Decided to take a drive down through Dumfries and Galloway this afternoon to see what the situation was like following the big late week/weekend storm and a large chunk of the snowpack is in fact gone at low elevations. The strong March sun is doing a work on the snowcover that’s for sure. However, where massive drifts shut roads, there remains very tall piles of snow. In some areas even around Dalbeattie and Castle Douglas, Dumfrieshire, 4-6 foot piles lie at the sides of the road with mini snow canyons in spots where drifts completely covered the road. The crews have doen a tremendous job.

Elsewhere, while many areas are largely up and running, parts of the Isle of Arran and Kintyre remain a no go snow zone. Entire communities became snowbound and stranded and what’s amazing is two large electricity pilons collapsed due to the weight of snow and ice, deeming this a worse event an one witnssed back in 1987. As much as 2-3,000 properties remain without power and only now are roads passage following drifts some 15-20 feet high. Here there truely was manmade snow canyons.

Cumbria, Lancashire, Derbyshire, Yorkshire and other English counties are also recovery following the major snow and wind storm.

Here’s a couple of photos I captured today.

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The below photo coruetsy of the Daily Mail shows a pub over higher ground in Cheshire partially buried beneath a snow drift.

Thankfully winds, although remaining brisk tonight for many, will ease in coming days. As for snow, well eastern areas will see snow showers push in from the North Sea tonight through tomorrow morning with a few pots perhaps picking a fresh inch or two, maybe 2-3 inches for higher parts.These showers may make it through areas such as the Central Belt overnight, don’t be surprised to see a fresh dusting by morning.

As posted last night, the cold remains firmly anchored over the UK through the remainder of this week with a continuation of the stinging east wind which is feeding air straight from Siberia. This setup will keep things largely cloudy in the east, brighter in the west but during the second half of the week, we may see clearer skies and so days MAY moderate slightly, especially if winds ease. Nights could become much colder with a penetrating frost.

Here’s the latest ECMWF through the rest of the week.

Tues

Thur

Sat

As for the weekend, while modelling originally showed low pressure pushing moisture in from the Atlantic, introducing the potential for another significant snowstorm. Both the GFS and ECMWF have backed off completely with just high pressure, dry and cold weather dominating. In saying that, it shows a system trying to work in early next week so they may simply be delaying this storm scenario. Very much worth paying close attention to this.

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