I’ve been watching the Weather Channel off and on and Europe really seems to be taking a pounding. I just saw a report which stated that many secondary roads in and around London haven’t been plowed or even sanded (gritted). I thought that europeans were used to winter weather; not so much for hot, humid weather. Is this year’s precipitation really that much more intense?
Well, the Scandinavians countries are used to it. The UK has a maritime climate, warmed by the Gulf Stream, and the south of England, and London in particular, tend to not get much in the way of snow. This is the second exceptional snowy spell there in 2010.
The alpine regions in Australia have been getting summer snow: 20 to 30 cm.
Temps in the 20s, it’s been snowing since sometime last night; we’ve gotten about seven or eight inches since then, and it’s not showing any signs of stopping soon. Yay! This is on top of another seven or eight we had on the ground, and more up higher of course. The skiing, for those who do it, is going to be great. So far it’s been quite snowy for early in the winter. We really need a good snow year so this is more than welcome. Lucky for me, I like the stuff. Not the ice layer underneath it so much, though. Slippery.
Summer snow? That sounds weird!
Meh, London used to get a lot more snow, the Thames used to ice up solid enough to hold winter fairs on it.
They need to stiffen their upper lips and everything else again 
Oh, I agree. The soft southern jessies!
Not really. It happens every three or four years.
Huh. I’m told there’s been occasional snow here as late as July, but I haven’t seen it yet; granted I’ve only lived here for three years. But even on the mountains I haven’t seen snow that late in the year. Weather is a weird thing.
It’s still snowing. This is awesome. I love it. I just hope I can get out to do my laundry tomorrow!
We’ve had snow every month of the year here in Calgary. It doesn’t stay long in August, though. 
The coldest spot in the UK last night was -19.5 C (-3f) . This was in Chesham, Buckinghamshire.
Ouch. That would be very cold even for somewhere like Braemar.
Well, to be fair, the last frost fair was 200 years ago during a mini-ice age, so you can hardly blame us current residents for not being used to it.
Northern Ireland had its lowest ever recorded temperature of -18C last night.
That’s cold even for someplace like Calgary. My sympathies for all you guys not used to cold and snowy. Actually, that’s pretty much the temperature here this morning (with windchill) - I’ve got my longjohns on for my walk to Safeway.
It’s 73 degrees in Tucson today. My kids are all wearing shorts. It sounds nice, but it makes it hard to get into the holiday spirit.
Luckily, there’s not much in the way of wind here.
Welcome to Canada, eh?
One thing I noticed about the UK–historically, they didn’t really do central heating in the way that Canadians have done. Houses aren’t as insulated either. So they would be much more uncomfortable than we would be at the same temperature.
Been snowing here off and on all day. Thank fuck I’m not in NI!
I’ve heard that about New Zealand and Australia, as well. A friend of ours who was raised in Calgary is now a New Zealander, and he thinks it’s crazy how they don’t insulate and heat their houses - it still gets cold enough to warrant some heating there. Hey, you’re an entrepreneurial kinda guy - how about starting a home insulation business in New Zealand?
Eh? Back in the 60s, maybe! Got hot and cold running water and everything now. I even have an indoor toilet. 