Weather in the general media (Newspaper features etc)

[abruzzi spur]

Country Tracks forecast looks reasonable the way things stand at the moment, but with weather from an east or south east direction small changes can have a large impact on snow prospects. Whether we get changes that increase snow chances remains, of course, to be seen.

As I posted on the SE England regional thread this morning, lots to watch but not yet much to see!

AS

[Summer Sun]

I have heard that the met office will be issuing a level 3 cold weather alert tomorrow,

[Crepuscular Ray]

I have heard that the met office will be issuing a level 3 cold weather alert tomorrow,

For where?

The Fail on Sunday is predicting an Arctic blast and "Siberian" temperatures of -2 for the week.

[Summer Sun]

For where?

The Fail on Sunday is predicting an Arctic blast and "Siberian" temperatures of -2 for the week.

We'll find out tomorrow but i'm guessing it will be the likes of North East England, Yorkshire & the Humber, East of England and South East England but as I say we shall find out tomorrow.

[La Bise]

The Swiss media have been bigging up the incoming cold spell, mind there is a bit more flesh to the "arctic bone" when the maximas will be ranging from -8c to -11c and fresh NE/N winds will be bringing down the windchill to lower levels and that's just in the cities at low level...The usual freezer areas are bracing themselves for -30c and below (villages in valleys higher up but not very high by Swiss standards eg La Brevine at 1100m).

Bit of exotic news for you... ;-)

PS Guess who's flying there on friday eh?

[shedhead]

The Swiss media have been bigging up the incoming cold spell, mind there is a bit more flesh to the "arctic bone" when the maximas will be ranging from -8c to -11c and fresh NE/N winds will be bringing down the windchill to lower levels and that's just in the cities at low level...The usual freezer areas are bracing themselves for -30c and below (villages in valleys higher up but not very high by Swiss standards eg La Brevine at 1100m).

Bit of exotic news for you... ;-)

PS Guess who's flying there on friday eh?

That's because they actually have something worth bigging up!

[Coast]

Britain braced for Arctic blasts

(UKPA) – 1 hour ago

Temperatures across the UK are set to plummet to as low as -10C this week with cutting Arctic winds sending a shudder down the spine of the British Isles, according to forecasters. A high-pressure system hanging over Scandinavia and western Russia is set to push raw, easterly winds towards the UK as the week progresses, causing the longest spell of cold weather so far this winter, experts say. Snow is also forecast in some regions over the coming days with some people in Wales and the far West of England waking up to a dusting of up to 5cm.

Paul Mott, forecaster with MeteoGroup, the Press Association's weather division, said: "There has been a sprinkling of snow overnight over parts of Wales, Devon, Somerset and Hampshire. "It has mainly been over hills - with accumulations of up to 5cm in some areas - but there have also been some falls on lower ground locally. "There will be some fairly wet snow falling over the hills of Gloucestershire, Somerset and south Wales this morning but it will struggle to settle so shouldn't cause too many transport problems."

The Met Office has issued an amber warning of snow for parts of Wales, saying the hilly parts of the south and south east of the country could get as much as 10cm. It said higher areas of south-west England, especially Exmoor, could see 5cm of snow but lower areas are more likely to see a 1-2 cm "slushy covering". The Met Office also issued a warning of severe cold weather across much of England until at least Thursday. Mr Mott said the mercury could plummet to as low as -10C in rural parts of central England on Thursday night, with average day time readings only reaching 3C-4C. "The nights will be really cold throughout the week and there will be the occasional snow shower over the eastern counties of England, eastern Scotland and even London," he added.

http://www.google.co...91327851398231A

[Summer Sun]

BIG FREEZE AS ‘BEAST FROM EAST’ ROARS IN

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/298848/Big-freeze-as-Beast-from-East-roars-in

Get ready for Freezing February! Temperatures set to plunge to -11C as ice and snow transform countryside in scenes of breathtaking beauty

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093450/UK-weather-Britain-braced-cold-snap-year-ice-snow-transform-countryside.html

UK weather: Temperatures set to plummet to -10C this week as parts of Britain wake up to snow

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2012/01/30/uk-weather-temperatures-set-to-plummet-to-10c-this-week-as-parts-of-britain-wake-up-to-snow-pics-115875-23727111/

Freezing February in -11°C warning

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4095724/Weather-news-Freezing-February-in-11C-warning.html

[greybing]

what can you say ,a story [in ,journalistic terms] really does mean just that.

