In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Daryl Higuchi - San Diego, California — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:02:04 GMT

I remember the big snow in Glasgow, Scotland, three years ago when nobody could go to work. After the initial chaos, I think some people enjoyed a accidental day off to stroll around watching others in Queen's Park, and around the city, enjoy themselves and marvel in the white! Much further south, Londoners get even less of a chance to do the same.

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Alice F., Fairfax, Virginia — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:50:58 GMT

What a delightful, fun report!! Lived in wonderful To all my wonderful British friends: Don't feel bad when you're mad fun of for not being able to handle snow...just stay home and play in it & have a jolly good time! We in Washington area LOVE our new president Obams, but even he made fun of us the other day for shutting our schools over 3 inches of snow!! Hey, he's from Chicago...but we are not quite as prepared. I lived in Esher, Surrey from 1971 to 1974...and positively loved it. Did have snow a few times but only a couple of inches. In Washington, D.C. now, had 3 inches a few days ago, supposed to be cold and more snow tomorrow...but was 50 degrees yesterday and still warm.

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Jared, London — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:54:04 GMT

Yes I saw it from my window this morning - it incredible watching the flurry of snow flakes in a city normally only rainy in the winter. Beautiful day!

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Drew, Buffalo, NY — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:55:00 GMT

In Buffalo, NY, we would welcome this small bit of snow as a break from the heavy storms that have ravaged the area this year. It always mystifies people from the northeast of America how so many people around the world and even in our own country are so soft and unable to adapt to slight variations in the weather.

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Timothy Jacksonville USA — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:56:19 GMT

Well, at least it wasn't one of those darn Zombie outbreaks, strands you and your mates down the pub.

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

RS — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:12:45 GMT

Pffft. Four inches! In Wisconsin we call that a nice day! :)

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

charlie harvey, london surrey — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:34:22 GMT

i9've heard alot of people slaging us londoners off for not being ready and that we were pathetic to not come to work but we english have such a bad reputation. the reason we couldn't come to work was that no1 was prepared, we don't have snowploughs and we don't hav something in place for transport but weather in england is so unpredictable that we can't afford to get millions of snow ploughs and find we don't need them for another 10 years! it hasnt upset us either! we're enjoyin our snow! if the new yorkers think we're complaining about 'a little' snow then your wrong, i'm loving it!

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Dave, Seattle, WA — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:51:16 GMT

Sure glad the world is growing warmer, or we'd really be in a spot of trouble.

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Frederick Christensen — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:55:32 GMT

Are all you people flirting with acute dementia.Sub tropical southern England received a few inches of slop and you are all going crazy over nothing!There is a good chance that most,if not all,of this ephremal slop will have disappeared by Wednesday.Get a life,people!

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Joe F, Beaufort SC — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:01:22 GMT

Heckuva way to run a global warming, where exactly is Al Gore? He's not in London shoveling, is he? He might be shoveling, but its not snow.

Think of this scenario - the world is mostly water. Put water in a pot. Put the pot on the stove. turn on the burner; global warming is the burner being turned on. As we add heat, the water freezes. That is what the global warming people want you to believe. Thats why its a farce. And now, special bulletin - its 'climate change.'

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Barbara Harvey Matteson — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:14:16 GMT

Hello, Charlie Harvey, this is Barbara Harvey from Boston! How wonderful it is that you have the weather you do! So nice to hear of snow and have people NOT complain as they do here in NEW England! I, for one, enjoy the snow, but of course, here we have no problems getting around, as usually the second a flake hits the ground, the plows are up and down the streets. Enjoy your winter weather!!

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Kodi, Dallas, TX — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:30:38 GMT

I was in London almost 3 years ago when one of the worst heat wave in years hit the city. People were passing out on the tube left and right and getting down to their skiveys in the fountains. Talk about a dramatic change in weather! Wish I could be there now to see London covered in snow! I know the pictures don't do it justice!

