843 replies to this topic

[Gavin D]

HALF TERM SNOW AND ICE CHAOS ON THE WAY

THE big freeze is threatening travel chaos as families try to get away for half term. Drivers are being warned of treacherous conditions as the icy blast shows no signs of loosening its grip on Britain. Forecasters predict that up to eight inches of snow are on the way this weekend, with ice and bitterly cold temperatures struggling to rise above -15C (5F) overnight in remote areas. Freezing rain falling on to icy roads and power lines threatens transport disruption, causing misery for hundreds of thousands travelling during the school holiday. Much of the UK will stay at or below freezing today with the coldest spots likely to be in central and southern areas. And there's no sign of a let-up as weather experts are predicting the extreme cold is likely to continue well into next week with bitter winds from Siberia giving way to savage blasts from the North Pole.Leon Brown, meteorologist at The Weather Channel, said some locations were expected to dip as low as -14C or -15C in South Yorkshire last night. Netweather forecasters warned up to eight inches of snow is possible in parts of South-west England and Wales.

http://www.express.c...haos-on-the-way

HAVOC FOR HALF-TERM

MILLIONS are facing transport chaos as deadly Arctic blizzards batter Britain for the big half-term getaway. Nightmare conditions will ruin the half-term holiday for thousands of Brits. Drivers face a combination of three inches of snow, deadly ice and -10C temperatures. Gale-force Arctic winds up to 55mph are also expected as the cold snap stretches into the school break. Forecasters say Valentine’s Day blizzards plus hail, sleet and snow are expected across eastern England, with more to come on Wednesday.

http://www.dailystar...-for-half-term/

Colder than Moscow: Temperatures plunge to MINUS EIGHTEEN in record-breaking cold snap leading to major ice warning for half-term getaway

Parts of Britain were colder than Moscow last night when temperatures plunged to -18C, during the chilliest night of the year so far. The record-breaking cold snap comes as families setting off on half-term getaways have been warned of 'deceptively dangerous' road conditions. Experts said the mercury had fallen to -17.8C in Chesham, Bucks, during the early hours of the morning and was expected to plunge even lower as the icy weather continues to grip the UK. The Russian capital Moscow, also in a grip of a frozen winter, fell to -16C yesterday. Claire Allen, forecaster for MeteoGroup, said: 'Overnight we have had the coldest temperatures this winter so far.

http://www.dailymail...ce-warning.html

Britain shivers on coldest night of winter as mercury plunges to -18C

Britain shivered on the coldest night of the winter as temperatures plunged to -18C. Chesham in Buckinghamshire was England's coldest place as the mercury fell to -17.8C. Weather experts said it was the chilliest night since 2010 with temperatures widely below -10C across Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. And the bad news is it's not set to get warmer any time soon with the cold snap predicted to continue.

http://www.mirror.co...-to--18c-681412

Come on you whites at Northampton Town

THE slide looked set to continue at League Two bottom club Northampton Town yesterday — as their Sixfields Stadium seemed more suited to ski-ing than football. Millions of Brits woke to a wintry wonderland after up to 3ins of snow fell overnight. Temperatures plunged to -10°C (14°F), giving many a tricky trip to work and causing dozens of schools to close. But the cold did not stop one hardy soul taking a dip in a pond at Hampstead Heath, North London. Elsewhere, a runaway council gritter lorry spun out of control, finishing up embedded in a house in Burwell, Cambs. Three people were hurt. One man died when his car collided with a lorry on the icy A470 in Powys. The Met Office said the cold snap will continue today but added: "Warmer weather seems to be winning the battle next week."

http://www.thesun.co...mpton-Town.html

[Gavin D]

Fears of British super-drought after record low rainfall in winter

Underground water supplies are being used to keep rivers flowing in the seasons when they are supposed to be replenished

http://www.guardian....-redirect=false

[rob48]

Gavin D, on 12 February 2012 - 09:41 , said:

Fears of British super-drought after record low rainfall in winter

Underground water supplies are being used to keep rivers flowing in the seasons when they are supposed to be replenished

http://www.guardian....-redirect=false

Lets hope we don't have a "beer-garden" summer, or this will become very serious.

