Mike Hatton wrote:



Norman wrote:
Darren Prescott wrote:

Here is a summary of the NWP output for noon on Wednesday.
Issued 0550, 15th March 2008

The latter half of the working week will see a change to much colder
conditions over the UK, as low pressure moves SE'wards over the North
Sea. At this time of year, the flow is likely to be very unstable,
with heavy (and wintry) showers possible anywhere. Over the higher
ground of the north the showers are likely to fall as snow and
there's a chance (albeit a much lower one) of snow pretty much
anywhere. Settling snow is unlikely away from the north, however, due
to the strength of the sun at this time of year.

Though there have been many notable cases at this time of year and
later with heavy accumulations after dark. One that springs to mind was
on or about 20th April in, I think, the late 1970's when there was an
accumulation of 2-3 inches even in Central London

Norman

11 April 1978 [about 0800]

10.0 cm at Hornchurch.
OS TQ 5386

Similar at Bedford too.

I think the point that Darren was making about snow not settling due to the
strength of the sun was because we're dealing with showers here and the sun
will quickly heat surfaces and prevent snow settling. In situations where
snow is prolonged, and occurs before the sun has warmed the ground, snow
has been seen to settle as late as June (2/6/1975 in East Anglia).

I remember one lunchtime spent in a pub one March (how unusual!) when we had
frequent snow showers but when I went to my car (oh dear!) I had to leave
the doors open to let the oven-like interior cool off before I got in.

--
Graham P Davis, Bracknell, Berks., UK. E-mail: newsman, not newsboy.
"What use is happiness? It can't buy you money." [Chic Murray, 1919-85]