The Midlands Regional Weather Discussion 19/01/2018 Onwards

[MKN]

1 minute ago, Matthew Gill said:

If this could just get another 20miles east before it turns away 

Needs a much bigger nudge than that. there is nothing of note north east of worcester

[phil nw.]

Just scanning through 3 of the fine mesh models from Meteociel for the snow area at 9pm this evening as this seems to be around the time where it is at it's most ne position before easing away west.

Hirlam model on the left seems the best for virtually the whole region with a little more movement north and east and also it swings away more slowly but as with the others areas west and south say of Brum look favoured for the higher totals.

Of course as these were the 12z models and subtle changes could already be taking place as we often say at this stage radar and lampost watching are the best ways to follow this event now.

Good luck everyone and stay warm and safe.

[Sparkiee storm]

Special FREEZE programme on ITV

[WalsallWeather123]

Do people reckon it'll get heavier around Birmingham/Walsall?

[Arctic Hare]

Just been out for a walk, and wow. In pure snow depth terms it's nothing to write home about, but the sheer cold in the wind is incredible with the temp at -3 °C. There are even "snow devils" whirling about, just like you get with sand in summer. Powder snow everywhere, still coming down. Impossible to give a depth as it varies from zero to several inches because of scouring and drifting. It's a very long time since I've experienced snow like this.

Edited March 1, 2018 by Arctic Hare

[hammy]

Heating still knackered at work! And snow still going nicely! It’s Going to be a long cold night  

[fizz511]

SouthWest forum members are reporting freezing rain now...

[I remember Atlantic 252]

Just now, fizz511 said:

SouthWest forum members are reporting freezing rain now...

does that mean front is further NE than forecast? may do

[bearing]

2 minutes ago, Arctic Hare said:

Just been out for a walk, and wow. In pure snow depth terms it's nothing to write home about, but the sheer cold in the wind is incredible with the temp at -3 °C. There are even "snow devils" whirling about, just like you get with sand in summer. Powder snow everywhere, still coming down. Impossible to give a depth as it varies from zero to several inches because of scouring and drifting. It's a very long time since I've experienced snow like this.

I mentioned earlier at work how it looked like sand blowing around the seaside, just a lot whiter.

[Sparkiee storm]

3 minutes ago, WalsallWeather123 said:

Do people reckon it'll get heavier around Birmingham/Walsall?

Maybe a little later on if it stays on the same track 

[bearing]

2 minutes ago, fizz511 said:

SouthWest forum members are reporting freezing rain now...

Can't remember ever having freezing rain, is it supercooled?

[MKN]

1 minute ago, bearing said:

Can't remember ever having freezing rain, is it supercooled?

lol no. rain falling on frozen surfaces which freezes on impact

[Arctic Hare]

4 minutes ago, fizz511 said:

SouthWest forum members are reporting freezing rain now...

Ugh. Keep that away from here, please. I experienced it in December 1995 in Bristol, and it was horrendous. Makes normal icy roads look like a breeze; you cannot even stand up safely. I remember a car inching out of a side road at literally 5 mph. The driver put on the brakes, and the car didn't slow down at all. Just skidded on. If he hadn't been going so slowly there'd have been a nasty accident.

[I remember Atlantic 252]

3 minutes ago, bearing said:

Can't remember ever having freezing rain, is it supercooled?

9th Dec 2010, people sliding everywhere, I fell too

[Andypvfc]

5 minutes ago, bearing said:

Can't remember ever having freezing rain, is it supercooled?

Horrendous and dangerous if driving mate.

[cyclonic happiness]

looks like it's hit a brick wall with its northwards progress. :-(

[hammerb32]

1 minute ago, Arctic Hare said:

Ugh. Keep that away from here, please. I experienced it in December 1995 in Bristol, and it was horrendous. Makes normal icy roads look like a breeze; you cannot even stand up safely. I remember a car inching out of a side road at literally 5 mph. The driver put on the brakes, and the car didn't slow down at all. Just skidded on. If he hadn't been going so slowly there'd have been a nasty accident.

I remember it from 2004 i think when it fell over Birmingham, people spent the night on the Aston Expressway because cars couldn't get up the slip roads, same at Broad St, cars stuck on the 5 ways underpass.  Nothing more guaranteed to grind roads to a halt then freezing rain.   

[kmanmx]

5 minutes ago, MKN said:

lol no. rain falling on frozen surfaces which freezes on impact

7 minutes ago, bearing said:

Can't remember ever having freezing rain, is it supercooled?

 

Uhm, it actually often is supercooled. That is why it freezes instantly. 

"Freezing rain is the name given to rain precipitation that freezes on contact on surfaces maintained at temperature below freezing by the ambient air mass. Unlike sleet, a mixture of rain and snow, ice pellets, or hail, freezing rain is made entirely of liquid droplets. The raindrops become supercooled while passing through a sub-freezing layer of air hundreds of meters above the ground, and then freeze upon impact with any surface they encounter, including the ground, trees, electrical wires, aircraft, and automobiles."

Edited March 1, 2018 by kmanmx

[cyclonic happiness]

God! i really hope I'm spectacularly wrong 

[kar999]

Only every experienced driving in frezing rain once... Lethal.

Parked the car up on a very slight incline, handbrake on and in gear. Got out and noticed the car was sliding off under its own weight even though the wheels weren't going around. Fortunately I managed to jump back in and turn the wheels towards the kerb to stop it sliding any further.

Edit: that was in the west midlands in 2004 as posted above. Took 6 hours to get through Dudley to South Staffs.

 

Edited March 1, 2018 by kar999

[hammerb32]

And try de-icing your car once it's sat under freezing rain, ice scraper just scratches the surface, hammer and chisel would be more suitable. 

[VeryCold]

7 minutes ago, cyclonic happiness said:

looks like it's hit a brick wall with its northwards progress. :-(

Yep, heavier precip tantalisingly close to me but it has stalled and will probably start to float off west now :-(  Got put in the Amber a little while ago...kiss of death lol

Edited March 1, 2018 by VeryCold

[I remember Atlantic 252]

picked up a bit, still tiny flakes though, still howling wind

[bearing]

7 minutes ago, kmanmx said:

 

Uhm, it actually often is supercooled. That is why it freezes instantly. 

"Freezing rain is the name given to rain precipitation that freezes on contact on surfaces maintained at temperature below freezing by the ambient air mass. Unlike sleet, a mixture of rain and snow, ice pellets, or hail, freezing rain is made entirely of liquid droplets. The raindrops become supercooled while passing through a sub-freezing layer of air hundreds of meters above the ground, and then freeze upon impact with any surface they encounter, including the ground, trees, electrical wires, aircraft, and automobiles."

A bit like the can of cider that you forget and leave in the freezer overnight.  It is liquid inside until you pull the ring pull and woosh, cider slush...

[Natalie Till]

Please don’t let there be freezing rain here, that really is the pits! Try scraping that I need to control my language of your windscreen, no chance!