[mountain shadow]

Why this country has never invested in pipelines from the water rich north to the south is beyond me. Seems to me this is a project which should be started now giving much needed jumps during the recession.

[La Bise]

Well, the BBC test for weather forecasters is probably not going to happen. You got to love PC excuse...

http://www.dailymail...-predicted.html

[Gavin D]

Severe drought could blight Britain in the summer after driest winter on record, experts warn

Britain is facing a severe drought this summer after the driest winter on record, experts have warned. Without heavy rainfall in the immediate future, extreme water shortages could hit many parts of the country - causing parched landscapes, rivers drying up and hosepipe bans in the summer. Such conditions would have a huge knock-on effect for farmers, food production, tourism and local wildlife.

Read more: http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz1mGdrwRhf

BIG FREEZE IS OVER, BUT STILL BEWARE OF ICY ROADS

FREEZING Britain will thaw out this week as warmer temperatures end what could be one of the coldest Februarys on record. The big melt will start today as milder air begins to lift temperatures well above freezing across most of the country – even bringing unseasonably mild weather by the end of the week. But forecasters said the big freeze will only loosen its grip gradually. They warn motorists that roads could still be icy this morning and tomorrow before warmer air finally takes over with temperatures hitting 11C (52F) in the north and south by Thursday.

Most of the country will experience an average of around 7C to 8C (44F to 46F) by the end of the week. Despite the thaw it will still be cold and after the weekend the temperatures are expected to again drop to the seasonal average of around 6C (43F). But there is no sign of the bitter blast that saw temperatures plunge below minus 15C (5F), putting this month on target to be among the coldest since records began.
http://www.express.c...re-of-icy-roads

COLDEST SINCE 1986

ENGLAND is suffering its coldest February since 1986 and one of the chilliest in 350 years. Temperatures plummeted to -18.3C at Chesham, Bucks, on Saturday morning. And while forecasters say Britain will be slightly warmer this week, another cold snap will bite next weekend. Ice climbers have been flocking to the Peak District to tackle the 100ft Kinder Downfall before the frozen waterfall thaws. Since records began in 1659, only seven Februaries have been colder than this year’s. The freeze has already cost billions of pounds in lost business, property and vehicle damage and booming energy bills and healthcare costs.

http://www.dailystar...est-since-1986/

Coldest February since 1986 - and the big freeze is set to last until mid March

Brits are shivering through the coldest February since 1986 as temperatures plunged to an icy -18.3C on Saturday morning. And, although we can look forward to a brief thaw this week, the cold spell is set to bring more snow until mid March The lowest temperature over the weekend – in Chesham, Bucks – was colder than Lukla, Nepal, a village at the base of Everest. It was within 2C of England’s coldest ever recorded February day which was -20.6C at Woburn, Beds, on February 25, 1947. Since records began in 1659, only seven Februarys have been colder than this year. It emerged yesterday that a homeless man sleeping rough in a park in Hull had been found dead because of the icy weather.

Strong winds will blow cold air back to the Continent this week and temperatures will leap to 6c today, but the respite will be short-lived. A Met Office spokesman said: “Cold conditions are likely to continue, perhaps with further sleet and snow. Temperatures will probably be below average until March 11.”

http://www.mirror.co...-the-big-682476

Man strips and crawls on to icy river to rescue dog

A MAN has been branded "foolish" by emergency services after stripping to his underpants and crawling across a frozen river on his hands and knees to rescue his DOG. The dog walker's moment of madness was captured in a bystander's photograph as he made his way across the frozen water. After slowly inching across the river towards his stricken pet, the ice suddenly gave way and the man fell into the water about 30ft away from the bank. Amazingly he managed to haul his small terrier-type dog on to the ice before clambering back to safety. But the mystery man's actions on the River Stour in Dedham, Essex, have been condemned by the Essex Fire and Rescue Service as "extremely dangerous".

