>-22.3C…. BRING IT ON…. I predict a low of -25C by tomorrow morning! Is it possible we take a run at the national record of -27C? YES…
We managed to hit a somewhat impressive -8.1F (-22C) which was reported from Altnaharra which is way up there in the north-west highlands, tucked away in one of those cold nooks within a Glen. Highly elevated and sheltered within a valley by surrounding mtns, this location like others supports “draining” of cold air from surrounding hillsides that swoosh cold air down into the valley or in Scotland “glen” which collects and the air at the bottom simply grows colder throughout the course of the night IF skies remain very clear, deep snow is on the ground and Arctic High Pressure is dominant. Winds also must be either very light or completely calm. But conditions are perfect, about as perfect as it gets to support some of the coldest nights you’ll ever get in this country.
Tonight, after a cold day which always sets a good base for a colder following night and skies are expected to remain clear and temperatures are to plummet to what is likely thee coldest night of winter 09-10 and this may in fact end up producing the lowest reading we’ll get this winter across the British Isles. There’s always a very small window of oppertunity, a window that only opens once or twice in perhaps 10 to as much as 30 years.
The stage is set, the bubble of high pressure now in place and the intensity of the cold Arctic air is strong enough and with a brilliantly reflective blanket covering all but coastal areas and the western islands, we could see lows in some sheltered areas drop to -25C or lower by between 5-8am tomorrow morning. Even urbanised areas of Glasgow, Edinbugh, Dumfries may see -15C with some communities such as Lanark, Sanquhar, Abington, Coldstream, Galashiels, Carluke, Wishaw, Motherwell, Kirk O’Shotts pushing -18C…
Carlisle and Shap may run for -15C also tonight….
Current readings as of 9.00pm GMT
DRUMALBIN -11.2C
STRATHALLAN -11.7C
ESKDALEMUIR -12.7C
CASTLEDERG (NORTHERN IRELAND) -10C
CARLISLE -11.1C
Thanks for reading.
-Mark
>Yes, Mark, there are many other climate regimes that are worse than ours, but are we prepared for these type of temperatures?
You may say that we have become wimpy but on discussion with a Russian recently, he argues that our buildings aren't really suited to this type of weather.
Perhaps there is no such thing as bad weather, only failure to prepare.
>I'm sorry Sean but I disagree with your comment. If folks dont like what I write then they dont need to read it. I am a lot more concervative than many others out there.
We have become wimpy and this country after 30 years of warmer winters have brought complacency.
There have been a lot of positives. People enjoying the best skiiing in areas in 30 years as well as enjoying family fun on the lake on menteith etc etc. it's weather and we just need to get on with it. if it's not floods, it heat or cold….
>What about those who thrive for big bad hurricanes then? look at the death and destruction they cause, MUCH MUCH WORSE THAN THIS.
>Meteorology wouldn't exist without people.
People study it for their own benefit, so whilst we can all marvel at the weather, the above complainers are probably right, Mark.
Big up nuff respec inna area
>I sympathize greatly with elderly people these days. It isn't good for sure. I myself have grand parents one in their 70s and one in their 80s so I have my own concerns over this weather. HOWEVER this is a winter to marvel and I for one like many others out there are impressed by this and, well if we've gotten this far, why don't we go through this in style. We have endured dead batteries, frozen doors, break downs in my truck etc etc with frozen tail lift that's kept me struggling day after day, heck ive fallen flat on my back so I cant say I haven't had my trails and tribulations from this, but this is a WEATHER blog and I talk meteorology and this is a great winter from a "meteorological perspective"… Plus my forecast has played out well SO FAR, A lot of winter still to come..
>I doubt many of the pensioners who can't afford to heat their homes, or the people who are dying because of this weather share your "bring it on" optimism.
>Bring it on?
No, how about we return to normality? Many people are suffering through this cold snap, the sooner we get an Atlantic gust to melt this stuff, the better.