Christmas Forecast

Some parts of central/ southern England had a covering of snow today, especially on higher ground and here in Hawley we had some heavy sleet for a while around 8am but no settling snow unfortunately, although I did see quite a few cars with snow on them as I was driving.

The 'storm' system that brought this snow on its northern flank has headed into France so the Uk has missed the potentially damaging winds that could easily have brought disruption that was feared.

 Has winter finally arrived?

 If you want a picture postcard Christmas with crisp white snow on the ground and beautiful star-lit frosty nights then you are out of luck this year as it now seems odds on that come the big day we will be under mild south-westerly winds and temperatures could well be in double figures, much milder than average.
So if you're watching the festive pennies and concerned about your heating bills this is your Christmas but if you're after snow then you need to wait until at least mid-January because all the pointers suggest this mild/zonal pattern is here for quite a bit longer yet.

Benign Autumn, Wild Winter!

The unusual weather year continues, following a cooler than average summer we had an almost record breaking autumn with temperatures way above normal and for the South East very little rainfall which is of concern approaching 2012.
The start of Winter has followed in the same chaotic fashion with Severe winter storms battering Western Scotland, bringing damaging winds, torrential rain and snow even at some lower levels whilst the south has remained relatively dry and mild with only the occasional night time frosts... until this week.
The Atlantic continues its onslaught on the British isles with Central/Southern areas due to be hit by two potentially severe storms from tonight and again Thursday/Friday, no snow mixed in I'm afraid but much needed rain and temperatures around normal for this time of year.

Mid November

So what has happened to the snow? well this time last year I was under six inches of snow and at temperatures that made December 2010 the coldest for 100 years, I'm writing this blog having just mowed my lawn.. in a T-shirt! (ok, it was a bit chilly)
As I stated in my winter forecast issued September 1st, this December would be much milder with no white Christmas and that is proving to be the case, I also said that any deep cold would come later (Jan/Feb) and last longer and I have no reason to change my mind at present although I am starting to have doubts that we will get any significant snow or deep cold this winter.

So with no snow for the south on the cards, it's up to the Atlantic storms to keep my meteorological boat afloat at least until Christmas.