Winter 2011/2012

redsunset wrote: »

Could be a mild one too.Low Solar seems to promote greater chance of blocked westerlies.So not written in stone im afraid.

THE LAST two Irish winters delivered plenty of snow and ice, and if solar scientists are correct we had better get used to it.

The sun seems to have gone on strike and the result will be Arctic wintertime conditions across northern Europe for the next 50 years.

The sun should be getting more lively, kicking off solar storms and producing sunspots as it moves into a cyclical peak of activity.

For some reason, however, it has broken out of its normal pattern and has gone decidedly quiet, according to researchers presenting data at the American Astronomical Society annual meeting in New Mexico.

Data from a number of groups shows that solar activity has flatlined, the first time this has happened for years, said the US National Solar Observatory.

The last major example of this occurred during the Maunder Minimum, a 70-year period when no sunspots appeared during 1645-1715. This was also the time that record cold spells occurred, the Thames froze over to allow ice skating and long winters shortened the summertime growing season.

The sun was relatively quiet the last two winters even though it is supposed to be approaching a peak of activity in its 11-year sunspot cycle. The research shows the peak will be greatly reduced or may not happen at all.

“This is highly unusual and unexpected,” according to Dr Frank Hill of the observatory.

Three groups using different methods all came up with the same result. The fact that they match up “is a powerful indicator that the sunspot cycle may be going into hibernation”, said Dr Hill.

Prof Mike Lockwood of the University of Southampton has closely studied the implications of a quiet sun, and will publish new findings within weeks.

He has already established that low solar activity causes high altitude jet stream winds to twist back on themselves during winter months. This channels bitterly cold Arctic air and frigid winds from the Russian Steppes across northern Europe and on to Ireland.

“Our evidence shows that low solar activity makes it easier for something called ‘jet stream blocking’ to occur,” he said yesterday. “I predicted a year ago there was a 10 per cent chance we would be in Maunder Minimum conditions by 2040.”

It hardly seems fair having to plan for a cold winter before Ireland’s summer has arrived. There are advantages, however, including a greater likelihood of a white Christmas.

The financially minded might try making a mint by investing in grit

dbyrne wrote: »

nice snow in new zealand, hasnt happend to them in over 30 years according to some reports, roads closed, 30cm snow, 1 or 2 pics below

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/winter-bites-snow-hits-roads-flights-4321784/photos

hope thats here in a few months, even though it cost me as fortune because of the cold and snow we had great fun with my daughter every day in it.

oh and I think all nay sayers and snow haters shouldbe banded from the forum until april or may when all the fun weather is gone

My cousin in Christchurch on visa there posted this on facebook just moments ago


"Woke up to 5inches of snow and a shut down Christchurch! I am not impressed.. Mr sun PLEASE come out and melt it all!!"

HA

desolate sun wrote: »

I really hope this isn't the case!
It was all over the media that we are heading for a 30/50/70 year spell of Arctic winters and the general public are convinced that's what we'll get.
I really hope we don't get the opposite. I am getting used to these proper snow scenarios, where snow lasts for weeks (as opposed to slushy snow that's gone by lunchtime!)
Wouldn't it be wonderful if were guaranteed this every year and lakes and rivers froze over regularly. We could have ice-skating like they have in those old films

if people (and the council) get their crampons, grit, etc sorted and the airports manage to keep open during the snow and ice, then there will be less complaints.
And before the snow haters say anything, last Christmas I had no running water for days and the year before that the boiler broke and it wouldn't turn off, meaning unbearable heat for days on end (not to mention crazy oil bills! )
also the house I live in has no central heating, only an open fire and the cold was unbearable. (the house with the boiler is my brothers) So I know the some if the ill effects of the snow but the good outshines the bad. (I really hope I don't fall on it now, for tempting fate!)

Roll on the snow, is what I say!

I just want those early nights to start where i would be looking out the window every 5 mins on the chance there'd be some snow!

AAHHHH CANT WAIT !

desolate sun wrote: »

I really hope this isn't the case!
It was all over the media that we are heading for a 30/50/70 year spell of Arctic winters and the general public are convinced that's what we'll get.
I really hope we don't get the opposite. I am getting used to these proper snow scenarios, where snow lasts for weeks (as opposed to slushy snow that's gone by lunchtime!)
Wouldn't it be wonderful if were guaranteed this every year and lakes and rivers froze over regularly. We could have ice-skating like they have in those old films

if people (and the council) get their crampons, grit, etc sorted and the airports manage to keep open during the snow and ice, then there will be less complaints.
And before the snow haters say anything, last Christmas I had no running water for days and the year before that the boiler broke and it wouldn't turn off, meaning unbearable heat for days on end (not to mention crazy oil bills! )
also the house I live in has no central heating, only an open fire and the cold was unbearable. (the house with the boiler is my brothers) So I know the some if the ill effects of the snow but the good outshines the bad. (I really hope I don't fall on it now, for tempting fate!)

Roll on the snow, is what I say!

Hear!! Hear!! I was recently looking at my pictures from last December, and the thought crossed my mind what if i never see another winter month as epic as this again:( Waking up and looking out the window to see a scene that was akin to Lapland during winter was just brilliant!

IM STILL HOPEFULL!... LAst year around this time the long range forecasts said the same pretty much ( mix winter, unsettled... blah blah blah... )


SO ye... Anyone wanna hear my forecast?................ SNOWWWWWWWW!!!
:rolleyes:

irishdub14 wrote: »

I've noticed a few trees outside my house have started to colour already!

Very strange indeed!!.. im gonna try look into this