More snow.

[Andy in Sig]

There has been snow to varying degrees on the ground here since December and it has been snowing now for the last eight hours or so. Untrodden bits of snow are about ten inches deep and it is probably going to carry on all day and into the night. Life continues to function though although the roads are a bit slower. I wonder how the UK would get on with this? In any event, I think that winter has made its point and should consider packing in for the year.

 

[ChrisKH]

As I walked through the church yard this morning, Daffodil bulb shoots were coming up along the path. Not long now.

 

[HJ]

There has been snow to varying degrees on the ground here since December and it has been snowing now for the last eight hours or so. Untrodden bits of snow are about ten inches deep and it is probably going to carry on all day and into the night. Life continues to function though although the roads are a bit slower.

Good might get some decent skiing this year, last couple of years the Alps have been very poor...

 

[rich p]

. I wonder how the UK would get on with this? .

Probably not too well but since we have just had the worst snowfall in 18 years in the south-east and it lasted 2 days or so, I think it's safe to say that I haven't been on red alert with my shovel and grit.

 

[Beardie]

I wonder how the UK would get on with this?

People love to say this, don't they? rich p is right to point out that it was the worst snowfall in 18 years, so it is only to be expected that it will knock us sideways a bit. If we had continuous snow from December to February every year, then measures would be put in place to deal with this expected scenario. As it is, snowploughs don't get used every year here in Swindon.

 

[Andy in Sig]

True and it seems to me that somebody has done some kind of economic calculation to the effect that they will take the hit of regional paralysis every now and then as the cost of snow ploughs etc is uneconomical. Which is fine until the severest winter since records began comes ...

 

[BigonaBianchi]

snowing in Frankfurt as well where my son is

 

[Kirstie]

Dunno about you but I am sick of the weather. A long, gloomy, soaking wet summer followed by a freezing cold miserable winter - I've really had enough of going out on my bike and getting freezing cold, soaked, and buffeted by the wind. It's rubbish.

 

[Globalti]

Same here. I've hardly been out all autumn and winter, I got fed up with coming home from Wednesday night rides soaked and covered in mud, wearing out chains and brakes, it's been really awful. Can't wait for some decent weather to come along.

 

[Kirstie]

Sad thing is I've toured throughout! I rode lejog in the wettest August on record. Was touring in the dales last October when the high winds and floods struck; last week in all the snow I clocked up 160 miles. 100 of those were a tour - in the snow. The other 60 were on a day ride in the NW Lakes - the only bit of the country without flippin snow everywhere. I've been pounding the tarmac through high winds and ice - and getting newly diagnosed asthma under control too (came on in a ride in the freezing fog). I couldn't bear to stop but I would like some reward as I have banked so much weather karma it's untrue! The tours I am planning for this year keep on getting further and further south!

(come to think of it I have a moan like this at roughly this time every year )

 

[marinyork]

2 weeks of snow was enough for me. That said when I got out on Sunday and it was warm (perhaps about 6C) going through the Peaks it was very subdued and pretty. I think it looks just as nice in the winter.

 

[HJ]

Probably not too well but since we have just had the worst snowfall in 18 years in the south-east and it lasted 2 days or so, I think it's safe to say that I haven't been on red alert with my shovel and grit.

Lets put this in context, you had 2" of snow and the whole place ground to a holt. Where Andy is they have had mean feet of snow and the everything is still working....

 

[Andy in Sig]

This morning is bright and cloudless and as I type the distant Alps are just going into hiding behind a rising band of moisture which the sun will be burning off Lake Constance. It was -16 C last night and the Danube which flows outside my flat had a paper thin coating of ice on it. The snow from yesterday got a bit slushy towards the evening and of course got a concrete like skin during the night so I had to ram my car through it into its parking space at work. However on mornings like this it is so pretty that all the snow shovelling seems worthwhile. The bad news is that there is more forecast for the weekend (but I'll be in London so I don't care) and there is no end in sight yet to the winter.

 

[Aperitif]

Always 'makes me sick' reading your lovely descriptions of the scenery and landscape Andy - continue!