[Coast]

UK weather: Temperatures set to plummet to -10C this week as parts of Britain wake up to snow

http://www.mirror.co...15875-23727111/

Yep, just reading that one!!

The Met Office also issued a warning of severe cold weather across much of England until at least Thursday.

Mr Mott said the mercury could plummet to as low as -10C in rural parts of central England on Thursday night, with average day time readings only reaching 3C-4C. "The nights will be really cold throughout the week and there will be the occasional snow shower over the eastern counties of England, eastern Scotland and even London," he added.

Police in Devon and Cornwall yesterday warned motorists in some parts of the region not to travel unless it is essential after snowfall over the higher areas of Exmoor and Dartmoor.

Currently looks to me that it really gets going from Thursday onwards!!!

[Roger J Smith]

This would be my version of a timely weather warning and if any media people happen upon this please note that it is my personal opinion and not necessarily that of Netweather.

Extreme cold with some locally heavy snow will develop in stages through mid-week and the most severe cold will set in Wednesday night lasting into the weekend in some eastern regions. Temperatures could fall as low as -15 C in some rural areas and -7 C in large cities with more of a local urban heating effect. Kent, some parts of greater London, east Anglia and the east Midlands, possibly also Yorkshire, could see some locally heavy snow in streamers from the North Sea. While many of these will produce only light coverings of 2-5 cms, some in particular those hitting the southeast could be much heavier and produce up to 30 or more cms. There could be severe disruption to some local road and rail travel on Thursday and Friday in the southeast.

Expect some problems with frozen water pipes and other problems with infrastructure as it will be exceptionally cold for as long as four or five days in some parts. The cold will tend to hang on longest in the southeast as the most likely route for returning milder air would be across Northern Ireland and southern Scotland, northwest England and then the Midlands. This return phase may also set off snowfalls but also could introduce freezing rain ahead of the arrival of milder air at the surface. This looks like a period (Wednesday to about Sunday or Monday) to avoid unnecessary travel and stock up in advance on essentials. There will be even more severe cold and some local snowfalls in France and other nearby parts of Europe.

Expect cancellations of some or perhaps most sporting events or certainly frozen pitch and grandstands.

[Summer Sun]

I have heard that the met office will be issuing a level 3 cold weather alert tomorrow,

As I told you all yesterday the met office have now issued the level 3 cold weather alert

There is a 100% probability of severe cold weather between 1000 on Monday and 1000 on Friday in parts of England. This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services. Please refer to the national Cold Weather Plan and your Trust's emergency plan for appropriate preventive action.

Milder conditions are likely to arrive during Saturday and Saturday night, with temperatures likely to rise above threshold values in all regions.

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/coldweatheralert/

[shedhead]

This would be my version of a timely weather warning and if any media people happen upon this please note that it is my personal opinion and not necessarily that of Netweather.

Extreme cold with some locally heavy snow will develop in stages through mid-week and the most severe cold will set in Wednesday night lasting into the weekend in some eastern regions. Temperatures could fall as low as -15 C in some rural areas and -7 C in large cities with more of a local urban heating effect. Kent, some parts of greater London, east Anglia and the east Midlands, possibly also Yorkshire, could see some locally heavy snow in streamers from the North Sea. While many of these will produce only light coverings of 2-5 cms, some in particular those hitting the southeast could be much heavier and produce up to 30 or more cms. There could be severe disruption to some local road and rail travel on Thursday and Friday in the southeast.

