Huge Snowfall Caused By Rare Clash Of Weather Events

[Duane S.]

What I think ruined last winter a touch was that easterly during January. If that not had happened and we still remained under generally clear skies with all that snow cover and high pressure then it could have turned into a real humdinger. Manchester recorded 3 consecutive minima of under -10C but temperatures rose during that Saturday night and it was above freezing by Sunday dawn. That easterly was a failure.

GFS was hinting of high pressure over the UK in its long range but ECM was going for that easterly. ECM won and it looked as though it could be special with drifting snow and snow. It turned out nothing of the sort and was a damp squib.

Yep, although I wouldn't say it ruined it just stopped it becoming a true all time classic. I will always remember the winter for so many near misses for me. I think I only remember seeing snow on two occasions, both times light dustings. I remember January the 4th or 5th when the Dorset dome was in full operation and the very heavy snow circumnavigated our county with incredible care and accuracy and dumped on just about every one else bar us. Annoying as it wasn't down to our geographical location for once but bad luck! :-(

Anyway, there is no getting away from the fact that 09/10 was an exceptional winter for the UK in general. But the lack of a proper easterly was a bit frustrating at times especially when we had a few shots at one and the synoptics were so good. As for it being a rare winter etc etc. Well, yes I suppose in respect of those factors together then yes it was rare but then so would any combination of those factors be wouldn't they? And it's not as though we can only get cold winters with that exact combination, any but in fact.

[Duane S.]

However what was highly rare and, IMO, very unlikely to repeat in the next two hundred years is the average AO figure from the December to February period. -3.42!! Now that is incredible! :unsure: