Today's Weather

Crazy weather, one minute then heading is switched on, then next minute it's like it's Spring, and warm. - @SimCityAT

I know! 

I'm not complaining but we bought about 1.5t of seasoned logs about 3 years ago.   We obviously planned to use them in our woodburner on those "shoulder" times when it gets a bit chillier at night and is reasonably OK during the day.  We have very high levels of insulation and triple glazing so it never gets really cold inside if it's sunny outside.  Since we've got the 1.5t of wood, I think we've only used maybe 100-150kg in that 3 years.  The log burner uses about 3kg per hour, so we've done maybe 50h on wood during the last 3 winters.   It's never been really cold enough to get through any volume of it.

And this summer we've acquired a large amount of logs from the MIL's garden - maybe another 1t. We've got much wood now, we don't know what to do with it and there's nowhere to store it during the 2 years needed to season it. 

There's probably another 3 to 4t of decent wood still at the MIL's place.  Maybe 5t even. That's all in dangerous or inconvenient trees that need to be felled.  The only thing we can do there is store it on site and dip in when needed. 

The price of wood at OBI is pretty high. 90K HUF for 900kg or 1K HUF/kg  (around EUR 2.5/kg) so not cheap.  So it's worth having free wood if one can get it and have somewhere to store it.

This is my favorite time of year here.

Nice weather for either walking or just taking in some sunshine.

Yesterday I suggested we get some natural vitamin D so headed to a local park close by.

Wanted to make it a short adventure so suggested we go to the 8th district not far from us where they have grass and benches.

Got there and at least half the benches had homeless guys sleeping on them. Got some rays anyways, sat on a bench near a sleeping man.

Then I suggested we walk the long way home to take in the views of the old buildings in the 8th.

Many are really beautiful although most need some repairs or paint.

Must of been a glam area when first built.

Well, not so glam these days.Dog waste on the sidewalks.

Turned up a long st; towards our way back home. Saw a young couple from India in front of us.

Someone left an old motorbike parked in the middle of the sidewalk and this guy got on and tried to start it up§

He was not able to, seems something electric had been disconnected on purpose.

He casually got off and the couple walked right behind us all the way home; It seemed obvious they would of gone for a joy ride if it had started for them.

After that my husband said no more going to that area.

This is my favorite time of year here.
Nice weather for either walking or just taking in some sunshine.
Yesterday I suggested we get some natural vitamin D so headed to a local park close by.
Wanted to make it a short adventure so suggested we go to the 8th district not far from us where they have grass and benches.
Got there and at least half the benches had homeless guys sleeping on them. Got some rays anyways, sat on a bench near a sleeping man.
Then I suggested we walk the long way home to take in the views of the old buildings in the 8th.
Many are really beautiful although most need some repairs or paint.
Must of been a glam area when first built.
Well, not so glam these days.Dog waste on the sidewalks.
Turned up a long st; towards our way back home. Saw a young couple from India in front of us.
Someone left an old motorbike parked in the middle of the sidewalk and this guy got on and tried to start it up§
He was not able to, seems something electric had been disconnected on purpose.
He casually got off and the couple walked right behind us all the way home; It seemed obvious they would of gone for a joy ride if it had started for them.
After that my husband said no more going to that area. - @Marilyn Tassy

Yes, nice isn't it?  Like warm but not too warm and with a hint of freshness.  I am not however looking forward to November.  It's short one though unlike January which seems to just go on forever.  But at least life will return in late February first with the snowdrops, then the daffodils, then the tulips.  Then we know Spring is coming.  All the birds will be tweeting and there will be optimism in the air. 

Bit funny to try and steal someone's motorbike.  Very odd.

It's warm (currently 12C, but forecasting 16C later this morning), but overcast, that's a couple of degrees over the average for this area of North Yorkshire; I'm off to the hospital later for my annual diabetic eye test.

It's warm (currently 12C, but forecasting 16C later this morning), but overcast, that's a couple of degrees over the average for this area of North Yorkshire; I'm off to the hospital later for my annual diabetic eye test. - @Cynic

We're having a bit of an Indian summer with 19C and sun.   

For me, this should be making the most of it.  It means mowing the grass and outdoor work in between distracting bouts of working on a document I don't care about.

I thought I had finished with the grass for the winter.  But the colder weather and more damp has turned it into a lush lawn.  Apart from the bits which are patchy - Mrs F has to get some grass seed.  And I have to brush up the leaves now that they are falling from our cherry tree.

