ITs SNOWING in London [Archive]

mbpnewbie

Feb 1, 2009, 05:19 PM

Heh, I've been playing with that new BBC weather site and yea, looks like the whole of England is going to be blanketed in snow barring you guys!

Does it not snow much in London? I've only been once and that was in summer so I've no idea how cold it gets down there. It's snowing up in the Peak District now for the kabillionth time this winter.
Doesn't snow much down here. It's just really cold most of the time. Snow is like a 2-3 times a year thing... hardly sticks for more than a few hours

djellison

Feb 1, 2009, 05:34 PM

An inch of snow and Gatwick's closed, they're predicting chaos on the M25, and 'severe weather warnings'.

This country is pathetic.

steviem

Feb 1, 2009, 05:37 PM

Yep, one inch of snow = panic. I remember my uncle was stuck on the M11 for like 6 hours one year because of a 'freak snowstorm'.

It's stupid really.

bigandy

Feb 1, 2009, 05:39 PM

Does it not snow much in London? I've only been once and that was in summer so I've no idea how cold it gets down there. It's snowing up in the Peak District now for the kabillionth time this winter.
I'd assume a lack of snow because London is generally a bit hotter than elsewhere in the country.

This country is pathetic.
You only just noticed? :eek:

fireshot91

Feb 1, 2009, 05:40 PM

Wait...Do you guys get a lot of rain in London, or is it just all dry there?

Jaffa Cake

Feb 1, 2009, 05:43 PM

An inch of snow and Gatwick's closed, they're predicting chaos on the M25, and 'severe weather warnings'.

This country is pathetic.To be fair, we're often taken by surprise by such adverse weather. I mean, who could predict we might get a light dusting of snow in the winter?

richardjames

Feb 1, 2009, 05:44 PM

Yep, one inch of snow = panic. I remember my uncle was stuck on the M11 for like 6 hours one year because of a 'freak snowstorm'.

It's stupid really.

I'm just glad I stocked up on tins of food.

I once got held up 4 hours on the Metrolink system in Manchester because it was windy. I could have actually walked home faster that day. It's no wonder I drive to work now.

Keebler

Feb 1, 2009, 05:47 PM

Yep, one inch of snow = panic. I remember my uncle was stuck on the M11 for like 6 hours one year because of a 'freak snowstorm'.

It's stupid really.

well, i don't know if it's stupid. i used to think that about other countries, but if vehicles don't have proper all-season or winter tires, then nope..that's not stupid b/c it's very easy for unprepared vehicles to lose control.

hope you folks are enjoying it. snow can be cold, but it sure look purrrtteeyyy coming down :)

Peterkro

Feb 1, 2009, 05:49 PM

I'd assume a lack of snow because London is generally a bit hotter than elsewhere in the country.

London has it's own microclimate , it quite often snows all around London but not in it,although not this time obnobviously.

NATO

Feb 1, 2009, 05:52 PM

The problem is basically that we don't really have that many days per year where there's serious ice/snow on the roads and so we don't prepare for it. My friend said that in the likes of Germany etc, it's not uncommon for people to change to 'winter' tyres, whereas we drive all year round on the same tyres, which obviously don't work so well on snow, hence the traffic chaos.

mbpnewbie

Feb 1, 2009, 05:56 PM

London has it's own microclimate , it quite often snows all around London but not in it,although not this time obnobviously.
As I mentioned in the OP, I don't actually live in london proper. I live in esher, surrey, which is the red circle:
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r87/JDPhotography_2007/Picture1-4.png

Loge

Feb 1, 2009, 06:22 PM

It has better not be the "wrong kind of snow" for those of us who need the trains to get to work!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_wrong_kind_of_snow

skunk

Feb 1, 2009, 06:36 PM

Still snowing quite heavily in Richmond. I don't know exactly how deep it is, but it was coming over the tops of my flip-flops.

JG271

Feb 1, 2009, 06:36 PM

We're getting a few inches here - looks like more than you're getting in Esher at any rate! Although we are reasonably close...

mbpnewbie

Feb 1, 2009, 06:45 PM

Snow is now a good 3-4inches now... I don't have anywhere to be, but I'm hoping i can have a snowday tomorrow...

hacksaw-C87

Feb 1, 2009, 06:48 PM

This country makes me laugh when it snows. In Canada they have three-feet of the stuff and they get up, shrug, and go to work. In the UK we have 5cm and the whole country grinds to a halt. On the plus side I wont be able to to commute tomorrow evening. More is the pity.

raggedjimmi

Feb 1, 2009, 06:55 PM

It's quite powdery snow though, just been out for a walk in the stuff and it's all rather slippy (was the same in the afternoon). Was amazing seeing it blowing off roofs though in some amazing patterns. Gonna be hell tomorrow once its iced over!

Tom B.

Feb 1, 2009, 06:55 PM

Just over 3 inches here in Kingston, and still snowing very heavily.

I wonder how South West Trains will cope with this... I suppose I'll know tomorrow morning.

Mark-Mac-Attack

Feb 1, 2009, 06:56 PM

I am looking for a snow day tomorrow. In fact i'm begging. I could do with a day off :)

mbpnewbie

Feb 1, 2009, 07:09 PM

At the rate it's going, you may well have your snowday. It isn't letting up just yet

Queso

Feb 1, 2009, 07:12 PM

Been snowing heavily for about three hours here in Bloomsbury, and it's settling for once :)

takao

Feb 1, 2009, 08:10 PM

I am looking for a snow day tomorrow. In fact i'm begging. I could do with a day off :)

a snow day ? a day off because of snow ? i thought that only happens in movies ? just like a day off because it's so hot

raggedjimmi

Feb 1, 2009, 08:16 PM

a snow day ? a day off because of snow ? i thought that only happens in movies ? just like a day off because it's so hot

In urban parts of England snow means a day off, the lucky sods. And public transport all over gets b0rked.

DYER

Feb 1, 2009, 08:23 PM

aah man i am loving it.
I am not going into uni tomrow itd be suicide.
we have had 3 and a half inches and to qoute a great line "it doesn't show signs of stoppin" so im gona love it leave it and get ready to photograph it tomorow may it continue for many more hours and days
W00T SNOWDAY GET IN THERE

iJohnHenry

Feb 1, 2009, 08:32 PM

The Trafalgar Square (http://www.camvista.com/england/london/trafsq.php3) camera is of no help whatsoever. :rolleyes:

neiltc13

Feb 1, 2009, 08:33 PM

No snow whatsoever in Edinburgh.

iJohnHenry

Feb 1, 2009, 08:51 PM

Found a camera that shows something. As to where it is, I don't know.

But it looks like trouble to me.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/webcams/545750.shtml

DYER

Feb 1, 2009, 08:54 PM

oill upload some fotos later todayat some point
it is breathtaking here in kingston

raggedjimmi

Feb 1, 2009, 09:51 PM

Ok it's really coming down here now, it jumped from about an inch to 2-3".
Englands shut in the morning.

155798
155797

daneoni

Feb 1, 2009, 10:04 PM

I know i'm not stepping out of the house tomorrow. I've been down this road before in 2003, everything will grind to a halt. Icy tracks and roads = bad news for trains, buses and all the like

UltraNEO*

Feb 2, 2009, 02:08 AM

In urban parts of England snow means a day off, the lucky sods. And public transport all over gets b0rked.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3297/3246983534_8b4ea1b714_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ultraneo/3246983534/)
People in the UK shouldn't get a day of work simply because there's a tiny bit of snow. Seriously, there are school kids in certain parts of the world whom be going to school until the outdoor temps drop to -35°C!! I'm thinking there's gonna be reports on the news regarding careless drivers who've skidded off the road!!! LOL!!

As for me, well.. There could be fifty feet of snow in England, I still have to work!! Damn it... There's no getting away from it unless we suffer a massive blackout, my UPS dies and the internet freezes over!! :eek:

mbpnewbie

Feb 2, 2009, 02:36 AM

Just a little update: Went outside for a ciggy and had to put my boots on. Snow came to top of boots.... so excited am I

Abstract

Feb 2, 2009, 02:45 AM

People in the UK shouldn't get a day of work simply because there's a tiny bit of snow. Seriously, there are school kids in certain parts of the world whom be going to school until the outdoor temps drop to -35°C!! I'm thinking there's gonna be reports on the news regarding careless drivers who've skidded off the road!!! LOL!!

Their cars aren't equipped for snow, and neither are their drivers. There's no point of having snow tires on your car in most of England when the chance of snow on the ground is very, very small. In fact, they'll even have different tire standards when it comes to driving in wet weather. It certainly rains often in the UK, but when I lived there, there were rarely any massive downpours. It was more of a persistent spittle on most rainy days. When it rains in Australia, it floods and the water along the streets often reaches a height of 30 cm (1 foot).

As for me, well.. There could be fifty feet of snow in England, I still have to work!! Damn it... There's no getting away from it unless we suffer a massive blackout, my UPS dies and the internet freezes over!! :eek:

Even if 50 feet of snow in England didn't affect you, it doesn't mean it's unimportant. I mean, if it snowed 15 metres (~50 feet) in Japan and you didn't have to work, Australians still need to go to work. So do Brazilians and all sorts of other people.

Did I misinterpret you or something? :confused:

iBlue

Feb 2, 2009, 03:09 AM

People in the UK shouldn't get a day of work simply because there's a tiny bit of snow. Seriously, there are school kids in certain parts of the world whom be going to school until the outdoor temps drop to -35°C!! I'm thinking there's gonna be reports on the news regarding careless drivers who've skidded off the road!!! LOL!!

LOL all you like but this area is not equipped for this. This is not "a little bit of snow", it is the most that has been seen in 18 years. It's AT LEAST 6 inches here and still falling. Driving is completely unreasonable and the public transport is almost completely crippled from this. Tell me, how would you get to work, and more importantly, back home? :rolleyes:

Aaanyway, here are just a few photos from out my windows early this morning.

Ah, the amber lights:

http://up.edesignuk.com/files/2/images/Snow Feb 09/snowFeb09b_thumb.jpg (http://up.edesignuk.com/files/2/images/Snow Feb 09/snowFeb09b.jpg) - http://up.edesignuk.com/files/2/images/Snow Feb 09/snowFeb09d_thumb.jpg (http://up.edesignuk.com/files/2/images/Snow Feb 09/snowFeb09d.jpg)
back:
http://up.edesignuk.com/files/2/images/Snow Feb 09/snowFeb09e_thumb.jpg (http://up.edesignuk.com/files/2/images/Snow Feb 09/snowFeb09e.jpg) - http://up.edesignuk.com/files/2/images/Snow Feb 09/snowFeb09g_thumb.jpg (http://up.edesignuk.com/files/2/images/Snow Feb 09/snowFeb09g.jpg)

and one with the sun up:
http://up.edesignuk.com/files/2/images/Snow Feb 09/snowFeb09k_thumb.jpg (http://up.edesignuk.com/files/2/images/Snow Feb 09/snowFeb09k.jpg)

ajthomason

Feb 2, 2009, 03:11 AM

Finally! It's the first proper snow in about 5 years for me down in Dorset. Reports are coming through of closed roads and people skidding off everywhere.

We're just not ready for it in England because it rarely happens - sure some parts of the world have worse than this most days, but that doesn't mean we all have snow chains to put on the cars etc.

dalvin200

Feb 2, 2009, 03:23 AM

london is obviously worse affected than nottingham this morning..
we've got about 2-3 inches of snow which i cleared from our cars and the driveway this morning (no need to go to the gym now!! lol)

i must say the council did a fantastic job of gritting the roads though!! all the main roads and M1 were absolutely clear (on my route anyway)...

its still snowing a bit, so hopefully the journey home is as painless as the journey in :p

Much Ado

Feb 2, 2009, 03:29 AM

SNOW DAY!

Dear God, it's like Narnia out there.

OllyW

Feb 2, 2009, 03:38 AM

design-is

Feb 2, 2009, 03:42 AM

I'm a Londoner too! It's great :D Trains are cancelled, buses suspended, oh no... I can't go to work!!! :rolleyes:

Got about a foot of the lovely white stuff settled in the garden after a long of night undisturbed snow.

mbpnewbie

Feb 2, 2009, 03:42 AM

Looks like I'm not going anywhere today....
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r87/JDPhotography_2007/IMG_2824.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r87/JDPhotography_2007/IMG_2823.jpg

djellison

Feb 2, 2009, 03:42 AM

In urban parts of England snow means a day off, the lucky sods. .

I"m in Leicester. The roads are clear, the roofs and cars have 3 inches or so.

I will go to work, do my job, and come home.

And seriously - you don't need snow chains. You need a brain, and some patience. Chains make it a little easier, sure, but you can still get around, safely, if you use a little bit of common sense.

The media are making out it's The Day After Tomorrow out there. :rolleyes:

design-is

Feb 2, 2009, 03:47 AM

Best / most snow in 18 years! (apparently)

Doctor Doom

Feb 2, 2009, 03:49 AM

We've got about an inch and a half in the Black Country, not as bad as it was a few weeks ago but it's still snowing.

I've just rode to work on my bike, it was great cycling along the canal on fresh virgin snow. :)

Damn. only an inch and a half:confused: Their getting at least 7 inches in East London, all the drug dealing has ground to a halt:rolleyes::D

JG271

Feb 2, 2009, 03:55 AM

Its heavy here in Surrey! Schools are closed (incl my 6th form:D)

Probably 8 inches in some places.
Here are some pictures:

Peterkro

Feb 2, 2009, 04:03 AM

Baah, very slight dusting in south Gloucestershire although it may reach here tonight. It's snowed a bit in large areas of the U.K. but by no means everywhere.

raggedjimmi

Feb 2, 2009, 04:25 AM

People in the UK shouldn't get a day of work simply because there's a tiny bit of snow. Seriously, there are school kids in certain parts of the world whom be going to school until the outdoor temps drop to -35°C!! I'm thinking there's gonna be reports on the news regarding careless drivers who've skidded off the road!!! LOL!!

As for me, well.. There could be fifty feet of snow in England, I still have to work!! Damn it... There's no getting away from it unless we suffer a massive blackout, my UPS dies and the internet freezes over!! :eek:

But as others have said we're simply not equipped for it. Even after gritters have gone up and down the roads all night it's still a slippery slide fest. Many roads around here simply get closed because they're too steep and too slippery, even my pops after his 30 years of driving in all conditions all over the world had trouble when the Arctic weather hit back in December.
Our school also had to close on numerous occasions because pipes would freeze etc. It wasn't a common occurrence but if it was a particularly nasty winter the whole place would shut down.

ps. You don't need to add that tag to all your pics y'know.

------
And it continued. Stuff is really deep here now. Road is unusable and kids are attempting to sledge down it. Kids already in the field at the back and waking me up after 4 hours sleep :D ah well, best they enjoy it before it melts!

