Major cold snap is on the way.

[Ian D J]

I'm going to risk my reputation on this one, but I thought I'd best let you know that it looks like the mother of all cold snaps could most certainly occur after Christmas and may well last into the new year.
I'm a bit nuts about meteorology and am passionate about all things weather-related and, here, the various internet-based computer models are spitting out data suggesting a cold blast in from the east.
I could get all technical and bore you with the exact details but suffice to say, the synoptics are falling into place to allow our weather to come in from the near continent and then eventually in from Scandinavia - and that usually mean much colder weather with the increased risk of snow - more especially to the east of the UK.
You've heard it here first. It may not come to fruition, hence why I'm saying about sticking my neck out on this one.

If you want to know more, or not too sure about anything, then feel free to ask me any questions. (Or just let this thread fade out. )
I'm also wondering if there are any other weather lovers on this fine web site.

 

[Joe T]

Can we have it illustrated in a cartoon please? Thanks

 

[Dangermouse]

does this mean we will get some SNOW

 

[artona]

Major Coldsnap needs shooting at dawn lol

 

[33L]

I am hoping for snow havent seen any denct snow since 2000 tbh!

 

[susie]

Hmm, how soon after christmas will it arrive? I have an appointment on the 29th which could be awkward if its icy!!

 

[blinkerz]

Cheers for the heads up, think il pack camera away till spring..

 

[PD_BARBS]

Excellent,


Atleast that should stop the rain.

 

[digitalfailure]

they said this on the TV the other day............must be a wind up, we'll end up with 80 degrees

 

[Ian D J]

Can we have it illustrated in a cartoon please? Thanks

Now there's a good idea! Although I have done a few joke ones. Rather than flood this thread out with my weather-related cartoons (too many of them), thought I'd do it as a link to a page in my "official" web site, so here it is:
http://www.freewebs.com/weathersite/thelighterside.htm

does this mean we will get some SNOW

It does look very likely. As this east wind begins to dig in deep, it SHOULD start to bring in snow. The further east of the UK, the more likely you'll get to see some of the white stuff, especially as it had already picked up moisture in from the North Sea.

Major Coldsnap needs shooting at dawn lol

Another good idea for a cartoon.

I am hoping for snow havent seen any denct snow since 2000 tbh!

This is it, we have had a run of mild snowless winters and although snow had occured in places in the past, our winters haven't had that kind of impact since the ones we've had in the late 70s and 80s.
Will this winter change all that? Only time can tell. Not terribly scientific I know but I'm not a big fan of "long range forecasting"

Hmm, how soon after christmas will it arrive? I have an appointment on the 29th which could be awkward if its icy!!

Well, Christmas Day is looking set to be dry and cold with widespread fog (which will be freezing in places) most likely to affect many central parts of the country. Some places will also get some sunshine (mostly to the north of the UK and over Scotland). There'll be some frost around first thing and also at the end of the day, so most certainly a "seasonal" feel to the day.
Actually, having said all that I really think it's going to be a very photogenic day in many respects. A chance to road test your new Nikon/Canon/Sony/Pentax/Fuji camera you've got for Christmas!
All of this is due to an area of high pressure (which usually produce calm settled weather) that will sit on top of the UK over the festive period. What will happen as we go into the weekend after the Christmas bank holiday and into the following week is that particular high pressure system will continue to move northwards and in turn start to drag in winds all the way in from the east. When that happens, it's time to start thinking about snowfalls and ice days. By New Year's day, I can imagine a lot of frozen revellers as they find themselves wishing they've stayed at home watching Big Ben chime on their tellies.
Of course, all of this is a long way off and this mustn't be treated as gospel. Think of it as a pre-warning and if it does take place then I'll give myself a pat on the back. On the other hand, if it doesn't materialize then I'm gonna look a bloody fool. It's just that I've been keeping an eye on developments in the past few days and felt like it's time to issue this "warning".
Wonder if I get to be called the Micheal Fish of this forum. Be interesting to see where this thing goes!

 

[Ian D J]

Cheers for the heads up, think il pack camera away till spring..

Would've through it would make for some great photography opportunities! My shutter finger is twitching like mad.

Excellent, Atleast that should stop the rain.

That's just it. I'm getting a bit bored of all this mild snowless stuff. Oh, of course I am aware that snow and ice here in the UK will cause distruption and heartache and I know that my journey to work may get that much more difficult (as well as for many people). Especially when this is the kind of country that grinds to a halt once 1.5 cm of snow had settled on the ground!
But a small part of me can't help feeling just a little bit excited by it all.

they said this on the TV the other day............must be a wind up, we'll end up with 80 degrees

Oh naturally, of course. And most probably will be the case. But, like I said, all we can do is wait and see . . . :shrug:

 

[2blue4u]

The colder the cold snap the more likely we'll have some power outages.

Has everyone protected their important electrical items with surge protectors? Still time to add a ups to your Santa List.

 

[Ian D J]

The colder the cold snap the more likely we'll have some power outages.