Expect some problems with frozen water pipes and other problems with infrastructure as it will be exceptionally cold for as long as four or five days in some parts. The cold will tend to hang on longest in the southeast as the most likely route for returning milder air would be across Northern Ireland and southern Scotland, northwest England and then the Midlands. This return phase may also set off snowfalls but also could introduce freezing rain ahead of the arrival of milder air at the surface. This looks like a period (Wednesday to about Sunday or Monday) to avoid unnecessary travel and stock up in advance on essentials. There will be even more severe cold and some local snowfalls in France and other nearby parts of Europe.

Expect cancellations of some or perhaps most sporting events or certainly frozen pitch and grandstands.

I think we all know the MO are never going to issue a warning like that 48-72hrs in advance, even 24hrs for that type of thing would be pushing it. That said, whether they should or not is a mute point, with a difficult balance to be struck between the danger of crying wolf and failing to offer timely information. Frankly I cannot understand why potential steamers have not even been mentioned for mid week, this is likely to affect parts of the national capital after all and not areas where sheep outnumber people by 1000-1, but I'm frankly not surprised to be honest.

Edited January 30, 2012 by shedhead

[Lancashire Lass]

Eastern parts of Europe are in the grip of a severe cold spell that has killed dozens of people, with temperatures dipping below -20C.

After weeks of abnormally mild weather across Poland, a huge drop in temperature has been experienced over the past week, with temperatures expected to fall as low as -30C in some parts of the country during the next few days.

So far, the intense cold has claimed the lives of 20 people who have frozen to death - most of them homeless who were unable to get into shelters.

Other parts of eastern Europe have also had very low temperatures. In central Serbia three people died from exposure to the extreme cold at the weekend, with another death in neighbouring Bulgaria.

The wintry weather has also affected Turkey, with heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures causing havoc on the roads of Istanbul during Tuesday.

There was significant disruption, with cars, ferries and buses grinding to a halt and commuters forced to walk to work. Air travel was also affected, with over 180 flight cancelled at Ataturk international airport.

According to Turkish weather authorities, Istanbul experienced its coldest day in around 30 years.

The cold weather across Europe at the moment is being caused by an area of high pressure across Siberia that has extended its influence westwards across the continent.

This is bringing severe cold, with many national weather services in Europe issuing extreme low temperature warnings.

http://www.channel4.com/news/severe-cold-kills-dozens-in-eastern-europe

[Summer Sun]

BRITAIN COLDER THAN ICELAND:NEWALERT AS TEMPERATURES PLUNGE TO -11C

BRITAIN is in the grip of a ferocious big freeze as experts warn temperatures will plunge to –11C (12F) this week, making it colder than Iceland. Widespread snow and ice threaten chaos as the “Beast from the East†continues to roar in, bringing the country to a standstill. Forecasters say that gusts from Siberia could bring severe and prolonged frosts with a windchill factor making it feel far colder.

http://www.express.c...s-plunge-to-11C

ARMY ON ALERT AS CHILL HITS

THE Army has been put on standby as Britain is plunged into a bone-chilling February freeze-up. Arctic blasts will send temperatures plummeting to -11C (12.2F) this week, making it colder than Iceland. Around four inches of snow and ice blanketed western England yesterday, causing road chaos. And forecasters say the sub-zero hell could last a month, making it the coldest spell since the bitter December of 2010.

http://www.dailystar...-as-chill-hits/

Army on standby as temperatures plummet to -11C, keeping shivering Britain colder than Iceland

The Army has been put on standby across Britain as Arctic conditions look set to bring in a -11C big freeze in February. Temperatures are set to plummet to well below freezing this week, making parts of the country colder than Iceland. Around four inches of snow and ice could cover part of the country after a high pressure system hanging over Scandinavia which is pushing raw winds towards the UK.