The real ho-hah starts tonight at 6pm according to the BBC.

drummerlondonw3

Feb 2, 2009, 04:30 AM

its brilliant I was out last night at midnight (trying) to make a snowman with my girlfriend, will try and upload a picture later

Loving the snow, oh and we have the day off too!!!
:D:D:D:D;)

D:apple:

Queso

Feb 2, 2009, 04:58 AM

Took a few pics whilst walking into the office this morning. Taken with a camera phone, so forgive the crappy quality, but it's like Dickens out there :)

155856
The RAF church on The Strand, with the Law Courts in the background

155858
Bedford Square in Bloomsbury

155859
Classic London phone box outside the British Museum

155860
...and I don't think they'll be moving today either ;)

EDIT : © Me, BTW ;)

Domanic

Feb 2, 2009, 04:59 AM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3247226968_728eb438e8.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3100/3246400035_403323a52b.jpg

My college is the only one in the area that is open :(

remmy

Feb 2, 2009, 05:02 AM

New sofa...

Stepper

Feb 2, 2009, 05:04 AM

Damn. only an inch and a half:confused: Their getting at least 7 inches in East London, all the drug dealing has ground to a halt:rolleyes::D

Loool, thats the funniest thing I've ever read on here....:D

I walked through Finsbury Park this morning on the way to work and the snow must be atleast a foot deep....the funniest thing is some people are trying to ride bicycles THROUGH the snow :confused::confused:

Im just waiting for my manager to call me and tell me to go home....no point in work today me thinks...no ones even in lol

garybUK

Feb 2, 2009, 05:43 AM

i must of cleared about 6-7 inches off my car this morning, drove to work no problem, its still snowing here and said to get worse up here later on this afternoon, does it stop me going to work? Nope, i guess we get it more often up here than they do daaaaan saaaaarf !! :)

People using it as a excuse to be lazy if you ask me :P

SpookTheHamster

Feb 2, 2009, 05:48 AM

It took me about 5 minutes to FIND my car this morning in the car park, then another 15 to dig it out! It must have been at least 5 inches when I woke up and it's still going.

On my way out to work, I passed the snowplough/gritter - which was broken down. The rest of the journey until the motorway was deep snow. That was a lot of fun in my tiny RWD car.

garybUK

Feb 2, 2009, 05:49 AM

Took a few pics whilst walking into the office this morning. Taken with a camera phone, so forgive the crappy quality, but it's like Dickens out there :)

155856
The RAF church on The Strand, with the Law Courts in the background

155858
Bedford Square in Bloomsbury

155859
Classic London phone box outside the British Museum

OMG how beautiful do they look, it's like london in the Victorian times :)

D*I*S_Frontman

Feb 2, 2009, 05:53 AM

Interestingly, London's latitude is further north than Minneapolis, Minnesota. I guess it's nice to be an island surrounded by warming currents.

I live in a suburb of Chicago. For 30 out of 31 days this January the temperature did not reach 0ºC (32ºF) at any point. Several morning lows in the -20ºC range, -30ºC with the wind-chill factor.

As for snowfall, check out this graph:
http://home.att.net/~chicago_climo/CHI0809.gif

Yep, my Old World friends, that's 45 inches already this year. And with unrelenting cold that means not a lot of melt-off.

On January 16th, we were colder than the North Pole.

garybUK

Feb 2, 2009, 06:04 AM

we are on about the same latitude as Russia, i think Moscow is 55 and London is 51 and Manchester 53. It's the gulf stream current that keeps the island warm and temporal climate.

Jaffa Cake

Feb 2, 2009, 06:08 AM

we are on about the same latitude as Russia, i think Moscow is 55 and London is 51 and Manchester 53. It's the gulf stream current that keeps the island warm and temporal climate.Indeed – and a concern about climate change is that it'll stop the gulf stream bringing us it's warming air, making snowy and wintery conditions much more commonplace in the UK.

WinterMute

Feb 2, 2009, 06:12 AM

Indeed – and a concern about climate change is that it'll stop the gulf stream bringing us it's warming air, making snowy and wintery conditions much more commonplace in the UK.

The current paleoclimatology thinking is that the last time the gulf stream (and the warm Atlantic currents) shifted South, England was under a kilometre of ice inside 100 years....

Makes global warming look like an attractive proposition doesn't it?

Cold brings famine.

NoobMac

Feb 2, 2009, 06:21 AM

east london is now very happy. P:

left my iphone in the car.. has some good pictures..

drlunanerd

Feb 2, 2009, 06:49 AM

east london is now very happy. P:

left my iphone in the car.. has some good pictures..

Left iPhone in car + live in East London = bye bye iPhone ;):D

In Saarf Laandon it's really thick snow now.

spoon man

Feb 2, 2009, 08:51 AM

It's just stopped here in Brum (Birmingham,uk) its been snowing since about 1am.It was a bit heavy earlyer but whilst i'm typeing its starting again :) i think snow is pretty kick ass.

raggedjimmi

Feb 2, 2009, 09:11 AM

Still going mad at it here. Had to venture into the garage for some drinks before and was a nightmare opening the doors (they're side opening things). And now the snows filled itself back in!

Tom B.

Feb 2, 2009, 09:35 AM

It's now officially the most that it has snowed in London during my lifetime.

My cat is seriously scared right now. She's never really seen more than a tiny bit of snow.

And there's no way that I will be able to make it to my college in South Kensington tomorrow morning by 9! How... unfortunate.

iJohnHenry

Feb 2, 2009, 09:44 AM

Probably 8 inches in some places.

