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ST Cirq -there are always quite a high number of deaths in the winter in Eastern and Central Europe. There is little or now organised refuge for homeless people. They drink a lot and just quietly freeze to death I'm afraid. This year the snow has been exceptional in some places which don't normally get so much snow, which hasn't help.
The canals in Amsterdam are frozen and skating should be possible tomorrow, if the forecast snow isn't too bad. Snow is not good for ice growth, nor is the strong wind we've been experiencing. The locals are out skating on some of the lakes around me. I'm not sure the ice is really thick enough yet but they seems to be OK. BittenByTheTBug - it has been a very mild winter in Europe until this last week or so when it suddenly hit. I have had roses blooming all winter which is very unusual here. I see Phil predicts another 6 weeks of winter in the US, though his rivals disagree. |
We had an unusually snow-less winter in Spokane. We had one good snow that left about 10 inches or so, but nothing like we usually have.
Last year we had a good deal of snow, and the year before (2009-2010)we had almost 8 feet, most of it on the ground at the same time. I'm shocked at how bad it is in eastern and central Europe. My sister told me about a very cold winter in Spokane one year. With the wind chill factor, it was -60 F. She stressed this because she couldn't smoke in the hospital where she worked, so she was outside smoking in minus 60F weather. Even she, a dedicated smoker, was appalled at her own behavior. |
I remember arriving in Spokane by Amtrak a few years ago, and noting that the temperature on a nearby electronic readerboard was 2F. I thought the first number was missing.
Later, we walked across the bridge by Spokane Falls...it was so cold I couldn't move my mouth to speak. My parents live in Mead so I get frequent updates on Spokane weather. Much more temperate over here in Western Washington! |
Well on the other side, we have had no summer! I think we have had two of three really hot days, other than that it has rained almost everyday :-( I will be in London on the 14th and have been watching the weather closely, not used to the cold and not looking forward to the snow in London or Paris. We rarely get minus degrees and even then its only minus 1, I can't imagine being in Paris where it says that its minus 4 but feels like minus 9.
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My apologies for my light hearted comment earlier - that was crass. I had no idea how serious this was, with deaths and all. I'm truly sorry. Here on both the coldest and hottest days of the year the schools open their gymnasiums for the elderly and others who need relief. I hope there are provisions made.
Here we usually have a couple weeks worth of days when the wind chill is well below zero, a couple days when its -20F. We give up all thought of fashion at that point and just dress really, really warm - only thing showing is our eyes. My pessimistic side is expecting we will get hit with a late winter storm on the day our plane leaves for England and the flight will be cancelled. But, that is small problem compared to those who are truly suffering, and I can't do a thing about it so no point worrying. |
No snow here in cornwall, but it is chilly - putting it in perspective, nothing like it is in Switzerland or the Ukraine where many of the deaths have been.
the only time i've experienced anything like as cold as -25C was skiing in the alps one year - they closed the chairlifts as they thought people might freeze while they were up there, and tried to make sure that people didn't ski with babies in back-packs - they thought that the body warmth wouldn't be enough to keep them alive. temps here are forecast to rise tomorrow, thank goodness. the haw-frost is very pretty though. |
Snow here today and -6C. The snow should be over today and back to cold and sun tomorrow, -8C promised as our high tomorrow.
A homeless man died in a town not far from me yesterday. He found shelter in the garden shed of people he knew, since they were not home when he called on them. They found him the following morning. |
Yorkshire at -7C this morning and the back wood was invaded by deer, still it looks nasty in Eastern Europe.
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We have just had our coldest February night since 1956, but not the coldest night of a winter - that was in 1942, when the temps dropped to 27,4C on January 27th right in the middle of the occupation. Last night one place it went down to -23C. Here it was a balmy -17C at 9 am.
I know that is not cold for Russians, or Canadians or some Americans, but for us, with our maritime climate it is cold. Speed limits lowered on all the motorways as salt doesn't work below -7C and after yesterdays snow they are really dangerous, some flights are cancelled at Schiphol, but after yesterdays initial chaos the trains seems to be running OK again. More snow expected tomorrow. |
It's around freezing in London at the moment as far as I can tell and they're forecasting snow over eastern England in general for tonight, but London is such a heat-sink who knows what will settle?
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No snow yet in Munich. -10C at 1pm.. not unusual, but still too cold for my taste.
At least driving is no problem, as the cold spell had brought only sunny weather. The roads and sidewalks in the lowlands are free as there is no frost or black ice due to the dry climate. And the leftover snow and ice from 2 weeks ago has slowly evaporated from the pavements. |
It's around freezing in London at the moment as far as I can tell and they're forecasting snow over eastern England in general for tonight, but London is such a heat-sink who knows what will settle?>>
hi patrick, you've still got time to get yourself to Paddington and get on a train to Penzance. We are basking in temperatures of about 8C and rain. you'd love it. |
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ndon-cars.html
Okay, it's the Daily Mail but they have put together some good photos. |
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well, it simply isn't true that this is the first snow in rome for 26 years as we had 1/2 a day or so of it in February 2010. we were walking down to St. Peter's for the Scavi tour and couldn't see the Dome even from the piazza in front of the Basilica.
but then the Daily mail has never let the truth get in the way of a good story. and the pics are good. |
When I got up around 6 am, the temperature in Basel was -16. DH says it warmed up to -5. I spent the day in Gstaad, where it was -18. It was ok for walking around (I took a cafe break whenever I got chilled), but then it started getting windy and that was enough for me. I caught the train back around 4 pm. The snow is really deep in Gstaad this year, probably one of their best seasons in some time (if you're ok with the cold) and the scenery was absolutely beautiful. I had a Flipcam with me and filmed parts of the train ride back to Zweisimmen (I was in the GoldenPass panorama car); I hope to upload the videos tomorrow and will post a link.
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sounds lovely. how far from Basel to Gstaad?
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You're lucky you're in Switzerland, FoFoBT. Trains elsewhere aren't doing such a good job of running or running on time, I've read. I guess one can assume the Swiss will make sure things don't shut down.
Sounds like a beautiful ride! |
From Basel to Gstaad is about 3 hours - my default route is fast train to Bern (just under an hour), then Lotschberger regional express to Zweisimmen - the train from Zweisimmen to Gstaad usually leaves shortly after the Lotschberger arrives. Right now the temp here in Basel is -14, warmer than the -19 predicted (no complaints from me that we didn't reach our target!)
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