Snow shovels selling
Post categories: weekend weather
| 17:19 UK time, Friday, 21 October 2011
A lot of people are wondering what this winter is going to be like. Many have heard it's going to be a hard winter, possibly the coldest on record.
I've heard that one supermarket is already selling snow shovels, the councils are stocking up on grit and no doubt a few people have considered buying winter tyres in case its snowy.
The talk of another severe winter has largely been fuelled by the media, especially some tabloid newspapers, with sensational headlines warning of an imminent 'Arctic blast' and even a 'mini Ice Age'.
Apparently newspaper stories predicting extreme weather can boost sales by around 10 % but predictions of snow and icy conditions this month have not yet materialises.
Yes, we have had a cold snap recently with hail and snow falling on the mountains, especially in Scotland, but this is not unusual for time of year.
This winter could turn out to be cold but there are no guarantees. Also, if it was cold that would make it the fourth colder than average winter in a row in the UK which is unusual.
The latest seasonal forecast charts from the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) in Reading suggests this winter will be drier and slightly milder than average but that doesn't rule out a few cold snaps with at least some frost and snow.
My gut feeling is that it will be colder than average but not as cold as last winter. We shall have to wait and see to find out whose right and whether or not it would be worth buying a snow shovel or extra tins of soup.
Derek
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