Here are some pictures:

I think we have our winner. :)

northernmunky

Feb 2, 2009, 10:06 AM

Well, just outside London in sunny Bracknell I woke up to this:

http://web.mac.com/jfanthorpe/IMG_6109.jpg

http://web.mac.com/jfanthorpe/IMG_6112.jpg

http://web.mac.com/jfanthorpe/IMG_6118.jpg

http://web.mac.com/jfanthorpe/IMG_6120.jpg

http://web.mac.com/jfanthorpe/IMG_6121.jpg

http://web.mac.com/jfanthorpe/IMG_6129.jpg

http://web.mac.com/jfanthorpe/IMG_6132.jpg

http://web.mac.com/jfanthorpe/IMG_6136.jpg

;)

Abstract

Feb 2, 2009, 10:19 AM

Nice photos. :)

LouisBlack

Feb 2, 2009, 10:25 AM

Unexpected bank holiday for my family as the northern line was very flaky this morning. There was about 100 people queuing to get on to the platform and once on the platform two trains came along in 25 minutes and were completely full.

My cat is refusing to go out so we had to find his old litter tray to use inside. Admittedly the snow goes up to his belly so it must be pretty horrible for him.

Marble

Feb 2, 2009, 10:33 AM

Hehe. Been snowing for a while here in Norwich, but it hasn't managed to accumulate much. Not as bad yet as early November last year when we got a freak few inches of snow all at once.

alFR

Feb 2, 2009, 12:04 PM

Not much here (Wirral), although it's still dusting down lightly as I type. Roads certainly aren't really affected.

mbpnewbie

Feb 2, 2009, 12:34 PM

it has finally quit snowing! at least in esher.... had a fun day sliding down my road on a sledge hopefully public transport in and around the area works tomorrow... I have some work to do in london that I don't want to put off another day

iGav

Feb 2, 2009, 12:44 PM

Well, just outside London in sunny Bracknell I woke up to this:

http://web.mac.com/jfanthorpe/IMG_6120.jpg

http://web.mac.com/jfanthorpe/IMG_6121.jpg

http://web.mac.com/jfanthorpe/IMG_6129.jpg

;)

You live in Birch Hill. ;)

JG271

Feb 2, 2009, 12:58 PM

I think we have our winner. :)

Thanks!:) Looks like we got the most snow. It isn't going anywhere either, apparently - although not set to continue snowing. Should all be gone by wednesday. I guess you must be used to snow in Canada, but this is the most snow i've ever seen in Britain!

raggedjimmi

Feb 2, 2009, 01:16 PM

Thanks!:) Looks like we got the most snow. It isn't going anywhere either, apparently - although not set to continue snowing. Should all be gone by wednesday. I guess you must be used to snow in Canada, but this is the most snow i've ever seen in Britain!

Maybe darn sarf, up here we're getting the brunt of this snowstorm in the next 24 hours and then some more on Thursday (along with Wales apparently). No end in sight for us :(
Or is that :)
I love the snow but not the little brats it brings out throwing snowballs.

northernmunky

Feb 2, 2009, 01:28 PM

You live in Birch Hill. ;)

just don't tell me you've spent the last several hours on Google Earth pinpointing my location! ;)

EvanLugh

Feb 2, 2009, 01:39 PM

I posted a photo to radio and they published it front page :o

northy124

Feb 2, 2009, 02:05 PM

Down near Truro (in Cornwall) I got an inch, yes an inch and considering we get like 0 Snow this is huge :D

My dog loves snow now :D

richardjames

Feb 2, 2009, 02:12 PM

I had a few sketchy hill starts in my car but otherwise no drama. Unfortunately, although it has snowed almost solidly all day there is very little snow actually settled on the ground :(

apersianboyCOM

Feb 2, 2009, 02:13 PM

I live in south east London (Sutton!). Last night it snowed a little bit but today it was at least 15 inches thick!

Images on left are of last night, on right are from today!

DYER

Feb 2, 2009, 02:19 PM

Many a photo from kingston upon thames on it's way from me in the next couple of hours
:D

iJohnHenry

Feb 2, 2009, 02:20 PM

Yep, my Old World friends, that's 45 inches already this year. And with unrelenting cold that means not a lot of melt-off.

On January 16th, we were colder than the North Pole.

Piffle, I say. :p

We have had 137 cm, or 54 in, as of Jan. 31st. :eek:

EDIT: Hey, the record year is '39, the winter of which I was born. http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/MouseMeat/Smilies/backoff.gif

Link. (http://www.nowpublic.com/environment/winter-hell-toronto-snowfall-may-break-70-year-old-record)

iGav

Feb 2, 2009, 02:29 PM

just don't tell me you've spent the last several hours on Google Earth pinpointing my location! ;)

:p :p :p

That's my primary school, that part of the building on the left was my first classroom. ;)

The second photo is just outside what used to be Forbuoys (but is now Martin's I believe?).

