First sign of snow

[The Lone Gunman]

Not sure it will help the ski season.
Best is when there is a deep sustained frost to give a frozen base for the snow to fall on. Th snow acts as an insulating cap and it sort of self preserves until the spring sun is strong enough to melt it from the top.
Early snows means the ground is not frozen which means the base keeps melting away and possibly makes the later season short.

[Alf W]

http://www.chillfactore.com/flash.asp

You'll be able to ski in Manchester from this Friday.

[tim123]

There is a myth that countries which get lots of snow are prepared for it. This is b*ll*x, basically snow means chaos, where ever you are.

But they are (in general) prepared for it.

I've long argued that the reason it is chaos in the UK is because LAs can't justify the expense of snow clearing equipment (beyond a spade or two) which will sit in the cupboard for 207 weeks out of 208. So when it does snow, it takes a long time for it to be cleared.

But in countries where it is usual for it to snow for 6-8 weeks (or more) every year that expense is justified.

And I have seen the evidence that they do have this equipment and the staff contracts in place to use it. So, when it snows overnight (which is the usual time of day for it to arrive) it is normal to wake up in the morning to find that the snow ploughs have been out and all but the most minor of roads are passable.

What caught them out yesterday is that the snow doesn't usually arrive until mid December. In fact, up until 3 days ago it wasn't even frosty in the morning.

tim

[tim123]

tim,

where exactly are you ?

Milan.

No, I'm not in Milan :-) (But AIH I have been there when snow arrived one year and it is every bit as bad as the UK).

As to where I am, I'm guessing that you didn't actually read the article.

tim

[scooterscot]

I just stepped outside to the mailbox and me socks stuck fast to the patio, oh panic

Next time I'll strap on me crampons

[DimPrawn]

I just stepped outside to the mailbox and me socks stuck fast to the patio, oh panic

Next time I'll strap on me crampons

TOM?

[snaw]

Not sure it will help the ski season.
Best is when there is a deep sustained frost to give a frozen base for the snow to fall on. Th snow acts as an insulating cap and it sort of self preserves until the spring sun is strong enough to melt it from the top.
Early snows means the ground is not frozen which means the base keeps melting away and possibly makes the later season short.

I don't know the mechanics of it all, but in my experience ski areas that get an early dump usually seem to go on and have good season - not always though.

[scooterscot]

TOM?

13:00

[bobhope]

Do people in Scotland change to winter tyres?

[oracleslave]

Do people in Scotland change to winter tyres?

No they get eaten by giant alien lizards