Battern down the hatches

What is predicted

Get the coal in and the wood, empty the poo tank, get an extra cassette, fill the water tank..... it is predicted to get bad. They say a harsh winter follows a good harvest, we have had the good harvest and good summer now it appears we are about to pay for it !!

From the express pages......

Worst winter for decades: Record-breaking snow predicted for November

BRITAIN is braced for the "worst winter in decades" with the first major snowfall expected in weeks.

By: Nathan Rao

Published: Sat, October 12, 2013

74Comments

Snow last year caused havoc on Britain's roads [GETTY]

Forecasters last night warned the entire country is set for a horror freeze which will bring brutal winds and fierce blizzards.

Temperatures have already started to plunge as a swathe of cold air from the Arctic has swept across the UK in the past few days.

The first long-range forecasts warn of "recordbreaking snowfall" next month.

Heavy wintry showers are expected to cause widespread chaos with below-average temperatures possibly lingering until February.

Long-range forecasters blamed the position of a fast-flowing band of air known as the jet stream near to Britain and high pressure for the extreme conditions. Jonathan Powell, forecaster for Vantage Weather Services, said: 'We are looking at a potentially paralysing winter, the worst for decades, which could at times grind the nation to a halt.

'Persistent cold snaps with some very heavy snowfall are likely, and I would not be surprised if some records are not broken this year.

'The main issue will be the extreme cold which is showing signs of really bedding in, thanks to freezing winds from the north."

He blamed the 'poorly positioned" jet stream which is expected to be 'blocked" south of the UK, allowing a continual flow of freezing Arctic air.

James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, said it was likely to be the worst winter for more than 100 years.

He said: 'A horror winter scenario is likely to bring another big freeze with copious snow for many parts.

'There is also a high risk that we will experience a scenario similar to December 2010 or much worse at times, especially in January.

'This is likely to produce major disruption to public transport and school closures on a prolific scale."

He went on: 'The cold theme from the latter part of October is likely to continue into November - and for the vast majority of the month.

'November could turn out to be a record-breaking month. There is the potential for some significant falls of snow. The northern half is likely to experience the worst conditions.