Jontiman

Thanks Frosty, I hadn't seen that thread.

Being based in West Cumbria once again I look in envy at forecasts of heavy snow in the East, especially as I remember epic winters from my childhood in Gateshead. However many in West Cumbria will remember exactly 25 years ago on 5th/6th February 1996, for what has become known locally as The Big Snow, when about 20 hours of constant heavy fall resulted in over a foot of laying snow (even down to the edge of the lapping waves on Seascale beach) and drifts of 3 and 4 feet burying hundreds of abandoned cars across the space of a few miles. The photo shows a spot in Whitehaven where Morrisons now stands.

Being based in West Cumbria once again I look in envy at forecasts of heavy snow in the East, especially as I remember epic winters from my childhood in Gateshead. However many in West Cumbria will remember exactly 25 years ago on 5th/6th February 1996, for what has become known locally as The Big Snow, when about 20 hours of constant heavy fall resulted in over a foot of laying snow (even down to the edge of the lapping waves on Seascale beach) and drifts of 3 and 4 feet burying hundreds of abandoned cars across the space of a few miles. The photo shows a point in Whitehaven less than 10m elevation and less than 500m from the Irish Sea. Haven't seen anything near the likes of it since. I do wonder whether the forthcoming cold from the East and possible blocking of incoming fronts from the West may give us a re-run? Are there models archived from back then that show the setup and any similarities with the current situation?

Being based in West Cumbria once again I look in envy at forecasts of heavy snow in the East, especially as I remember epic winters from my childhood in Gateshead. However many in West Cumbria will remember exactly 25 years ago on 5th/6th February 1996, for what has become known locally as The Big Snow, when about 20 hours of constant heavy fall resulted in over a foot of laying snow (even down to the edge of the lapping waves on Seascale beach) and drifts of 3 and 4 feet burying hundreds of abandoned cars across the space of a few miles. The photo shows a point in Whitehaven town centre at less than 10m elevation and less than 500m from the Irish Sea. I do wonder whether the forthcoming cold from the East and possible blocking of incoming fronts from the West may give us a re-run? Are there forecast models archived from back then and any similarities with the current setup?

I've been following this forum for the last 3 Winters and as someone with no meteorological background I'm still on a steep learning curve. Anyone have any links to posts or idiots guides that'll help me understand better the models and the jargon? I must admit I'm often amused at the excitement expressed about potential severe weather that always seems to be 10 days away but never arrives. However this time around it seems like it will. As an upper middle aged Geordie living in West Cumbria I have fond memories of epic winters on Tyneside, but not so many over here in the West. As was the case with the last Beast we didn't see a single snowflake over here and it's possible that may be the case again. But regardless I'll watch the models progress, the varied analysis on this forum and the real weather unfold with interest. Any help with my learning curve will be much appreciated.