Anyone remember the days before 2009/10 and 2010/11 when sub -5 850's for 2 or 3 days were about the only glimmers of hope for a bit of snowfall
These days unless we're looking at a nailed on and textbook prolonged severe cold spell the charts are apparently 'disappointing' or nothing on show
The 6z GFS carries on the theme of the past few days, I think Doc may have mentioned it once or twice
, of a glancing cold blow in the near term, a brief milder interlude and then something from the North mid-month in a more unsettled and colder flow. The 6z Op is good longer term, with cold uppers for several days and the chance of snow for some.
The near term cold shot, albeit a bonus one that sprung up at short notice, has now been reduced somewhat in length and depth of cold (on the Op but also on the 00z ens so suspect 6z set will follow suit), with the core of the HP just that little bit further south/south west. What it does show though is we're in a pattern where getting cold to our shores isn't too hard - just getting it stay for a reasonable length of time is the challenge.
All in all and given the 00z ens were showing uncertainty over whether it'd be chilly or cold in the medium and long term and not the usual mild or very mild, I'd say we're in an encouraging pattern and one where it won't take much to bring snowfall for many. Providing the mid to long term pattern verifies of course. Given the persistence of the pattern for a few days there's a decent chance of that happening.
With the joker of the SSW still to be played it's all looking interesting imo
Originally Posted by: Hippydave