The official NerdZoner's weather zone! How's your weather today?

[Geffers]

@Geffers that is substantial severe weather history in the UK of 1947. Thanks for sharing because I didn't know if the UK had any history of severe cold weather. I assumed Scotland and Northern Ireland would have some severe cold weather but learning the UK had that tragic winter puts a new light on the potential for severe winters in the UK.

@Retro as I was reading your weather article I was wondering if the UK had to be concerned with power loss and my question was answered in your article.


I hope you all stay safe and warm with this Arctic blast coming your way and there won't be any power cuts.

Our north eastern states are also expecting this same Arctic blast with blizzards expected. On the southern US map, we are expecting severely cold weather but not any storms. We hope to not have any power loss.

1963 was colder, and long. Started on Boxing Day (Dec 26th 1962) and lasted till March. Not as much snow but due to low temperatures it didn't melt.

1953 there was a storm, The devastating North Sea flood of 1953 caused catastrophic damage and loss of life in Scotland, England, Belgium and The Netherlands and became one of the worst peacetime disasters of the 20th century. 307 people died in England, 19 died in Scotland, 28 died in Belgium, 1,836 died in the Netherlands and a further 361 people died at sea.

Three nature events came together, high winds in the North Sea, a high Spring tide and a deep pressure system caused a surge of water from the open North Sea into a narrow water area between UK and mainland Europe. The East Coast of Southern UK and the Netherlands are both below sea level, hence the major flooding to both areas. Plus the surge came in the middle of the night when people were in bed, caught people unaware.

The devastating storm of 1953 - The History Press

Why was the devastating storm of 1953 so different and why did it cause so much loss of life?

thehistorypress.co.uk

Geffers

 

[Tiffany]

Oh yes, with climate change, our extreme weather is often a smaller version of yours, unfortunately. Stay safe.

Just come back from visiting a friend and the temperature is showing around zero on the iPhone and car, although I didn't experience any frost or unusual conditions, thankfully. Felt cold enough outside the car in both locations though. Tomorrow might be a different matter.

Thank you, wishing safety to everyone in the UK and you keep your power on! Sounds like your arctic weather is moving on in now. Zero degree in Celsius is cold enough which is 32F to translate.

It's been dark today with lots of cloud cover. You can tell the arctic blast is reaching to the far south of the states now. Tomorrow is supposed to be when the arctic front really passes through. We expect to have high wind gusts and scattered thunderstorms with a fast drop in temperature. Tomorrow night will be around 22F.

1963 was colder, and long. Started on Boxing Day (Dec 26th 1962) and lasted till March. Not as much snow but due to low temperatures it didn't melt.

1953 there was a storm, The devastating North Sea flood of 1953 caused catastrophic damage and loss of life in Scotland, England, Belgium and The Netherlands and became one of the worst peacetime disasters of the 20th century. 307 people died in England, 19 died in Scotland, 28 died in Belgium, 1,836 died in the Netherlands and a further 361 people died at sea.

Three nature events came together, high winds in the North Sea, a high Spring tide and a deep pressure system caused a surge of water from the open North Sea into a narrow water area between UK and mainland Europe. The East Coast of Southern UK and the Netherlands are both below sea level, hence the major flooding to both areas. Plus the surge came in the middle of the night when people were in bed, caught people unaware.

The devastating storm of 1953 - The History Press

Why was the devastating storm of 1953 so different and why did it cause so much loss of life?

thehistorypress.co.uk

Geffers

Thank you for that storm history, Geffers. The UK's 1953 storm was really tragic with so many people dying; so sad. Severe storms that arrive in the middle of the night can be really devastating and it sounds like this 1953 storm had all of the ingredients to cause so much tragedy, loss of life and property. That's the scary part about hurricane season in the states when those hurricanes make landfall at night too. Storm surge can also be seriously catastrophic, especially at night. How scary.

 

[Geffers]

Thank you for that storm history, Geffers. The UK's 1953 storm was really tragic with so many people dying; so sad. Severe storms that arrive in the middle of the night can be really devastating and it sounds like this 1953 storm had all of the ingredients to cause so much tragedy, loss of life and property. That's the scary part about hurricane season in the states when those hurricanes make landfall at night too. Storm surge can also be seriously catastrophic, especially at night. How scary.

Doubtful it'd happen nowadays, back in 53 few people had televisions or home phones, they heard the news on the radio, they had no idea of what was about to happen. Saw a documentary once of men handing babies up to their wife who was in the attic to escape the water. Holland was worst hit.

Think an earthquake is about the only event that can catch people out, we get warned of most others.

Geffers

 

[Tiffany]

Doubtful it'd happen nowadays, back in 53 few people had televisions or home phones, they heard the news on the radio, they had no idea of what was about to happen. Saw a documentary once of men handing babies up to their wife who was in the attic to escape the water. Holland was worst hit.