I used to walk over that bridge on South Lake, every morning on the way to school. ;)

And that's how I know. ;)

Jaffa Cake

Feb 2, 2009, 02:32 PM

Maybe darn sarf, up here we're getting the brunt of this snowstorm in the next 24 hours...However, it won't make the top headline on the national news once the Great Southern Thaw sets in. ;)

snberk103

Feb 2, 2009, 02:55 PM

On behalf of the Northern latitudes, I would like to welcome London to winter. Take advantage of the opportunities to build snow-people, and snow forts, have snowball fights, etc etc. Its a lot of fun. For a bit. Then it gets tedious. But, just remember that - however unusual it is for you - the rest of the Northern Latitudes go through this every year.

Cheers from Canada

Libitina

Feb 2, 2009, 02:57 PM

You live in Birch Hill. ;)
So does my Nan. Small world innit.

I got out of the place 15 years ago. Phew! ;)

iGav

Feb 2, 2009, 03:15 PM

I got out of the place 15 years ago. Phew! ;)

Just over 19 for me... ;)

Though I have to admit... I really miss mountain biking around the fire trails in all that woodland on the other side of the Nine Mile Ride... :(

D*I*S_Frontman

Feb 2, 2009, 06:31 PM

Piffle, I say. :p

We have had 137 cm, or 54 in, as of Jan. 31st. :eek:

EDIT: Hey, the record year is '39, the winter of which I was born. http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/MouseMeat/Smilies/backoff.gif

Link. (http://www.nowpublic.com/environment/winter-hell-toronto-snowfall-may-break-70-year-old-record)

I know better than to get in a "my winter is bad" discussion with a Canadian. You win, sir.

I would wager that, snowfall-wise, we'd both be bested by someone from Buffalo, NY. They get pounded with 100+ inches of largely lake-effect snowfall every year, don't they?

Also, to all you Limeys I would say enjoy it while is lasts (or "whilst it tarries"?). I am originally from Wisconsin and winter is by far my favorite time of year. It's like God drops 100 tons ("tonnes"?) of modeling clay on your front lawn! We used to have colossal snow fights, build forts and snowmen, and even play American Football in arctic -57ºC (-70ºF) wind chill temps. Wisconsin boys use activities in extremely cold temps to test our courage and toughness!

I have to say that while I know the British Isles possess a rather mild climate, I thought that you got at least a few good 1-2 snows per year. Every film version of "A Christmas Carol" always shows snow on the ground, and the few times I've read Dickens I always got that imagery as well.

Yet another way television has lied to me...

The B&W pictures are beautiful, BTW.

snberk103

Feb 2, 2009, 06:51 PM

I know better than to get in a "my winter is bad" discussion with a Canadian. You win, sir.

I would wager that, snowfall-wise, we'd both be bested by someone from Buffalo, NY. They get pounded with 100+ inches of largely lake-effect snowfall every year, don't they?

... snip snip....
The B&W pictures are beautiful, BTW.

Houghton, Michigan gets 208 inches/528 cm of snow a year. My friend moved there, and he claimed it was the snowiest place in the USA. I can't confirm that, but I visited him in the winter, and people were throwing their snow from the driveway out to the far corners of their lawn to make room for more snow. They say there are two season's there, "Winter's here, and Winter's coming". Then my friend moves to Fernie, BC in Canada. They get something like 30 feet of snow some winters... someone else can do the metric conversion.

Now he lives on the coast of BC, where he misses the snow. Crazy man.

Tom B.

Feb 2, 2009, 06:54 PM

I have to say that while I know the British Isles possess a rather mild climate, I thought that you got at least a few good 1-2 snows per year. Every film version of "A Christmas Carol" always shows snow on the ground, and the few times I've read Dickens I always got that imagery as well.

Yet another way television has lied to me...

;) Television wasn't lying:

"Dickens' era was at the end of an extremely cold period meteorologists have dubbed ''the little ice age'' which lasted from 1400 until the 1850s. In the early part of the century, the River Thames froze over 20 times. In the 180 years since it has not frozen over once. Dickens, as much as anyone, has helped to freeze an image of Christmas that is more 1812 than 1984. Clement Moore picked up on the frosty atmosphere in his poem ''The Night Before Christmas'' but these days, it's still that 1942 Irving Berlin tune ''White Christmas'' which captures - and spreads - the feeling of nostalgia and peace that has made snow such a sought-after commodity around the end of December"

http://www.enter.net/~wxdata/1984-7.htm

skunk

Feb 2, 2009, 07:20 PM

Ham Common

155981

raggedjimmi

Feb 2, 2009, 07:26 PM

joepunk

Feb 3, 2009, 03:17 AM

At least i hardly ever see this from those of you across the pond

Two buses full of students tried to go down icy Thomas Street on Capitol Hill in Seattle, and almost ended up on the freeway. News reports said there were only a few minor injuries. It could have been a lot worse.

raggedjimmi

Feb 3, 2009, 05:19 AM

Eh, morning papers are saying theres more snow on the way especially in the Pennines. BBC Weather says we're free from it all now.

Looks lovely out though but the suns popped out too :o

Pixellated

Feb 3, 2009, 05:40 AM

I could get used to these 4 day weekends, with my school being closed for the last 2 days. :p
Sun is now out here too. Doubt I'll get a day off tomorrow though.

RedTomato

Feb 3, 2009, 05:47 AM

Two days off work for me. Not as much fun as it looks as it's cos my daughter's school is closed too, so means I have to stay home and look after her.

