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?

Peggy - I look at magicseaweed and it said! But now it's mild here with 70mph winds tomorrow. No snow this week - well on the hills but that doesn't count.

Gale force winds here in North Wales and sleet

I suspect we won't be able to get to the next town again tomo. We have already had the road closed due to ice once this season. It was so bad 4wd couldn't make it up the sheet ice covered hills.

My Christmas wish list contains snow chains but really it is the ice that closes the roads more than snow.

Weather is shocking here wind chill a definite factor. 2 duvets (thin), central heating, hot water bottle AND I seriously need to knit faster so that I can have the benefit of the warmth from the wool jumper. Grateful for a very large collection of warm blankets and sleeping bags.

Where abouts are you cantsee ?

Would love some proper snow here, but your right about the ice not being much fun

In a rural part of the NW. Some of the roads that I drive you can't get out of 2nd gear even at the height of summer. But then I drive all over the area for various reasons, so some of those aren't immediately close to home.

And when I say 'aren't immediately close' I mean aren't within a hour's drive, but on regular routes to be driven. Just for clarification Love it here.

Roads closed here and flooded with water up to 5 ft in places. Emergency services very busy.

Sounds bad Always, still nothing but the wind here, thankfully has stayed dry

It is quite bad. Trees coming down. Buildings compromised. Big Tesco flooded. Shopping centres closed. I hope everyone affected is ok everywhere.

Was in your neck of the woods always oct 19-23rd

Thought it was quite mild.

Apparently I was wrong. Was about 10 miles out of porthmadog at hafan y mor

I hope that some of the prepping has been able to help those caught in the horrendous flooding. 45,000 without power this afternoon.

Didn't they say this last year too? And not was such a mild winter with no snow (the dcs were gutted). I personally think it's bollocks (covered climatology in Bsc and can't see how they can predict it- even considering El Niño). I am happy to be priced wrong though as dcs are desperate for snow.

Well it's minus 1 outside at the moment and shall likely be struggling until we get back to rain towards evening. (Our normal course of things this year.) I don't remember previous Decembers being so cold.

The Met Office cannot forecast long range with any accuracy at all.
The scaremongering forecasts will be based on mathematical algorhythms using historical data and will bear no resemblance to what we actually get here in the UK.
Even short term forecasts can be hit and miss. In general our weather travels thousands of miles across the Atlantic and although the Met Ofiice may be able to forecast what weather we will get it's pretty hard to forecast when and where we will get it.

As you were, put those snow shoes back in the loft ;)

Suits me, I hate the cold! I was marvelling today about how my fingers which are normally cracked and painful by now and covered in expensive hand cream which doesnt work, are not cracked and totally painfree. . It's lovely..

Warmest December since records began [tchgrin]
Suits me fine too!