http://www.thesun.co...rescue-dog.html

[Gavin D]

BRITAIN FACES DROUGHT CRISIS: WATER SHORTAGE WORST FOR 90 YEARS

RITAIN faces a nationwide drought disaster, experts warned yesterday. Widespread restrictions on water supplies including hosepipe bans could be imposed as early as the spring. A record dry 18 months with virtually no rain over the winter has left rivers and ­reservoirs at critically low levels. Water authorities last night warned that parts of the country were suffering the worst shortages for more than 90 years. Record low water stocks could devastate crops and send food prices rocketing unless we get a sustained period of rainfall soon. Trevor Bishop, the Environment Agency’s head of water resources, said: “We have a cumulative effect of two years of low rainfall. This is going to have a very strong input and there is a real risk of restrictions including hosepipe bans.” Anglia Water was planning for “the worst possible scenario” and warned hosepipe bans could be in place before summer.

http://www.express.c...st-for-90-years

[Gavin D]

HALF OF HOMES FACE HOSEPIPE BANS IN THE 'SUPERDROUGHT'

BRITAIN faces a superdrought with water restrictions to hit more than half the country in weeks, experts warned last night. Crisis talks on Monday will discuss how to avert a disaster after the driest winter for 40 years. Rivers, reservoirs and underground stores are at critical levels with water firms warning restrictions could be imposed long before the summer. More than half the households in the country face curbs including hosepipe and sprinkler bans, according to water officials. Jim Dale, senior risk meteorologist at British Weather Services, said the highest populated areas such as the South, South-east and London are most at risk. He said: “There has been a dearth of rainfall at the most vital time of the year when companies are building stocks for the spring and summer. Because these regions have been hit the worst, then it is a realistic estimation that half of the population will be affected by restrictions.”

He said there was little chance of rain in the next few weeks and water firms are “in trouble”. “The only escape is a very wet spring and summer,” he added. But Netweather forecasters said: “Rainfall amounts (in March) are expected to be below average in many parts. “As we head into April, the current forecast suggests that rain- fall will stay close to normal.” The Met Office said there was only a 15 per cent chance of getting “well-above average” rainfall in the next 10 weeks. Anglia Water spokesman John Clare said: “We need rain now. “There is the chance of restrictions. If the other companies are looking the same, the numbers at risk will rise rapidly.” A spokesman for Thames Water said parts of the region are drier than they were in 1976, which saw widespread rationing. He said: “It’s not a case of whether we’ll be having a drought this year, it’s a case of when and how bad.” South East Water said it was planning sprinkler and hosepipe bans as early as the spring. Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman, who will host the drought summit, said: “Our activity is going to be carefully coordinated so we are able to minimise the effects of unpredictable water availability.”

http://www.express.c...e-superdrought-

[Jackone]

Man survives trapped (by snow) in car for 2 months.

http://www.bbc.co.uk...europe-17088173

[Weather-Voyager]

UK, south Europe to see colder than usual spring - report

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain and southern Europe will experience lower than average temperatures between March and May while northern Europe is to see warmer than usual weather, Weather Services International (WSI) forecast on Monday.
Although the UK is expected to see a warmer-than-usual March, temperatures are forecast to be colder than normal in April and May, while for the rest of Europe the outlook is mixed, according to WSI.
For the energy sector, WSI said "wetter and windier conditions should return to the northern hydrological/wind generation regions, with drier and less windy conditions at more southern latitudes."

WSI also said that the recent cold that has dominated continental European weather in February would be coming to an end by the end of the month.
"The exception will be in parts of eastern and southeastern Europe, where recent excessive snowfall will likely delay the transition towards warmer temperatures until later in the spring," said WSI Chief Meteorologist Todd Crawford.
Below is a breakdown of temperature forecasts for Europe's four main weather regions.
MARCH:
Nordic Region - Warmer than normal
UK - Warmer than normal
Northern Mainland - Warmer than normal
Southern Mainland - Colder than normal
APRIL:
Nordic Region - Warmer, except southern Norway/Sweden
UK - Cooler than normal
Northern Mainland - Cooler than normal
Southern Mainland - Cooler than normal
MAY:
Nordic Region - Warmer, except southern Norway
UK - Cooler than normal
Northern Mainland - Warmer than normal
Southern Mainland - Warmer, except southeastern Europe
(Reporting by Henning Gloystein; Editing by Anthony Barker)

http://uk.news.yahoo...-113804626.html

[bobbydog]

I'm surprised this has only appeared in a couple of regional threads!

