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A look back in the archives at the winter of 1947 in Buxton, Derbyshire, which was branded 'the longest and harshest in the town's history' http://www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk/news/local/memory-lane-buxton-shivers-in-the-big-freeze-of-1947-1-7719252#

There might already be a thread for this, but figured it'd be good to have one in the winter forum. What do you want from winter - (1st December to 28th February official, looking a little longer this year if things go to plan). Do you want a mild, wet winter or a cold and snowy winter, or something different. What snow depth do you want, if realistic pressures like having to get to work weren't a barrier, what temperatures do you want? I'll start: Snow depths: 120cm by Christmas, 240cm-360cm by February Temperatures: Record of -25C maximum by day and -35C minimum by night Icicle counts: Should occur regularly and be anything up to 3ft in length Snow drifts: Good 10ft or so Maximum Windspeed: Around 150mph Ice Days: At least 40 Frosts: Every day from Dec to Feb

Met Éireann have named tomorrows depression Storm Clodagh, the third named storm of the season so far - http://blog.metoffice.gov.uk/2015/11/28/met-eireann-names-storm-clodagh/ If you've been following the Atlantic storms thread today you'll know where the strongest winds will likely impact, over Northern Ireland during the morning then sweeping across the Irish Sea into Southern Scotland and North - North West England bringing gusts around 60-70mph or more, and possibly even inland for a time in the north. Also heavy snow is forecast north of the border for parts of Scotland, mainly over higher ground but possible to lower levels as well. 12z ECM pressure chart for midday Sunday showing Clodagh tracking across Southern Scotland with a tight pressure gradient on her southern flank, windy for much of England & Wales but the strongest winds affecting areas mentioned above bringing the risk of disruption.

Hi everyone, are you looking foward to this weekends cold spell? I couldn't find a thread on it, am doing this to set things off and am happy to have my posts put into any other thread on the cold spell or merge. I've looked at some model data looking good for the cold fans! (incl myself) are be reading closely the model thread later. I hope to see a few flakes in the wind at least and it's looking likely many of us are going to see wintry showers popping through from the north. Some areas of Scotland might see some thick snowfall, and some of these features could just head south to give a dusting or more!

I am enrolled at UNIS,Svalbard, studying Arctic glaciers till September. I am hoping to keep this blog updated with details of what I am up to and pictures. So far I am limited to Longyearbyen, having not received gun training, but next week will start with fieldwork. The weather has so far been sunny, and rather warm, reaching a high of 15c yesterday. The constant light is taking some getting use too! I'll be visiting a local glacier on Thursday, where I hope to update!

Good Evening to you all. As the Warm/Hot Spell is ending as we speak or has ended depending on where you are the cool spell slowly taking over the UK with unsettled weather as it main force. Your opinions/thoughts on the spell/period. Please also be respectful of other users opinions as well...

The sea ice growth appears to be accelerating now, with NSIDC extent up over 300k on the minimum. including an increase of almost 60k yesterday, while the 5 day trailing average is up 165k on the minimum and 36k up on yesterday. Below is the extent increase (with the 5 day trailing average), between the minimum and September 30th for each year. The same, but for the minimum to October 31st each year is below it. Extent increases over the last week have been well above recent and long term averages, but temperatures look like warming up relative to average across much of the Arctic during the weekend and early next week, so closer to average sea ice coverage increases may occur next week.

I've just written a blog hopefully explaining more about how the Met Office create their weather warnings and how the 3 levels now include likelihood of severe weather and the possible impacts. http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=news;storyid=6466;sess= Did you know this about the impacts? Is this the right way to go for the public? With this explanation do you feel the warnings are now more helpful to you? The Matrix is now a key part of the warning, but is there anyway to show high impact, lower likelihood or medium likelihood of low impact event from just the 3 colours?

