Weather in the general media (Newspaper features etc)

[Turnedoutniceagain]

-20? Tonight? Where on earth did they get that one from!

LOL - projected 'windchill' on top of Ben Nevis or something.......*rolls eyes*

[Summer Sun]

Snow falls in some areas and rain predicted

Snow has fallen across parts of northern England and southern Scotland, with more forecast over the weekend. Up to an inch (25mm) of snow settled in some areas. Temperatures fell early on Saturday to -7C at Shap, in Cumbria. Meanwhile, two of Scotland's five ski resorts have opened for business this weekend because there is enough snow cover to get the season under way. The Met Office said recent wet weather, which flooded about 800 UK homes, meant "an increased risk of icy patches".

Heavy bursts of rain have been forecast for Sunday and Monday in parts of the UK, with up to 20mm (0.75in) expected in flood-hit south-west England. BBC Weather forecaster Mike Silverstone said: "It could potentially cause more flooding issues there. It's not going to help."

The light covering of snow in parts of the UK has already prompted a flurry of bets on a white Christmas. Bookmakers Ladbrokes said more money was staked on Saturday on the festive forecast than any previous 1 December. Meanwhile, the snowsports centres at Cairngorm and the Lecht said there was enough snow cover to get the season under way. There was around 76mm (3in) of fresh snow at CairnGorm Mountain overnight. Operators have invested in four new snow cannons in order to open their higher runs.

The Cairngorms range has had snowfalls since October. Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) has reported snow covering summits in the range.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20565100

[Methuselah]

More ingenious word-salad from Piers:http://www.weatheraction.com/displayarticle.asp?a=505&c=5

[Summer Sun]

Snow: more expected in northern England and Scotland

More snow is expected to fall across parts of northern England and Scotland later on Sunday, while ice warnings are in place across the UK. The BBC Weather Centric said many areas could see up to 3cm (1.2in) of snow on Sunday night, with up to 15cm (6in) on the Scottish mountains. The Pennines, the Peak District and parts of north Yorkshire are also expected to be affected. Drivers are being warned to watch out for ice across most of the UK. Temperatures fell to -6C in many parts of Britain on Saturday night, from central Scotland through to Cumbria and Buckinghamshire.

The Met Office has issued a low-level severe weather warning across most of Scotland, north and east England, and north Wales, because of the freezing temperatures and snow fall. BBC Weather has yellow warnings of ice for eastern areas of England and Scotland, parts of northern England, Northern Ireland and north Wales on Sunday morning. And the end of the cold snap is still not in sight, with the freezing temperatures due to last into next week.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20572029

[Summer Sun]

Snow Continues As Mercury Plunges

Weather forecasters are warning of more snowfall in parts of England and Scotland, as Britons continue to shiver in below-freezing temperatures. Overnight temperatures dropped to -6C in many parts of the country, from central Scotland through to Cumbria and Buckinghamshire. Many areas will see up to 3cm of snow, while 15cm is predicted to fall in the Scottish mountains.

Sky News weather producer Jo Wheeler said there would be "significant snowfall" in the Scottish mountains and the Pennines later. She said: "There is also the possibility of seeing between 1cm and 3cm of rain, even at lower levels for parts of the East and North East."

Edinburgh, the Pennines, the Peak District, County Durham, Yorkshire, Norfolk and East Anglia are all expected to be affected. The Met Office has issued a low-level severe weather warning across most of Scotland, north and east England, and north Wales, because of the freezing temperatures and snowfall. "Following showers of rain, sleet and snow on Saturday, ice is expected to form on untreated surfaces on Saturday evening and persist well into Sunday morning. Further wintry showers are likely to affect eastern coastal counties through the night.

