The worst winter in a century?

[Stratter5]

Anyone else seen this, would be interested to know what you think. Being touted as likely because of the exceptionally strong El Niño this year. I know bugger all about weather prediction, any thoughts?

I would have thought for emergency coffee/tea if the power goes. Essential kit.

well the official high in London was about 38 this year I think? It was a hell of a day and the air con at the event I was running packed up - or rather, was not designed to function at such a high temp because it never happens.

re the flasks, you could fill a hot water bottle with them or make hot drinks in case of a power cut.

I used to live abroad and 38 was unfortunately quite normal :( . It was one of the reasons we chose to move here - no sweating when breathing!

Sorry still don't get the flask thing - seriously though How many power cuts are there in the uk? It's a bit ott...

We get at least a couple a year, despite living in a reasonable size town. It's daft. I think they built too many houses without adequate infrastructure so the network falls over really easily.

I've had a power cut today...

peggy - we had a whole spate of them here recently, also a spate of water being cut off for some emergency that keep occurring. First time my lovely neighbour left me a 6 pack of water outside my flat, but then after that I started keeping a big bottle just in case.

Also, I don't know where everyone is but with the Storm Clodagh going on, power cut could occur any time? I remember last Xmas a whole bunch of people didn't even get reconnected due to the utility companies not having proper emergency provision over Xmas.

Lorelei. We had no power over Christmas last year, - in the South East where nothing so extreme happens. Except it did, and it was a damp dark non Turkey cooking christmas!

Slightly my house is freezing too. No central heating, just an open fire. I have 6 layers on and Celts (like Uggs) with fingerless gloves. Good idea re the flasks though.

We get loads of power cuts here, out in the sticks. Filling flasks is a jolly good idea, I'm positively inhuman until I've shipped at least 3 large mugs of coffee on board. Seriously, don't talk to me, my caffeine addiction is out of control.

Through - if it makes you feel any better I was swearing at the TV on your behalf, the power companies basically seem to have no one even on call at Xmas - grr. I hate the way Xmas is used as an excuse for even essential things to shut down. (going off piste there).

I am still waiting for my one ring gas stove. There better not be a power cut before.

I got my one ring gas stove the other day howtorebuild it was only a tenner, bargain I thought. And tins of tomato soup etc to heat up on it. Hot food and drink is essential when your house is freezing cold..

That sounds good. Mine came with some spare gas units. We quite like the odd cup a soup in winter. Nothing is like a nice homemade soup.

people with no central heating...is that a temporary thing?

lorelei, there are parts of the UK which have no gas on mains. If they are 100% reliant on electric heating then you can imagine what happens when the power goes out.

I have no central heating. I have a coal fire with a back burner which sends hot water around the radiators.

swiss, I have no gas either, (just the way the building is) but I thought some posters had neither gas nor electric heating, just fire - and I was wondering if it was temporary or if they were set up like that permanently.

tbh most gas boilers won't work if the electric goes because pilot lights are so inaccessible in new models.

We aren't on mains gas and have no central heating. Aga in the kitchen and 2 wood burning stoves in the 2 other downstairs rooms.

Hot water bottles, fleecy pjs, fluffy socks, heavy weight duvets and blankets are the order of the day

We are in the arse end of nowhere on a farm so regardless of the weather we have animals to deal with every day.

Still no idea what the winter will be - all the younger cattle have really thick wooly coats which would suggest cold conditions but the older cows are only now starting to put on their fluff which would suggest a mild winter.

Wait and see I think

lorelei - my lack of central heating is permanent - and my choice. I'm deeply unsure I would be able to afford future electricity payments for heating. I can dig peat out of the ground and stay warm.

Swiss A turf fire is the best.

I feel like the majority of posters here would cope pretty well if it turned out to be the worst winter ever....I sure wouldn't!

lorelei9 No, I have no central heating in my cottage. Just coal fire and some free standing electric heaters if we want them.

I don't know what I'm expecting but I live in fear of a repeat of nov / Dev 2010. We were snowed in completely for 2 weeks - snow was up to windowsills and ds aged 3 was too little to walk in it and dd was a newborn and I could push a pram through it and was too scared of falling to use a carrier. God it was pure hell. They're 5 and 8 now so at least that's something!!!!

Always have candles in and we have LOADS of blankets and warm clothes etc and loads of tins. Also have just bought new torches and snow shovel!

*couldnt