[b]Summary[/b] There was some good snowfall over parts of the Alps last weekend with some parts of Northern Italy seeing 1m of snow. However it was not quite as extensive as forecast with parts of Switzerland, not doing as well as expected. Generally though there are good conditions over the Alps albeit with the recent sunny and warm weather in the afternoon, giving some afternoon spring snow conditions. [b]Synoptics[/b] [size=3][font=arial]Currently over the Alps there are South Westerly winds and High Pressure however this pattern is set to change overnight and into Saturday. Winds are set to veer to the North West introducing a Polar Maritime air mass, with Low Pressure edging in. [/font][/size] [size=3][font=arial][attachment=245393:Alps 20 Feb + 24.JPG] [attachment=245387:Alps 20 Feb + 48.JPG][/font][/size] [size=3][font=arial]Apart from a brief spell on Milder air on Monday, it will be a generally cool or cold week with 850hpa temps below freezing and often below -5c. The coldest weather always reserved for the Northern areas of the Alps. It will be generally unsettled with Low Pressure over Italy and East to North East winds over the Alps on the northern flank of the Low Pressure. [/font][/size] [size=3][font=arial][attachment=245388:Alps 20 Feb + 72.JPG] [attachment=245389:Alps 20 Feb + 96.JPG] [attachment=245390:Alps 20 Feb + 120.JPG] [attachment=245391:Alps 20 Feb + 144.JPG] [attachment=245392:Alps 20 Feb + 168.JPG][/font][/size] [font=arial][b]Precipitation [/b][/font] [size=3][font=arial]Not for the first time, precipitation edges in to start the weekend initially for the far west, but moving eastwards to cover SW Germany, Switzerland the French Alps and NW Italy by Saturday evening, but some moderate bursts. Snow levels 1000m for a time, but dropping to 600m later further north, [/font][/size] [size=3][font=arial][attachment=245408:Precip SAt pm.png] [attachment=245409:Precip Saturday evening.png] [/font][/size] [size=3][font=arial]This continuing into Sunday, but by now the focus on NE Italy, Austria and SE Germany, still with some moderate bursts, however turning drier everywhere by the early hours of Monday. Snow levels 600m on the northern edge, 1000-1200m further south. [/font][/size] [[size=3][font=arial]attachment=245404:Precip early Sunday.png][/font][/size] [size=3][font=arial]The next frontal system edging into the West on Monday evening, several hours of precipitation as it edges SE by Tuesday however it stalls over SE Austria, NE Italy and fringes SE Germany and SE Switzerland. Snow levels 1400m on the front edge, dropping to 1000m and then 800m by Tuesday afternoon. [/font][/size] [size=3][font=arial][attachment=245405:Precip early Tuesday.png][/font][/size] [size=3][font=arial][attachment=245407:Precip midday Tuesday.png][/font][/size] [size=3][font=arial]The precipitation continuing over Eastern parts on Wednesday although fragmenting and becoming showery. Snow Levels 600m-800m. [/font][/size] [size=3][font=arial][size=3][font=arial][attachment=245411:Precip Wed.png] [/font][/size][/font][/size] [size=3][font=arial]Further showery precipitation expected Thursday and to a lesser extent Friday, but becoming increasingly concentrated to the South East, Snow to 600-800m, but rising to over 1200m daytime Friday. [/font][/size] [size=3][font=arial][size=3][font=arial][attachment=245410:Precip Thursday.png] [/font][/size] [attachment=245406:Precip Friday.png] [/font][/size] [size=3][font=arial]Moderate precipitation levels over much of the Alps, possibly drier over Northern Central areas. [/font][/size] [attachment=245413:Precip 72.gif] [attachment=245414:Precip 168.gif] [size=3][font=arial][b]Temperatures[/b] Sat – 800-1000m NW Switzerland, Far SW Germany, 1000-1400 most of Austria and Switzerland, French Alps 1600-2000m Central Southern Germany Sun – 600-800m S Germany, N Switzerland, French Alps and N Austria 1000-1400m S Austria and S Switzerland, 1200m-1600m N Italy [attachment=245394:Alps 20 Feb Temps + 24.png] [attachment=245395:Alps 20 Feb Temps + 48.png] Mon – 1200-1600m Eastern and Central Austria, 1600-1800 N Italy, 2000-200m S Germany, Switzerland and French Alps Tue – 600-900m S Germany, Switzerland, French Alps and NW Austria 900m-1300m S Austria and N Italy [attachment=245396:Alps 20 Feb Temps + 72.png] [attachment=245397:Alps 20 Feb Temps + 96.png][/font][/size] [font=arial]Wed– 700-900m S Germany, French Alps and most of Switzerland and Austria 900m-1300m Far East Austria and N Italy[/font] [font=arial]Thur 800m-1200m S Germany, N Switzerland, French Alps and N Austria 1200m-1600m SW Austria, S Switzerland 1400m-1800m N Italy [/font] [font=arial][size=4]Fri 800m-1200m S Germany, N Switzerland, French Alps and N Austria 1200m-1600m SW Austria, S Switzerland 1400m-1800m N Italy [/size][/font] [attachment=245398:Alps 20 Feb Temps + 120.png] [attachment=245399:Alps 20 Feb Temps + 144.png] [attachment=245400:Alps 20 Feb Temps + 168.png] [b]Summary[/b] After such a slow start to the week, things continue to look very decent. By no means the coldest week in the Alps, not the snowiest but most areas are likely to see some fresh snow this week, even if at times, some of the precipitation will be of rain at lower slopes levels. All in all not a bad skiing week for late winter.