"The public should be aware of possible disruption to travel." The Met Office believes the freezing temperatures will last into next week, possibly followed by more snow. The white start to the month has been enough to prompt record numbers of punters to place bets on snow falling on Christmas Day. According to bookmakers Ladbrokes, more money had been staked on a white Christmas on Saturday than by any other December 1 in its history.

http://news.sky.com/...mercury-plunges

Brrr-itain braced for up to six inches of snow tonight as temperatures dip to -6C overnight

Britain is braced for widespread snow to begin falling later - with up to six inches expected in some areas - after overnight temperatures dropped to -6C.

Areas such as Edinburgh, the Pennines, Peak District, County Durham, Yorkshire and East Anglia are predicted to see up to an inch of snow tonight.

The Met Office issued a low-level severe weather warning across most of Scotland, north and east England, and north Wales. The overnight lows of -6C were seen in central Scotland through to Cumbria and Buckinghamshire - and the Scottish mountains will experience the worst of the snow tonight.

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2DtbpNXyP

[Methuselah]

"There is also the possibility of seeing between 1cm and 3cm of rain, even at lower levels for parts of the East and North East."

Amazing!

[syed2878]

what a grate prodiction as if snow is unusial for places like scotland.

[The Northern Ramper]

A whole inch of snow!

[Summer Sun]

BBC weather for the week ahead

Staying cold though it will be milder in the south west with highs of 11c on Monday 8 to 9c for the rest of the week

Snow for northern England and Scotland on Monday

Further Snow and sleet through-out the week possible further south down the eastern side of the UK during Wednesday

Edited December 2, 2012 by Gavin.

[Summer Sun]

HOME COVER SOARS DUE TO FLOODS

HOMEOWNERS across Britain face a 10 per cent hike in their insurance premiums after a fortnight of flooding chaos, experts warned last night. Devastating downpours have left large swathes of the UK under water with hundreds of homes and their contents ruined. Now insurers are expected to compound the misery by charging those unaffected by the destruction more for their cover, while those who have been bailing out their homes might not be able to get a policy at all. It means homeowners in flood-risk areas who pay an average of £350 for their house and contents insurance face an increase of around £40.Those in other areas where there is little or no risk face an increase of more than £20 to an annual payment of about £240.

http://www.express.c...s-due-to-floods

ICE WEATHER FOR A SWIM, FOLKS

THESE three hardy swimmers are clearly cool customers when it comes to taking a dip. They didn't think twice about breaking the ice yesterday to brave the freezing waters. The members of the newlyformed Frensham Aquatic Recreational Team spent eight-and-a-half minutes in the lake near Farnham in Surrey. And if anyone fancies a plunge today it could be a similar scene with Britain set to be colder than Iceland with temperatures dropping to -7C (19F) and parts of the country expected to wake up to snow.

Weathermen are predicting a 10-day cold snap lasting until mid-December. Parts of the country's transport network could grind to a halt. Temperatures are set to slide as low as -7C in the North. Southern England will see milder temperatures of 10C to 11C although bracing winds are expected to make it feel like a chilly 5C. MeteoGroup forecasters said temperatures would struggle to rise above freezing in Scotland from Wednesday, with the warmest parts of Britain only predicted to hit 7C.

Drivers have also been alerted to potential ice and freezing fog, with Netweather forecaster Paul Michaelwhite warning that driving conditions could be "treacherous" and said that northerly winds would "cut like a knife."

AA's head of road safety Andrew Howard added: "The most important advice to give anyone is to make sure that you are equipped for the journey you are making "You should also make sure you're equipped to keep yourself warm and fed if you get delayed." And the elderly have been warned to stay indoors after 24,000 vulnerable and frail people died last winter.

http://www.express.c...or-a-swim-folks

BRITAIN'S COLDER THAN ICELAND

MILLIONS will face snow misery today after six inches was dumped on parts of the UK overnight. The icy blanket is expected to cause travel chaos as temperatures go as low as –7C (19.4F), making it colder than Iceland. The recent snowfall has led to record numbers of Brits flocking to bookies to place bets on a white Christmas. According to Ladbrokes, more money had been staked on a white Christmas by Saturday than by any other December 1 in its history.