Has everyone protected their important electrical items with surge protectors? Still time to add a ups to your Santa List.

Yes, that's a very good point. And also at a time when our utility bills are sky high as they are.
When I typed up all the above stuff, I did have in mind of those who are already finding it a struggle keeping their houses warm at the best of times. This may be a time to think about keeping an eye on that elderly person you know of?
Even if the snow doesn't turn up, it's going to be bitterly cold - and for several days as well.

 

[digitalfailure]

This may be a time to think about keeping an eye on that elderly person you know of?

all round to Blue's house then this Christmas

 

[2blue4u]

all round to Blue's house then this Christmas

cheeky gimp.

Hell, yes - the more the merrier. Nice and warm here

 

[digitalfailure]

i'll be round Christmas morning

 

[petemc]

Xmas Day will start with some highs, swiftly moving to lows upon the realisation that all you got were socks. A high pressure system will build up in a few people and the old Grandpa in the family may cause a blizzard from not using head n shoulders.

 

[Ian D J]

Xmas Day will start with some highs, swiftly moving to lows upon the realisation that all you got were socks. A high pressure system will build up in a few people and the old Grandpa in the family may cause a blizzard from not using head n shoulders.

But, those socks could well come in handy for keeping your toes warm! Looking at my charts, you may have to put several layers on. Brrrr. Got spare ones? Put them over your hands.

 

[2blue4u]

I'd love to receive socks. My daughter is the world's best at buying crap presents. Why she thinks I'd like to receive things like cheap plastic telescopes, or a cold fusion kit I've really no idea. I gave her back about five or six pressies recently and suggested she finds a deserving cause.

 

[Ian D J]

I'd love to receive socks. My daughter is the world's best at buying crap presents. Why she thinks I'd like to receive things like cheap plastic telescopes, or a cold fusion kit I've really no idea. I gave her back about five or six pressies recently and suggested she finds a deserving cause.

Pass them onto me if you like. I've decided not to buy presents for anyone this year as I'm too skint. (I am expecting a small cashback bonus but too late in time for christmas) but I'm sure what you have there may come in handy for my own Christmas shopping.

 

[Ashers]

We'll be having less of that from you, unless you'd like to lose your account.
DF

 

[wack61]

I'm going to risk my reputation on this one, but I thought I'd best let you know that it [S1]looks like[/S1] the mother of all cold snaps [S1]could [/S1]most certainly occur after Christmas and [S1]may well [/S1]last into the new year.
I'm a bit nuts about meteorology and am passionate about all things weather-related and, here, the various internet-based computer models are spitting out data [S1]suggesting[/S1] a cold blast in from the east.
I could get all technical and bore you with the exact details but suffice to say, the synoptics are falling into place to allow our weather to come in from the near continent and then eventually in from Scandinavia - and that [S1]usually[/S1] mean much colder weather with the increased risk of snow - more especially to the east of the UK.
You've heard it here first.[S1] It may not come to fruition[/S1], hence why I'm saying about sticking my neck out on this one.

If you want to know more, or not too sure about anything, then feel free to ask me any questions. (Or just let this thread fade out. )
I'm also wondering if there are any other weather lovers on this fine web site.

Definately written by a weatherman

 

[donut]

time to break out the knotted hanky string vest and deck chair then .

 

[Ian D J]

Definately written by a weatherman

It is true that weathermen and politicians are quite alike.
Ashers, was that post aimed at me? If it is, can you tell me what I've came up with to provoke that rather . . . harsh comment?

 

[Cobra]

Cracking cartoons on your site Ian
and lets hope for some cold clear refreshing weather for a change
( snow or no snow) I am fed upi with this damp mild winter!
12oC today and 10oC forcast overnight for this area WTF is that all about :shrug:

 

[Ian D J]

Cracking cartoons on your site Ian
and lets hope for some cold clear refreshing weather for a change
( snow or no snow) I am fed upi with this damp mild winter!
12oC today and 10oC forcast overnight for this area WTF is that all about :shrug:

Hi Chris. Glad you like those cartoons, thanks for taking the time to take a peek at those. Indeed, I don't really like this mild, damp germ-riddled air that we've got at the moment.
This cold snap is "still there" on the medium range forecast. It looks like the South East of the UK could get to see lowering temperatures by boxing day, and wintry showers trying to edge in by Saturday.
Not to mention the fog (and freezing fog) risk over most parts on Christmas Day, visibility will be very poor so be careful of that when travelling.

 

[Cobra]

Hi Chris. Glad you like those cartoons, thanks for taking the time to take a peek at those.

they really are quite funny

It looks like the South East of the UK could get to see lowering temperatures by boxing day, and wintry showers trying to edge in by Saturday.

Thats roughly my location but technically speaking "up a bit"

 

[kelack]

Mmmmm, slight bit of chill makes me not want to got o Folkestone office

 

[pxl8]

Erm, what's the weather going to be like in Tiverton on the 10th Jan? I've got a wedding to shoot

 

[erding]

Good cartoons on your site Ian. Now the serious bit - how much snow do you think Folkestone will get with this cold spell?

