Didn't realise how warm Aberdeen generally is.
However the MetO definately seems to be encouraging on the snow showers front.
Latest from the met office
UK Outlook for Thursday 23 Feb 2012 to Saturday 3 Mar 2012: Cloudy with occasional rain in the north and west Thursday, with drier brighter conditions prevalent across the south and east, allowing it to become very mild here. Rain spreading southeast across the UK through Friday followed by brighter conditions with some showers in the north and west. Generally windy across the UK through this period, with gales at times across the northwest and temperatures returning nearer to normal by Saturday. The rest of the weekend and much of the following week will be changeable, with cloudier, milder, and wetter periods punctuated by clearer and colder spells, with the southeast likely to be more settled at times. Temperatures mostly around or above normal, but there is an increasing probability of colder spells with wintry showers mainly in the north.
Updated: 1216 on Sat 18 Feb 2012
UK Outlook for Sunday 4 Mar 2012 to Sunday 18 Mar 2012: During early to mid March, daytime temperatures may start off below normal across some northern areas, bringing an increased risk of some wintry weather. However, a recovery to near or above normal values seems likely. Nighttime temperatures follow a similar pattern, with frosts perhaps most likely at first. Further south, temperatures more likely to be around average, or perhaps slightly above, both by day and by night. Rainfall amounts look likely to continue being below average in eastern and perhaps southern areas, particularly in the east of Scotland, but elsewhere average rainfall is most likely. Sunshine amounts should be above average in all areas.
Updated: 1222 on Sat 18 Feb 2012
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/uk_forecast_weather.html
any hp and mildness will be shortlived is seems
really? I thought you would have done much better than that!Still time for a covering but its going to be a brief shot,ridiculously brief really.
The start of the period will see a transition from the initially very mild, but largely cloudy conditions with outbreaks of rain, to a brighter but colder regime with a chance of showers across northern and western parts by Saturday. However, it is likely to remain windy across most parts, with a risk of gales across northern and western areas. The rest of the first weekend and much of the following week is likely to be rather changeable, with cloudier, milder, and wetter periods punctuated by clearer and colder spells with a chance of showers and heightened risk of overnight frosts. Southeastern areas are likely to see the best of any drier and more settled conditions.
Updated: 1159 on Sun 19 Feb 2012
During early to mid March, daytime temperatures may start off below normal across some northern areas, bringing an increased risk of some wintry weather. However, a recovery to near or above normal values seems likely. Nighttime temperatures follow a similar pattern, with frosts perhaps most likely at first. Further south, temperatures more likely to be around average, or perhaps slightly above, both by day and by night. Rainfall amounts look likely to continue below average in eastern and perhaps southern areas, but elsewhere average rainfall is most likely. Sunshine amounts should be above average in all areas.
The Times yesterday had a full page of ads for winter-related items - snow boots, snow shovels etc etc, backed by a headline taken from the Daily Express of 27 Jan 'Winter freeze to continue for 4 weeks, say experts'. Sounds to me like desperation time for the retailers.
Most shops will now be selling all there winter stuff off to make way for the Spring and summer stock
Edited by user 19 February 2012 12:36:28(UTC) | Reason: Not specified
Thames Water has warned that up to half of the 8.8 million people it supplies will be forced to cut back unless heavy rains fall by April.
The Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has called a meeting of water companies, farmers and experts to discuss ways of tackling the problem.
This winter has been the driest for 40 years. East Anglia, the East Midlands and the South East are the worst affected.
Restrictions on water use for households and businesses could be introduced, unless there is significant rainfall soon.
Pauline Smith from the Environment Agency said: "We've had two dry winters now, and as a consequence of that, reservoirs haven't refilled, underground water stores haven't refilled, and it means we are heading towards a summer that could be quite difficult."
The 'drought summit' - organised by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - will meet on Monday.
Farmers are particularly concerned by the problem.
Guy Gager from the National Farmers' Union said: "We haven't got a bank of water available to crops as we go into spring, so if you are a grass farmer or an arable farmer you are constantly relying on rain happening regularly and in sufficient quantity.
"It puts the crops at great risk... makes them more vulnerable to problems later on."
http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16172830
Good time for a bargin for the more long sighted amongst us
I suspect the press will be running with the early spring weather story tomorrow.
*COUGH* Daily Express *COUGH*
Sorry did I say something?
I can see the Express now
Britian to bask in 20c set to last for weeks
Nice spot of early Spring as it were, will be nice especially if there's no wind.
As you said yesterday a few papers do have a story on the spring weather, currently I know the,
Daily Express
The Sun
Have reports on this
Mirror too - I noticed I was quoted in that one.
I notice the tv media is running the story on water shortages this morning on the beeb. I have been predicting this story would surface very soon as another dry winter in the South comes to a close. The problem is selling it to the General Public. When i say to my family about it they say well its been a mild damp winter, can't see why water should be short. The truth is of course we have had month upon month of below average rainfall, not just this winter but pretty much here for several years. It seems the UK's weather is now driven by High pressure for 90% of the time. Yes it may well be in the wrong place for much of the time giving us cloudy and grey conditions but rarely is it far enough away to be conducive to heavy rain away from Northern Britain. If this pattern continues through the summer I can foresee major problems for areas of the UK, especially towards the SE come the end of the season.
Anyway, as Gavin seems to be unavailable at present here's the more immediate weather update.
The end of February and the beginning of March looks set to be rather changeable, particularly across the north of the UK, with cloudy, mild and wet periods, punctuated by brighter, colder but showery interludes. During the colder spells these northern areas are likely to see a risk of overnight frost developing, with some snow possible over higher ground. It is also likely to be rather windy at times, with a risk of gales in some places. Further south conditions are likely to be somewhat drier and more settled generally, with the best of any sunshine here and temperatures around, or perhaps slightly above average. However, these areas also subject to some unsettled spells at times, with outbreaks of rain and strong winds, spreading from the north.
Updated: 1139 on Mon 20 Feb 2012
During early to mid March, daytime temperatures may start off below normal across some northern areas, bringing an increased risk of some wintry weather. However, a recovery to near or above normal values seems likely. Nighttime temperatures follow a similar pattern, with frosts most likely early on in the period. Further south, temperatures more likely to be around average, or perhaps slightly above, both by day and by night. Rainfall amounts look likely to continue below average in eastern and perhaps southern areas, but elsewhere average rainfall is most likely. Sunshine amounts should be above average in all areas.
Not too much relief for the Southern Water boards there.
Edited by user 20 February 2012 12:00:10(UTC) | Reason: Not specified