However, spread betting bookies Sporting Index said it expected Monday January 14 to be this winter’s coldest day, hitting a bonechilling –18C. Forecasters have warned there could be more snow to come in the next week, with a 10-day cold snap due to start on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the south-west will see new floods, with the Met Office expecting another inch of rain. The latest rainfall predictions came as new figures emerged showing England and Wales suffered their wettest summer and autumn for 160 years.

After spring’s hosepipe bans amid the worst drought since 1976, a massive 727mm of rain fell between June 1 and November 30, 60% more than the usual 463mm. Forecasters described the switch as the “most dramatic weather turnaround in living memoryâ€. Yesterday, the Met Office issued severe weather alerts as up to six hours of snowfall was forecast on higher ground in northern England overnight, leaving a covering of two inches. Up to six inches is expected in parts of Scotland while an inch of snow threatens Norfolk and the East.

Weekend temperatures plunged to a low of –7C at Shap, Cumbria, which was England’s coldest temperature so far this winter.

Netweather said temperatures felt sub-zero for many due to northerly windchill “cutting like a knifeâ€. Britain was colder than Keflavik, Iceland, which only fell to 2C on Saturday and reached 5C yesterday. A Met Office spokesman said yesterday: “An Atlantic frontal system will meet very cold air over the UK into Monday, with rain expected to turn to snow across parts of Scotland and northern England, with snow lasting three to six hours in places. “The public should be aware of the risk of disruption to transport.â€

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/285804/Britain-s-colder-than-Iceland/

[Summer Sun]

Latest monthly forecast from weather-online

Valid from 01/12 to 28/12 2012

Winter on hold?

Issued: Monday 3rd December 2012

Duty forecaster: Simon Keeling & Captain Bob

Has this winter pattern been placed on 'ice' just for now?

I believe we are all waiting for winter to arrive in whichever guise and possibly so 'expectantly' as we do for snow to be falling on Christmas Day? With so many wildly exaggerated 'Worst Winter Weather Ever Recorded' articles once more appearing most folks expectations have also been heightened as to what may be descending upon us?

Well I think if you're looking for a repeat of December 2010, you're basically out of luck as there is little sign in the patterns or global models that that type of cold will be occurring just yet if at all? All the signs are that any cold weather may not establish until mid- month and in the run up to Christmas.

*01/12/12....16/12/12*

During this period we may well be in a 'phoney winter' where it the conditions are never really winter or autumn?

Low pressure will be controlling the pattern for much of the time, so generally mixed and cool rather than cold, unsettled too with spells of rain and later perhaps yes, some wintriness to higher parts of the north of Britain.

Incursions of any colder air are likely to be brought about on the 'rear side' of transiting low pressure as this clears away eastwards into Europe, conditions for a time settling and cooling off, high pressure persistent and tantalisingly close to the east and northeast.

*17/12/12 .......20/12/12*

High pressure should be building in from here, so the weather settles and it turns colder too, the main center remaining to the west of the UK but ridging strongly into central Britain, an easterly component to the flow across southern Britain, so feeling increasingly chilly here as it picks up in strength. Some wintry showers are likely to be breaking out across southern area of Britain brought about as pressures fall to the south, this showery activity edging up from the south and southwest, however this threat recedes later as high pressure once gain re-establishes itself to the west. Throughout this period northern Britain should be settled into a fine and quiet spell of weather, but feeling distinctly chilly.

*21/12/12.......27/12/12*

High pressure slips slowly away westward to allow a cold northerly flow to establish across all areas, wintry showers becoming widespread for a time before high pressure reasserts and dampens down this activity.

The Christmas period should see mainly dry and settled weather but generally cold conditions, perhaps the chance of the odd wintry shower but these should be well scattered on the 'big day'?

