I wish the media and met office people would stop claiming that this snow is "unprecedented". I remember a much longer period of snow and freezing temperatures in 1979, and then when we were snowed in with no electricity in 1991 when our water pipes froze. It's possible that this kind of weather is uncommon in the South, but the entire country had much more severe snow in 1947 - a long time ago but certainly a precedence.

And when did snow become an "extreme weather event"? Maybe in summer that would be true, but this is winter.

They do like to exaggerate, don't they.

It has been snowing or under/near freezing now since December 17th in the South of Enhgland.

That is pretty extreme. Since 1995 we have seen very little snow - and since 1983 no sustained snow event like this.

Therefore, though it would be considered a normal winter for 1947 - 1983 - for many people born since 1983 it is major

( Another post cut short slightly - perhaps I only have 3 paragraphs !

I think for most people born after 1983 this year has been unprecedented - so it is most of the sub 30 years old generation. It must be very exciting for many of them - espcially after being told they might not see snow again by the Global Warming lobby.

We are told that things could be back to normal in the South East tomorrow. The North and Scotland and West still seem to have snow in the higher areas but the freeze seems to be having a day or two off.......( lets try Para 4 coming ...)

I wonder if we will see the proper end of the freeze this week ?

Event? That always makes me giggle when they talk about a weather event. It used to be weather conditions, but I suppose we are always finding new terminology to enhance the impact of a story.

Yes, this long a period of cold and snow is unusual but, as JC says, it's not unprecedented. We tend to get this kind of weather in the UK approx every 30 years. 1947 - 1979 - 2009/10. There is a clear pattern, and always a sprinkling of other snow events (giggle) here and there during the years between. My Hubby predicted this snowfall last year, based on that pattern. When it began he said "Here it is. We'll have this for a few weeks yet", and he's by no means a qualified weatherman.

In that sense, what we are witnessing is quite normal for the UK.

It will do the southerners some good to have to share the same weather conditions as the rest of us for a while. Go out and build a snowman and enjoy it while it lasts.

ha ha, love your post Emma

The David Icke forum has "Survival" Threads - which could be useful if anyone finds themselves cut off by bad weather.
www.davidicke.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89528

Good fun to read as well - especially if we are going to hit a New Ice Age ! In 1947 the bad winter was followed by one of the hottest summers on record. So extreme weather seems to lead to extreme weather.