Global Warming in London

Things are really heating up in London -- they had their first October snowstorm in over seventy years. From the UK Guardian:

London has first October snow in over 70 years
Cold snap causes flight cancellations while a motorway accident kills one driver and causes severe disruption

Parts of south-east England had more than an inch of snow last night while London experienced its first October snowfall in more than 70 years as winter conditions arrived early.

Snow settled on the ground in parts of the capital last night as temperatures dipped below zero. A Met Office spokeswoman said it was London's first October snow since 1934.

For greater south-east of England it was the first October snow since 1974. High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire had 3cm (1.2 inches). One of the coldest temperatures recorded was -4.1C in Benson, Oxfordshire.

"It is unusual to have snow this early," the Met spokeswoman said. "In October 2003 sleet and snow was recorded in Northern Ireland, Wales, south-west, north-west and north-east England and the Midlands, but it was mainly over higher ground."

We have been enjoying a wonderful extended Indian Summer here with gorgeous Fall colors and dry crisp nights. The rain has been moving in though and Winter will be starting with a vengeance soon. Cold hard and early. Good for skiing though! UPDATE: Jen reminded me that last Halloween, we had snow mixed with rain. We have been having high-pressure areas parking themselves overhead for the last month or so -- this has kept the rain away. This pattern has broken up and rain is moving in so I am expecting the "normal" winter to start up. Spring was very late this year and I am expecting more of the same for next.