The message
from "Alex Stephens Jnr"
contains these words:

I *think* it requires a severe gale mean windspeed, with heavy snow
(blowing snow an obvious consequence). And visibilities obviously fall
extremely low, probably less than 5m.
I reckon you had a near blizzard there Steve, as the wind would have been
gusting (but not mean) toward 50mph. Ask your neighbours Steve, I'm sure
they'll tell you it can get a lot worse than it was this morning. Maybe
you'll be able to tell me what a real blizzard is before the weeks out.
Alex.

"Steve Loft" wrote in message
news
Alex Stephens Jnr wrote:
Some station in the north reporting Blizzard conditions (real
blizzards),
not moderate snow and a strong breeze which some confuse blizzards with.

Alex, can you explain what is needed for a real blizzard? I described
what just passed through here as a blizzard because I don't know any
better. Snow falling, F5 wind and zero visibility. A blizzard?

The "power cut" was just our main circuit breaker tripping, fortunately.
--
Steve Loft
Wanlockhead, Dumfriesshire. 1417ft ASL
http://www.wanlockhead.org.uk/weather/

Observers Handbook (fourth edition)
"Blizzard: the simultaneous occurrence of moderate ot heavy snowfall and
winds of at least force 7 (28 knots) which causes drifting snow and a
reduction of the visibility to 200 m or less"

"Severe blizzard: the simultaneous occurrence of moderate ot heavy
snowfall and winds of at least force 9 (41 knots) which causes drifting
snow and a reduction of the visibility to near zero"

It goes on to say that .... "These terms will not be applied to passing
snow showers but only if a wide area is affected and the conditions last
long enough to cause serious interference to human mobility, or
disruption of communications."

I've not been able to find reference to 'Blizzards' in the 'SPOT-ON
Observers Guide' - the, to quote, "Met Office's updated guide to
observing practices for the UK land-based observing network". But then
I'm not suprised - while this 'guide' may help observers fill in the
spaces on the CODET it's absolutely pathetic for 'real' observing. My
SPOT-ON guide - despite its flashy plastic waterproof cover with its
snap-shut flap - resides unloved on the bookshelf alongside the much
thumbed 'Handbook.

Bring back the days when observers were taught to observe by
professionals at the Met Office college. What you get out is only as
good as what you put in - fewer dependable obs and chaos can result.
Admited AWS are improving but they should be used to fill in the gaps
between the MK1 eyeball!

rant mode off

Dave
Fair Isle

"Dave Wheeler" wrote in Observers Handbook
(fourth edition)
"Blizzard: the simultaneous occurrence of moderate ot heavy snowfall
and
winds of at least force 7 (28 knots) which causes drifting snow and a
reduction of the visibility to 200 m or less"

"Severe blizzard: the simultaneous occurrence of moderate ot heavy
snowfall and winds of at least force 9 (41 knots) which causes
drifting
snow and a reduction of the visibility to near zero"

I've not been able to find reference to 'Blizzards' in the 'SPOT-ON
Observers Guide' - the, to quote, "Met Office's updated guide to
observing practices for the UK land-based observing network". But
then
I'm not suprised - while this 'guide' may help observers fill in the
spaces on the CODET it's absolutely pathetic for 'real' observing. My
SPOT-ON guide - despite its flashy plastic waterproof cover with its
snap-shut flap - resides unloved on the bookshelf alongside the much
thumbed 'Handbook.

Bring back the days when observers were taught to observe by
professionals at the Met Office college. What you get out is only as
good as what you put in - fewer dependable obs and chaos can result.
Admited AWS are improving but they should be used to fill in the gaps
between the MK1 eyeball!

Dave,

I had a similar rant a few weeks ago! My Observer's Handbook is the best
and only guide for me. The SPOT-ON observer's Guide is not a lot of use.

I attended the Shinfield Park courses for Climat. observers a few times
back in the 1980's and was amazed what I learned about observing. I was
young enough before then to know everything!

ATB,

--
Ken Cook, Copley (5miles north of Barnard Castle), County Durham.
830ft
http://mysite.freeserve.com/copley
(MO climat. site updated before 10Z and 19Z daily)
kencookATcopleydurham.freeserve.co.uk


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"Dave Wheeler" wrote in message
...

Observers Handbook (fourth edition)
"Blizzard: the simultaneous occurrence of moderate ot heavy snowfall and
winds of at least force 7 (28 knots) which causes drifting snow and a
reduction of the visibility to 200 m or less"

"Severe blizzard: the simultaneous occurrence of moderate ot heavy
snowfall and winds of at least force 9 (41 knots) which causes drifting
snow and a reduction of the visibility to near zero"

It goes on to say that .... "These terms will not be applied to passing
snow showers but only if a wide area is affected and the conditions last
long enough to cause serious interference to human mobility, or
disruption of communications."

I've not been able to find reference to 'Blizzards' in the 'SPOT-ON
Observers Guide' - the, to quote, "Met Office's updated guide to
observing practices for the UK land-based observing network". But then
I'm not suprised - while this 'guide' may help observers fill in the
spaces on the CODET it's absolutely pathetic for 'real' observing. My
SPOT-ON guide - despite its flashy plastic waterproof cover with its
snap-shut flap - resides unloved on the bookshelf alongside the much
thumbed 'Handbook.

Bring back the days when observers were taught to observe by
professionals at the Met Office college. What you get out is only as
good as what you put in - fewer dependable obs and chaos can result.
Admited AWS are improving but they should be used to fill in the gaps
between the MK1 eyeball!

rant mode off

Dave
Fair Isle

Thanks for taking the time out to give a thorough explanation Dave.
I imagine you are under the influence of a Severe blizzard yourself at the
moment.
The Kirwall and Wick metars are outrageously bad. Looks as though one of the
most severe polar lows for a long time is heading south.
Alex.

"Dave Wheeler" wrote in message
...
The message

I've not been able to find reference to 'Blizzards' in the 'SPOT-ON
Observers Guide' - the, to quote, "Met Office's updated guide to
observing practices for the UK land-based observing network". But
then
I'm not suprised - while this 'guide' may help observers fill in the
spaces on the CODET it's absolutely pathetic for 'real' observing. My
SPOT-ON guide - despite its flashy plastic waterproof cover with its
snap-shut flap - resides unloved on the bookshelf alongside the much
thumbed 'Handbook.

Bring back the days when observers were taught to observe by
professionals at the Met Office college. What you get out is only as
good as what you put in - fewer dependable obs and chaos can result.
Admited AWS are improving but they should be used to fill in the gaps
between the MK1 eyeball!

.... rant away ... many of us agree: the 'Spot-On' thing really worried
me when I saw it, and I thank the good Lord I have my well-thumbed copy
of the aforementioned Observer's Handbook. Why, oh why do people think
they need to 'improve' on something that works!

Martin.
--
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