Good luck with the eye test.   I had my eyes checked at Specsavers.  They've got a machine for checking the back of your retina. I always pay extra for that because I had a torn retina last year.  I was lucky that I noticed it and I was lucky to go to the eye hospital to check it.  They zapped it with a laser and upon follow up they found it needed more treatment so I had cryotherapy which is basically freezing cold needles inserted in your eyeball.   Gave me a headache despite the anaesthetic.  Almost like that brain freeze you get from ice cream.

Was very lovely outside yesterday.

We went over to the Westend mall to our bank.

Then to the Lehal piac.

Surpized to see a few vendors lowered their prices.

Got some decent fish, beef and of course we had to pick up some hurka. Not the blood type! Yikes refuse to ea that stuff.

Fresh broccoli for half the price of Tesco and much fresher.

Might have to start doing more shopping over there in the future.

Weather looks great for today too.

Sunday it is getting much colder.

Was very lovely outside yesterday.We went over to the Westend mall to our bank.Then to the Lehal piac.Surpized to see a few vendors lowered their prices.Got some decent fish, beef and of course we had to pick up some hurka. Not the blood type! Yikes refuse to ea that stuff.Fresh broccoli for half the price of Tesco and much fresher.Might have to start doing more shopping over there in the future.Weather looks great for today too.Sunday it is getting much colder. - @Marilyn Tassy

It's really nice today.  I think I'll have to work.  I'm going to miss the nice weather.  Damn!

Mrs F used to work in an office near Lehel Market.  I used to  stop there to wait in the car.   That was in the days before they fixed it up and modernised.  It was pretty disgusting there back then as everyone was urinating behind the huts.  It was rank and stinky.   Yuck! Sorry, to say it if you're having breakfast or lunch.

The sausage (hurka) which is made of blood is known as blood pudding in the UK.  It's too nice a description. I don't like it myself.  I don't really like any HU sausage much but I like UK sausages for sure.  They are great in a sandwich with some spicey sauce (HP sauce it's called, like a kind of steak sauce).  I am thinking of asking Mrs F to get some sausages for lunch now.

You're right, the weather is going to change big time.  It's obviously a holiday tomorrow so there will be a rush at the shops.  I'm not going around the slightly further away cemeteries but I will go the more local one as it's more in my time. 

At the weekend, we're also off to down near the Romanian border to visit Mrs F's grandparents and auntie who are in the cemeteries down there.  Mrs F has organised new flowers to go in and we'll need some gardening tools.  It seems like it was only a few months ago that we were down there but it must be one year ago as there's absolutely no reason to go there otherwise.  No-one is really left down there except one uncle who is falling to bits after a stroke. Not quite dead but working on it. Yet another one.   Everyone significant has migrated away - cousins have gone to the USA and Switzerland and Budapest. 

Even our lot are migrating.  One adult kid is now in Canada and I cannot see them coming back for at least 2 years and maybe never.  We, on the hand, are already scheming to go to Canada in mid-2025 for summer holidays.  Not that they know that. Surprise!

Was very lovely outside yesterday.We went over to the Westend mall to our bank.Then to the Lehal piac.Surpized to see a few vendors lowered their prices.Got some decent fish, beef and of course we had to pick up some hurka. Not the blood type! Yikes refuse to ea that stuff.Fresh broccoli for half the price of Tesco and much fresher.Might have to start doing more shopping over there in the future.Weather looks great for today too.Sunday it is getting much colder. - @Marilyn Tassy
It's really nice today. I think I'll have to work. I'm going to miss the nice weather. Damn!
Mrs F used to work in an office near Lehel Market. I used to stop there to wait in the car. That was in the days before they fixed it up and modernised. It was pretty disgusting there back then as everyone was urinating behind the huts. It was rank and stinky. Yuck! Sorry, to say it if you're having breakfast or lunch.

The sausage (hurka) which is made of blood is known as blood pudding in the UK. It's too nice a description. I don't like it myself. I don't really like any HU sausage much but I like UK sausages for sure. They are great in a sandwich with some spicey sauce (HP sauce it's called, like a kind of steak sauce). I am thinking of asking Mrs F to get some sausages for lunch now.

You're right, the weather is going to change big time. It's obviously a holiday tomorrow so there will be a rush at the shops. I'm not going around the slightly further away cemeteries but I will go the more local one as it's more in my time.

At the weekend, we're also off to down near the Romanian border to visit Mrs F's grandparents and auntie who are in the cemeteries down there. Mrs F has organised new flowers to go in and we'll need some gardening tools. It seems like it was only a few months ago that we were down there but it must be one year ago as there's absolutely no reason to go there otherwise. No-one is really left down there except one uncle who is falling to bits after a stroke. Not quite dead but working on it. Yet another one. Everyone significant has migrated away - cousins have gone to the USA and Switzerland and Budapest.

