BRITAIN is in the grip of the worst spring snowstorm for decades with the extreme cold set to last until Easter.
As forecasters last night predicted another 10 days of freezing temperatures, experts warned gas supplies could run out within days because of a surge in demand.
Stocks have fallen to 10 per cent and extra gas will have to be bought in from Norway, sparking fears that energy prices could rocket. Up to a foot of snow fell yesterday with more expected today. Blizzards are forecast this weekend, adding to travel chaos.
The energy crisis escalated last night after Sellafield nuclear power station in Cumbria was shut down temporarily as a precaution due to the Arctic weather.
The Met Office said further heavy snowfalls were expected overnight and this morning, with virtually the entire country at risk.
Met Office chief Science Officer Julia Slingo talks about 'dangerous' climate change & extreme weather and climate modelling resolutions. She still mentions co2 reduction as if it controls our climate and that is after her Met Office have now divulged that we have had 16 years with NO world temperature increase with also 16 years of extra co2 put into the Earth's atmosphere...
AVOID symposium - Panel discussions - Met Office
Published on 21 Mar 2013
Panel discussions from the AVOID symposium on 'Challenges for future research and climate change policy'.
21 March 2013 - Met Office forecasters are warning that heavy rain and snow are likely to bring disruption to parts of the UK over the next couple of days.
An area of low pressure is currently moving in from the Atlantic and will give heavy rainfall for southern and south-western areas. Over 60 mm of rain is possible in places by Friday and an amber warning is in force.
Pete Fox, Environment Agency spokesperson, said: "Heavy rain in south west England and south Wales on Thursday and into Friday means there is a risk of localised surface water and river flooding in the south west, the southern counties and parts of south Wales. The public can sign up for flood warnings and check the latest information on the Environment Agency's website, or follow us on Twitter at @EnvAgency."
As the rain moves north-eastwards it will mix with cold air and fall as snow. There is the potential for 20 to 30 cm of snow across higher parts of north Wales, the Midlands, northern England, south-west Scotland and Northern Ireland during Friday and Saturday, with around 10 cm at lower levels. Amber warnings have also been issued for these areas to warn about the snow.
There is a 90% probability of severe cold weather/icy conditions/heavy snow between 0800 on Thursday and 0600 on Monday in parts of England. This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services. Please refer to the national Cold Weather Plan and your Trust's emergency plan for appropriate preventive action.
Throughout the period, it is expected to be cold across northern areas, with temperature levels meeting the criteria, strong winds also giving a considerable chill. In addition, from Thursday night through into Saturday an area of rain, sleet and snow will spread from the southwest, bringing the likelihood of a significant snow event to areas from the Midlands northwestwards, particularly for inland areas, with even just a slight elevation. As the fronts retreat southwards through the weekend, southeastern areas will also turn colder, whilst southwest England also has an increased probability of cold weather criteria being reached.
There is a 90% probability of severe cold weather/icy conditions/heavy snow between 0800 on Wednesday and 0800 on Sunday in parts of England. This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services. Please refer to the national Cold Weather Plan and your Trust's emergency plan for appropriate preventive action.
Throughout the period, it is expected to be cold across northern areas with temperature levels close to criteria, strong winds also giving a considerable chill. In addition, from Thursday night through into Saturday an area of rain, sleet and snow will spread from the southwest, bringing the likelihood of a significant snow event to areas from the Midlands northwards, particularly for inland areas with even just a slight elevation. Southern and southwestern areas will be a little milder for a time but temperatures are now expected to fall later, perhaps reaching criteria.
Amber — Severe weather action
Triggered by the Met Office when we are experiencing weather which breaches any of the thresholds. This stage requires social and healthcare services to target specific actions at high-risk groups....
...Advice: Prolonged periods of cold weather can be dangerous, especially for the very young, very old or those with chronic diseases.
If you want more information about how cold weather can affect your health please visit www.nhs.uk. If you are concerned about your health or somebody you care for, please contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647, www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or your local pharmacist.
Britain is on track to suffer its coldest March in more than 50 years as conservationists warned that the prolonged winter weather was damaging wildlife.
Forecasters said the latest cold spell was keeping average temperatures several degrees below the norm, with the next seven days to be chillier than usual.
The Central England Temperature – covering an area bounded by Lancashire, Bristol and London – shows temperatures have been 2.8C lower than normal.
The last time March was so cold was in 1962, when the average temperature was 2.4C (36F) – or 4.1C below the norm.
Now these satellite maps show just how far we’ve fallen from the March 2012 high of 23.6C recorded in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, to a daytime low of -7.8C in the same village on Monday of last week.
IT’S meant to be the first day of spring tomorrow – so will someone please tell the weather?
As parts of Britain shiver under a blanket of snow and weathermen forecast a lot more to come, this is turning into one long, bleak winter.
Blizzards, freezing winds and up to 10 inches of snow are predicted this week with temperatures down to -9C (16F) in remote areas.
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings in the North and forecasts the Arctic blast to last at least another week, with much of the UK in line for wintry showers.
Forecaster Helen Chivers said apart from a brief mild spell on Thursday it is a mixture of rain, sleet and snow until the end of the week. She said: “It is going to stay cold. The North could see up to 10in of snow over high ground with gale-force easterly winds triggering blizzards.
“Temperatures are going to remain below average with some very frosty mornings and possibly more snow at the end of the week.”
She said although the North will be hardest hit, southern regions will be affected by rain and sleet.
Click source to read the FULL report from Nathan Rao
There is a 70% probability of severe cold weather/icy conditions/snow between 0800 on Tuesday and 0600 on Saturday in parts of England. This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services. Please refer to the national Cold Weather Plan and your Trust's emergency plan for appropriate preventive action.
Throughout the period temperatures will be close to a mean of 2C over a 48 hour period, especially across northern England, but with the East of England and the Midlands increasingly at risk later in the week. Occasional snow will occur across parts of northeast England from today until Wednesday night. In addition, from Thursday night and on through Friday there is once again a risk of more prolonged rain, sleet and snow spreading from the southwest, with northern England most at risk from significant snow during this event.
There is a 70% probability of severe cold weather/icy conditions/snow between 0900 on Monday and 0700 on Friday in parts of England. This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services. Please refer to the national Cold Weather Plan and your Trust's emergency plan for appropriate preventive action.
Areas of sleet and snow will move across northern England today. The snow will be mainly, although not exclusively, over high ground and could be heavy at times. On Tuesday and Wednesday, further snow showers are likely across northeast England. On Thursday there is a risk of snow spreading northeastwards across England late in the day. Throughout the period temperatures will be close to a mean of 2C over a 48 hour period, mostly across northern England. As a slight frost will develop each night many places across England are at risk of seeing some overnight icy conditions.
Britain faces a week of Siberian weather as the odds of a white Easter fall as fast as the temperature.
The freeze that struck Britain at the weekend after a spell of warm sunny weather will continue today, with temperatures expected to plunge as low as -7C and winds reach up to 50mph in the South West.
A band of light sleet and snow falling from East Anglia to Lancashire yesterday is expected to become heavier today, with the whole of the South Coast facing snowy conditions.
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BRITAIN is in the grip of the worst spring snowstorm for decades with the extreme cold set to last until Easter.
21 March 2013 - Met Office forecasters are warning that heavy rain and snow are likely to bring disruption to parts of the UK over the next couple of days.
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