SE and East Anglia general weather discussion 07/11/2018

[Tom Quintavalle]

Whilst watching some forecasts last night with Chris Fawkes, he mentioned the possibility of a train of showers, affecting Kent early, in the week. 

Thought I'd put together a post about shower trains (streamers), that affect south-eastern portions of our region. Of course, focusing on the wintry variety. 

Those of you that have read my ramblings about "Thames Snow Streamers", will no doubt remember me as TomSE20. In the highly unlikely event of me being invited on Mastermind , I would though choose "Snow Streamers", as my specialised subject!! TomSE20 is how I began my life on Netweather, in Anerley.Then moved to Lee, with my girlfriend at the time and became TomSE12 for a few years. Then spent a few years with my children in Chislehurst, as TomBR7. Now back with my wife, as TomSE12. Crikey, I've nearly had as many incarnations as Dr.Who but I faithfully promise, my next won't be as a female.  Must admit that Jodie Whittaker, in her role as the new female Dr., is growing on me and remember I go way back to William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee!! Anyway I digress, the point about all these locations is, that they are all in "Thames Snow Streamer" territory. All are more or less, in the Bromley area. Even as a young lad, I lived in this area. Very early on I lived in Hayes, N.W.Kent (just south of Bromley). Some of the heaviest snowfalls I've witnessed have been in T.S.S. set-ups. 

Just as a point of reference to new members and any visitors that may stumble across this thread, I'd like to describe the various "Streamers", that tend to affect the south east portion of our region:

Easterly- showers tend to affect those locations bordering the Thames, ppn tends to be fairly light, as sea track is on the short side.

ENE - From an IMBY viewpoint, obviously my favourite. Shower train tends to initiate around the Southend and then extends WSW, along the Thames Corridor, towards S.E.London before diminishing in strength.(But not in Feb 2009 but that was the exception to the rule!! Paul Sherman has covered that event superbly and I'm not about to add further pain, to that experience!!). These areas can experience copious amounts of snowfall, especially those with a bit of elevation, e.g., exposed slopes of the N.Downs.

NE - Think this is what Chris Fawkes was alluding to, in last night's forecasts. Normally initiates just east of Sheppey, on the mid-Kent coast and tracks SW, to exit the coast near Hastings. Again some exposed areas(with elevation) can receive some large snowfalls, e.g, the N.Downs S.W. of Canterbury and the Ridge country, near Hastings.

NNE/N - Long shower train develops, due to long sea track and can deliver huge amounts of snow to the eastern edge of the N.Downs. Have seen some huge falls of snow with massive drifts, between Dover and Folkestone (Capel-le-Ferne). Have some great photos of my children standing in waist high drifts at Capel, probably taken in the early 1990's.Went on a great snow chase in Feb.1983, after the area was affected by a 36 hour long streamer. Quite a few properties were struck by lightning, in the extreme N.E. of Kent, Deal, etc. I'm sure ALEXISJ9 and LOTTIEKENT, amongst others, have seen some of their best snowfalls, in this type of set-up.

Hopefully this coming Winter, these parts of our region will see some of these "Snow Streamer" set-ups develop.

Finally, some links that members may find useful.

Firstly a link to S.S.T's around our S.E. coastline. The differential in these temps and 850 upper air temperatures, helping to "fuel" these "Streamers":

https://www.seatemperature.org/europe/united-kingdom/

Secondly a link, I'm sure a lot of members have bookmarked already. Dutch radar, ideal for tracking those "Streamers":

https://www.buienradar.nl/

Regards,

Tom.  

 

 

Edited November 19, 2018 by TomSE12

[Tom Quintavalle]

Re. my post above,

of course some of these "streamers" can orientate slightly differently,depending on your "vector", Victor?? 

Then, obviously, locations either side of those mentioned will experience snowfall but we're talking about a few degrees, here and there. The locations I've mentioned are generally the landing areas  for those shower trains, on those direction of flows.

Regards,

Tom.  

[throwoff]

24% chance of snow tomorrow for Gillingham.

First time this season we have had a % chance.

Begun the game has.

[Donna3397]

Today is horrible, dark, grey, windy and wet, to be honest if any of those especially not all together.  I have a quick question; @TomSE12 maybe you could help??  If we have blocking and early cold spells in early winter does that mean there is a higher chance of that continuing or is it just  what we get??? (Hope that makes sense) 

[NO LONGER POSTING]

I'm sure with these showers there will be a few of us seeing at least some wet snow/ soft hail falling.. 

Even at lower levels any heavier showers can and will drag down some colder air to the surface.. 

And all this before the year is put, superb! 

[suffolkboy_]

2 minutes ago, Surrey said:

I'm sure with these showers there will be a few of us seeing at least some wet snow/ soft hail falling.. 

Even at lower levels any heavier showers can and will drag down some colder air to the surface.. 

And all this before the year is put, superb! 

Already had a bit of graupel in Suffolk this morning.

[NO LONGER POSTING]

Just now, suffolkboy_ said:

Already had a bit of graupel in Suffolk this morning.

The colder upper air is not even with us till later on today.. Ice could also be a problem where anything falls and the temps dip below freezing.. 

