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Winter Weather: What to Expect

Winter Weather: What to Expect

06 November 2014

ANALYSIS - 'Worst winter in decades' is how a lot of the tabloids usually put it, however, this year they may have got it right, writes Gemma Hyland.

AccuWeather is reporting that following the mild winter of last year for the majority of Europe, we should anticipate big changes this coming winter.

The large-scale weather pattern will feature stubborn areas of high pressure over Scandinavia for much of the winter.

This setup will funnel colder air into northern and eastern Europe while also forcing the majority of storm systems to track across southern Europe, especially during the second half of winter.

Eastern Europe Braces for a Cold, Snowy Winter

Numerous shots of cold air from Siberia will result in below-normal temperatures from Poland and the Baltic States eastward into Belarus, Ukraine and western Russia. The cold will often dip farther south into the Balkan Peninsula, combining with an active storm track to produce above-normal snowfall.

Above-normal snowfall is also expected from eastern Poland into western Russia and Ukraine. With cold air in place for the bulk of the winter, snow that does fall will likely remain on the ground for extended periods of time which will only aid in keeping temperatures well below normal.

While cold shots will invade Germany throughout the winter, long-duration cold spells will not be common. However, it will be a cold winter overall for Germany, with temperatures falling near to slightly below normal. More snow is expected this winter compared to last due to the colder air that will be in place.

Fewer Storms for Ireland, United Kingdom and France

Another aspect of the upcoming winter season is that large and widespread damaging wind events are expected to be less common than last winter, which featured several noteworthy storms that caused damage from the British Isles into northern Europe. reports, while occasional shots of cold air will send temperatures tumbling across Ireland, the United Kingdom and France early in the winter, a persistent southerly flow caused by storms tracking near and north of Scotland will often result in near- to above-normal temperatures.

Fewer storms tracking across the United Kingdom and Ireland into northern Europe will lead to below-normal precipitation overall for the winter season, following the wettest winter on record across the United Kingdom last year.

Gemma Hyland, Editor

Gemma Hyland, Editor

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