Think an earthquake is about the only event that can catch people out, we get warned of most others.

Geffers

That makes sense that those people didn't get proper warnings as people do now with all of the technology we have in place. I think I'm one of the hold-outs as I still listen to the radio though.

Today, there are so many apps that can be used to alert you of weather warnings, earthquakes and volcanoes. I have a volcano and earthquake app on my phone by volcano discovery. I've had it for years, not that earthquakes are concerning where I live, but if I should travel, then it's good to have. I did feel an earthquake in Puerto Rico years ago, and my app confirmed my experience. I agree with you though, on the earthquakes, warning or not, it will happen and the affects are always unknown. At least with a tornado, you can track it somewhat and know if you have to take cover or if you're okay.

 

[Nebulous]

Been in the 50's (F) here lately.

 

[Tiffany]

Temps in the 50s to upper 60s sounds like nice weather.

We reached 22F last night. We have a winter storm coming in Wednesday night through Friday. I've never seen so much snow expected. Our wicked weather of January 2025 is starting out with it's first course of sleet and ice Wednesday night, followed by snow through Friday. This afternoon, we just went through our survival check list in case we lose power.

How is the UK doing with all of the cold weather that came through? Everyone okay?

 

[Geffers]

Temps in the 50's to upper 60's sounds like nice weather.

We reached 22F last night. We have a winter storm coming in Wednesday night through Friday. I've never seen so much snow expected. Our wicked weather of January 2025 is starting out with it's first course of sleet and ice Wednesday night, followed by snow through Friday. This afternoon, we just went through our survival check list in case we lose power.

How is the UK doing with all of the cold weather that came through? Everyone okay?

UK had a very mild Sunday, temperatures in the low 50s (about 9c) even during the night but tonight (Monday) around 36F or 2-3c

 

[Retro]

How is the UK doing with all of the cold weather that came through? Everyone okay?

Weather is mild here, but some parts of the UK are making headlines for extreme weather.

This afternoon, we just went through our survival check list in case we lose power.

Yikes! I hope yours doesn't get too extreme.

 

[Tiffany]

UK had a very mild Sunday, temperatures in the low 50s (about 9c) even during the night but tonight (Monday) around 36F or 2-3c

We would love temps in the 50's right now. Glad you are having some mild weather.

Weather is mild here, but some parts of the UK are making headlines for extreme weather.


Yikes! I hope yours doesn't get too extreme.

The US is like that too. Sometimes some states are getting hammered with severe storms and we will be sunny and hot, like over 100F, yet other states are in chaos. Glad it's all calm for you now.

It looks like our winter weather will be extreme. Ice and sleet was put back in the forecast along with 5 to 8 inches of snow. This is not a normal forecast. This would be normal if you lived in some northern, north eastern or north western states, but not Texas. The bad weather is expected to come in after midnight tomorrow night. I have PTSD from our winter storms since 2021. Finger's crossed we make it through this with keeping the power on.

We are not the only state with this forecast. The storm tracks to eastern states, as well, and to the east coast line.

 

[Retro]

I have PTSD from our winter storms since 2021.

Crikey that must have been bad!

Hope the weather doesn't cause you too many problems.

 

[live627]

It was beyond bad. From my watch history:

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Houses are built to dispel heat.

 

[Tiffany]

Crikey that must have been bad!

Hope the weather doesn't cause you too many problems.

After surviving the February storm of 2021, all of my family goes through a winter weather checklist when we know a winter storm is coming through. I don't use the word "survive" lightly. Living without power in zero (F) degree temperatures put us all in survival mode including our dogs. I had to make sure my dogs were near the fireplace always, especially, when I found my Snowy Bear on the couch with such a low heart rate and cold that first night. We're hoping that the low temps of 20F will help for us to keep the power on for this 2025 storm.

It was beyond bad. From my watch history:

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Houses are built to dispel heat.

Thank you for these videos. I'm watching them right now. Just hearing the narration brings back a lot of memories of how we spent our time during those cold days and nights. We spent it keeping a fire going, forging for firewood in the creek line of trees in the back after we ran out of firewood or walking to our barn in the back when sometimes at 3am in the morning we ran out of firewood and also trying to save our food. My dd created boxes for our food outside and packed the food with all of the snow. We were able to save most of our food that way. I felt like I was living on the prairie in the old West. Each winter since 2021 we have been getting some kind of severe winter storm in Texas.

 

[Retro]

After surviving the February storm of 2021, all of my family goes through a winter weather checklist when we know a winter storm is coming through. I don't use the word "survive" lightly. Living without power in zero (F) degree temperatures put us all in survival mode including our dogs. I had to make sure my dogs were near the fireplace always, especially, when I found my Snowy Bear on the couch with such a low heart rate and cold that first night. We're hoping that the low temps of 20F will help for us to keep the power on for this 2025 storm.

