Question re North America arctic blast creeping east

Jawgap · 07-01-2014 7:38am #1

From the Beeb - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-25632586

What are the probabilities the event could continue east and begin to impact us?

Is it time to dust of the snow tyres and stick them on the bike?

Thanks

Sir Arthur Daley · 07-01-2014 7:38am

Not a hope, too mild.

Nabber · 07-01-2014 7:48am

Central USA, Eastern USA and Canada don't have the same maritime influence that Ireland has. We wouldn't get anything as bad as they get. Our warm sea shelters us

Jawgap · 07-01-2014 7:51am

Nabber wrote: »

Central USA, Eastern USA and Canada don't have the same maritime influence that Ireland has. We wouldn't get anything as bad as they get. Our warm sea shelters us

I didn't think we'd experience anything like what they're getting hit with, I was more wondering about

the possibility of it moving far enough east to influence our weather; and,

the chance that it would cause what would be for us an extreme cold weather event - say a prolonged (7+ days) period of temperatures below freezing?

Lucreto · 07-01-2014 8:24am

This time of year it should not take too long for the continent to cool down. There are plenty of instances where sudden changes can happen.

It was last year in Russia it was 20C one day and snowing the next.

It would help if the polar vortex moves away from the US.

This year will be known as the year that America stole Winter. :P

Harps · 07-01-2014 9:47am

Jawgap wrote: »

I didn't think we'd experience anything like what they're getting hit with, I was more wondering about

the possibility of it moving far enough east to influence our weather; and,

the chance that it would cause what would be for us an extreme cold weather event - say a prolonged (7+ days) period of temperatures below freezing?

Cold air coming from North America causes storms for us, not cold spells. The cold dry air clashes with warm moist air over the Atlantic which creates a strong jet stream which then causes deep low pressure systems/storms.

Generally the only way we can get prolonged cold weather is from the north and east

mike65 · 07-01-2014 10:24am

Jawgap wrote: »

From the Beeb - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-25632586

What are the probabilities the event could continue east and begin to impact us?

Is it time to dust of the snow tyres and stick them on the bike?

Thanks

3000 miles of "warm" Ocean mean we never could get what the North Americans are suffering. The Atlantic is the worlds biggest hot water bottle.

Elmer Blooker · 07-01-2014 10:40am

From record low temps to very springlike weather in a matter of days.

mike65 · 07-01-2014 10:55am

Pipes and pavements is the next challenge!

Irish Steve · 07-01-2014 12:43pm

The American weather can change overnight.

In Colorado a few years ago, on the Saturday at 1400 when we collected a friend from the airport at Denver, the temperature was in the mid 70's (F), and had been for most of the previous week.

We went back to our friend's house, on the foothills of the Rockies, and later that day, headed for horizontal.

We woke on the Sunday to see 18" of snow on the deck outside, and the outdoor temperature was -20(F), yes, MINUS 20, which meant over 70F change in less than 12 hours. There had been no wind worth talking about, we knew that from the column of snow 18" tall that was still sitting on the 4" wide 45 degree handrail of the steps up from the garage level to the deck.

It stayed below freezing day and night for the next week. Made for fun driving in the powdered snow that hung around for the entire period.

maquiladora · 07-01-2014 12:48pm

mike65 wrote: »

The Atlantic is the worlds biggest hot water bottle.

The Pacific laughs at this post.

J6P · 07-01-2014 1:01pm

The after effects of such a cold air mass leaving the US may affect us this weekend according to GFS.. We just need it to creep a couple of hundred miles further east.

patneve2 · 07-01-2014 1:16pm

J6P wrote: »

The after effects of such a cold air mass leaving the US may affect us this weekend according to GFS.. We just need it to creep a couple of hundred miles further east.

That happened various times during December. By the time the cold that exits Canada gets here, you will get sleet and hail showers at best with temps of about 5 at the surface. Proper cold comes from the N, NE and E (and sometimes from the NW). Over the Atlantic - no game. Anti-zonality - in game.

SEPT 23 1989 · 07-01-2014 1:19pm

ZX7R · 07-01-2014 4:02pm

In the end of february last year,a big pool of cold air came of north america canada -8 upper's over much of the atlantic we had snow shower over much of the country even into the east i remember posting on a weather tread about it

bnt · 07-01-2014 9:14pm

Isn't the real driver of the weather in the USA at the moment the "polar vortex" in the upper atmosphere? You can see what I mean here, the view of the 10hPa pressure altitude over the North Pole. Last week it looked fairly circular, now it looks more like a racetrack, with the sharpest corner over the USA. :cool:

goat2 · 07-01-2014 11:41pm

watching sky news there,
they are saying that it is likely that this freezing vortex that has the united states going through hell, that it is likely that they in britain will get,
if that is the case, we are on the path and are also going to get it

mumo3 · 07-01-2014 11:49pm

goat2 wrote: »

watching sky news there,
they are saying that it is likely that this freezing vortex that has the united states going through hell, that it is likely that they in britain will get,
if that is the case, we are on the path and are also going to get it

