Any clues what sort of winter we are going to have?

[thenightsky]

I retired this summer. I'm looking forward to not having to make my way to work on icy roads at 8am. But I still need to get out and about. Are there any long-range forecasts that are reliable?

At the moment, for the next three months the met office are saying it is more likely to be warmer than average than colder than average.

Going by today I think we’re in for a mild one, it was tshirt weather today, 19 degrees in October, which incidentally is hotter than most of the days we had here in August (Wales).

It was freezing cold, rain and wind here in Scotland.

you must be wondering g what we are all blathering on about Veronicat. Marked temp difference!

i know... 21c here today in Lincolnshire! DH keeps saying its lulling us into a false sense of security.

Yep, I thought sunshine was just an old wives tales

Today is the first time this year that i have felt chilly.

Yes... cold here too (8c) but barely any wind. Forecast was originally saying we'd see minus 2 next week but they now seem to have changed their minds and saying 3 above. www.yr.no website.

The met office latest 3 month discussion is out here scroll down for temperatures and precipitation. They suggest it is more likely to be warmer and wetter than average than not,. boo hiss.

Have the Express done their annual "THIS WILL BE THE COLDEST WINTER EVER AND TERRIBLE THINGS WILL HAPPEN ALSO SNOW" headline yet?

they have but it was quite moderate for them. They spoke about 13 named storms.

It was a tropical 2° yesterday morning with thick frost. Thankfully I'd brought all my plants in for winter in Sunday. Today it's dawned clear and crisp. Proper autumn weather at a lovely warm 8°
The Daily Record have the coldest winter ever, it's now official.

OhYouBadBadKitten
If Scotland gets any wetter, it will sink!

It’s quite interesting to look at the rainfall anomaly map (you need to adjust the pull down menus) I think that oct will show as very dry in the south of England. met office

It has been generally dry all summer and autumn here in Suffolk. I had to water my grass in October as it was going brown!

I’ve just been out planting tulips in my pyjamas for the last 2 hours - 9 degrees where I am

I think we're due a cold one, but not massively unusual but I think its too early to tell what jan and feb will be like

I remember a Samhain that was 25 here in london! In fairness it was odd.

Relieved to hear that predicted is less cold.

Happy retirement OP
Must be so exciting!

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas......"

Mild I reckon. I know I'm just gauging on the weather atm but I am only wearing my thinnest coat which wasn't warm enough last hallowe'en but I was hot in it yesterday evening.

So that's my prediction. Not very scientific. Based on coat selection for this time of year.... {clutches boobs, looks out window} mild winter

I remember a Samhain that was 25 here in london! In fairness it was odd.

Has this word come to be understood in England now?!
I'm in Ireland so obviously I know what Samhain is, just a bit at it casually put in a sentence.

wast it 2009 that was brutal? I even bought snow boots.

Oh I thought I saw an MSN news article for The Coldest Winter Since Records Began yesterday....

.... Although of course we do get it every year.

It was 3 degrees here yesterday morning and definitely felt chilly.

Bit disappointed at wet and mild though.

I think every Pagan here knows what Samhain is and how to pronounce it.

TheWeatherOutlook's latest update.
They're going for increased chances of a colder winter this year.

Thanks GloriaSmud