BRITAIN BRACES FOR ITS BIGGEST SNOWSTORM IN A DECADE+, AS RARE PHENOMENON HITS THE SCOTTISH RIVERS OF DUNBEATH STRATH

DECEMBER 31, 2020 CAP ALLON

https://electroverse.net/britain-braces-for-its-biggest-snowstorm-in-a-decade-as-rare-phenomenon-hits-the-scottish-rivers-of-dunbeath-strath/

Heavy snow and sheet ice is expected to cause carnage as the worst winter freeze in at least 10 years barrels down on Britain. A New Year weather warning has already been issued in Scotland, with the remainder of the home nations set for historic wintry blasts as January progresses.

Six inches of snow and sheet ice is expected to plague the northern UK this week as part of a cold snap which could see temperatures plummet to -20C (-4F) in some remote Highland regions, readings that will challenge many of the coldest daily temperatures ever recorded in the UK–so much for extreme lows and heavy snows being a thing of the past…

For reference, all of the UK’s daily lowest-ever recorded temperatures from Dec. 31 to Jan. 7 are above -21.2C (-6F), with the majority being above -20C (-4F): the UK is about to suffer a historic cold snap, one that will challenge the all-time records set during the disruptive freezes of 1941 and 1962.

Roads and pavements could be turned into deadly skating-rinks during a month-long mega-freeze, reports the dailyrecord.co.uk in typically dramatic fashion — but on this occasion, the hyperbole might just be justified.

And, as reported in the mirror.co.uk, the elderly and vulnerable are being urged to take care as the mercury plummets in what Jim Dale, meteorologist for British Weather Services, has called “the greatest threat posed by the weather at this time of year since the big freeze of 2010/11.

“We are expecting a north-easterly and easterly feed with air coming in from Russia and the surrounding regions,” continued Dale: “This will bring some very low temperatures and snow, and overall, this is looking like the most notable snow event for a decade.”

Such a development would disrupt rail and air services, and people are being warned of possible power cuts and road closures and delays.

GFS Total Snowfall (cm) for Dec. 31 – Jan 15 [tropicaltidbits.com].

Meteorologists are keeping a close eye on the Baltic region amid growing fears the killer Beast from the East in 2018 could rear its ugly head.

High pressure over Greenland will keep milder Atlantic conditions at bay while funneling Polar air in from Russia and the Baltic region.

“The beast is getting closer and at the moment it is stretching its claws across from the east towards Britain,” concluded Dale. “While the Atlantic weather is currently being held back by high pressure over Greenland, if this weakens it will allow more moist air into the UK where it will clash with cold air.

“This is looking like turning into a lengthy cold spell lasting at least into the middle of January.”

RARE PHENOMENON HITS THE RIVERS OF DUNBEATH STRATH

Plummeting temperatures around Dunbeath Strath have already whipped up the recipe for a very unique and strange phenomenon — ice pancakes.

Ice pancakes are a rare phenomenon that usually occur in very cold oceans and lakes. [Picture: Cath Whittles]

Ice pancakes require very specific conditions to form and are most commonly found in the Baltic Sea and Canada. In Scotland, these specific conditions are rare — however, in recent years sightings of ice pancakes have been on the rise with observations on the River Dee, around the Brora area and along River Helmsdale.

A Met Office spokesperson describes the phenomenon as a very “unique spectacle”.

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