 

[throwoff]

48 minutes ago, Surrey said:

I'm sure with these showers there will be a few of us seeing at least some wet snow/ soft hail falling.. 

Even at lower levels any heavier showers can and will drag down some colder air to the surface.. 

And all this before the year is put, superb! 

I didn't expect to have a chance to be updating to 1 day falling snow before Jan at the earliest so this is an interesting development. 

Of course, it partly depends quite how much I am willing to blur the line between sleet and snow..!

[Katrine Basso]

It has been raining since approx 10:45 am.  It is also quite windy with 15 miles per hour winds and gusts of 28 miles per hour.

[lassie23]

Today is one of those days when you wish it was still summer

[Uxbridge90]

Temperature starting to fall away now, down to 6.7c from 8.3c at 9am.

Been looking forward to the colder temperatures for a while now, may even see a sleety mix tomorrow.

[SLEETY]

temps forecast for 9 c tomorrow by METO thought it supposed to be colder tues and wednesday ?

[weathergeek]

Urgh.... just keep thinking how this could've all been falling as snow had we been one month on with this set up!!! Let's hope we get more bites at this teaser of a cherry!!!x

[Badgers01]

Soft hail and just 5.5c on the car thermo In Weybridge this morning - Winter feels like it has arrived ! Maybe a flake in the wind later ...

[moogyboobles]

 

3 hours ago, Surrey said:

I'm sure with these showers there will be a few of us seeing at least some wet snow/ soft hail falling.. 

Even at lower levels any heavier showers can and will drag down some colder air to the surface.. 

And all this before the year is put, superb! 

 

3 hours ago, suffolkboy_ said:

Already had a bit of graupel in Suffolk this morning.

Same here in South Woodham.

[Badgers01]

2 minutes ago, moogyboobles said:

 

 

Same here in South Woodham.

Are we at wintry mix yet ??

[snowray]

5 hours ago, Lauren said:

Ooohhhh. Whereabouts exactly? I love that part of the world. Log burner in the mountains with the snow sounds idyllic. 

Hi Lauren. It's Albareto, an area famous for porcini mushrooms, not far from Parma so the food is pretty good, Parma hams, Parmigiano cheese all from that area. People generally go mad about the mushrooms though around there, when they are growing they come from all over the place for the mushroom hunt and there are often traffic jams up the mountain roads and tracks. Local mushroom festivals in the early autumn are worth visiting so you get to try out all the local recipes and the old vino of course.

Edited November 19, 2018 by snowray

[Tom Quintavalle]

Just got back from a trip out to Chislehurst. Ran into a pretty persistent shower, on a stiff east wind. Couldn't help thinking that in a few weeks time, that could well have been of snow. Certainly felt cold over at Chis., especially after such a mild Autumn and warm Summer. Windchill back in the forecast. Hot soup I'm drinking, going down a treat!!

Regards,

Tom.

[snowray]

3 minutes ago, TomSE12 said:

Just got back from a trip out to Chislehurst. Ran into a pretty persistent shower, on a stiff east wind. Couldn't help thinking that in a few weeks time, that could well have been of snow. Certainly felt cold over at Chis., especially after such a mild Autumn and warm Summer. Windchill back in the forecast. Hot soup I'm drinking, going down a treat!!

Regards,

Tom.

Yes Tom just a little bit too early, I'm sure it would have been all snow if it had turned up in a few weeks time, would have been ideal for Christmas week.

[Dami]

Didn't feel overly cold this morning, although the wind did have a nip in it. Had a very light shower earlier. 

[moogyboobles]

1 hour ago, Badgers01 said:

Are we at wintry mix yet ??

There have been very brief fleeting moments of wintery, but only a snow ramper like myself would describe it like that I expect! 

[stainesbloke]

A gorgeous weekend here with loads of sunshine. Not too bad today but some showers have passed through and feels colder in the wind. Colder tomorrow, maybe some wintriness over the highest ground. I live on top of a hill but doubt it’ll be high enough to see snow.

[lassie23]

2 hours ago, snowray said:

Hi Lauren. It's Albareto, an area famous for porcini mushrooms, not far from Parma so the food is pretty good, Parma hams, Parmigiano cheese all from that area. People generally go mad about the mushrooms though around there, when they are growing they come from all over the place for the mushroom hunt and there are often traffic jams up the mountain roads and tracks. Local mushroom festivals in the early autumn are worth visiting so you get to try out all the local recipes and the old vino of course.

I never knew fungus could be the cause of traffic jams lol

[Daniel*]

24 minutes ago, stainesbloke said:

A gorgeous weekend here with loads of sunshine. Not too bad today but some showers have passed through and feels colder in the wind. Colder tomorrow, maybe some wintriness over the highest ground. I live on top of a hill but doubt it’ll be high enough to see snow.

I think many away from coast (here they’re probably see graupel) will have a bit of sleet wonderful eh even wet snow could fall to lower levels in heavier bursts. Kitchen sink!

[Methuselah]

2 minutes ago, lassie23 said:

I never knew fungus could be the cause of traffic jams lol

They don't call him the 'Bogie Man' for nothing?