Clouding over from the northwest late in the period, outbreaks of rain preceded by some wintriness at first slipping south and east through most areas of the country, it'll be less cold for a time later therefore.

*28/12/12......31/12/12*

Becoming generally unsettled and less cold through the early part of this period, wet and windy for a time in all areas as low pressure controls the pattern across the UK. As the year draws to a close, low pressure clears away to the east and a colder flow establishes from the north, wintry showers affecting many areas.

Simon & Capn Bob

http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/cgi-app/reports?LANG=en&MENU=205&FILE=tma&DAY=20121202

[Summer Sun]

Britain wakes up to more snow as four inches settles on high ground and forecasters predict temperatures will drop to -4C

• Glasgow and Edinburgh saw up to two inches of snowfall overnight, with similar amount in Teesside and Co Durham
• Temperatures for rest of week across country expected to reach 6C (43F) in day, but down to -4C (25F) overnight
• Met Office had issued weather warning over icy conditions across UK and urged drivers to be careful on the roads

Parts of northern Britain today woke up to more snow outside after another dusting overnight, with up to four inches settling across the high mountains.

Overnight the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh saw up to two inches of snowfall, with almost the same amount arriving in Teesside and County Durham.

Temperatures for the rest of the week across the country are expected to reach 6C (43F) during the day, but plunge to as low as -4C (25F) overnight.

People walk in the white town center of Darlington, County Durham, early this morning after more snow was brought to England overnight

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2DzWXqcR3

Edited December 3, 2012 by Gavin.

[Eskimo]

Anyone for music at -30C?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20577269

[Norway Nut]

A whole inch of snow!

Went to Bergen for the weekend and came back to 25 cm ( that's 9" in old money) of the stuff. Not even a whisper in the local news!

[Summer Sun]

ICE-RINK ROADS IN NEW ARCTIC BLAST

BRITAIN faces a full week of icy misery with another blast from the Arctic set to sweep in from today. The entire country is braced for widespread harsh frosts with overnight temperatures likely to plunge to as low as -12C (10F) in parts. Forecasters say much of the country can expect to see some snow by the weekend with up to two inches likely on higher ground in the North. Overnight temperatures will plummet with the mercury struggling to get above zero during the day around the UK.

Experts warned roads will be transformed into deadly sheets of ice as waterlogged ground freezes over. The big freeze comes as rain yesterday continued to batter parts of the country left devastated by last week’s flooding. The Environment Agency still has 55 flood alerts and 18 more serious flood warnings in place mainly for central, eastern and western regions. Jonathan Powell, forecaster for Vantage Weather Services, said Britain faces a week-long “Arctic lockdownâ€.

He said: “It is going to get much colder again from today with bitterly cold temperatures leading to sharp overnight frosts. The main threat is going to be icy stretches on the roads with wet ground freezing over and turning into deadly sheets of ice.†The Met Office yesterday issued a Level-2 weather health alert warning of “severe cold weather†until the end of the week. The alert is triggered when the weather poses a health risk to the vulnerable and threatens the disruption of services.

http://www.express.c...ew-Arctic-blast

Thermals at the ready. . . big freeze could last till New Year and beyond with sub-zero temperatures, snow and icy 30mph winds

• Forecaster warn that the cold spell could last for the next four weeks at least
• Temperatures could plunge as low as -7C as the week progresses
• Glasgow and Edinburgh saw up to two inches of snowfall overnight, with similar amount in Teesside and Co Durham
• Bookies slash the odds of a white Christmas to 5/1 in the capital
• Prince Charles visited St Asaph today to meet flooding victims following last week's extreme weather

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2E4laOoFD

[Summer Sun]

High pressure over Scandinavia raises hopes of a white Christmas as freezing -8C conditions continue across Britain

High pressure over Scandinavia has raised hopes for a white Christmas with cold air tearing over Britain from the north-east. The Big Freeze that heralded the start of December is set to continue, with sleet, snow and hail covering much of the country all week. The cold snap will persist, with temperatures dropping to a lower-than-average -8C in Scotland and four inches of snow expected tomorrow, and another four inches likely later in the week.

