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Solar Cycles
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 8:37:11 AM

This question of snow vs graupel or soft hail in convective precipitation is always a difficult one. They are classified by WMO as two distinct forms of precipitation which is true to an extent but there is really a continuum. Snow forms by the vapour growth of ice crystals, graupel when the snow crystals collide with supercooled water (which freezes on the ice surface ie riming) which you get a lot of in convective clouds with strong updraughts. Of course, you get particles with a wide range of degrees riming and growth from the vapour. The more rime the denser the particles, and the faster they fall, so the further below the freezing level they penetrate before melting.

Originally Posted by: TomC 

Great post Tom.👍

LeedsLad123
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 12:49:56 PM

Have there been any examples of snow in July or August?

Originally Posted by: NickR 


Now that would be spooky. I believe snow can fall on the very highest tops of the Scottish mountains in any month, but I've certainly never heard of low-level snow in either July or August. It's the height of summer, after all (or should be!).


Whitkirk, Leeds - 85m ASL.
Quantum
  • Quantum
  • Advanced Member Topic Starter
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 1:08:09 PM




Actually, I remember looking up about that and it appears that July & August snowfalls in the UK are virtually unheard of. The only type of snow that does hang around at that time of the year are usually in well shaded sides of Scottish mountains as packed "glacier"-like formations.   

I'm sure our Quantum will carry on issuing snow watch threads anyway.


Originally Posted by: idj20 


I'm sure it will shock you to know that I have looked into this.


 


To answer the question; No. On low ground snow has never been recorded in either July or August. 


On high ground I believe snow has been recorded at every time in the year (mostly above 1050m) except the last week of July where it is too warm for snow even to fall on the scottish and welsh summits. 


As far as lying snow goes, there are several spots in Scotland where it almost never melts notably the sphinx which is a sheltered slope at about 1000m where snow survives to the next winter.  


 


The closest I got to finding snow in july was 12th 1888, where it was unusually cold with temperatures dropping to 3C or 4C during the early hours with heavy showers. There were snow reports but they are generally regarded as being mistaken by hail.


 


The more interesting one is September snow, which I do actually believe to be possible but it just has a ridiculous rarity. Even October snow is more unusual than May snow. Snow can also fall at lower levels during June, though it has only ever done so in the first week I believe.


 


2024/2025 Snow days (approx 850hpa temp):
18/11 (-6)

2023/2024 Snow days (approx 850hpa temp):
29/11 (-6), 30/11 (-6), 02/12 (-5), 03/12 (-5), 04/12 (-3), 16/01 (-3), 18/01 (-8), 08/02 (-5)

Total: 8 days with snow/sleet falling.

2022/2023 Snow days (approx 850hpa temp):

18/12 (-1), 06/03 (-6), 08/03 (-8), 09/03 (-6), 10/03 (-8), 11/03 (-5), 14/03 (-6)

Total: 7 days with snow/sleet falling.

2021/2022 Snow days (approx 850hpa temp):

26/11 (-5), 27/11 (-7), 28/11 (-6), 02/12 (-6), 06/01 (-5), 07/01 (-6), 06/02 (-5), 19/02 (-5), 24/02 (-7), 30/03 (-7), 31/03 (-8), 01/04 (-8)
Total: 12 days with snow/sleet falling.
Tim A
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 3:57:02 PM
Proper snow here now and temperature just 1c.
We have missed the heavier stuff though which is passing just to the north. I can see the fields are all white just north of here.
Tim
NW Leeds
187m asl

 My PWS 
SJV
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 4:13:11 PM
Heavy snow at about 4pm in Grenoside - the sky looking full of it. Drove home and clear of it though, so not sure if any settled.
scillydave
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 4:51:48 PM

We've had snow showers over the last couple of days but nothing settling until today. However that's all changed after a really heavy shower went through that's left about an inch everywhere. Very pretty. The flaked during the heaviest part were extremely large - I measured one at just under 3 inches!! Exciting to watch


Currently living at roughly 65m asl North of Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Formerly of, Birdlip, highest village in the Cotswolds and snow heaven in winter; Hawkinge in Kent - roof of the South downs and Isles of Scilly, paradise in the UK.
Andy J
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 4:54:57 PM

Heavy rain has recently turned to a mix of sleet and wet snow, even a thin covering on car roofs, despite a temp of 6.5C !


Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.
Essan
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 5:50:15 PM

Not even had a spot of rain here today ..... feels colder though.  More like March than April.

Another air frost this morning too


Andy
Evesham, Worcs, Albion - 35m asl
Weather & Earth Science News 

Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job - DNA
Joe Bloggs
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 6:15:23 PM

Frequent sleety snow showers in south Manchester so far this evening.


Even settling on a few prone surfaces (albeit very temporarily).


with snow showers yesterday too this is becoming quite an unusual spell. 



Manchester City Centre, 31m ASL

idj20
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 6:29:39 PM

I think once temperatures does actually eventually recover to normal values (around 12 C to 15 C and higher dewpoints) under the "default" tropical maritime airflow, which is expected to do so as we go into next week at least for the southern half of the UK, it's going to suddenly feel positively balmy for it when compared to the past few days! (Especially at night time and first thing in the morning). 


