Snow began to fall on 29th November - second anniversary of Storm Arwen, which was the most destructive storm in this region for a century; and has continued being added to since.
It is not very deep snow, but it has persisted for five days so far; and is proper snow - covering every twig of every tree - and the leaves have not yet fallen from the oak in our garden; and thick enough for sledging and snowmen.
This is only the second time since 1977 that I can recall snow falling as early as November; but the last time was 2010 when there was a massive (for England) overnight snowfall of about 15 inches in mid-November - and then the temperature did not really get above freezing nor did the snow finally clear until February 2011.
Back in 2010-11, there was high barometric pressure settled over the British Isles, which kept the weather static; as sometimes happens here around the Solstices, and persists until the lengthening, or shortening, days break-up the weather pattern by the cross-quarter days (Candlemass or Lammas).
At present, however, the barometric pressure is only middling; signifying "Change" - so I don't at present suppose that this weather will last for months. But in Britain - who knows?
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Note added 4 December: Woke up this morning and rain was falling, and the snow all gone. That's what low barometric pressure can do for you...
8 comments:
That's lovely to see. I didn't experience much snow during in England, though there was some moderate snow over the Christmas season when I lived in Morpeth back in 2014. It was enough to give the picturesque market town a quaint Christmas-time look, which was a wonderful thing to experience.
I've been hoping for a white Christmas here in western Hungary for years, but it hasn't materialized yet. However, we also got some light snow yesterday, and temperature forecasts call for colder than normal days, so who know? Maybe this year will be the year!
Otherwise, I'm not terribly fond of snow. Living in Canada and the northeastern United States for many, many years has a way of dulling snow's "enchanting" qualities.
@Frank - When one reaches the 'second childhood' then one compensation is that snow gets enchanting again. However, going out into it when "a crock" entails considerable preparation.
Coincidentally, I just finished a post describing a similar second-childhood enchantment experience.
@Frank... There Are No Coincidences.
I don't remember mere storms being named previously. Like they're equivalent to hurricanes or something.
@MD - Yes, it's part of the climate emergency strategy. In the UK major newspapers often put weather forecasts on the front cover nowadays, and the weather reports cover remote foreign weather - so as to be able to make it seem like there is some kind of crisis.
There were some great views, and not as many people walking around in shorts as the snow in 2021.
@Samuel - In Newcastle, *most* people go around outdoors wearing next-to-nothing on their bodies - and sandals, flip-flops, tiny slippers etc. on their feet - whatever the weather; up to and including blizzards.
It used to be just the under thirties, but now this cohort have "grown up" and there are plenty of old people (60s, 70s) who do the same.
Old men in shorts* (all the year around) have become a positive plague!
*https://charltonteaching.blogspot.com/search?q=shorts
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