High pressure in Scandinavia can indicate one of the most well-known snow setups, in which the pressure front moves from Siberia into Scandinavia, and then ridges westwards, giving the British Isles a chilly easterly airflow. Continental air from Russia is very cold and dry, but as this air passes over the North Sea, it warms up and picks up moisture. This gives rise to layers of grey cloud and mostly dull dry weather, with a little drizzle or fine powdery snow for eastern areas.

When the high pressure to our north is not particularly strong, or the air mass has a long track over the North Sea, or there is a strong contrast between surface and upper-air temperatures, there may be enough instability in the atmosphere to produce cumulonimbus clouds.

BBC weather forecaster Chris Fawkes tweeted today: 'I spy with my little eye Scandinavian high. Ecmwf [European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts] forecast middle of December could bring us really bitter snowy weather....fingers crossed!'

The wintry conditions are expected to last all month, unleashing sub-zero temperatures, freezing fog and icy 30mph winds. Bookies last night slashed the odds of a white Christmas to 5/1 in the capital and to 6/1 in other cities across the country.

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2E7WDPbpr

[Summer Sun]

HOME COUNTIES WAKE UP TO SNOW AS COMMUTERS FACE TRAVEL HELL

THE Home Counties woke up to snow this morning as the south of the country received its first dusting.

The cold snap which is set to bring in a mix of snow, ice and rain over the next couple of days, brought its first snow to the south last night causing havoc for the morning commute.

Stansted Airport in Bishops Stortford, Essex was closed all morning after more than 3 inches of snow fell.

A Stansted spokesman said: "Northern Essex seems to have got the worst of the snow and we had to shut the airport at 6am.

Meanwhile train services were halted across Hertfordshire with no services between Watford Junction and Harrow and between London and Reading in Berkshire. Trains were unable to run between Barnes and Hounslow via Brentford in west London, while there were delays between London and Ashford International in Kent and also between Sevenoaks in Kent and Hither Green in south east London. In London, there were delays on the London Overground, and the Metropolitan, Central and Bakerloo Tube lines, while a faulty train led to delays on the Victoria line.

Motorists have been warned to be careful on the roads as many will be particularly slippery. The cold snap is expected to continue to fall on the east coast throughout the day and is expected to reach Suffolk this afternoon. In Scotland up to six inches fell as temperatures dipped below -7C. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings in place across most of Britain and ice warnings across the country.

http://www.express.c...ce-travel-hell-

NEW ALERT AS DEADLY MIX OF ICY WEATHER BLASTS ACROSS UK

A “DEADLY mix†of snow, ice and freezing rain is poised to sweep across Britain as winter tightens its grip. Forecasters warned the coldest temperatures so far will close in tomorrow with many parts of the UK braced for the first heavy snowfall of the season. A band of moist air from the Atlantic is on course to clash with a bitter Arctic front, bringing snow as far south as London by the weekend, forecasters said. But experts warned the main risk will be ice as overnight temperatures plunge after rain during the day.

They said freezing rain, which instantly turns to ice as it hits the ground, will transform roads into treacherous “sheets of glassâ€. The Met Office last night issued severe weather warnings for ice and rain across the entire country over the next two days, with another warning for snow in the North. Jonathan Powell, forecaster for Vantage Weather Services, said Britain faces a “wintry nightmare†with the extreme weather likely to cause chaos on the roads and transport networks.