Even our lot are migrating. One adult kid is now in Canada and I cannot see them coming back for at least 2 years and maybe never. We, on the hand, are already scheming to go to Canada in mid-2025 for summer holidays. Not that they know that. Surprise! - @fluffy2560

I spent three years in Canada on and off, two years in a one-horse town called Wainwright and then a year in Calgary. I still kick myself for not taking up Air Canada's job offer. One corner of my office is dedicated to memorabilia from there.

I spent three years in Canada on and off, two years in a one-horse town called Wainwright and then a year in Calgary. I still kick myself for not taking up Air Canada's job offer. One corner of my office is dedicated to memorabilia from there. - @Cynic

I liked it in Canada . I went with the kids and Mrs first and we went to Calgary.  We had a camper van and drove around looking at stuff in Alberta and BC.  Everyone was very nice. 

However, it was not very nice the last time whn transiting at Toronto. They really went to town on me at Customs and security in both directions.   They weren't polite at all and I was not a happy bunny. I was flying out to the Caribbean and I wanted to avoid passing through the USA (as BA went via Miami) so opted to go via Toronto and take a flight from there.  They were just annoying with all that for no reason - made me empty all my bags. At Customs the weirdest thing was they photocopied my work related documents. But why? WTF?  I'm now not quite so enamoured with their "kindly" ways as I was before.  Baffling.

We were dog walking at lunch time and it was only about 5C but with the sun on us and walking, we only needed a light coat.   I believe it's going to rain a lot next week.  Obviously it hasn't rained for quite some time.  But this morning there was a frost so the plants are getting a bit of a drink in the morning dew.

It's warm enough to do a bit of leaf sweeping cum gardening so that's on the agenda for this afternoon.  Only problem, sunset 16.06h.  Only just over an hour to go.   Not good.

I saw on a forecast we will have 0C during the day and -6C at night in about a week's time.  Moreover, it said it was going to snow! 

It's 11°C today, sun shining. Not doing anything today but resting my back. It's been pretty cold at night, -2°C. I can cope with that as it's winter after all.

I see the UK has warnings in place for snow, Ice and sleet. Let's see how our winter is and if we will get a lot of snow? The last few years we've not had much at all.

It's 11°C today, sun shining. Not doing anything today but resting my back. It's been pretty cold at night, -2°C. I can cope with that as it's winter after all.
I see the UK has warnings in place for snow, Ice and sleet. Let's see how our winter is and if we will get a lot of snow? The last few years we've not had much at all. - @SimCityAT

Yes, been the same here these past years, very little snow.   And it hasn't got really cold either.  We're noticing the bugs aren't dying as they should be.  Not looking forward to icy streets.  They are less than fast clearing ice and snow here. 

We have to clean the pavement (US: sidewalk) ourselves but if the snow plough comes, it dumps all the snow back on to us and we have to shovel it all back into the road again.  Bonkers!

We're on a bit of a hill.  I don't know if our small street will get cleared up.  We have to go downhill to the larger road which does get cleared.  Mix of leaves, ice, heavy cars and hills could be a recipe for disaster.

I spent three years in Canada on and off, two years in a one-horse town called Wainwright and then a year in Calgary. I still kick myself for not taking up Air Canada's job offer. One corner of my office is dedicated to memorabilia from there. - @Cynic
I liked it in Canada . I went with the kids and Mrs first and we went to Calgary. We had a camper van and drove around looking at stuff in Alberta and BC. Everyone was very nice.
However, it was not very nice the last time whn transiting at Toronto. They really went to town on me at Customs and security in both directions. They weren't polite at all and I was not a happy bunny. I was flying out to the Caribbean and I wanted to avoid passing through the USA (as BA went via Miami) so opted to go via Toronto and take a flight from there. They were just annoying with all that for no reason - made me empty all my bags. At Customs the weirdest thing was they photocopied my work related documents. But why? WTF? I'm now not quite so enamoured with their "kindly" ways as I was before. Baffling. - @fluffy2560

I've said it before and have had no reason to review what I said then, if you put a peasant in a uniform, they are still peasants; they don't train them to be nice to people.  I worked with those gentlemen across the breadth of Canada, say as little as possible when you have to interact with them, just smile and nod your head.

I've said it before and have had no reason to review what I said then, if you put a peasant in a uniform, they are still peasants; they don't train them to be nice to people. I worked with those gentlemen across the breadth of Canada, say as little as possible when you have to interact with them, just smile and nod your head. - @Cynic

That works here too - lipstick on a pig etc.

It's the same as the TSA and the US immigration people.   

I was disappointed.  When I went to Canada back in the late 90s, it was all very nice. I expected the same.

Now it's the same as the USA, you just have to grit your teeth and say as little as possible.

