Woke up this morning to a flood of tweets and Facebook posts showing concern of a big freeze/siberian snowstorm to hit the UK and naturally any snow that comes with it. This is generating a lot of excitement and for some, concern which I would expect. So I shall try and explain what is happening right now and for the next couple of days to ease any worries, fears caused by the national tabloids.

As I posted last time, for the past week minimum, the infamous forecast data has been on a knife edge as to whether or not UK weather will be influenced from the West or from the East, and has really been a very difficult decision to make. The problem in making such a call stems from a "fight" for territory and who could push into the UK with the bigger influence - the cold from the East or the milder weather from the West.

As of now, for us in Kent (and the South-East generally) we look pretty confident to be influenced by colder temperatures brought in from the East. However, the colder weather currently is not able to push West far enough to affect the UK as there is high pressure to the W/SW. So we currently have a colder, drier setup.  What we need are weather front's to push in from the East (which they are having problems doing = high pressure). So the other alternative is for fronts to push into the cold air from the West... But this is also having trouble as it's high pressure to our NE trying to move in from the East and blocking any fronts. So we are almost in "no mans land" with cold temperatures certainly! A big freeze as hyped by national newspapers? Unlikely.

Until either high pressure gives in we remain at a sort of stalemate, plus the colder weather influence is only really just beginning anyway so it is still difficult which one will win out. It is from Sunday/Monday onwards that the decision is likely to be officially made but until then feel free to follow my Kent-Weather Twitter and Facebook as I shall be posting occasional weather ramblings there.

Dogs and water only go together at bathtime and in the summer months. Come winter and the big freeze and the two should never meet. I read a story today in a national newspaper along with the many comments underneath from readers and non dog lovers.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1336450/Dog-owner-falls-ice-frozen-river-rescuing-Labrador-Clitheroe.html

It seems the Labrador jumped into the frozen water and panicked. The owner with no thought for her own safety jumped in to save her beloved pet. This story could have been a disaster if it were not for the quick thinking of the woman's friend who threw a dog lead to the woman and pulled her out. The dog managed to escape by itself with no apparent injury.

Many people think this woman is foolish to have followed her dog into the icy water. I say she is a caring person who, when the chips were down went to save her family pet rather than see it drowned. This is the kind of person one could rely on in an incident, the type of brave person who would pull children from house fires and stand up to bullies in the street. We read of people who stand out during acts of terrorism and then fade away into the background sometimes not staying around to be thanked. Adrenalin kicks in when something happens, some poeple panic but good people act on impulse not caring for themselves.

I'd rather have this lady in my company then those who just watch and take photos on their mobile phones.

If you are out and about with your dog during this icy spell please keep your dog on a lead to save them, and you from possible danger. A brisk walk on a lead is better than an icy death.