Snow in the U.K.

[Deleted]

My brother-in-law, who lives near Cambridge, emailed this morning to say they woke up to four inches of snow. That ain't normal, is it?

Wayne

[daveh]

Wayne,

Yes and no. The South-East gets a cold blast when the weather comes from the mainland of Northern Europe. Kent, particularly, is prone to heavy snow when that happens as Sid will tell you - and Peter would have.

British weather can change at the drop of a hat.

Dave.

[Peltigera]

We had a good fall of snow here in Lincoln last night - and, no, it is not normal. This is the third time in the ten years I have lived in Lincoln that we have had snow. Fortunately, it will only be for a few days.

[Rachel]

Likewise, we've had a good few inches of snow here in East Anglia overnight. I'm not sure what "normal" weather is in the UK. It's hugely variable. I suppose that we've got used to several mild winters but the last two, for us, have been more severe with plenty of snow. This snow is the first we have had this winter so is quite late in the season. Our main problem last year has been a severe lack of rain although we are, statistically, the driest part of the UK.

[Deleted]

Almost 50 F here today and sunny skies. Not totally normal here but we can have this kind of weather and several inches of snow a few days apart in February.

W.

[Berndt]

Unusual cold winter here in Japan. No snow in Tokyo, but that's just a geographical matter. Our island has mountains in the middle, so just the north-west side is blessed with snow. The clouds can not pass the mountains to the other side.

But the winter in Europe has been mostly mild, as I heard from my mother. So, it seems, that the gulf stream is still working. I don't want to bring up "global warming" as a topic and frankly speaking, I don't know enough about it for discussing it properly, but just from my feeling, the climate became more extreme. Much snow during the last two winters in Germany ( as my friends and family told me ) and I never experienced much snow during the 40 years, I have lived there in the past ... and I lived close to Duesseldorf, where the weather is very similar to the UK.

But also here in Japan. My wife told me, the average temperatures in summer have been about 28 C, but in the last two summers, the temperature didn't drop under the 30 C mark for three months. Not even for one single day and not even at night. Also "classic seasons" disappeared. Not much rain during the classic rainy season in June and there hasn't been any real spring during the last two years. From winter to summer in one week. Big coat or t-shirt ... nothing in between.

However ... what I always appreciated about the weather in Japan, is it's continuity. The temperature is not changing rapidly within days or weeks as I remember it from Europe. When it becomes summer here ( usually after the "Golden Week" at the beginning of May ), you don't need a jacket until November and usually, the plum trees start blooming already at the end of January ... but not this year. No sign of a blossom yet.

That was the meteorological report from Japan

[daveh]

I think it's true that the weather patterns change. I think they always have. Britain was hotter in Roman times than it is now, but was colder in the middle ages. It would appear that we are having a period of warming now. The experts are telling there is. Mind you, some of those same experts were telling us thirty years ago that there was an ice age on the way.

[colray]

It's still summer down south.. Floods in NSW and QLD.. dry over in the west

[mickeyobe]

It's all a matter of perception.

Mickey


CANADIAN WINTER

The snow sifts down in little white flakes.

Silently, Stealthily. The stoutest heart quakes,

With thoughts of galoshes, mukluks and boots

And rumbling snowploughs clearing our routes.


Anoraks, ear muffs, long johns and hoodies

We'll get the worst of winter's goodies.

Despite mittens, gloves, parkas and scarfs

We'll suffer sniffles, coughs, sneezes and barfs.


Five months at least we must inure

The vilest weather winter will insure.

But we'll revel in what ere comes our way.

It's genetic y'know.

We are Canadians eh!

[Berndt]

Nice poem. Love it !!! ;D

[Deleted]

There are a lot of poets in Canada. Nothing else to do when you are snowed in seven months out of the year.

[photax]

Mickey,

Thanks for posting the poem, i like it too !

After the warmest December in history, we are now facing a Russian cold front , about -14° C the last days. My car would not start without help yesterday. Snowfall at the moment, snowfall and heavy storms forecasted for tomorrow.

MIK

[mickeyobe]

MIK,

Yes, there are a few drawbacks to snow.
But look at the bright side.
The world looks new and pristine.
Cool, clear, fresh, unpolluted air.
No smog.
No pesky bugs.
Traffic slows down.
Kids are in heaven.
As are many adults.
A respectable amount will give you a holiday from work.
Loud noises, so prevalent today, are muffled.
So are people.
Skis come out.
Snowballs.
Snow men.
Snow forts.
Snow angels.
Strangers help strangers.

A photographer's paradise.
A photographer's paradise.
A photographer's paradise.

Do you want more reasons?

Mickey

P.S.
A photographer's paradise.

[mickeyobe]

Feb 6, 2012 10:15:56 GMT -5 wayne said:

There are a lot of poets in Canada. Nothing else to do when you are snowed in seven months out of the year.

Be fair, Wayne.

We only resort to poetry when we run out of musk ox wool for knitting our tuques.

Mickey

[olroy2044]

Had to Google "toques."

Some kind of knitted cap? I want a pic of you wearing one, Mickey!!

Ol(anxiously waiting )Roy