He said: “From Wednesday snow will start to hit the north with significant accumulations on higher ground. It will move down the country with showers possible as far south as London on Thursday. “The real problem is going to be this deadly mix of rain, sleet and snow over the next few days which will make ice a real problem. “Low pressure on Thursday will bring more rain and snow which will freeze over, leading to huge sheets of glass. There is also the risk of freezing rain which will add to this evil mix.â€

He said bitter cold winds could push temperatures as low as -25C (-13F) in exposed parts of the North. The Met Office has a Level-2 cold weather alert in place until Friday, warning of widespread frosts and some of the coldest temperatures of the winter so far. Issued with the Department of Heath, it says an 80 per cent likelihood of “severe cold weather†could present a health risk to the elderly and vulnerable.

Met Office forecaster Charlie Powell said: “We have snow warnings for the North-East and the east coast with some large accumulations possible in some areas.†He said up to 4in of snow could settle in parts of the North including Scotland and the Pennines.

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/362589/New-alert-as-deadly-mix-of-icy-weather-blasts-across-UK

Edited December 5, 2012 by Gavin.

[Methuselah]

OMG! It's down to -25C now...-50 by New Year?

[Summer Sun]

Snow leads to crashes and delays in parts of UK

Snow has fallen in parts of southern England and north-eastern Scotland, causing accidents and delays. Dozens of schools are closed in Essex, Hertfordshire and Aberdeenshire and at least 10 people have been injured in crashes in Essex. Flights were delayed as Stansted and Luton Airports' runways temporarily shut while they were cleared of snow. A school bus carrying 28 pupils skidded off an icy road in Northern Ireland but there are no reports of injuries.

Police have asked parents from the four schools the bus was serving not to visit the scene of the accident near Moneymore. A number of main line rail services and Tube trains were delayed in England because of the adverse weather. Ten vehicles were involved in a crash on London-bound A299 at Whitstable in Kent. In north-east Scotland some schools were closed and journeys were delayed.

In Aberdeenshire 13 schools are closed, as were some in Shetland while the weather also disrupted pupil transport. Driving conditions are hazardous with snow affecting the Laurencekirk to Stonehaven stretch of the main A90 between Dundee and Aberdeen but Aberdeen's airport remains open. The BBC Weather Centre said: "The heavy snow that caused travel problems this morning has all but cleared, with a much improved picture for the rest of the day. "Tonight there will be a widespread hard frost with ice a hazard. Snow is expected for Scotland and northern England tomorrow morning with potential for disruption."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20607092

Flights Delayed After Snow In London

The first snow of winter has fallen across London and the Home Counties, causing delays to flights and rail services. A thin blanket of snow fell in the early hours, causing the temporary closure of Stansted Airport from 6am. It re-opened just over two hours later but departures are delayed. Meanwhile Network Rail reported delays across southern England, while London Underground and Overground services were affected.

Delays of up to 90 minutes were reported between Reading and London Waterloo, due to fewer trains running. No trains were able to run between Watford Junction in Hertfordshire and Harrow and Wealdstone in North West London, while snow caused disruption between London and Reading in Berkshire. Trains were unable to run between Barnes and Hounslow via Brentford in West London, while there were delays between London and Ashford International in Kent.

In London, there were delays on the London Overground, and the Metropolitan, Central and Bakerloo Tube lines, while a faulty train led to delays on the Victoria line. Most of the snow did not settle and had melted away by mid-morning. Sky News weather presenter Isobel Lang said: "This is the first real snowfall across London this winter, and it's happening right in the middle of the morning rush hour. "However it won't be around for long, and will melt quickly in the sunshine." Wales, the Midlands, northern England and the rest of South West England will have a cold day with the risk of ice.

