Brrr its feeling cold

Hello weather blog post fans!  

So the SNOW is coming. The first snow of winter has hit the south of England, as forecasters warn more is expected to fall during this week.  Snow, has already fallen in parts of Scotland, Wales and the north of England in recent days, and reached as far south as Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire on Sunday night.

Charles Powell, forecaster at the Met Office, said: “Colder winds will be pushing their way through from the east from Scandinavia on Wednesday. This will bring rain and a bit of snow along the eastern coast, possibly as far south as East Anglia.”

Temperatures are expected to dip to around 28F (-2C) overnight on Wednesday and Thursday, with light winds forecast.   Friday rain is expected to return to much of the country, and there is a risk of widespread ice.

Severe weather warnings for much of the UK have been issued by the Met Office, with alerts for ice, hailstorms and thunder across much of the country as rain continues and temperatures start to fall.   Environment Agency has issued more than 140 flood alerts and 10 more serious flood warnings in the south west, which mean flooding is expected and immediate action is required.

In Oxford, I imagine it is not time to reach for a sleigh, but maybe just some warm gloves!

Image: Laura L Orchard

First weather related blog post of 2014!

The weather has certainly been dominating the news lately.  I have been gripped by the 'Polar Vortex', which has hit the US.  And I have been all about the stormy weather in the UK.  In particular, I have been fascinated by the huge waves which have been battering the coastline.  

However, the weather in the UK is set to change.  We will move away from the rainy weather of recent weeks to wintry conditions.  Monday will see the start of the wintry conditions with cold air coming in from the US.  However, do not panic forecasters have stressed we will not experience the sub zero temperatures which have hit the US.

The Met Office predicts an increasing risk of snow, mainly over hills, and ice.

Spokesperson Laura Young said: “Into the weekend and next week we are going to see temperatures return to normal levels for this time of year which will make it feel a lot colder and bring a risk of frost, fog, and wintry showers."

December 1 is officially the beginning of winter, but the last six weeks have proved unseasonable, with temperatures in double figures and last month the eight warmest December on record.

“We have had a very mild start to our winter and I think that people might get a bit of a shock next week,” Young said.

The temperature is expected to drop to average for January – around 4C.

So it is time to (hopefully) put away those waterproof trousers and wellington boots and time to reach for the woolly hat and socks.

Please feel free to be in touch with your British weather related experiences, we would love to hear them!

Winter Weather

Grab your mittens, get your woolly hat at the ready and your hot water bottle out. Winter weather is heading our way!

Britain is set to see the first low-level snow of the year this week as bitter Arctic winds bring decreasing temperatures accompanied by rain, sleet and snow.  We are expected to have at least two weeks of near-freezing conditions, making November up to 3C colder than last year. Temperatures through the week will be much lower than recently and generally below the November average.  It will struggle to get up to four or five degrees and during the nights temperatures will be below zero quite widely, meaning frost across most places.

Scotland is most likely to see snow today.  Further wintry showers are expected to move south as the week progresses.

A metrogroup forecaster has said: "Into the week ahead, it will remain cold but there will probably be dry weather in most areas. At the moment we're not seeing much snow; there may be some but not any significant amount of that would settle. It will be cold for quite a long prolonged period, certainly through to next week."

The Met Office has sought to play down concerns regarding an impending 'Snowmaggeddon', explaining calmly that a bit of snow at the end of November into December is not unusual.  In recent years Britain has seen its fair share of snow, but nothing to really compare with the awful winters of the past.  Perhaps the last example of a really landmark awful winter was the December of 1978 and early months of 1979.

To feel positively warmed by this week's weather, check out winters of the past as selected by 'The Independent' here.

A British Obsession: The Weather

The British are fascinated by the weather.  It’s a typical feature of daily small talk for all.  Popular phrases peppering daily conversation include:

 “It’s breezy today!”, “There is a chill in the air”, “It’s just tipping it down”, “It’s blowing a gale”.

