White Christmas

[johnholmes]

tks Kevin I'm relieved to hear that.

I was surprised to see how many years it snowed on Xmas Day though.

I spent 20 years working there, 64-84, and can only remember maybe 3 when it snowed either on or new the big day.

[Weather-history]

If you look back at winters since 1900 with a CET of less than 3.0, very few contained a white Christmas.

Only 1962-63 out of the really severe winters of the 20th century contained a white Christmas.

So if you are a cold lover would you want a white Christmas going off those stats?

Edited November 12, 2007 by Mr_Data

[Stratos Ferric]

its also been commented on several times that the only winter month not to show such marked warming is December. I wonder why that is?

It's a good question, and your emphasis is spot on. Since the mid 80s December (based on 30 year rolling) has warmed by only 0.3C to present - in fact it reached a full 0.6C around 2000 but has slipped back since. January has risen by 0.6C (0.7C at peak); Feb by 0.6C - being pretty much at its peak, and March by a heady 1C.

What is notable is that even this slight warming seems to have all but totally removed worthwhile snow from the month, Jan struggles but Feb, for all its warming, still usually manages something nearly half-decent for a few locations.

[acbrixton]

Kevin's/Mr Data's stats were for falling snow. However Storm79 went rather further: "Up here in oldham were used to seeing lying snow more or less every christmas"

I presume that the incidence of lying snow at Christmas at Manchester Airport would be rather lower than that for falling snow?

regards

ACB

[Weather-history]

Kevin's/Mr Data's stats were for falling snow. However Storm79 went rather further: "Up here in oldham were used to seeing lying snow more or less every christmas"

I presume that the incidence of lying snow at Christmas at Manchester Airport would be rather lower than that for falling snow?

regards

ACB

It would be but there were definitely no white Christmases for 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006

[Stratos Ferric]

Kevin's/Mr Data's stats were for falling snow. However Storm79 went rather further: "Up here in oldham were used to seeing lying snow more or less every christmas"

I presume that the incidence of lying snow at Christmas at Manchester Airport would be rather lower than that for falling snow?

regards

ACB

Aah, the lawyer's eye!

[andy_leics22]

i also agree that the chances are very low for a white Christmas, i think you need to go abroad to see the reel snow now. We havent seen snow properly on the ground where we are for many years unfortunatly.

I agree, I mean just by using common sense I think I can say it's unlikely many places if any will see a white christmas this year. I haven't seen a white christmas since 1995-1996 so I can't say i'm that hopeful we will see one this year, would be a dream come true if we did though.

[snowingtequila]

Just looking back through a few records and the claims of Oldham or more correctly the higher hills around Oldham rather than the town itself more or less did see snow every Christmas. Manchester Airport bears little relationship to Oldham as any local will tell you, although it is interesting that the airport shows a high number of snow falling on Xmas day records compared to elsewhere. I used to drive from Manchester to Bradford every CHristmas morning for a good few years going above Oldham. and the journey was snowy in all but one .. dates to be confirmed. ALthough last year cold but definately no snow

[Snowyowl9]

Just looking back through a few records and the claims of Oldham or more correctly the higher hills around Oldham rather than the town itself more or less did see snow every Christmas.

I see he is 900ft up so as high as our lowest ground but snow every christmas isn`t possible.

The 90`s were the best for white xmas`s but I seen to remember a very nasty storm one christmas eve in 1997 and mild temps.

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00119971224.gif

And there was one year Mr Data said he had no snow in 1992.

Well not sure if this counts but there was a sharp frost and sprinkles of snow to start with as it thawed.

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00119921224.gif

[Rustynailer]

The last time I was in the right place at the right time for a white Christmas was Manchester 1970 :lol: In fact thats the only one I have seen I think :lol:

Some came as close as Boxing day in the 70/80's mind.

Edited November 12, 2007 by Rustynailer

[Stratos Ferric]

...Manchester Airport bears little relationship to Oldham as any local will tell you, ...

Not least the absence of Airbuses, Boeings, MDs and the like, and those two long strips of tarmac.

Did you know RAF Fairford has the longest runway in the UK, apparently dimensioned to take an emergency landing from a space shuttle. Fascinating.