 

[andy_fozzy]

Hi Ian.
I'm very interested in the weather.
If there's a way of, er, furthering my interest, then please let me know!

Often like to have a browse around the MET office website and the Isle Of Wight storm data thing site :nuts:

Andy

 

[Ian D J]

Mmmmm, slight bit of chill makes me not want to got o Folkestone office

Just as well that I work in a tomato greenhouse. Best place to be in weather like this (unfortunately it's also the worst place to be during the summer, urgh )

Erm, what's the weather going to be like in Tiverton on the 10th Jan? I've got a wedding to shoot

I've always said to myself that a week is a VERY long time as far as the crazy world of meteorology is concerned, so to try and get an accurate enough forecast for a particular place in 20 days time would involve a VERY wild shot in the dark. But, I will have a stab at it.
Just google-earthed Tiverton up, that's in the South West of the UK which sits 60 meters above sea level. It enjoys a particularly mild climate for the most part as it's pretty near to the Atlantic so therefore it isn't a particularly snowy part of the UK, but even so, snowfalls there aren't uncommon.
Anyway, I'm rambling on a bit here, you really want to know about the weather for the 10th Jan? Well, the long range data is suggesting a colder than usual January but generally drier than the norm. It looks like that by the middle part of January I will still find myself looking towards the near-continent for our weather rather than the Atlantic, which normally gives us our "traditional" wet, wild and mild weather.
So, I'm "guessing" that your weekend should be very cold and dry. Just hope you don't get snowed in. But like I said, that's a VERY long way off, it's like trying to fire an arrow at a target a mile away while being blindfolded.

Good cartoons on your site Ian. Now the serious bit - how much snow do you think Folkestone will get with this cold spell?

Thanks for viewing that web page and glad you like them cartoons. As far as this cold spell is concerned, the thing I need to watch out for is for the cold Continental air to pick up moisture as it makes it's short hop over the English Channel and the North Sea. A slight deviation will make the difference between things staying dry and sunny and things turning icy and snowy. At the moment the needle is swinging more to the former but details and the outlook will still change.
One thing for certain though, and I will say this with utter high confidence is that it's going to be perishing cold as we begin to feel it's effect from the 26th onwards. Once the cold becomes established then the next step is waiting for the correct set up to allow snow falls to occur. If snow has to fall, then it'll be in the form of flurries affecting the south and east of England and perhaps the eastern side of Scotland.

Hi Ian.
I'm very interested in the weather.
If there's a way of, er, furthering my interest, then please let me know!

Often like to have a browse around the MET office website and the Isle Of Wight storm data thing site :nuts:


Andy

Hi, Andy. Have private messaged you with some weather-related links (in case the mod and admins doesn't like me dropping off links to non-photography web sites).

 

[CopeImages]

Hi Ian,

Please can you send your predictions to the Gritter Logistics Manager at Hambleton District Council as it would seem after the last batch of snow/ice the other week, 4 days notice wasn't quite enough for him to get his/her ar5e into gear. Even after an elderly lady from across the road from me, slipped over on ice in the main square at Easingwold (i.e. pretty public well used place) 3 days after the snow had arrivedand split her head open, no gritters were seen......

Thanks in advance.

Guy

 

[BobR]

At last our own forum forcaster!! Like your website.

 

[Marcel]

Hi, Andy. Have private messaged you with some weather-related links (in case the mod and admins doesn't like me dropping off links to non-photography web sites).

Don't mind at all mate, get them posted

 

[Ian D J]

Don't mind at all mate, get them posted

Cheers Marcel. What I will do is provide links to some weather photography web sites, that should keep some of you occupied for a short while.

www.cloudappreciationsociety.org (popular)
www.atoptics.co.uk
http://epod.usra.edu (click on the "archives" section for more photos).
www.variousstuff.co.uk/photographs.htm
www.nebraskaweatherphotos.org
http://www.weatherscapes.com/index.php

If you really want to know more about meteorology, then it might be worth lurking around in www.theweatheroutlook.com (otherwise known as TWO). It's a friendly weather forum with plenty of experts to hand (more experienced than me!) to help you out on any weather-related matters. You will need to registar to get the benefit of the whole site but it's free.
I've been a member of that site since 2003. I've been nuts about the weather since I was 10 and now thanks to the power of the internet it's a hobby that is showing no signs of fading away.

 

[mrgubby]

Judging by the Sprout thread I would say that we've got some severe wind on the way as well

 

[Ian D J]

Judging by the Sprout thread I would say that we've got some severe wind on the way as well

. . . and further global warming caused by increased gaseous emissions.

 

[Marc]

I so hope you're right Ian. Getting really sick of all the mud.

 

[johnb]

Hmmm, better dig out my copy of "The Day After Tomorrow" & batten down the hatches