“Do you know what the weather will be like today?” is one of the most well-used weather phrases.  And indeed, the weather forecast plays a significant role in the UK.     Michael Fish MBE is one the UK’s best know British weather forecaster.  He became infamous in the wake of the Great Storm of 1987.  On 15 October 1987, a few hours before the storm hit, he infamously said during a forecast: “Earlier on today, apparently, a woman rang the BBC and said she heard there was a hurricane on the way... well, if you're watching, don't worry, there isn't!”. That evening, the worst storm to hit South East England since 1703 caused record damage and killed 18 people.

The UK is often characterised as a damp and windy island with unusually changeable weather. Recent weather here has done little to dispel this impression.  This week heavy downpours and gale force winds caused flooding across the South West.  There are warnings that five inches worth of rain, the equivalent of one month's worth, would fall.  Scotland too is experiencing heavy rain and strong winds, causing flooding and transport disruption.

The Oxford Dictionaries blog have compiled a list of unusual meteorological terms to describe some very specific weather conditions. So, next time you want to join in weather small talk consider using one of the following words:

airish
Now chiefly Scottish and U.S. regional (south. and south Midland). Of weather: cool, fresh, breezy, chilly.

dreich
Scottish. (especially of weather) dreary; bleak.

letty
Now English regional (Somerset). That lets or hinders. Chiefly of weather: making outdoor work difficult; rainy.

maumy
Scottish and English regional (chiefly north.).  Mellow; soft and insipid; (of weather) mild, humid.

mizzle
Chiefly dialect. Light rain; drizzle.

mochy
Scottish and Irish English (north.).Damp, moist. Of weather: damp and misty; muggy.

Here continues the summer sun!

Good news, the fine summer is set to continue as we head into September. Forecasters are predicting a late burst of summer sunshine and warm weather as Britain heads into autumn. The UK has enjoyed its warmest, driest and sunniest summer since 2006, according to Met Office figures. For south-east England and East Anglia this will be the driest summer since 1995.

Over the weekend those in the south enjoyed temperatures which reached 22C allowing families to make the most of the good weather on Britain's beaches and parks before returning back to school. But it is looking even more glorious for this week, with parts of the country expected to reach highs of 28C,

Helen Rossington, a forecaster for MeteoGroup, the Press Association's weather division, said: "You don't get an Indian summer until you have already had a frost, but it is going to be warm and we will see temperatures possibly go up to 28C on Wednesday and Thursday.

"While it is going to be nice in the south, it's not looking great for the north, west Wales and Northern Ireland, where conditions are expected to be cooler and cloudier and temperatures will only get up to 19C.

"Things will go a bit downhill towards the end of the week, with unsettled conditions and thunder and rain moving up from the south." Oh no!!!

Oxford looks glorious in the sunshine, enjoy it this week:

Source: The Guardian
Photograph: Martyn J Whelton

Classic Bank Holiday weather ahead...

So it's weather watch time at OISE Oxford as we fast approach the long weekend. And in keeping with the finest British traditions the August Bank Holiday weekend weather is set to be wet. 

It is strongly advised that the 14 million people who are predicted to take to the roads for an end-of-summer getaway, should pack an umbrella and a rain mac. Perhaps, it's best to play it safe and plan indoor activities especially for Saturday...

However, it is not all bad news, those who are heading to the south west and Wales should be a-okay. According to forecasters central and eastern areas are likely to see the worst of the rain

Monday is likely to be the best of the days with an area of high pressure bringing with it warmer and more settled weather. (Kindly note, all OISE Oxford students the school will be open as normal on Monday, you will have soak up the Bank Holiday vibe and sun during your lunch break).

Despite the changeable conditions, temperatures throughout the weekend are likely to remain in the low 20s for most of the country with some areas in the south seeing 23C or 24C.

Happy Bank Holiday!

 Source: The Telegraph, The Independent

We are all going on a Summer Holiday

OISE Oxford enjoys having it pulse on British weather related news stories, and today there is a breaking good news weather story... its going to be fairly warm this week.

Britain looks set to enjoy temperatures up to 27C this week after forecasters revised last week’s estimate that June was to feature "typical" English summer of driving rain and cold winds.  The Met Office now predict a heatwave that will bring the hottest day of the year as thermometers reach 27C on Wednesday.

