I believe SSW events occur every other year (on average) in the northern hemisphere winter... So very common, and certainly not the case that each one will put us into an extended deep freeze a la 1963. Interesting only one has ever been recorded in the southern hemisphere for reasons I don't understand. Andrew
Originally Posted by: johnm1976
I think historically major SSW events have occurred on average 1 in 4 winters in the northern hemi only.
Every single winter since the snowy spell of Feb 2009 has featured a major SSW, so this is unusual.
Not every one has delivered cold to us, but most have.
Jan 2012 event delieverd deep cold to Europe (I was in Amsterdam at -15c shortly afterwards!) , whereas we just got bit frosty, for example.
Originally Posted by: Chiltern Blizzard