On 13 Mar 2015 11:42 AM ,Martin Brown wrote:
On 13/03/2015 11:28, the pathetic trainspotting anorak wrote:
Late yesterday, and through the early hours of this morning, media weather forecasters were falling over
themselves to use the lazy catch-all get out clause of "hill snow".

But what does that mean to the public?

If they look to the hills, they may see white peaks? Or something else?


Greater Birmingham is on a hill, and has a population of many millions, but if they hear the phrase
"hill snow" does that refer to them? Or to the tops of the Malverns
and Long Mynd?

Similarly Huddersfield, and other northern cities that are well above sea level.

Huddersfield is in a valley, but if there is ever hill snow or fog then
it is usually found on the M62 between there and Manchester.

Certain places are prone to bad weather when everywhere else escapes
Peterlee in Durham often seems to cop for snow and fog problems that
comes in off the North Sea. Local geography does affect weather.

Ban it.

Seems a reasonable description to me that they should say hill snow as a
description of where the snowline is likely to be. It might help put off
those who cannot drive in bad weather from travelling. Last time I was
on the M62 a mere 1cm of snow gridlocked the entire road because of
stupid muppets that can't drive to save their lives.

Forecasters always ham up the risks under snowy conditions to try and
put off the Sunday afternoon motorists from going out and getting stuck.

Otherwise to the current forecasting generation, the phrase "hill snow" will become as toxic as "hurricane" was to Michael Fish's era. Mark my words.

Methinks you doth protest too much.


Too much?

That was my first protest. You are a bit strict, if I may say so.

I will keep quiet on the subject of "thundery rain" and "wintry showers" in that case.

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