SP1986

If you are disappointed by the lack of cold this winter, it's probably time you moved. In my eyes, this winter has been consistently cold, often with synoptics delivering air from a northerly/easterly quadrant. There has been a significant lack of western influence, compared to normal. I think people are mistaking a mild winter for one without extremes. However... this Spring is definitely, thus far, giving winter a run for it's money, but that would not be difficult given this is one of the potentially coldest starts to Spring in recent times. The extent of northern blocking at the moment and forecast, is very impressive when looking from a synoptic point of view.

Certainly wouldn't catch any sun at this time of year... it's just too weak, the sun has been warmer but I think only marginally more so than winter. That said it was clear the sun was fairly strong the other day looking at the shadows, and how sharp they were. I think it'll be at least May before I really start to notice the sun, if it ever makes an appearance But to burn, well I might need to go to the Med for that to happen! (as if it's something we want to happen?) Our sun is just too weak here in my opinion (in my experience.. although not for some with sensitive skin though)

-5C minima in this location would be exceptional.. it depends where you live. The only thing on the models that make me a little sceptical about the temperature it is churning out, is that Germany has warmer minimas under similar conditions, which I doubt would happen.

I was thinking more local records, the GFS isn't scared to take this very cold weather to the coast. But yes, I'm not sure what's going on.. It'll be interesting to see what comes of it tomorrow.

I am finding it very difficult to believe that we will get the surface temperatures the GFS is showing.. widespread -5C or -6C in March.. I'm not entirely sure I can accept that in March. This doesn't mean it won't happen but I'm having a very difficult time even entertaining that as possibility. If it were to come off here, then it would represent possible record lows, and I'm just unwilling to comprehend that in mid-March. So either, these predictions are completely wrong... or we're heading into something so unusual that we may have to redefine our definition of what Spring means when compared to more recent times.. I'm utterly astonished at some of the outputs, and I believe this surpasses December 2010 in terms of relative severity in my own opinion.

The biggest enemy with be the maxima returning to something higher, it'll still be below average by a few degrees. The interesting thing will be minima.. I think there is a chance minima in some places may have a mean below 0C by the end of the month. Judging by model outputs it's possible, it'll be near a record for someone that's for sure.

Well my basis is that the jet will have to come further north as per the change of the seasons. Given it's so far south at the moment, it could be a while judging by some of the models. Definitely that's been the strong trend over the last few years. I can't really see any driver for change to be honest?

Coldest March on record - surely - if the outputs come off??

If the GFS turns out, then surely March would come in as the coldest on record by quite a distance? It's quite alarming actually just how cold the model is suggesting March will be.. never seen anything like it! I just do not buy the warm summer scenario at all though, my own opinion is that the summer will be as wet and cold as any we've seen in the past 5 years.

Light snow/sleet but too warm to settle

Hawarden was -4C but it's a very well known frost hollow and nowhere in the local vicinity acts like a frost hollow excepts parts of south Wirral/Northeast Cheshire and of course Deeside (Wales)

10 years is very impressive, it seems like only yesterday it was getting set up. I remember being particularly surprised by how many people were joining up so quickly! the site grew so fast it was unbelievable! I'm pretty proud to have been here from the start, obviously things took over which means I couldn't be on here as much, but they were the days, definitely.. and it continues! My own personal story of how I came to be here is quite interesting.. I don't know whether you remember something called 'cellweather' Paul..? The rest is history of course!

Below are the statistics for my weather station during the Winter season 2012-13 Mean Maximum: 7.0C Mean Minimum: 2.0C Overall Mean: 4.5C Seasonal Rainfall total: 274.5mm Rainfall days: 46 days Max rainfall in one day: 22.9mm (20th December) Total Snowfall: 8.5cm Snowfall Days (snow falling): 6 days Max snowfall in one day: 4.5cm (26th January) Highest daily maximum temperature: 14.1C (29th January) Lowest daily maximum temperature: -0.6C (12th December) Highest daily minimum temperature: 10.5C (3rd January) Lowest daily minimum temperature: -3.9C (13th December) Days with Ground Frost: 48 Days with Air Frost: 25 Days of falling snow: 6 Days of lying snow: 5 Thunder days: 1 Temperature frequency breakdown Maximum temperature: -5.0 to -0.1C: 2 days 0.0C to 4.9C: 23 days 5.0C to 9.9C: 41 days 10.0C to 14.9C: 24 days Minimum temperature: -5.0C to -0.1C: 25 days 0.0C to 4.9C: 47 days 5.0C to 9.9C: 17 days 10.0C to 14.9C: 1 day Compared to the Winter CET average (81-10 average = 4.5 ), my average comes in average when compared to the CET mean

Move along, were in the 2013 drought now.. 17 days consecutive rain free!