The freezing vortex part no thanks but I wouldn't mind an oul bit of snow

goat2 · 07-01-2014 11:56pm

mike65 wrote: »

3000 miles of "warm" Ocean mean we never could get what the North Americans are suffering. The Atlantic is the worlds biggest hot water bottle.

yet listening to sky news, britain is not ruling it out, that it is likely to come their way, could they be right

Birdnuts · 08-01-2014 12:27am

Its a very short lived blast though - its already warming up over Texas and the most of the cold will be gone from elsehere within the next 48 hrs

SpaceTime · 08-01-2014 12:51am

goat2 wrote: »

yet listening to sky news, britain is not ruling it out, that it is likely to come their way, could they be right

Sky News loves a good impending weather disaster though. I'd take it with a very large pinch of salt!

fontdor · 08-01-2014 1:09pm

What are your theories? Do you think USA'S weather will come over to Ireland.

Tzardine · 08-01-2014 1:11pm

SNOW!??

You are on the wrong forum to wish against snow

SEPT 23 1989 · 08-01-2014 1:25pm

I would welcome it with open arms

wexie · 08-01-2014 1:26pm

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

I would welcome it with open arms

The snow or the -30 temperatures?

Wouldn't mind some snow but I can do without the extreme temperatures here.

Vinz Mesrine · 08-01-2014 1:26pm

Ireland would never be able to cope with weather like that. Anything worse than -5 and the country comes to a complete standstill.

I would love it though

SEPT 23 1989 · 08-01-2014 1:28pm

wexie wrote: »

The snow or the -30 temperatures?

Wouldn't mind some snow but I can do without the extreme temperatures here.

all of it:D

wexie · 08-01-2014 1:30pm

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

all of it:D

Not too sure about the extreme temperatures, wouldn't want to have to rely on being able to keep the house warmish at -30.

I'd be happy enough with lots of snow and -10 though.

Maximus Alexander · 08-01-2014 1:32pm

-30 would result in a staggering amount of deaths in this country. I don't know how anyone could wish for that, as much as I love a bit of snow.

snubbleste · 08-01-2014 1:39pm

Yes please
2tHUmRH.jpg?1

dopolahpec · 08-01-2014 1:46pm

Idiotic thread

fontdor · 08-01-2014 2:06pm

wexie wrote: »

The snow or the -30 temperatures?

Wouldn't mind some snow but I can do without the extreme temperatures here.

Oh god no way not the temperature just the snow but like nothing less than -1 or -2.

Elmer Blooker · 08-01-2014 2:22pm

Boston and New York will be warmer than Ireland this weekend.
Temps of 10-13c expected there.

patneve2 · 08-01-2014 2:27pm

What's most impressive (in my opinion) about the cold spell in the USA is the lake effect snow that is still hammering places like Buffalo. Upper air is so cold that it can create convection even over partially frozen lakes :eek: Almost 2 feet of snow for the luckier spots off the lakes, all in the form of snow showers. Amazing places...

syklops · 08-01-2014 3:11pm

Herself and meself were talking about it last night.

We'd both feckin love it if it came here.

Which means that it won't

Akrasia · 08-01-2014 3:43pm

burst pipes, no water, no heating cause your pipes are all frozen, sounds fun

Almost as much fun as paying for all the damage after the pipes thaw out and there are leaks everywhere.

Macy0161 · 08-01-2014 3:47pm

snubbleste wrote: »

Yes please

Saturday looks crap - no thanks.

nacho libre · 08-01-2014 4:14pm

fontdor wrote: »

What are your theories? Do you think USA'S weather will come over to Ireland.

it's coming, rather a chunk of very cold air is coming across the Atlantic from the north east of the states, but unfortunately it's modified by the time it reaches here.

we can never experience the depth of cold they've had over there, unless you can turn off the gulf stream and cause a mini ice-age to occur

goat2 · 08-01-2014 4:19pm

Akrasia wrote: »

burst pipes, no water, no heating cause your pipes are all frozen, sounds fun

Almost as much fun as paying for all the damage after the pipes thaw out and there are leaks everywhere.

god help us if this came our way, plumbers would be too busy to help all, would be waiting to get things up and running,
also for those who love their gardens, there would be frozen and dead plants to replace,
alot of people dont even have an open fire without back boiler to keep warm, i noticed alot of homes did not bother with chimneys at all, using solar and oil or gas to heat homes,
hope it does not come our way,
our homes are not insulated for that kind of climate.
we got enough of a roughing up with the storms, dont need any more.

wexie · 08-01-2014 4:23pm

goat2 wrote: »

god help us if this came our way, plumbers would be too busy to help all, would be waiting to get things up and running,

Never mind that a lot of plumbers would be sat at home as they wouldn't be able to get out to their customers.

