to be honest this media hype is bordering on irresponsible