http://www.dailymail...lummet-11C.html

UK weather: Snow showers and freezing temperatures set to cause traffic chaos

Scattered snow showers and freezing temperatures could cause icy conditions on roads in parts of the UK, according to forecasters. The Met Office upgraded its cold weather alert to Level 3, stating that there was a 100% probability of "severe" conditions across most of England this week. The warning means there is expected to be an impact on people's health and on health services, with a surge in demand for care. According to the Met Office temperatures will drop to as low as -6C (21.2F) on Wednesday and Thursday, when daytime maximums will be no more than 3C (37.4F).

http://www.mirror.co.../#ixzz1l2wCOsdU

[KTtom]

I wonder what sort of sypnotics the BBC/Met are seeing for the second half of Febuary? 'Temps below average with risk of significant snowfall in the south, dry and cold in the north'. Screams of a Greenie high with southerly tracking lows through the channel to me.

Edited January 31, 2012 by KTtom

[Methuselah]

Apparently, I heard it on the radio, one of our less-prestigious newsrags is claiming that we are all about to shiver, as temperatures fall to a 'bone-chilling' -1C????

[La Bise]

M.Wainwright at the Grauniad must not have been paying much attention when he wrote this...It certainly does not tie up with the Met Office long range thoughts..

Milder weather is expected on Monday, and the rest of February will be unsettled, with the Met Office forecasting warmer and wetter weather taking over.The Guardian journalist must not have paid attention to the Met Office monthly forecast it seems...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/feb/01/weather

[Purplepixii]

Some "journalists" really should be shot for sensationalist headlines!

Britain to shiver in temperatures 'colder than the South Pole' as health chiefs say more than 1,500 people a week could die from killer freeze

• Department of Health issues 'level 3' cold-weather alert as freeze poses significant health risks
• Army on standby for level 4 'major cold weather incident

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2094230/UK-weather-Temperatures-Britain-colder-South-Pole-1500-week-die.html#ixzz1l8XDV0Ie

[Nick L]

Our country is pathetic, it really is!

[Summer Sun]

Britain is set to get colder than the Antarctic

A CAR passes under an arch of snowy branches in Somerset yesterday — as Britain braced itself for weather colder than the Antarctic.

Temperatures are set to drop to -10°C (14°F) tonight in parts of the West. It will mean some of the UK will be chillier than the McMurdo research base in Antarctica, where it is reaching -6°C (21°F) at night. Liscombe in Somerset was -1.5°C (29°F) at midday yesterday and Gravesend in Kent — the warmest UK spot last summer — hit only 0.8°C (33°F).

The Department of Health fears 2,000 people may die from the cold every week. The Met Office predicted that it will "stay cold, perhaps very cold" for the next month.

http://www.thesun.co...-Antarctic.html

UK weather colder than South Pole: Health chiefs warn that minus 11C cold snap could put 2,000 lives at risk for every week it lasts

An icy blast set to sweep Britain this month could see temperatures plummet to minus 11C, making some areas colder than Iceland – and even the South Pole. The big freeze has already led to scores of deaths across Europe, with hundreds more being treated for frostbite and hypothermia. Now the UK is braced for a killer chill which could put more than 2,000 extra lives at risk for every week it lasts. The Met Office has already upgraded its cold weather alert to Level Three, confirming a 100% probability of “severe†conditions this week. And experts fear the number of deaths due to the extreme conditions could soar to 20% above normal. Professor Dame Sally Davies, the Department of Health’s Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Adviser, said: “Mortality rises by 19% in winter months in England, amounting to 27,000 excess deaths or 1,560 more people per week.

http://www.mirror.co.../#ixzz1l8sLXQfl

[Scorcher]

Ridiculous sensationalism, but the sad thing is a lot of people will take this as gospel and start panicking. It's really not that cold at all!

[Dorsetbred]

The best I've heard this cold spell came from Laura Tobin o Monday morning BBC breakfast when she was talking about the colder air, and she commented

"Much colder air is coming in, an Arctic blast from the East..."

