Philip,

I measured 16cm at Whitfield near Dover (on a sloping shed roof! There was
slightly less on the ground) this afternoon at about 120m asl. I will also
have a photo of this specific accumulation and pictures of the snowy
landscape by tomorrow.

I also heard a report of 20cm at Capel-le-Ferne near Folkestone on local
radio. It's possible there was over 20cm accumulation in the highest parts
of the Downs locally near Folkestone at 200m.

I live in the town of Dover, where snow cover is very patchy and thin,
showing how crucial altitude can be. I heard reports of 'four inches' of
accumulation at Whitfield and St Margaret's Bay, two villages near Dover,
yesterday morning and have no reason to disbelieve this. There was
considerable melt yesterday though.

It just reinforces how a couple of degrees' extra coldness would have made
this a really major event here, almost on a par I would say with 7-11
February 1983 when 48cm accumulated (despite some melting). There has been
almost continual melting since the first sleet shower on Sunday and even
this lunchtime I noticed that snow only fell when ppn became very intense
and was heavy sleet otherwise. I suspect only when it was actually snowing
was the accumulation added to.

The difference between slightly inland hilltop villages and coastal towns
with mini urban heat islands is quite big, even of they are only a couple of
miles apart.

Richard V, Dover 10m asl


"Philip Eden" philipATweatherHYPHENukDOTcom wrote in message
...

"Clive May" wrote in message
...

In a previous message I cannot now recover, you were querying snow depths
on
the North Downs. I have today received a report from Challock which lies
between Ashford and Faversham. The report was for yesterday morning, 23
February 2005. A depth of five inches was reported by someone who lives
locally.

Thanks Colin. All reports (preferably measured) of Wednesday morning's
snowdepths in Kent, especially at higher levels, gratefully received.

Philip Eden