[swfc]

Also if you drop a raisien in a glass of champagne it will go up and down indeffinatly . :lol: :lol: .Well until the raisen decays.

[Snowyowl9]

The last time I was in the right place at the right time for a white Christmas was Manchester 1970 :lol: In fact thats the only one I have seen I think

A great chart too. I Don`t remember that as I was only 1. :lol:

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219701225.gif

[ukmoose]

A great chart too. :lol: I Don`t remember that as I was only 1. :blink:

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219701225.gif

I do remember it very well being nearly 14 at the time. I also remember they forecast it exactly one week ahead which is not bad is it? Couldn't do that now I suspect. It was ok - but 1968 was MUCH MUCH better when it snowed very heavily on Christmas Eve and the temperature was well belwo zero so it really was deep and crisp and even.

Chances this year? Well, they were never very good, so 50 to 1?

Moose

[johnholmes]

are you sure that in 1970 it was forecast a week ahead?

We/I found it hard enough to accurately predict 3 days at the maximum back in those days!

[Tom Quintavalle]

Remember early xmas morn 1970 very well. Listening to the strains of "Sailing By" on radio 4 and waiting with much excitement for the

shipping forecast, whilst watching great fluffy snowflakes drift down by the light of a nearby lamppost. I believe there was a huge crash of thunder with one of the heavy snow showers, which by lunchtime on xmas day, had deposited the best part of 4" in Bromley, N.W.Kent.

Regards,

Tom.

[Weather-history]

Any bets on a white Christmas for Walford?

Edited November 13, 2007 by Mr_Data

[Weather-history]

Just looking back through a few records and the claims of Oldham or more correctly the higher hills around Oldham rather than the town itself more or less did see snow every Christmas. Manchester Airport bears little relationship to Oldham as any local will tell you,

I did say as a "guide" if it is snow reported at Manchester airport then there is a good chance snow falling over the higher hills nearby.

But a white Christmas more or less every year is just not correct.

It certainly didn't snow over the Christmases of 2002, 2003 and 2006. Probably 2005 as well. And how many times did it snow on Christmas Days of the 1970s and 1980s?

http://booty.org.uk/booty.weather/metinfo/snxm_cat.htm

[Turnedoutniceagain]

Did you know RAF Fairford has the longest runway in the UK, apparently dimensioned to take an emergency landing from a space shuttle. Fascinating.

No, it's RAF Macrahanish on the Mull of Kintyre.

[johnholmes]

White Christmas, What are the chances this year?

is the heading

and this

No, it's RAF Macrahanish on the Mull of Kintyre.

or this

Did you know RAF Fairford has the longest runway in the UK, apparently dimensioned to take an emergency landing from a space shuttle. Fascinating.

okay you two characters what is the link, I've never been any good at this sort of thing?

[VillagePlank]

White Christmas, What are the chances this year?

is the heading

and this

No, it's RAF Macrahanish on the Mull of Kintyre.

or this

Did you know RAF Fairford has the longest runway in the UK, apparently dimensioned to take an emergency landing from a space shuttle. Fascinating.

okay you two characters what is the link, I've never been any good at this sort of thing?

The longest emergency runway in the UK is parts of the M2 that have collapsable lampposts, no bridges, doors that apparently go nowhere, is dead straight, and overly wide for the quantity of traffic

Back on topic - white christmas? Sure - somewhere North of the Watford Gap - which reminds me about another emergency runway ....

[Rollo]

The chances of a white christmas are obvious-think of a number say 6-double it add 7 mutiply by 4 add another 16 and then multiply by nothing and that will give us all no matter where we live in England the percentage chance-for Scotland add 1.

[ukmoose]

are you sure that in 1970 it was forecast a week ahead?

We/I found it hard enough to accurately predict 3 days at the maximum back in those days!

Absolutely, John; I clearly remember News at Ten (news reader possibly Bosanquet?) saying something like ' After the break, why it might be a White Christmas this year'... or something similar. Daft what you remember isn't it?

They did get it right though.

Moose

[Hairy Celt]

think i'd rather have all day sex than snow on xmas day. snow's getting boring, it's all just white and cold. having said that, we've had snow on about 1 in 3 of the last 15 xmases.

[stormforce 10]

well i have my bet on for a white xmas.