"This is going to be a warm week and Wednesday will easily be the hottest day of the year so far," a Met Office spokesman said, adding that the sudden change of fortune has been caused by a stretch of good weather on the Continent.

The Met Office reports, "We are going to see warmer air, but it’s not going to be unbroken sunshine and it’s going to be very humid as well. If the sun breaks through we could see 25 or 26 degrees tomorrow."

Excitingly for weather nerds and everyone in the OISE Oxford Office the Met Office has organised a summit to discuss seasonal variability at their headquarters in Exeter tomorrow.

The meeting will see leading meteorologists and scientists consider the reasons for phenomena including the summer floods in 2012, the freezing winter of 2010 and the widespread snow in May this year. I am in eager anticipation for the results and I am certain there will be a blog post to follow regarding this!

 

Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/summer-turning-up-the-heat-at-last--but-watch-out-for-the-thunderstorms-8661748.html

 
 

Weather Woes

The British obsession with the weather is in full flow this month, and especially mine, as we suffer particularly unseasonal weather for May.

Today's weather forecast is a thoroughly depressing read. For southern England it offers the following:

Today

Any brightness will be temporary as cloud thickens to bring outbreaks of rain from the southwest. This afternoon the rain will become persistent, and locally heavy across southern areas. Becoming windy later, gales likely along the south coast. Cold everywhere.

Tonight

Windy, with coastal gales likely. Rain , locally heavy, will move away northeastwards. Cloudy conditions with further spells of rain will follow, the rain heaviest across western areas.

'Thickening cloud', 'persistent, heavy rain', 'gales likely', 'cold everywhere' are descriptive terms you do not want to hear for Spring. I could be much more understanding and accepting if this was deepest darkest Winter, but this is certainly no longer the case. Indeed, Dave Britton - a Met Office forecaster sadly states that "It will be an exceptionally cold day for the time of year".

The Met Office blames the jet stream, a band of wind that travels across the Atlantic from west to east bringing rain and wind, being further south than usual. It is expected to last until the weekend.

It is feared the weather pattern will get "stuck in a rut" over Britain, meaning another wet summer.  Oh just super!

Helpfully, The Guardian, has suggested some great Spring raincoats, here.  I am a particular fan of the French Connection number, it would be ever so useful.

Sources:
BBC Weather
The Guardian
The Telegraph

Bank Holiday Heat

Temperatures in the UK are soaring. Yesterday it reached a whopping 21 degrees, and today the sun continues to shine. Amazingly the weather has been hotter here than in many other traditionally sunny European countries. Let's enjoy it while it lasts, because (surprise surprise!), the rain is set to return over the next few days.

Here are some photos taken from around the UK over the bank holiday weekend. These photos have been copied from the Daily Mail website.

Barry Island, Wales 

Blenheim Palace, near Woodstock, Oxfordshire

 Little Venice, London

Oh Pooh! What to do now?!

Britain is currently being hit by heavy rain and snow, causing huge disruption across the country.  One of the victims to this current bout of unseasonal weather is sadly the World Pooh Sticks Championship.  The event which was due to take place this Sunday has had to be cancelled because the river will be too dangerous.

The World Pooh Sticks Championships, which is held at Little Wittenham each March, is organised by the Rotary Club of Oxford Spires' and is their main event.  Countryfile Magazine Awards 2012 crowned it ‘Britain’s Favourite Quirky Event’

The competition attracts around 1,300 visitors each year to Day’s Lock on the Thames.  Pooh Sticks is a sport first mentioned in The House at Pooh Corner, a Winnie-the-Pooh book by A. A. Milne. It is a simple sport which may be played on any bridge over running water; each player drops a stick on the upstream side of a bridge and the one whose stick first appears on the downstream side is the winner. The annual World Pooh Sticks Championships have been held at Day's Lock since 1984.

However, this weekend the Environment Agency has put up red warning signs meaning that boat users may not use the river, which means that organisers can no longer deploy the safety boats which Environment Agency requires for the event to be safe.