A classic from Alex Deakin!-

[Gavin D]

IT'S GOING TO BE HOTTER THAN HAWAII THIS WEEK


BRITAIN will warm up so much over the next few days it could get hotter than Hawaii. The mercury is set to nudge 68F (20C) tomorrow, which will make it one of the warmest February days for decades. The current record for the month, 67.5F, was set in 1988. In contrast, it is unlikely to get above 66F in Honolulu this week. Forecaster Helen Chivers said: “It is very warm for February. We would usually expect it to be around 9C. But it is not going to be sunny everywhere. The Midlands and central England will see the best of the weather. Saturday and Sunday will be slightly cooler although warmer than normal.”Meteorologist Jim Dale, of British Weather Services, said: “It will be exceptionally warm – it’s a mile from what we’ve been having.”

And Netweather forecasters said it would be dry, bright and very mild in the South on Friday but turning cooler in the North. Although warm, dry weather will be welcomed by many, a wet spell could avert drought measures. Experts warned last night that at least two months of solid rainfall is needed as Britain faces the worst water shortage since 1976. Two dry winters have left reservoirs and rivers at critically low levels and hosepipe bans could start in weeks. But forecasters say despite downpours in the North this week, there is no sign of the much-needed “constant drizzle”. Environment Agency spokesman Sam Elfer said: “The past 12 months have been the second ­driest on record in the South-east. “The average rainfall is 56 per cent below what it should be for January to February.

“As long as we get constant drizzle in the next eight weeks, there should be no water restrictions like hosepipe bans.” The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management said the public expect “unlimited water at all times”. Executive director Nick Reeves said: “The current conditions are yet another wake-up call for more urgent action on water efficiency.”

http://www.express.c...awaii-this-week

[Gavin D]

MILD WEATHER COMES TO BRITAIN BUT FOR HOW LONG

UNCHARACTERISTIC mild weather struck Britain today melting away the last signs of the previous cold snap. The mercuryreached 18C in eastern parts of the UK against an average of 7C expected for the same time of year. Chris Burton, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: "It will be exceptionally mild for this time of year." Temperatures reached levels near previous records, the warmest February in the UK was in Cambridge in 1891, with a reading of 19.4C.

Conditions are expected to turn a little less mild through the weekend, but will remain a little above average for the time of year. Rain is expected to be mainly in the North and West, with no significant falls expected in the South-East, where there is a shortage of water. British Gas saw its earnings slide by 30 per cent last year due to the mild winter. The UK's biggest gas supplier, which lost 97,000 customers in 2011, said the unseasonably warm weather in spring and autumn led to a 21 per cent drop in average household gas consumption and a 4 per cent fall in electricity.

Yes it is mid-February, folks! Sunbathers hit the beaches to enjoy Britain's balmy weather just a week after the big freeze

Britain was hotter than Morocco and Crete today

The mercury hit 18.7C - just 1C below the record temperature for February

It was around 10C higher than the average for this time of year

If you're thinking about flying south in search of some winter warmth, you may be wasting your time. Britain was as hotter than Morocco and the Greek island Crete today as the mercury topped 18C (64F). This is around 10C warmer than average for this time of year – and puts the UK on a par with northern Africa.

http://www.dailymail...big-freeze.html

Phew, it's almost a scorcher! Britain 'hotter than Morocco and Barcelona'

