On Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 8:20:54 PM UTC, Dawlish wrote:
I think Keith's 'European update' may give the real clue as to why this airflow is not terribly cold.

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Yes I think that's the main factor. Sea temperatures are higher these days and the Baltic freezes less. But we don't seem to see the Continent in the freezer too often these days and that must affect the temperature of the air reaching the East coast on a North Easterly surely. I'm confident if Europe gets another cold winter Essex will! Unless you are in the minority at altitude I doubt anywhere has had a truly cold spell yet this winter.