The Rotary Club of Oxford Spires, which organises the event, has said it hopes to rearrange for September.  So do get your sticks ready for then!!  For more information, do check out their website: http://www.pooh-sticks.com

Spring Fashion sort of...

Following yesterday's post about the cold spring weather, I have found an excellent article on how to dress for these rather chilly spring weather conditions.  Is there a way to think spring and keep warm?  Well, "The Guardian" recommends the following:

1) Get some colour going!
"It doesn't really matter what the colour is, or where you wear it, so long as it's bright. In fact, the brighter the better. Neon will work better than pale. "  At OISE Oxford we recommend bright blue.

2)  Wear a spring knit
Jumpers used to be for winter, and in summer people wore "tops". But this season there are lots of summery jumpers.  Go for cotton rather than wool...and something bright!

3) Embrace the thermals
Get yourself to trendy uniqlo asap!  

4) Wear white
Its one of the season's colours.  Get it on.  Maybe with layers - thermal vest underneath, with a cotton spring knit over the top.  Fashion focussed but also warm, just the ticket!

5) Wear two pairs of tights
Go for a woollen pair for the top pair for extra warmth.  Lovely.

6) Grow your eyebrows
A la the super fashionable Cara Delevingne and you will have a warmer forehead.

7) Get down the hairdressers...
...for a new haircut it suggests a spring-clean of your image.

8) Go straight to autumn/winter 2013
Get straight to the front of next season's fashion pack and be ever so snug and warm (in a time travelling kind of way!)...

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/fashion/fashion-blog/2013/mar/12/how-dress-cold-spring-day

Don't pack away the woolly jumpers yet!

Despite the fact that all the clothes shops are full of spring/summer clothing, it really is not the time for embracing these new trends as Britain is on course for the coldest March in 17 years.  Forecasters are predicting that temperatures will struggle below average for the rest of the month.

Monday was the coldest March day in almost 30 years as temperatures dropped below -9C.
Whilst in Aberdeen almost 2inches of snow fell, where in some areas on the east coast had around an inch.

Leon Brown, meteorologist at The Weather Channel, said that as it was looking unlikely we would see above normal temperatures for the rest of the month is was “likely to be the coldest March since 2006 and perhaps 1996.

The Met Office has placed the whole of England on amber alert until midnight tonight, meaning that there is a "100 per cent probability of severe cold weather or icy conditions".

There are yellow warnings for snow in place across large parts of Scotland, the North East and the East Midlands and the east coast which last into tomorrow.

Forecaster Helen Chivers said: “Most places overnight are going to have quite a heavy frost, with temperatures between -5C and -7C. There is a risk of ice.”  Time to get the hot water bottle out!

It is too early to predict the temperatures over the Easter weekend, but the Met Office’s long term outlook looks bleak.  The cold is set to remain at least until April 10, with conditions "wetter than normal" in the South and West of the country.  Oh groan - I think personally I would prefer the cold to rain...

However, on a happy note the temperatures are likely to pick up tomorrow, but will hover around three degrees below average at 6C...so still keep that scarf and hat at hand!

Photograph: Sheep graze on a snow-covered field in Teesdale, the North Pennines

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/9926437/Britain-on-course-for-coldest-March-in-17-years.html

Weather

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29/10/12

Words used to describe cold weather

cold 
 adjective
used about the weather

crisp 
 adjective
crisp weather is pleasant because it is cold and dry

brisk 
 adjective
if it is brisk, the weather is fairly cold and a fairly strong wind is blowing

fresh 
 adjective
if the weather is fresh, it is fairly cold and the wind is blowing

harsh 
 adjective
harsh weather is extremely cold and unpleasant

bleak 
 adjective
bleak weather is very cold and grey

biting 
 adjective
biting wind or cold is so cold that it makes you feel very uncomfortable

frosty 
 adjective
cold enough to produce frost

raw 
 adjective
raw weather is cold and unpleasant

hard 
 adjective
a hard winter is a very cold winter

Source: http://www.macmillandictionary.com