29 November, 2009
We were startled earlier this evening when the temperature suddenly dropped from 2C to -2C and snow started falling.
It wasn’t because snow is unusual at this time of year, but because we’ve had a dearth of genuinely cold days throughout most of the autumn.
We’ve had a couple of hard frosts, we’ve had gales, and we’ve had almost continuous rain for weeks but, in general, temperatures have been resolute in staying above zero.
Normally, we’d expect the cold to gradually intensify, for there to be chilly but sunny days, and for there to be sporadic falls of sleet or light snow for several weeks before the first, proper snowfalls.
Instead, we’ve sloshed our way through a very wet autumn and then, very abruptly, lurched into an outbreak of winter.
Needless to say, the mainstream weather forecasts failed to mention the snow although the UK Wind Map had it right again, predicting snowfalls at Keith, just up the road from us.
Now, the snow is coming down hard enough to settle, despite the ground being sodden, with water lying in numerous puddles.
It’s going to mean an even bigger morass of slop, muck and ooze tomorrow. Unless, of course, it gets really cold and we get a proper freeze as well.
Something to look forward to…
It tried to snow here on Friday night and again Saturday evening. The temperature has plummeted below freezing this morning.
Once again it sounds like Cumbria is in for the worst of it after the devastating flooding they have just had.
MLA – I watched Countryfile yesterday (I was channel hopping) and the article brought home to me the devestation of the flooding, kilometres of fencing swept away, fields left covered in gravel, dead livestock strewn around. I could barely take it in. The news has been concentrating on the residential properties hit and hardly mentioned the agriculture side. I was gobsmacked.
It’s still snowing here this morning.
After a very hot last week or so of spring here in the Central West of NSW; where temperatures were around 41 deg. C for some days, it has suddenly turned cool as we go into summer tomorrow. Today was a low 10 deg C and out came some cool weather gear to keep warm.
No wonder we all watch the weather with interest.
NSW remains desperately in need of heavy rains over most of the state as major storage dams are perilously low.
oddly enough our weather is identical to yours despite the huge distance. i recommend a big cup of cocoa after braving the morning chores.
I had a cup of strong coffee and a fried egg sandwich with chilli sauce.
It’s snowing here today, very heavily. So far it isn’t settling very much but as the night draws on and the temperature drops it will do.
That WindMap is a damned good site…I’ve had cause to refer to it often since you first mentioned it…thanks Stoney