True. To get a cold or mild winter requires many elements, its just that there is some correlation. Last year was a westerly QBO which aids strong westerly winds whereas this year is an easterly QBO.

No idea what the full science is behind that but easterly QBO's are generally (though not always) more favourable to cold UK winters. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Looks like the snow could be back big style (or at least more than the other week) for my usual commute (Notts -> Derbyshire -> Cheshire). I follow a group on FB called Buxton Weather Watch and the people running that have been spot on so far. They seem to have some knowledge in the matters and interpret the Met Office and other data sources quite accurately.

Their latest update:

Quote:

Some computer models are well apart from another,
I think we are looking at anything between 10cms and 40cms over the next 3 or 4 days. It is all down to how frequent the snow showers are or just get a few here and there. This is not all going to fall at once as we keep saying, much of the snow will be showers, but some will be long and heavy. 10cms to 40cms over 3 days or 4 to 16 inches.

Quote:

After Saturday the distribution of the snow will change as the wind turns more northerly. This is a good thing and a bad thing.
Buxton is not usually prone to showers in a northerly wind. The only time we get any snow from the north is through weather fronts. Any snow shower activity will be largely down the east coast.That is the good news.
The bad news with this though is, as it is very likely snow will be down by Sunday, things will get much more colder and we could be seeing some very cold nights coming early next week. The snow cover will only help temps drop.
No end in sight to the coming cold weather.

Edit: What were the payout conditions again?

I hope it does snow heavily but I'll believe it when I see it... LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Slim pickings in Kent again by the look of it, but may actually get to see some snow flakes on this run. 
Hung like Einstein, smart as a horse.

Snow hard in Northamptonshire tonight.Going to be interesting drive to tomorrow in my Citroen Van.  Freelander2 GS TD4 Manual in Lago Grey .Roof Mount DVD 9.2''Screen~Window Tints~Parrot CK3100 Bluetooth~Retro Fit Sony Satnav~iPhone Dashmount~Side Steps~Woodco Armrest~Mudflaps~Land Rover Sunglass Holder~LED Interior Lights~Private Plate.Evoque Collected 17th Sept 2012.


Also Audi TT Roadster.

My daughter was actually TOLD to leave work last night from Coventry back to Solihull as it was humping down with snow over there - a whole 30 minutes before she was due to knock off and shes got to make the 30 minutes up at some time in the future

Slow and steady as it was the first time shes driven in the white stuff and she made it home OK MY2010 TD4 HSE Santorini Black, 19" Alloys, Almond Leather, Lux Pack, Rear Spoiler, Adaptive Xenons

Still a lot around up near the Cat and Fiddle, had an explore on my commute to work today to liven it up. The hill in the distance was compacted snow and ice with patches of 12" deep snow on it.

Click image to enlarge