>18 December, 2010

Written by on December 18, 2010 in Rest of Europe with 0 Comments

>Today’s Top Weather Stories
On Weather & Climate Through the Eyes of Mark Vogan

BREAKING NEWS: CASTLEDERG, CO TYRONE NEVER ROSE ABOVE -11. 5C (likey a record for the coldest day), ALREADY BACK DOWN AT -14.7C AS OF 2000 HRS, TONIGHT MAY SEE NORTHERN IRELAND BREAK THE OLD ALL-TIME COLD RECORD OF -17C

Temps as of 11pm: -13.1C at Yeovilton, -13.4C at Pershore, -11.7C at Woodford (Greater Manchester), -14.9C at Shap (Cumbria), -15.2C at Castlederg (Co Tyrone)

GLASGOW TO HIT -10C TONIGHT, MANCHESTER -10C, SHEFFIED -10C

LAST NIGHT: LOCH GLASCARNOCH (HIGHLAND) -17.2C, AVIEMORE (HIGHLAND) -15.5C, CASTLEDERG (CO. TYRONE) -14C

Blizzard-bound Britain
A TRAVEL NIGHTMARE ON THE BUSIEST OF THE YEAR

Bleak: A British Airways jet on the tarmac at Heathrow Airport today, which had to shut its runways
(The Daily Mail)
London’s Oxford Street was still busy today despite the snow on the final Saturday before Christmas
(The Daily Mail)

Snow brings travel gridlock on busiest weekend before Christmas
Daily Telegraph

Misery at the airports as heavy snow hits the getaway… but a glimmer of hope as sun is forecast for tomorrow

Daily Mail

UK snow: Britain in gridlock as big freeze brings Christmas travel misery
The Guardian

Festive shoppers brave the snow in central London, on the final Saturday before Christmas
(The Daily Mail)

Today’s Weather across America
From AccuWeather

Holiday Travel Next Week: Some Snow could Slow Travel
AccuWeather

Light Snow Creates Slick Travel in the South
AccuWeather

Snow Aims for New England Early in the Week
AccuWeather

Western Storm to Unleash Feet of Snow, Flooding Rain
AccuWeather

Weather Talk
By Mark Vogan

One of England’s Busiest Arteries (M6) grinds to a halt last night, less than two weeks after Scotland’s (M8) did!

Old farm at Overtown, Lancashire in deep snow
Photograph taken during the very severe winter of 1962-63 (Image courtesy of Wikipedia)

COMPARING THE WINTER OF 1962-63 TO DECEMBER 2010

Unfortunately, as much as we want to think that surely, this winter weather we’re currently gripped in, is as bad as the great winter of 1962-63 and indeed verious media sources are pointing to the “great winters of history”. This is by far, nothing like 1962-63. Britain is great for very quickly saying statements such as “worst in …..” however, though the period from November 25 through December 18, 2010 has been certainly a very severe winter period for all of the British Isles, we must remember that we need to look closely at the stats and indeed what was those great winter’s of the past actually like, what happened? How severe was it? Probably the most important aspect when comparing winter cold periods, is how much snow fell? how widespread? Where? Was it out in the middle of nowhere, where nobody lives or was it in the heart of a city, such as Glasgow, Manchester or London? Was there gales to accompany those snows? How cold was it? The most important thing to look at for me, I think is how long did the colder period last? Some of those great winters in the 60s, like 62-63, lasted practically ALL winter. From December right through till March. Little above freezing, severe frosts by night and indeedm though snows have been nasty at times from firstly Scotland and the north of England, and now the south, great blizzards that produced 20ft drifts. Snows of 2 or more feet fell and indeed, the modern technology we have today, wasn’t available.

This current period, may well and looks on track to become the coldest December in history for the British Isles, That’s mighty impressive, but we must remember, it’s only December 18, not March 18. This has been an impressive “start” to winter, not an impressive “winter”. Winter to me, is the period stretching from December 1 through March 31. Not a mere month! Therefore, this hasn’t been as impressive as 62-63. HOWEVER, if this were to continue and be as severe for at least another month, then we’re talking a genuine comparison, until then, it’s pure hype!

The M6 ground to a halt after snow caused a lorry to jack-knife. Many spent the night on in their vehicles
(The Daily Mail)

Wintry: Tourists in London struggle in the snow and shelter under umbrellas near Tower Bridge
(The Daily Mail)

Dumfries and much of southwest Scotland had managed to escape the snows of this winter until yesterday when upwards of 2-3 inches fell. Mother nature filling in the blanks! This was the scene whilst driving through Locharbriggs, a suburb of Dumfries at around 7.30am this morning.
A snowy scene within the picturesque village of Kirkcudbright, Dumfries & Galloway, near the Solway Firth. Far southern Scotland..

What’s Reaching Today’s Blogs?

No End Through Wednesday for the Storms;Rain and Snow Totals Rising
Ken Clark, Western Expert, AccuWeather

Snow Breeds Snow as Clippers Come Southeast
Henry Margusity, AccuWeather

The Extremes of the Day

Today’s US Extremes
Courtesy of AccuWeather

High: 80 degrees at Hollywood, FL
Low: -26 degrees at Wisdom, MT

Today’s UK Extremes
Courtesy of the Met Office

High: 42 degrees (5.8C) at Isles of Scilly
Cold High: 12 degrees (-11C) at Castlederg (Co Tyrone)
Low: 1 degree (-17.2C) at Loch Glascarnoch (Highland)

Today’s Extremes here at my house

High: 31 degrees
Low: 16 degrees

TODAY’S CONDITIONS
Snowcover: Fresh Coating (Patchy remains)
A generally cloudy day, feeling a little less cold and some snow showers did move through the area, producing a fresh coating!

Thanks for reading.
-Mark

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