Looking at the historic charts earlier I noticed that there were
several, especially early on, that didn't look that cold. I know there
were several threatened thaws (probably based on expected evolution of
those charts)that didn't happen. After a very snowy start I seem to
remember much of the UK and Europe remained snow covered. How much would
that have depressed the temperature had there not been such widespread
cover? I wonder if the same charts showed up now whether the same
expectation of cold would materialise. I doubt it, with Europe being
relatively mild still, sea temperatures warmer and I suppose +1C for GW.
Dave