February 2013 Statistics Weather-wise the month was characterised by two distinct halves, a fairly wet first half, and a very dry second half. The most obviously point about this month is the 14 consecutive days with any rain, by Met-office standards this equates to an official drought. The night time minimum were essentially consistently cold, whilst the daytime maxima were more varied, with even some mild days, despite the generally cold scenario. Snow occurred on two days but without laying, and frost occurred fairly frequently on the ground, less so in the air. Overall a below average February to end a run of well above average Februaries. Below are the statistics for my weather station during the month of February Mean Maximum: 6.9C Mean Minimum: 1.4C Overall Mean: 4.15C Monthly Rainfall total: 69.6mm Rainfall days: 10 days Max rainfall in one day: 15.8mm (13th February) Total Snowfall: 0cm Snowfall Days (snow falling): 2 days Max snowfall in one day: 0cm Highest daily maximum temperature: 11.4C (15th February) Lowest daily maximum temperature: 3.1C (12th February) Highest daily minimum temperature: 5.0C (15th February) Lowest daily minimum temperature: -2.5C (18th February) Days with Ground Frost: 19 Days with Air Frost: 4 Days of falling snow: 2 Days of lying snow: 0 Thunder days: 1 Temperature frequency breakdown Maximum temperature: 0.0C to 4.9C: 8 days 5.0C to 9.9C: 14 days 10.0C to 14.9C: 6 days Minimum temperature: -5.0C to -0.1C: 4 days 0.0C to 4.9C: 23 days 5.0C to 9.9C: 1 days Compared to the December CET (81-10 average = 4.4), my average comes in at 0.25C below the CET average, making it a sligtly below average month when compared to the Central England mean

I use a Nikon D5100 (70-300mm lens for the bird shots) and 18-55mm standard lens for the rest. It was in a local woodland in West Wirral. No hide believe it or not, just in the midst of woodland here, it was on a small path going through the woods. Someone had previously put the seed down I think (a passer by), which might have helped coax out the Huthatch.. I was pretty surprised too, to be honest. It's quite a large woods too, I say about 2 miles by 4 miles in total.. quite a long walk really.

Here are some photos from some local woodland to me, after todays walk!

January 2013 Statistics This was a month characterised by big differences in the weather and changes throughout the month. At the start of the month, it was fairly mild, with temperatures largely in double figures in the daytime, and retaining the above average theme at night. Towards mid-month however a change took place whereby much colder air came in, via the continent. The temperatures reverted to low single figures and minus figures by night. Due to the amount of cloud, the temperature didn't get particularly low, only falling to -2.5C mid month. No ice days occurred, however mid month again, the temperature fell down to 0.8C. There was also a fair bit of snow mid-month with 4 days snowfall occurring, which was above the seasonal expectation, and well above January expectation. The snow hung on for a few days but finally melted towards the end of January. Then the milder weather took over once again with double figure temperatures, culminating in 14.1C on the 29th January, the highest of the month, and in line with expectations. Overall.. a cool month considering, locally below average, but with temperature deviations about where we would expect them in January. Below are the statistics for my weather station during the month of January Mean Maximum: 6.4C Mean Minimum: 2.1C Overall Mean: 4.25C Monthly Rainfall total: 63.9mm Rainfall days: 15 Max rainfall in one day: 16.2mm (26th January) Total Snowfall: 8.5cm Snowfall Days: 4 Max snowfall in one day: 4.5cm (26th January) Highest daily maximum temperature: 14.1C (29th January) Lowest daily maximum temperature: 0.8C (16th January) Highest daily minimum temperature: 10.5C (3rd January) Lowest daily minimum temperature: -2.5C (16th January) Days with Ground Frost: 18 Days with Air Frost: 13 Days of falling snow: 4 Days of lying snow: 5 Thunder days: 0 Temperature frequency breakdown Maximum temperature: 0.0C to 4.9C: 14 days 5.0C to 9.9C: 6 days 10.0C to 14.9C: 11 days Minimum temperature: -5.0C to -0.1C: 13 days 0.0C to 4.9C: 8 days 5.0C to 9.9C: 9 days 10.0C to 14.9C: 1 day Compared to the December CET (81-10 average = 4.4), my average comes in at 0.2C below the CET average, making it a sligtly below average month when compared to the Central England mean

Unfortunately not able to, the mild air is well and truly here in NW Wales!

Im not sure I believe this, but if it is, this is the nature of weather.. deal with it! I'm not even able to be home to see the snow.. thats a kick in the crotch, but it's just life!

damn, missed out on this one.. lol

Im in Llandudno right now and it's raining heavily, but a certain amount of proof there is loads more on the way.. Request though, can those in wirral/liverpool take photos please? Particularly those in New Brighton..!

Its possible, what is the nature of the discrepancy?

http://www.wirralcam.org/newbrighton.shtml seriously heavy snow settling on the beach at New Brighton

Its trying ever so hard on the pier.