Hmmm a poor geography student methinks, wrong direction.

On the next airing she dropped the Arctic comment

[kold weather]

I think the Beeb have done a good job so far with this set-up, though obviously uncertainty remains over how they will do with the frontal system this weekend, but the fact they have kept the options open is quite good to see.

[Coast]

Snow to fall in London as bitterly cold weather grips Britain

London is set to see it's first significant snowfall today as the bitter cold snap continues to grip the country.

Daytime temperatures have plummeted four or five degrees lower than average for February which istraditionally the coldest month of the year. Forecasters said London faces its first settling snow of winter today as flurries move as far south as Kent. Parts of London saw flakes fall on December 17, but they did not settle. Half an inch of snow was due overnight in East Anglia and north-east Scotland, amid more widespread -7C temperatures.

Anywhere in Britain could see snow on Saturday and Sunday as snow and rain sweeps the country from the north-west, with the Met Office warning of possible “significant†snow in the midlands and east. Met Office forecaster Alison Richards said: “Snow flurries will move south from Norfolk through Thursday, reaching as far as Kent. People in London shouldn't be surprised to see snow. “Thursday night will fall to -10C in exposed rural areas, with Friday bringing another very cold day with snow showers possible on south-east coasts. “Friday night will be less cold at -4C in the south-east and -2C further north. “During the weekend, a band of snow and rain will start in the north-west and move south-east, affecting most parts. “Anywhere could see snow and people are advised to keep up to date with forecasts.â€

Temperatures are then expected rise a couple of degrees.

All of Europe and even Africa is being frozen by a giant 4,000-mile wide mass of freezing air shunted west from Siberia. Amazingly, the Sahara Desert, which had no snow for 33 years until a brief fall in western Algeria last month, faces an inch of snow by the weekend.

Meteogroup forecaster Stephen Davenport, who said parts of north Africa face six inches of powder, said: “The deep cold is spreading surprisingly far south. “It will deliver snow to Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica and, most remarkably, possible low level snow in north Africa, although it is unlikely to settle.†One person is dying every five minutes due to cold weather this week, as Britain reels from a winter death rate twice as high as some of the world’s coldest countries, according to the Department of Health’s Chief Medical Officer. Many of the dying are elderly. Pensioners groups described the figures as “shocking.â€

Professor Dame Sally Davies said the average increase in winter deaths in England and Wales is 1,560 per week compared to non-winter months, with a “substantial†increase on top of that total expected due to extreme cold this week.

A death total close to 2,000 is expected, working out at 285 per day and one death every five minutes.

http://www.telegraph...ps-Britain.html

Weekend snow warning as UK shivers

Britain is braced for snow this weekend as bitterly cold weather continues to grip the country. The cold snap has seen daytime temperatures plummet four or five degrees lower than average for February - traditionally the coldest month of the year. Forecasters said Saturday will see a cold front sweep south and east across the UK from the west, resulting in snow where slightly milder air meets cold air. The mercury - which hovered between 1C-4C on Wednesday - is forecast to drop considerably today with some areas remaining below freezing in the daytime and temperatures as low as -10C possible tonight.

Aisling Creevey, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "Today is set to be bitterly cold, with a few snow flurries in the east of England. There will be maximum temperatures of 3C and 4C but many places won't get above freezing. "Overnight will be very cold, with temperatures down to -8C, maybe -9C and -10C in some places. "As we go into Friday we are looking at some snow showers affecting the eastern part of England, mainly in the south." Ms Creevey said a 24-hour period from Saturday would see much of the country experience snow as a front moves in from the west. She said: "Scotland could see between 5 and 10cm of snow on Saturday, and there could be 2-5cm across England and Wales. But south-west England is likely to see rain rather than snow."

Respite from the big freeze is not expected until Monday, when milder temperatures are expected, along with frost overnight.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iMAcT5cBqP9KFYWEYNyZBhTOzI_w?docId=N0282821328163722614A