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

JED Polk, Pa — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:59:07 GMT

Enjoy it,play in it because it won't last long. I live in northwest Pennsylvania and there about 20 in. On the ground (500 mm )

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

LF, Niles, Michigan — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:59:36 GMT

Greetings from Michigan. We still have piles of snow, some 5-6 feet high. Now I hear we should expect lake effect snow of 6-12 more inches tomorrow night. Lovely. I'm tired of looking at it and moving it. You can have it.

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

JED Polk, Pa USA — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:01:08 GMT

Enjoy it,play in it because it won't last long. I live in northwest Pennsylvania and there about 20 in. On the ground (500 mm )

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Dan, Aurora, IL — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:03:02 GMT

It would take an avalanche to cover the City of Chicago and te surrounding burbs to get a day off of work! A 4 hour commute just to get into the office has not been unfamiliar this season.

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Naomi, Co.Down in Northern Ireland — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:19:39 GMT

Wooohoooo!! SNOW!!!! I'm In northern Ireland... fingers still crossed w ehavn;t got it yet like Enland or Scotland!! :( But It SHOULD be coming!! IWANNA move to Wisconsin if 4inchs is small!! :D
I love America! =D

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Margaret Carlile — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:46:40 GMT

See, I told you you should stay in Hawaii!!!

Mom

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Kathleen, Cleveland, OH — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:52:56 GMT

couple of inches and it makes the news, must be nice if the office closed for that little snow, we would call it a light dusting

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Jim, Tinton Falls NJ — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:53:36 GMT

Really enjoyed this story because it reminded me how much I loved "snow days" from school and work. That was before my new, at home, "virtual business" job.
We're expecting snow here in NJ tomorrow. And when my young son is home from school, playing outside in the beautiful snow, I'll be on the phone all day, business as usual.
My advice, airport and other transport nightmares aside, savor these special little gifts from a time when the world was a different place.

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Laura, Whitefish bay, WI — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 22:07:49 GMT

My son is in London studying this semester. He thought he was getting away from our Wisconsin winters and has had it very mild there up until now. You just can't outsmart Mother Nature. And if I know my son he is likely having a great time watching all the Londoners enjoy this playful weather. Everyone loves a good snow day, no matter where you live!Throw a snowball or three for me!

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

David ex-pat, Charleston, SC — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 22:15:48 GMT

Drew in Buffalo,

Would "adapting" to the situation include buying very expensive equipment that is only going to be used once ever twenty years? I don't think people are soft at all. What, do expect them to drive? And where would they park? Have you ever tried to drive in central London?

Each area of the world has its own unique weather challenges. For example, try our 110 degree heat and see how well you adapt!

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

cookie — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 22:48:18 GMT

Hey I'm envious! All eastern Ky. seems to get this winter is nasty cold weather and a whole lot of ice! Enjoy that beautiful snow fall!

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Sevenov — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:07:45 GMT

I lived for some 30 years in London and the 'home counties'. London hardly had any snow. But I do remember in the sixties whenever there was some snow, we used to have fun watching a few 'birds' slip on the slushy pavement (sidewalk). But, it regularly snowed in the Chilterns just 25 miles from the West End. I also remember the Russian women with little cigars in the corner of their mouth singing their traditional songs in unison and removing the snow from the streets regular as clock work. But the sidewalks were dangerous still. I am now in snow wrapped and iced up Windy City. The city has no money to clear the snow. Parked cars in most areas are immovable. Walking is unbelievably hazardous but the public transport is working beautifully.

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Sandy, Island of Gozo, Republic of Malta — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:35:59 GMT

Snow. . . a little or a lot. It's always an 'item' of conversation and a nice change from all the man made dilemmas in the world.

I live in the Mediterranean and we have had nothing but rain, rain, rain. Since this island has only been inhabited since 3,000 BC (yep, oldest standing temple in the world), they still haven't put in gutters. Add to that the fact that everything is either uphill or downhill and it is impossible to walk anywhere without getting sopping wet. So here some of us stay inside and drink coffee and try to stay warm just like we had lots of snow.

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Ray Dunn, Bridgeport,Ct. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:09:48 GMT

You call that snow? When I lived in Waterbury,Ct during the blizzard of 1978,the snow drifted as high as the tops of my second story windows.I enjojed the folowing three days sipping various beverages in front of a roaring fireplace due to all the roadways being ordered closed by our governor."London chaos" indeed!