One of Manchester Airport's two runways was closed due to icy conditions, but later re-opened. Aberdeen airport said there was snow overnight and there could be delays to flights. Ireland and Scotland are also experiencing a cold start with ice first thing and some snow showers across northern and eastern Scotland. On Thursday the snow risk is likely to extend south into the Lake District and Pennine areas bringing the risk of disruption across higher routes during the morning before it turns back to rain and continues to spread southeast across the rest of England and Wales. This weekend – two of the biggest shopping days of the year – will be crisp and dry.

http://news.sky.com/story/1020867/weather-flights-delayed-after-snow-in-london

[Summer Sun]

Heavy snow closes airports, wreaks havoc on railways and turns roads into ice rinks... but Met Office failed to see it coming

Forecasters today admitted they were taken by surprise when the heavy snow blanketed the South of England overnight. Experts wrongly said yesterday that London and the South East would be 'cold and dry' with 'scattered showers - some wintry' in the South West. They only predicted that snow would settle in the North, with four inches on high ground and just two inches remaining lower down by morning. Instead, a band of snow wreaked havoc as it moved down across the south of England, with the unprepared home counties awaking to wintry scenes and travel chaos.
Met Office spokesman Mark Wilson admitted today that forecasters had not expected the extreme weather.

He said: 'The snow has been heavier than we first thought and it has brought the snow to lower levels. It was in the forecast, but the actual snow that fell was to lower levels than we had earlier forecast. 'This is in the nature of forecasting. It is difficult. The issue of snow was mentioned in the forecast, but on higher ground. ' Mr Wilson, who was speaking on the London radio station LBC’s Nick Ferrari Show, said the weather would improve in England by the weekend. Stansted, Luton and other major airports closed briefly this morning after a blanket of snow covered the country overnight. More than 40 flights were cancelled at Stansted in Essex, which was forced to shut at 6am, just before the first planes were due to take off.

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2EBk8LBO2

[Summer Sun]

Britain goes into meltdown as country is hit with a smattering of snow

SNOW sparked travel chaos in the UK today, with roads, railways and airports all affected by just a small smattering of the white stuff. Forecasters said the snow had amounted to no more than “one or two centimetres in places†but nevertheless parts of Britain came to a standstill. Stansted airport in Essex was shut from about 6am to 8.30am, as passengers complained of being given incorrect information.

Luton and Aberdeen were among the airports affected by the wintry conditions that also caused considerable problems on the railways. Michael Dukes, director of forecasting at MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said the cold snap was due to remain for “some time yetâ€. He went on: “There has been a band of sleet and snow moving through parts of the east Midlands, east England and south east England late in the night, towards morning.

It has produced only one or two centimetres in places, it is not very much. Most of the snow has been on higher ground but there has been a little bit of snow on lower ground as well. “This band of sleet and snow in the South East is moving out of the way in the next hour or so and many places today will be bright and sunny but cold. “The exception to that is the North Sea coastal areas because there will be further sleet and snow showers in the counties bordering the North Sea. Other areas will be mostly sunny.â€

He said tonight would be cold, with some areas seeing temperatures plunging to as low as minus 8C (18F), with another band of rain and snow due to affect Scotland and the North West England.Mr Dukes continued: “Tomorrow morning will be a bit of a problem. Right at the end of tonight another band of rain and snow comes into Scotland and the North West of England. That will fall on very, very cold roads because it will have been cold overnight. “There could be some widespread ice issues tomorrow morning in Scotland and in north west England. There will be some rain, sleet and snow falling over frozen ground.â€

http://www.thesun.co...l#ixzz2EBl8PMri

[Summer Sun]

Winter grips Europe

Winter weather brought Stockholm's airports to a standstill as 20 centimetres of snow fell on Wednesday morning. Rail and road travel was also disrupted. BBC Weather's Chris Fawkes takes a look at the weather across Europe.

http://www.bbc.co.uk...atures/20607297

[Summer Sun]

Front page of Thursday's express 6 more inches of snow on the way

[Summer Sun]

SNOW CHAOS AND THERE'S 6 INCHES MORE ON THE WAY

FORECASTERS admitted last night that they had failed to predict the deluge of snow that caused chaos across Britain yesterday. Swathes of the country ground to a halt after heavy snow showers caused havoc on roads, rail lines and at airports. Although the Met Office had warned of some snow, forecaster Helen Chivers said the white-out had been “wider than expectedâ€. The deluge brought Southern England, the Midlands, the North-east, Wales and Scotland to a standstill.