[b][font=arial]Summary[/font][/b] Some great conditions to go skiing in recent days, with warm sunshine, this has had an impact on slopes especially lower down, and fresh powder becoming difficult to find. [b]Synoptics[/b] [font=arial]The weekend starts with Low pressure over the UK and this feeding in SW winds for the Alps on its eastward edge. Over the weekend, the low Pressure moving closer to the Alps, making things increasingly unsettled. 850Hpa temps generally just below freezing.[/font] [attachment=244845:Alps 13 Feb.JPG] [attachment=244852:Alps 13 Feb +24.JPG] [attachment=244846:Alps 13 Feb +48.JPG] [font=arial]Remaining unsettled to start next week, with low pressure never too far off the scene with winds from a general southerly direction. However signs of a change for Tuesday with High Pressure ridging up from the Azores.[/font] [attachment=244847:Alps 13 Feb +72.JPG] [attachment=244848:Alps 13 Feb + 96.JPG] [font=arial]The mid part to the end of next week sees High Pressure becoming increasingly dominant as the ridge of High Pressure from the Azores builds and becomes centred over mainland Europe/ Winds Easterly [size=3]perhaps veering North Easterly by the end of Friday, with 850HoPa temps above zero for a time.[/size][/font] [size=3][attachment=244849:Alps 13 Feb + 120.JPG] [attachment=244850:Alps 13 Feb + 144.JPG] [attachment=244851:Alps 13 Feb + 168.JPG][/size] [b][font=arial]Precipitation [/font][/b] [font=arial]Very much a split this week, Austria looks mostly dry, with Northern and Eastern areas completely dry. [/font] [font=arial]For the South and West of the Alps, showery precipitation for much of Saturday. Showery to start Sunday, however a more organised area of precipitation developing Sunday evening for Western Italy, Southern Switzerland and fringing the French Alps. This is set to continue through Monday, before becoming more showery into Tuesday. The snow level 1200-1400m perhaps a bit higher around midday Monday. [/font] [attachment=244866:Alps 13 FEb Precip 24.png] [attachment=244867:Alps 13 FEb Precip 57.png] [attachment=244868:Alps 13 FEb Precip 66.png] [attachment=244869:Alps 13 FEb Precip 90.png] Snow amounts are always difficult to confirm With [url="http://www.onthesnow.co.uk/skireport.html"]http://www.onthesnow.co.uk/skireport.html[/url] on the snow forecasting over 1m of snow in places over the next 3 days. While this accumulated "rainfall" suggests over 4 inches of rainfall in place, which confirms the above. [attachment=244870:Rhgfs7214.gif] [b][font=arial]Temps[/font][/b] [size=3][font=arial]Sat – 400-800m Far East of Austria, 1000-1400m elsewhere, 1600-1800m on the Austria/Switzerland border [/font] [font=arial]Sun – 1200-1400m most of Alps, 1600-2000m SE Germany, parts of N/NW Austria, [/font][/size] [size=3][attachment=244859:Alps Temps 13 Feb.png] [attachment=244861:Alps Temps 13 Feb + 48.png][/size] [size=3][font=arial]Mon – 400-800m Far East of Austria, 1200-1600m generally, 1600-2000m S Germany, NW and W Austria, SE Switzerland, [/font] [font=arial]Tue – 200-600m Far East of Austria, 1200-1800m generally, 1600-2200m S Germany, NW and W Austria, S and E Switzerland, into the French Alps[/font] [attachment=244860:Alps Temps 13 Feb 72.png] [size=3][attachment=244862:Alps Temps 13 Feb + 96.png][/size] [font=arial]Wed– 200-600m Far East of Austria, 800-1400 Reminder Eastern Austria, 1800-2200m elsewhere [/font] [font=arial]Thur 600m-1400m Eastern Austria, 1800m-2200m elsewhere [/font] [font=arial]Friday 1800m-2200m generally [/font] [attachment=244863:Alps Temps 13 Feb + 120.png] [attachment=244858:Alps Temps 13 + 144.png][/size] [b]Summary[/b] A mixed week, dry and mild in Northern and Eastern parts, so take your sun screen, with the chance of heavy snow over higher slopes further South and west with Italy the prime spot for some heavy snow.