What it did to SB is awful, glad he survived.

Given that these kinds of outages happen often enough for you and can have severe consequences, would it be possible for you to invest in an external diesel generator to keep you going for a few days when this happens? This way you can remain in a nice warm house with electric lights, too. Assuming you've got gas central heating, you'd have to plug in a couple of electric radiators of course, to keep essential parts of your home warm until the main power returns.

I don't know how much such a setup would cost, but I bet it would be several thousand and hope not cripplingly expensive.

 

[Tiffany]

What it did to SB is awful, glad he survived.

Given that these kinds of outages happen often enough for you and can have severe consequences, would it be possible for you to invest in an external diesel generator to keep you going for a few days when this happens? This way you can remain in a nice warm house with electric lights, too. Assuming you've got gas central heating, you'd have to plug in a couple of electric radiators of course, to keep essential parts of your home warm until the main power returns.

I don't know how much such a setup would cost, but I bet it would be several thousand and hope not cripplingly expensive.

Me too, it was really scary when I found SB. It was like he was a cold blooded animal, and took on the temperature in the room and wasn't moving.

Today was spent getting everything charged up. My dd and I raked leaves that were near a back door that we might have to open tomorrow. We have a few back doors, but this one we don't use much, though it's near the kitchen and we might need it. I know the weather is too cold for snakes, but I just didn't want any surprises with some kind of animal hovering in the leaves and then "uh-oh" I opened the door and it runs in.

We have talked about a generator many times, but we have issues with the structure of our house and pulling off an installation. A generator would cost probably 100k or more. I'm not sure if there's a difference with a diesel generator compared to what's normally installed here in Texas. I'll look it up. We have a few neighbors that have broken down, since the storm of 2021, and added generators.

We keep thinking these winter storms will retreat the next year and our winters will be somewhat mild, but since 2021, every year, we've had a bad winter storm.

 

[Retro]

Yeah, you don't want any nasty surprises running in, for sure.

100k is cripplingly expensive, like I feared. From a technical standpoint though, I was thinking of something that's freestanding with cables running to the house. Does the building structure somehow get in the way of this?

Fingers crossed you ride out this one without too much trouble.

 

[Retro]

Got into my car this morning at around 11:00 and there was a fairly thick layer of frost on my windscreen despite the dashboard showing 2C outside that the wipers couldn't just scrape off. Clearly water freezes above zero nowadays.

Right now, my iPhone is showing -2C outside and opening a window definitely confirms it's frigging freezing out there! These are the times that I'm so grateful that my home has good insulation and great heating to keep me warm and comfortable during these cold snaps, including a reliable boiler. What using all that fuel does to my wallet is another thing, however...

Stay safe people.

 

[Geffers]

The screen freezing must be something to do with the thickness of the glass. I've noticed before that side windows can sometimes be wiped and the surface ice just falls off but the screen can be quite thick with ice. I'm very wary of using the electric windows when iced, not sure if that could damage the electric motor. I often use warm (not boiling) water but sometimes the screen re-freezes.

Appreciate they are used to it but can you imagine living in Norway or Sweden? Or Siberia even?

 

[Retro]

It could be the glass thickness and also the orientation of the car. I consistently find that the front windscreen freezes before the rear one and much harder too, which is quite inconvenient when I want to head off quickly.

Indeed, if the side windows are iced over, then you can't wind them down and the motor just strains. As long as one takes their finger off the button quickly, it doesn't cause any damage though,

 

[Tiffany]

@Retro 100k is expensive, and we may move from this home at some point so we really can't justify the investment, which I know sounds maybe wrong but it's only been since 2021 that we've had these power issues with storms. Texas has had a significant influx of migration which I believe has made some difference in the way the power grid can manage severe weather in the past several years. Back to the generator... I think what we have going against us is on the building structure itself. I've asked if we can isolate the refrigerator and for some reason that's an issue too, but I can't remember what my dh said why at the moment. Sorry to read your weather was so cold the other day, but very glad to know your house stays warm and toasty. I hope your power bill won't be too bad.

@Geffers... I can't imagine living in Siberia, Norway or Sweden and dealing with the cold weather all of the time and all of the little things you would have to do to keep ahead of the cold weather.

So far we have made it through this winter storm. We had a lot of snow in the beginning and that it turned to freezing rain. What we had going for us is the temp was at least at freezing (32F) and didn't go below that, which helped a lot. There was zero driving on the roads because the roads were all ice. Tonight, the temp is getting into the teens though so everything will re-freeze.

 

[live627]

Haven't had frosty windshields here really ever since the solar minimum ~5 years ago.

EDIT: That was before the concrete jungle encroached rapidily upon us, raising nighttime lows.