Office was closed yesterday (monday) as all buses cancelled and all london tube closed outside zone 2 (where they run overground) meant building staff couldn't get to work. We had one reception guy (a building keyholder) who walked 3 hours to get to work, only to find it was closed for the day. Poor guy.

Office is open today, partner gone off to work, but I gotta stay home today to look after my daughter. Lots of schools still closed today, means lots of UK staff still off work. Streets are very icy today. We have one staffer with a weak ankle, we advised her not to come to work today cos of the risk of slipping on the ice.

I built a small snowman at 2am on Sunday night (monday morning) then built a bigger one with my daughter at 9am on Monday morning :)

Might post pics later. I don't usually post pics on MR.

It's amusing that 5mm of snow is usually enough to bring the UK to a halt, compared to NY, Canada, Germany, and other countries. Problem is it only happens one or 2 days a year, so not worth spending billions on equipment, and stockpiling it for 363 days a year (there isn't much spare space for vast amounts of unused equipment here).

To the Cornwall guy - I grew up near Penzance, right at the tip. I remember it snowed most winters when I was a kid, but not for the last 25 years it hasn't.

Winters really have changed. There's a few reports in the papers saying that snow like this in London used to be NORMAL every winter in the fairly recent past (30-40 years ago) - but not any more apparently.

I've just come back from my second mid-winter visit to Stockhom, Sweden, and they are saying there is really much less snow than there used to be. Used to be meters of snow, but last two years, none at all in midwinter. The lakes and streams aren't freezing, and you used to be able to walk over them.

I don't like the phrase 'global warming' - I prefer 'climate change' and while this particular winter could just be natural variability, all the different reports of altered climate do start adding up.

x RT x

BoyBach

Feb 3, 2009, 05:52 AM

It's currently throwing it down outside. It's bloody beautiful!

Lau

Feb 3, 2009, 06:09 AM

I thought this (http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/feb/03/london-snow-weather) was a splendid article about the snow in London, and the wonderful feeling you get anywhere in the UK when it snows.

OllyW

Feb 3, 2009, 06:15 AM

It's currently throwing it down outside. It's bloody beautiful!

Where in Wales are you?

MattyK

Feb 3, 2009, 06:28 AM

BoyBach

Feb 3, 2009, 06:30 AM

Where in Wales are you?

A little village called Cwm, it's about 40 minutes north of Cardiff.

northy124

Feb 3, 2009, 07:08 AM

To the Cornwall guy - I grew up near Penzance, right at the tip. I remember it snowed most winters when I was a kid, but not for the last 25 years it hasn't.
It is covered there apparently :D

And it started again here :D just come back in as I am freezing.

iBlue

Feb 3, 2009, 07:10 AM

A little village called Cwm, it's about 40 minutes north of Cardiff.

How do you even pronounce that? Bloody Welsh. :p

drlunanerd

Feb 3, 2009, 07:14 AM

How do you even pronounce that? Bloody Welsh. :p

Cwm On Feel The Noize ;)

arkitect

Feb 3, 2009, 07:14 AM

How do you even pronounce that? Bloody Welsh. :p

I can think of two ways… and they both sound rude.
:o

BoyBach

Feb 3, 2009, 09:48 AM

How do you even pronounce that? Bloody Welsh. :p

"Coombe" sounds close enough.

Snow update: It's stopped! (I just witnessed some snow fall from a tree branch and land on the neighbours cat! Happily the cat is unhurt, but I've never seen him bolt so fast! :D)

RedTomato

Feb 3, 2009, 10:32 AM

It is covered there apparently :D

And it started again here :D just come back in as I am freezing.

Fab, must get somebody in PZ to send me a photo :) Mind out on the cliff paths :eek:

Is that smelly creek in the middle of Truro frozen over?

x RT x

northy124

Feb 3, 2009, 10:38 AM

Is that smelly creek in the middle of Truro frozen over?
It isn't there:eek: they removed it in favour of well a Plaza, it has changed a lot :D

But the river just looks like mud with ice sticking in and out of it:confused:

Keebler

Feb 3, 2009, 10:53 AM

How do you even pronounce that? Bloody Welsh. :p

lmao that is so true!

I visited Cardiff back in 98'ish for work and I couldn't understand most of the conversations. I thought about getting really drunk so maybe it would slow down my hearing and be able to understand (not saying that all Welsh folks are drunks btw). I'll never forget that dumbfounded feeling that I should be understanding them b/c they're English speaking yet I couldn't.

As for the rest of the folks in the UK, enjoy the time off and the snow. Snap lots of pics and take lots of video. I think sometimes Mamma Nature just sends this weather to do 2 things:

1. remind us of who is really in charge on this planet and

2. gives us a reason to slow down the 'busy' life and enjoy.

cheers,
keebler

steviem

Feb 3, 2009, 10:59 AM

Pretty Great

Feb 3, 2009, 11:28 AM

This is the first time it has snowed this much since 1991. It's awesome. Even better - it delayed Stephen Fry's talk, so now I can make it :D

drlunanerd

Feb 3, 2009, 12:05 PM

I hope someone said 'Hold on lads, I've got a great idea!'