Temperatures to reach 18C with hot spots predicted in East Anglia, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. Britain will be hotter than parts of north Africa today with temperatures set to reach 18C. Office workers across the country have had the option of eating their lunches somewhere other than hunched at their desks this afternoon, thanks to the burst of unseasonably warm weather. With the mercury expected to reach 18C in the east of the country, Britain could prove as hot as Morocco and Barcelona - and actually beat out the likes of Athens, experiencing a 13C high. At almost 11C warmer than average for February, the hottest spots are predicted to be in East Anglia, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. London and much of Scotland are also likely to reach 16C.

http://www.mirror.co...18c-make-741211

[Gavin D]

STREWTH...BRITAIN IS HOTTER THAN AUSTRALIA

BRITAIN basked in glorious sunshine yesterday as temperatures soared higher than Australia and Morocco. Tens of thousands of people made the most of the mini-heatwave by flocking to beaches and parks amid highs of almost 66F (19C). The good news is that the sunshine is set to last – forecasters are predicting temperatures of well above average until the end of next week. The country was warmer than Marrakesh, Rhodes and Tenerife, which managed only 57F (13.8C). Britain was even hotter than Australia, where an unusually cool 63F was recorded at Falls Creek in Victoria.

The Met Office said widespread highs of 61F were recorded around the UK, almost three times higher than February’s average of 43F. However, with the mercury peaking at 65.6F (18.7C) in Birmingham, the February record of 67.5F, set in 1998, was narrowly missed. Forecaster Helen Chivers said last night: “It has been the hottest day of the year. Temperatures are well above average. Although it will feel slightly cooler on Friday, the mild weather is going to last through next week.” As the early sunshine lured hedgehogs out of hibernation, punters sunbathed on the River Cam in Cambridge, where temperatures reached 63F. And 3,000 Britons headed for the coast, prompting ice-cream stallholders to open two months early. “You wouldn’t think it was February at all,” said one.

http://www.express.c...-than-Australia

Edited by Gavin D, 24 February 2012 - 18:50 .

[djrikki]

Lol this thread is always good for a laugh

[Chris K]

I kept laughing at how it was supposedly a "mini-heatwave". hahahaha

[Jackone]

Gavin D, on 24 February 2012 - 15:40 , said:

STREWTH...BRITAIN IS HOTTER THAN AUSTRALIA


BRITAIN basked in glorious sunshine yesterday as temperatures soared higher than Australia and Morocco. Tens of thousands of people made the most of the mini-heatwave by flocking to beaches and parks amid highs of almost 66F (19C). The good news is that the sunshine is set to last – forecasters are predicting temperatures of well above average until the end of next week. The country was warmer than Marrakesh, Rhodes and Tenerife, which managed only 57F (13.8C). Britain was even hotter than Australia, where an unusually cool 63F was recorded at Falls Creek in Victoria.
The Met Office said widespread highs of 61F were recorded around the UK, almost three times higher than February’s average of 43F. However, with the mercury peaking at 65.6F (18.7C) in Birmingham, the February record of 67.5F, set in 1998, was narrowly missed. Forecaster Helen Chivers said last night: “It has been the hottest day of the year. Temperatures are well above average. Although it will feel slightly cooler on Friday, the mild weather is going to last through next week.” As the early sunshine lured hedgehogs out of hibernation, punters sunbathed on the River Cam in Cambridge, where temperatures reached 63F. And 3,000 Britons headed for the coast, prompting ice-cream stallholders to open two months early. “You wouldn’t think it was February at all,” said one.

http://www.express.c...-than-Australia

Typlcal Express, parts of the west has 9c maxes and drizzle all day.

[Aaron]

Temperatures in the 80's Fahrenheit in weeks, according to the Express.

http://www.express.c...s-Spring-on-way

Meanwhile, the temperatures reach 39C in Hobart, Australia.

[Gavin D]

Forecasters predict UK is in for a Mediterranean March

Some light showers predicted across the UK tomorrow evening but balmy weather then set to continue into next week

Forecasters predict higher than average temperatures could stay set for 30 days - with March seeing highs of 27c

http://www.dailymail...nean-March.html

[The PIT]

Have we ever had a 27C in March ???