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Iris , Montecito, California — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:13:55 GMT

My daughter is in London studying and while it isn't a Montana snow storm she said it was the best day of her life as she and her fellow students from Hampstead KCL went to the heath for a snow day. So much fun when the powers that be throw in a majestic change. Yes a Dickens London it is. If you think London is unprepared think about us silly Californians who still can't handle the rains when they first appear. Never prepared. Have fun to all.

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

R.Menzies, Weed, California — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:19:22 GMT

Rmadrone:for all of you enjoying, I am pleased and happy for you, as we here in Northern California, NO SNOW< NO RAIN, and a drought that has not been for many decades. ENJOY and throw a snow ball me!!!

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Marguerite Philips, East Palo Alto, California — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:42:13 GMT

I hate to tell you but in Northern California to-day it was 73 degrees! It has been the warmest and dryest January in history. My poor flowers don't know what time of year it is - I have roses, camelias, bulbs in full bloom. It's supposed to start raining on Thursday - hopefully otherwise we will have a drought in 2009! Why not leave all the bad weather and join us in Sunny California!

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Ryan Young, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:25:13 GMT

Good to see that Good Old London can feel the effects of Winter.... Now try it for days on end ;) I can't wait for the winter months to end myself. BRING ON THE SUMMER!!!

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

D, Richardson, Kelowna, B.C. Canada. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:56:08 GMT

Hi from Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, I was born in Britain, came to Canada in l952, still very fond of the old country but love the Canadian winters. We, I guess are more used to snowy winters, and we have the equipment to deal with it here in the Interior where skiing is a must. Its a little different in Vancouver as during the Christmas season, many were snowed in. Something like England, not enough snow equipment at the coast. It is a beautiful sight though as I watched the news tonight. Hang in there Brits.

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Rob LaPin, Baltimore, Maryland — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 04:02:33 GMT

I apologize for my fellow Americans. I think it is great that Londoners are having so much fun in the snow. I mean, we spend millions of dollars each year on snow plows and salt here in Maryland (near DC), and once the roads are clear, people still complain that drive to work amid only wet roads was dangerous and hard. That money could be spent on such greater things – like building a chunnel connecting New York to London! LOL

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Jill, Gilbert, AZ — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 05:04:19 GMT

I'm from stinkin' hot, no snow EVER (the saddest thing I ever heard)... PHOENIX, Arizona. You want a different kind of slight weather variation, Buffalonians, come visit our town in July. : ) Enjoy your lovely winter snowfall, London peeps! I wish I was there right now.

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Stephanie-Umbro, Maine — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 07:17:51 GMT

Anyone who lives in London, please pardon my amusement. While a 6 inch snowstorm would be covered to death around here, it wouldn't be considered newsworthy for crippling us. I'm still trying to imagine how a city, which isn't severely any more north or south of Maine on the globe, is so paralyzed by so little snowflakes. The entire story made my day!

So... if the Britons want more snow.... I've got about 6 feet snowbanks they can have!

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Ruth Allen, London, UK — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 09:22:29 GMT

That snow man, woman and dog are works of art! Very impressed!

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Libby Edwards, Elizabethtown, Ky — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:51:40 GMT

Enjoy the snow - my family and I just spent the better part of a week without power because of ice. There are still people without power within the state and it could be weeks before they have any.

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Randy, Balti, Moldova — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:06:52 GMT

i like the snow

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

John Armstrong — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:14:21 GMT

I live in Alabama. I understand Londons predicament. Down here, if were think we might get a snowflake or two, we immediately head to the market and clean them out of milk and bread. All the TV stations start telling everyone to stay home and schools and businesses start closing. In fact, we are due flurries this morning..letcha know what happens

In London, snow brings chaos and cheer

Tom, London — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:32:04 GMT

Me and my girlfriend were the ones who did the snowman sitting on the bench with the bottle of beer in Clapham Common, anyone see it? also I need some decent picks if anyone got any cause i've only got rubbish ones.