These are the times when it pays to look forward to summer as much as winter. At least once we're past Xmas the cold will either arrive () or it won't and spring will be on the horizon (). The people I feel sorry for are those who spend all year looking forward only to the possibility of a couple of snow days. 

The problem with that is we're currently getting decent summer charts in winter, and all too often we get decent winter charts in summer.

I'm officially now giving up hope for any good Xmas weather. Cold & snowy spells are always nice at any stage of the winter, but nothing beats a cold run-up to Xmas, ideally with some snow.

I still yearn for a truly catastrophic UK-wide snow event - state of emergency declared, etc.

Thinking about it, that's not actually true. Current set-ups aren't that great, either - in fact, we're in a 'worst of both worlds' position.

The jet is too south to allow the Euro High to ridge over us, but's not far enough south to allow HLB.

The result is the crazy amounts of rain into the NW of the UK, with frequent rain in other parts, under mild air advected northwards.

A really awful set-up full stop.

Which is what is going to happen this weekend. Its mild now and looks like getting milder. The mean temp here has been above 12c all month,amazing stuff and there is no end to this set up in sight,long may it continue

Well observing the charts , models, outlooks, forecasts etc etc - looks like the south of England would be frost free this month! A complete write -off!.

At least last year - there as substantial snow in Sheffield from Boxing Day, Liverpool had a good dumping too and even the colder spells in the North of England /Scotland are short lived. - So bad news for them anyway and temperatures around average up north and milder than average at all times over England - double figure temperatures.

What a horrible start for those who want wintry, cold and snowy weather.

At least we had January and February left so roll on end of January.

Yet come spring or summer - we will get a north easterly wind or easterly haha!

It struck me that the El Niños that were classified as strong to very strong 1957-58, 1965-66, 1972-73, 1982-83, 1997-98 all had Aprils that were on the cool to cold side and or had a notable wintry episode in them after those winters.

Oh joy

Cold spells in april are a waste of time - just cannot be sustained or deep.

I like them for the novelty value. We had a 3cm fall in April 2012 - it all melted by midday but it was still interesting to see.

Like I said, a waste.

Well I'll say it now... If we flip from El Nino to La Nina next Summer... We'll have "problems" 

It is but Id take anything if Winter doesn't produce

Yeah, but most snowfalls in the UK are a waste because they usually melt within 24 hours anyway - on low ground at least.

I take it from that you associate Spring with dry warmer weather Brian?????  You should know better than that .

That's what your similes suggest to me anyhow.

The way December is panning out there is every chance March and April could be colder months

Grey stuff day again.

Indeed.

After the dullest November recorded at Reading U for the 60 years they have records - just 18.5 hours total for the month - December is going the same way.

Last Wednesday (7th) was sunny but I can't recall more than a glimpse of the sun on any other day this month. Now the MetO forecast for here for this week (recently extended to 7 days, rather than 5) shows a sunny interval, just one, on Friday afternoon (the 18th) and unremitting gloom until then. An occasional bit of rain, not much, temps flatlining in the range 9 - 12 C , so totally boring.

I don't want quite as much excitement as the North has been having, but what's the point of being a weather follower if there's nothing to follow?

P.S. The Times reports major panic in Swiss ski resorts, no snow below 2000m and not much even up there, with Christmas bookings taking a severe knock accordingly

Let's be realistic here - most people have no desire to see snow, let alone cold weather at all. Users like the above - with their desire for mild weather - might be in the minority on this website but they are generally a good reflection of what most people want.. cold weather and snow are not particularly good or useful for anyone at any time of year.

Spring 2013 was one of my favourite seasons - with only May being the letdown. March 2013 easily beat most winter months I've experienced in the snow department, and April 2013 was sunny, dry and chilly. Nothing depressing as far as I'm concerned - damaged drops don't really factor into personal weather preference.

Just out of interest, what effect does a fairly strong to very strong La Nina have on the UK winter? Is it as 'damaging' to cold prospects as a strong El Nino?