As already said, that kind of snow is something we'd have a hard time dealing with, but those temperatures would end up killing lots of people in Ireland.

Emergency services wouldn't be able to get out, gards don't have the vehicles (or tires) to get around in that kind of weather. No oil deliveries, no shopping deliveries, ESB crews would be completely inundated with lines being down, etc. etc. etc.

If you think 2010 was bad, the weather they're having in some parts of the states would be a national disaster here.

hegarty147 · 08-01-2014 4:27pm

I am living in toronto and yesterday it was minus 43 with wind chill ....you do not want that in Ireland at all. Its amazing though how the city still runs fairly well even in this weather

wexie · 08-01-2014 4:29pm

hegarty147 wrote: »

I am living in toronto and yesterday it was minus 43 with wind chill ....you do not want that in Ireland at all. Its amazing though how the city still runs fairly well even in this weather

not that much of a jump from -15/20 to -43 in the amount of preparation needed though is there?

Compared to Ireland getting a prolonged spell of -20

JJJJNR · 08-01-2014 4:33pm

We had -12 I think in 2010 and we survived, bring it on.

hegarty147 · 08-01-2014 4:33pm

there is a difference though. For example yesterday the street cars would not work as when it goes below minus 30 the cables freeze where today the street cars are working because I think its minus 23.

goat2 · 08-01-2014 4:36pm

hegarty147 wrote: »

I am living in Toronto and yesterday it was minus 43 with wind chill ....you do not want that in Ireland at all. Its amazing though how the city still runs fairly well even in this weather

beleive me nothing would run here, not even the cat or dog if it were to happen,
farm animals would freeze to death, we would find birds everywhere frozen to death, and people living in isolated areas would be worst hit, no body would be able to go to them

it is great to hear from a person living in Toronto, at least you can give us a good first hand account as to how it would change our everyday lives, and what we would need to do if an event were to come our way,
which i hope it does not,
i am happy with what i have a bit of rain and wind, with that terrifying storm we had on new years eve for good measure

wexie · 08-01-2014 4:39pm

JJJJNR wrote: »

We had -12 I think in 2010 and we survived, bring it on.

-12 is nothing, -40 is when the polar bears start thinking of using woollen condoms. Most diesel cars would probably stop working as we've no winter diesel here.

It'd be a big big deal.

(actually one of the articles mentioned that the polar bear in Chicago zoo (I think) is refusing to go outside, think it was on the BBC website)

hegarty147 · 08-01-2014 4:42pm

wexie wrote: »

-12 is nothing, -40 is when the polar bears start thinking of using woollen condoms. Most diesel cars would probably stop working as we've no winter diesel here.

It'd be a big big deal.

(actually one of the articles mentioned that the polar bear in Chicago zoo (I think) is refusing to go outside, think it was on the BBC website)

the only big thing i noticed yesterday when walking outside is that the wind burns your skin because its so cold also i have cuts on my hands and on my face when they were exposed. It is also a strange feeling when you breathe through your nose and your whole nostril freezes. My friend was walking from mcdonals last night and in a 5 minutes walk his coke was completely frozen. The good thing is that it is now so cold it cant even snow

mike65 · 08-01-2014 4:45pm

Anyone can stand in an industrial freezer unit for a while at around -18, but only because there is NO air movement, try it in a gale and you'd be perished to Betsy in no time at all.

Anyone who would want such weather are either grade A fool or genuinely naive.

wexie · 08-01-2014 4:49pm

hegarty147 wrote: »

the only big thing i noticed yesterday when walking outside is that the wind burns your skin because its so cold also i have cuts on my hands and on my face when they were exposed. It is also a strange feeling when you breathe through your nose and your whole nostril freezes. My friend was walking from mcdonals last night and in a 5 minutes walk his coke was completely frozen. The good thing is that it is now so cold it cant even snow

I remember that, can't breath through your mouth as it's sore on the throat and breathing through your nose you can feel all the little hairs freezing against the inside and then coming loose again. Strange feeling

I'd say next week is going to be terrible for you guys, stuff thawing during the day and then freezing at night again.

goat2 · 08-01-2014 5:06pm

when we did have a freeze here a couple yrs ago, there were birds down dead frozen, underground water pipes were were frozen burst in attics and ruined homes, also underground waterpipes are not down far enough here,
also they were saying in the news that the antifreeze also freeze, must be when it reach a certain - temp, that would mean all vehicles would be in trouble, burst pipes and so on,
it would be a total disaster for all of us,
reading hagerty,s and wexie,s posts give a good insight into what it means to go outside for a couple minuets, its scary

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 08-01-2014 5:12pm

i remember having to smoke outside when I lived in Canada, was fine until it hit -30 for a few days.

i never smoked as fast or wore so much in my life. three trousers, four tshirts, 2-3 pairs of socks, 3 jumpers and my only big coat + hat.

I still ended up inhaling the cigarette in two drags and getting th e**** indoors as fast as possible

Question re North America arctic blast creeping east

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