Flights and trains were cancelled while on the roads there were thousands of breakdowns and crashes, one of which killed a cyclist. Ms Chivers added: “Snow is one of those things that when you get it slightly wrong it has a big impact.†Forecasters warn that the Arctic blast is due to get a grip today with fears that six inches more snow could fall by lunchtime today. The Met Office has announced a severe weather warning across most of the North, with a more serious amber warning for Scotland.

Forecasters warned that the big freeze is likely to last for the rest of the month, bringing a higher- than-average chance of a White Christmas. This morning the Met Office predicts gales of up to 55mph in the South and West before moving North with gusts nudging gale-force in the Midlands. The heavy snowfall by lunchtime will seriously affect regions already hit by heavy downpours of up to two inches yesterday. Temperatures are expected to plunge to -7C (19F) overnight in the South, while lows of -12C (10F) are possible in the North.

Leon Brown, meteorologist for The Weather Channel, said: “With the cold block likely to persist over Scandinavia we could see the cold and well below normal temperatures persist through December and across Christmas to the New Year. So there is a higher chance than most years that there will be snow around for Christmas. “There is also a risk of some heavier and disruptive snowfalls. “Cold Easterly winds are expected to develop next week and temperatures may hardly rise above zero during the day, with frost at night.â€

Jonathan Powell, forecaster for Vantage Weather Services, said: “Much of the country is going to be affected with snow likely in London and the South-east. There is also going to be this problem of ice towards the end of the week with temperatures of -20C possible in exposed areas.†The bitter snap comes after warnings that Britain faces the worst winter since 1912. James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, said: “We are looking at some of the coldest and snowiest conditions in at least 100 years. “This is most likely in December and January with the potential for widespread major snowfall across the country.â€

http://www.express.c...more-on-the-way

Red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning: Shivering Britons wake to a low of -5C after snow overnight as forecasters say more is on the way

Britain is bracing itself for another day of chaos after waking to a widespread coating of hard frost and a band of snow moving south-east from Scotland. Humberside and Lincolnshire were hit by snow last night, while slushy ground iced over in temperatures of -3C to -5C in the rest of the country, creating dangerous conditions this morning. Holidaymakers and commuters will be worrying that the wintry weather will cause havoc for the transport network for the second day running. Yesterday, snow of less than an inch in most parts grounded more than 40 flights, closed schools and left major roads in gridlock.

Five airports, including Stansted and Luton, closed temporarily, leaving passengers stranded.

Forecasters warned up to six inches of snow could fall last night - causing further travel mayhem across the country today. The Met Office issued severe weather warnings as experts predicted up to an inch of snow at low levels across the South-East, East, North and Scotland. Some areas over 250m in the north of England were expected to see up to four inches of snow with parts of Scotland over 400m could see up to six inches. The Met office weather warning for the UK today states: 'After a very cold night with widespread frost, sleet and snow will spread from the west during the early hours of Thursday.

'At lower levels 2 or 3 cm of snow is likely locally before turning to rain from the west through the morning. Despite turning to rain, the lying snow and ice will struggle to melt and this will bring some treacherous conditions. 'The public should be prepared for the risk of significant disruption to travel, especially over the mate corridor to the east of Glasgow, across Perthshire and over much of inland eastern Scotland. ' It comes after forecasters admitted they were taken by surprise when unexpected heavy snow blanketed the South of England overnight. Experts wrongly said on Tuesday that London and the South East would be 'cold and dry' with 'scattered showers - some wintry' in the South West.

Met Office spokesman Mark Wilson admitted yesterday that forecasters had not expected the extreme weather.

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2EGKIOYVl

[Radiating Dendrite]

lol.

2.5cm of snow in "some locations" is now extreme?

Idiots!