Folkestone Harbour. 
Gary L
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 6:54:43 PM


Frequent sleety snow showers in south Manchester so far this evening.


Even settling on a few prone surfaces (albeit very temporarily).


with snow showers yesterday too this is becoming quite an unusual spell. 


Originally Posted by: Joe Bloggs 


It is quite odd that it's nearly May! I've got a close eye on the showers tomorrow night after the front moves through. I've moved out to Saddleworth so finally I've got a bit of elevation on my side! (200m) 

Jeff
  • Jeff
  • Advanced Member
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 7:02:38 PM
Heavy hail in our part of East Sussex near Wivelsfield Green. Just stopped. Temp fell from 8.1c to 2.3c. Lasted about an hour and has left a thin covering on grass, roofs and cars. Jeff
On the East/West Sussex Border
70m ASL
Whether Idle
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 7:12:55 PM

Braemar Friday.  Now that is


 


 http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gfjs69wkh#?fcTime=1461888000


 


Dover, 5m asl. Half a mile from the south coast.
Tim A
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 7:46:12 PM
1c and clearing skies.
Seen some great pics on Facebook of a good covering of snow just a couple of miles from here in Pudsey. We just had light snow most of the evening which wasn't heavy enough to settle.
Tim
NW Leeds
187m asl

 My PWS 
pdiddy
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 7:57:51 PM

I've just watched Jay Winne on the Beeb show the snow firstly staying North of the Central Belt (7.40pm local forecast) and then at 8.40pm say we are worried about the East Central Scotland, but the snow could be further North/South.  Fair to say it could be anywhere.


 

Solar Cycles
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 8:06:43 PM
Heavy snow/hail showers have left a covering IMBY. Spring is the new winter. 😜
snow 2004
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 8:37:57 PM
Moderate snow shower just easing off.
Glossop Derbyshire, 200m asl
schmee
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 9:03:17 PM
Showers of rain and mostly sleet with hail and snow today. Warm sunshine earlier today.
Observations from around GUILDFORD in SURREY and now Nottingham
Andy Woodcock
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 9:32:44 PM
3rd consecutive day with significant falling snow and a maximum temperature of 5.7c, this spell isn't comparable with late April 1981 but it's a 1 in 25 year event for so late in the month.

This isn't just April showers!

Andy
Andy Woodcock
Penrith
Cumbria

Altitude 535 feet

"Why are the British so worried about climate change? Any change to their climate can only be an improvement" John Daley 2001
NickR
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 10:17:35 PM
Snow on and off all day. Hills around Durham are visibly white. In a very favoured high spot about 15 mins drive away there was significant snow this evening - an inch or two there. Below 0°C already, so plants covered.
Nick
Durham
[email protected]
NickR
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 10:24:31 PM


 


11th July 1888 snow fell down to modest levels. Also seen a report from July 1938.


There were also reports of snow during May 2010. It's funny how the 3 changes in government (1979, 1997, 2010) that occurred in May, all reported snow.


 


Originally Posted by: KevBrads1 


Thanks, Kev. :)


Nick
Durham
[email protected]
peeps in west oxon
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 10:40:09 PM
Snow and hail fell here in Oxfordshire at about 1800. Kids footie training was called off because the snow was too deep on the AstroTurf. Cars covered and some slush in the roads. Bit surprising really!
West Oxfordshire, 80M ASL
tallyho_83
Thursday, April 28, 2016 12:50:09 AM


Heavy rain has recently turned to a mix of sleet and wet snow, even a thin covering on car roofs, despite a temp of 6.5C !


Originally Posted by: Andy J 


 


Here in Exeter it was 12c before it clouded over and some Cb's produced rain with soft hail and sleet mixed in. crazy! Temp dropped to single figures but still was most unexpected. It felt warm and then suddenly 1230pm -1pm sun went in and the wintry shower came along.


I expect April showers but it's May soon and didn't expect to see such prolonged and widespread snow/wintry showers for so long.


Why is the precipitation so wintry? Is it colder air aloft?


Home Location - Kellands Lane, Okehampton, Devon (200m ASL)
---------------------------------------
Sean Moon
Magical Moon
www.magical-moon.com


Tim A
Thursday, April 28, 2016 5:23:34 AM

Cetainly a notable spell due to how late in April it is. Max of only 5.2c yesterday with frequent snow showers with some areas having a local covering even during the middle of the day.

This morning it's clear and -1.4c. As I look out of the window there is a clear wedge of winter wonderland postcard scenes glistening in the morning light in roughly the area between Leeds and Bradford with areas nearer and farther beyond not seeing anything settling  Pictures I have seen suggest 2cm in this area. 
Tonight looks very interesting. Met office has temp between 0c and 1c all night with heavy snow showers.


Tim
NW Leeds
187m asl

 My PWS 
KevBrads1
Thursday, April 28, 2016 5:37:46 AM
Just had a very heavy snow shower which has left a slight covering. Still snowing now although moderately.
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