Hi

I've just put together tables for estimated snowfall using a combination of CET and UKP data for Central England since 1931. I have compiled the top 30's for both the snowiest day and the snowiest winter which I've estimated from the underlying data using a simple probability method. I have also added charts for the snowiest winters, autumns, springs and years along with the usual moving averages and trends since 1931.

This is a bit of fun because what I'm talking about are virtual snowfall values derived from data from a composite of sites measuring both rainfall and temperature. Having said that I think it picks out the snowy years quite well but I'm sure you'll have your opinion about the results.

As usual and because of the limitations of newsgroups the report and graphics are on my blog which you can find in the usual place:

http://xmetman.wordpress.com/2013/08...land-snowfall/

Bruce.

In article ,
exmetman writes:
Hi

I've just put together tables for estimated snowfall using a
combination of CET and UKP data for Central England since 1931. I
have compiled the top 30's for both the snowiest day and the
snowiest winter which I've estimated from the underlying data
using a simple probability method. I have also added charts for the
snowiest winters, autumns, springs and years along with the usual
moving averages and trends since 1931.

This is a bit of fun because what I'm talking about are virtual
snowfall values derived from data from a composite of sites
measuring both rainfall and temperature. Having said that I think it
picks out the snowy years quite well but I'm sure you'll have your
opinion about the results.

As usual and because of the limitations of newsgroups the report
and graphics are on my blog which you can find in the usual
place:

http://xmetman.wordpress.com/2013/08...land-snowfall/

Bruce.

Very interesting. I think there could be a couple of problems with
converting recorded rainfall amounts back into snowfall. First in a
drifting snowfall what's captured in the raingauge might not be very
representative. Second 1mm might result from melting 4mm of wet snow or
10mm of dry, powdery snow.

Having 1946-7 and 1978-9 as the top two years seems plausible. But your
estimated total for 1962-3 looks on the low side.
--
John Hall
"Sir, I have found you an argument;
but I am not obliged to find you an understanding."
Dr Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)

exmetman wrote:
Hi

I've just put together tables for estimated snowfall using a combination of CET and UKP data for Central England since 1931. I have compiled the top 30's for both the snowiest day and the snowiest winter which I've estimated from the underlying data using a simple probability method. I have also added charts for the snowiest winters, autumns, springs and years along with the usual moving averages and trends since 1931.

This is a bit of fun because what I'm talking about are virtual snowfall values derived from data from a composite of sites measuring both rainfall and temperature. Having said that I think it picks out the snowy years quite well but I'm sure you'll have your opinion about the results.

As usual and because of the limitations of newsgroups the report and graphics are on my blog which you can find in the usual place:

http://xmetman.wordpress.com/2013/08...land-snowfall/

Bruce.
--------------------------------------------------
Quick glance makes me think there may be some correlation with reality.
My work here is for real events taken from original data by Leo Bonacina
and augmented by Dave O'Hara at Ferry Hill Weather Station.
I will look more closely when I have time.
http://www.laindonweather.co.uk/Snow%20page.htm
Dave

Thanks Dave I would appreciate that.

The whole thing depends on probabilities and calculating that can be difficult.

A day that has a max of less than 1C (the threshold I set) or better still below zero and any rainfall should be snow , having said that it could be freezing rain!

The impossible scenario for instance will be a spring day with a max of 10 after a night of heavy snow and a min of say -1C. This will produce a low probability and an estimate of 1 cm of snow rather than the 15 cm there might have been. Then again the rain could have happened in the day in a warm sector followed by a cold night!

Bruce.