:D nice one. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7845533.stm)

http://www.rsc.org/images/italianjob-375_tcm18-136393.JPG

DiamondMac

Feb 5, 2009, 12:37 AM

Is that uncommon or something?

Being in Chicago now, it snows all the damn time and if it isn't snowing, snow is still everywhere from past days of snowfall

UltraNEO*

Feb 5, 2009, 04:10 AM

LOL all you like but this area is not equipped for this. This is not "a little bit of snow", it is the most that has been seen in 18 years. It's AT LEAST 6 inches here and still falling. Driving is completely unreasonable and the public transport is almost completely crippled from this. Tell me, how would you get to work, and more importantly, back home? :rolleyes:

Nah, not so long ago, the UK was once a snowy country. Every winter there used to be many inches of snow drifting in, occasional covering the landmark redpilla boxes. I remember as a child, the snow used to come up to my thighs and people in my city still went to work like it's business as usual, kids still went to school. The only things that seems to of changed today, despite having better cars and more advance technology, are the people's mindset. It seems we're living in a country filled with cotten-wool kids, babied by the lame British government and silly European laws.

For those who think the British technology isn't up to it.. well.. our technology is just as advance as yours; it comes from the same place.. And I'd imagine people in Scotland would cope just fine, think of Wick, bet they get snow all the time! But those southern fairies all stopped in shock of the white fluffy stuff. What gives?

As for me, well I'm as British as you are, I'm born in the UK right in the hear of the Midlands. It's only been two years since I left. Mostly so I can work more hours, get paid more and pay less income tax... Those EU directives about how many hours I'm allowed to work, bugs me. So much so, I left!

raggedjimmi

Feb 5, 2009, 04:48 AM

Eh, I was watching some news show thingy about the snow, and they were saying the reason why England grinds to a halt is because we don't put the resources into getting rid of, or just through the stuff during snow days because they happen 2-5/365 days a year.

But still. The buggers back with a vengeance this morning! Pops car left the drive about 15 minutes ago and the snow has already covered up the tracks. And apparently we've got heavy stuff on Sunday.

remmy

Feb 5, 2009, 05:00 AM

dubhe

Feb 5, 2009, 05:14 AM

I'm from 'darn sarth' but working up in the lochs west of Glasgow. Snow won't settle here, just slush everywhere, no fun :mad:

bartelby

Feb 5, 2009, 05:27 AM

garybUK

Feb 5, 2009, 08:13 AM

I think a lot of people are starting to take the michael with all this snow now though, it's not impossible to get to work it's people being lazy. Why are all these kids off causing havock? get them back in school NOW!.

Stampyhead

Feb 5, 2009, 08:18 AM

;) Television wasn't lying:

"Dickens' era was at the end of an extremely cold period meteorologists have dubbed ''the little ice age'' which lasted from 1400 until the 1850s. In the early part of the century, the River Thames froze over 20 times. In the 180 years since it has not frozen over once. Dickens, as much as anyone, has helped to freeze an image of Christmas that is more 1812 than 1984. Clement Moore picked up on the frosty atmosphere in his poem ''The Night Before Christmas'' but these days, it's still that 1942 Irving Berlin tune ''White Christmas'' which captures - and spreads - the feeling of nostalgia and peace that has made snow such a sought-after commodity around the end of December"

http://www.enter.net/~wxdata/1984-7.htm

Ah, that explains it. I've been doing some reading on the life of King Henry VIII. Supposedly when he was king the Thames would freeze over every year and they would have a winter market on top of the ice. It's hard to imagine that now!

iBlue

Feb 5, 2009, 10:24 AM

Nah, not so long ago, the UK was once a snowy country. Every winter there used to be many inches of snow drifting in, occasional covering the landmark redpilla boxes. I remember as a child, the snow used to come up to my thighs and people in my city still went to work like it's business as usual, kids still went to school. The only things that seems to of changed today, despite having better cars and more advance technology, are the people's mindset. It seems we're living in a country filled with cotten-wool kids, babied by the lame British government and silly European laws.

For those who think the British technology isn't up to it.. well.. our technology is just as advance as yours; it comes from the same place.. And I'd imagine people in Scotland would cope just fine, think of Wick, bet they get snow all the time! But those southern fairies all stopped in shock of the white fluffy stuff. What gives?

As for me, well I'm as British as you are, I'm born in the UK right in the hear of the Midlands. It's only been two years since I left. Mostly so I can work more hours, get paid more and pay less income tax... Those EU directives about how many hours I'm allowed to work, bugs me. So much so, I left!
I am sure things could be worked out so that there is little to no interruption from transport and our councils could budget themselves more road-clearing and gritters, etc, but we would be paying the higher ticket prices and council tax for it. Personally I'd rather a few days of chaos and keep the already high prices as they are rather than pay for the rarity of weather like this. It may have been like this years ago (and I don't know if the area was more prepared then or not) but it doesn't seem to be any more. Weather is just weird all over the place now though so who knows what the best course of action will end up being over time.

I'm not as british as you are but I am just as relocated - I'm a Californian expat married to an englishman. ;) Out of curiosity, what brought you to Kinki, Japan?