Do you prefer to watch snow fall during the night as it swirls past the street lights,or during the day as the land turns from green to white?!.

[size=4][font=arial][b]Summary[/b][/font][/size] The last 24-48hours has seen some very good snowfall for the Alps, more especially towards the NW, this is set to continue overnight into Saturday. The weekend starts on a cold unsettled them with winds from North Westerly direction. This is associated with low pressure off the south coast of Scandinavia. This rather unsettled and cold theme continues through the weekend. [attachment=242964:Alps 30 Jan.JPG] [attachment=242965:Alps 30 Jan + 24.JPG] The following is of quite high uncertainty On Monday a small low pressure system pushes in from the North West and slowly edges across the Alps turning things briefly less cold. However turning back colder by Wednesday and colder again by [attachment=242966:Alps 30 Jan + 48 b.JPG] [attachment=242967:Alps 30 Jan+ 72.JPG] Wednesday, as it exits to the east and reintroduces colder North East winds. [attachment=242979:Alps 30 Jan + 96.JPG][attachment=242980:Alps 30 Jan 120 B.JPG] [attachment=242981:Alps 30 Jan + 144.JPG] This is the theme towards the weekend, cold unsettled and with north easterly winds. [b]Precipitation [/b] Saturday - After overnight snow moves away from the NW, Patchy precipitation (snow to resort level) will continue in Austria for a time before dying away, another front edging in from the NW for the evening again heavy in places. Sunday - Snow from the NW continuing in the morning turning patchier later and moving east. Monday - Further showery snow for the Northern half of the Alps, however turning drier later Tuesday - Heavy precipitation over central Italy, trying to edge north into the Italian Alps for the evening and early overnight period. Wednesday - Overnight precipitation edging NE into many parts of Austria and Switzerland snow to resort level in the north, snow over 1000m for Italy and SW Austria. Rest of week - After the front dies way, showery precipitation likely over the Alps, largely of snow. T[b]emps[/b] [size=4][font=arial]Sat – 300m-500m S Germany, French Alps, most of Switzerland, E Austria, 700m-900m rest of Austria, NE Italy 800-1000m NW Italy[/font] [font=arial]Sun – 400-800m Austria, S Germany, N and E Switzerland, 800-1000, NW Italy, French Alps, 1000-1400, Far NW Italy, SW Switzerland[/font] [attachment=242978:Alps 30 Jan Temps.png] [attachment=242977:Alps 30 Jan Temps + 24.png] [size=4][attachment=242975:Alps 30 Jan Temps + 48.png] [/size] [font=arial]Mon – 200m-500m S Germany, Northern parts of both Austria and Switzerland, French Alps, 500m-900m rest of Austria and Switzerland and N Italy [/font] [font=arial]Tue – 0m-400m S Germany, NE and E Austria, NW Switzerland, 800-1000m rest of Austria and Switzerland, French Alps, Italy[/font] [attachment=242974:Alps 30 Temps + 72.png] [size=4][attachment=242973:Alps 30 Jan Temps + 96.png][/size] [font=arial]Wed – 0m-400m S Germany, NW Austria and N Switzerland, French Alps , 1000-1200m S Switzerland, much of Austria and Northern Italy [/font] [font=arial]Thurs – 0m-200m S Germany, NE and E Austria, NW Switzerland, French Alps 600-800m Far South of Switzerland , SW Austria 800-1000m N Italy [/font] [attachment=242987:Alps 30 Jan Temps + 120.png] [attachment=242971:Alps 30 Jan Temps + 144.png] [font=arial]Fri – 0m-200m S Germany, NE and E Austria, NW Switzerland, 0-800m French Alps 0-1000m Far South of Switzerland , SW Austria 800-1000m N Italy[/font] [attachment=242970:Alps 30 Jan Temps + 168.png][/size] [b]Summary [/b] After another good weekend with persistent snowfall. and perhaps a little more than GFS suggests. A cold week for most, especially further north with further snow at times, A continuation of the improving theme.