Yet, one of my kids now lives near Toronto and she said they were very nice to her and her BF. 

I guess my eyes are just too close together.

Heavy snow last night.  Possibly up to 5 inches. Temperatures not too bad at 3C.  Almost no wind. 

My weather station is out of action presumably because of snow accumulation.  I'm not going up to the roof to clear it as it should melt during the day.

Mrs F and I up early for snow clearing duties. As usual the snow plough hasn't visited us as we're in a side street.  However, in our main/high street everything is running as normal.  We can see the street/traffic cameras online.

We've also had a power cut.  Yet another one.  These happen with disturbing regularity around here.

We had a bit of snow earlier in the week and it was cold (enough to close some schools and affect public transport).  It's now warming up, forecasting 16C this weekend, so I suspect there will be some water problems in the lower areas!

Hasn't been bad enough to prevent Mrs C going down to London to receive a group award for Health Reviews; very proud of her.

We had a bit of snow earlier in the week and it was cold (enough to close some schools and affect public transport). It's now warming up, forecasting 16C this weekend, so I suspect there will be some water problems in the lower areas!Hasn't been bad enough to prevent Mrs C going down to London to receive a group award for Health Reviews; very proud of her. - @Cynic

Looks like 16C is a long forgotten memory here.  I doubt we'll make it into double digits before Xmas or at least a couple of weeks.   It's going to screw up my and my furry friend's fitness regime. 

There's a lot of water tied up in the snow but it won't cause flooding here on the hill.  It'll rush down and accumulate in the street at the bottom.   And the drains there will whisk it away pronto.

I'm thinking of going to get some furry snow boots as there's a special offer on at Decathlon.   I haven't needed such boots for a few years. I could get away with hiking boots and walking shoes as we didn't have much snow for a few years now.  If I did go walking in the hills I'd have to take my hobby car to the trail head. It's 4WD with chunky tyres and can easily negotiate 5" of snow.  I need to brush the snow off as it's looking like a mobile igloo.

Right now I am wondering if I should go in the roof, go out the hatch and brush the snow off the weather station.  Somehow, this doesn't seem sensible.

Congrats to Mrs C for winning the group health award!

Snowing here atm. Looks like we’re dog sitting for all the kids dogs later on.

Snowing here atm. Looks like we’re dog sitting for all the kids dogs later on. - @Cynic

Temperatures dropped well below zero last night so the snow is well and truly stuck.    I cleared the snow off the weather station using a broom.  It was all frozen up.

Forecast says we're in for just 2 or 3C and sunshine for a good few hours.  Pressure has increased but it's quite windy,  Typical Eastern Europe - freezing cold but sunny.   

It's 50-50 on the dog walking.   The walking paths will not be cleared and could be dangerous if there's compacted ice.  Last thing I need is to fall over on a snowy path.

Still thinking about snow boots at Decathlon.  I really don't like that shop.  But it's the only one really at a reasonable price. 

We're right on the edge of the yellow snow/rain warning; the earlier snow has switched to rain, so everything is soaking wet.  I'm about to begin moving back into my home office that has had the roof repaired and my daughter/son-in-law and wife have worked hard to redecorate for me, which means some trips to the garage to get my new stuff - exciting.

We're right on the edge of the yellow snow/rain warning; the earlier snow has switched to rain, so everything is soaking wet. I'm about to begin moving back into my home office that has had the roof repaired and my daughter/son-in-law and wife have worked hard to redecorate for me, which means some trips to the garage to get my new stuff - exciting. - @Cynic

I was at an airfield (Harmashatarhegy - Three Borders Hill) which is a glider and small sport planes field on the outskirts of Budapest.  It's essentially dog city when when there's no flying.  Many people take their dogs there.  We can walk up the airfield and then get into the hills so the doggy and I can get our fresh air.

It was very snowy and a lot has been compacted by footsteps. It was hard work.  Really slippery. It took me possibly 20 minutes extra to do the route.

Right now temperatures are down - it's -2.5C as I write.  Slight wind but not enough to make a chill factor.  Barometer shows high pressure so not likely to rain overnight.

A great thaw is going on.  Temperatures here, 4C so it's becoming very drippy outside.

The sun continues to retreat for winter, sunset at 15.58h and sunrise 07.03h.   Pressure steady.  Steady breeze of 4 m/s from the North. Feels like only 1C due to the wind

Looks like it'll be warming up slightly, maybe 7 or 8C towards the end of the week but snow is expected once more.

Very nice sunny day today with 8C so far.   It's a day to spend time outside.  Bit of a breeze, 2 m/s but pressure steady.   Last day of November.  How time flies.

I am planning to prune my cherry tree.  It means using the chainsaw which always makes me nervous.  I pruned it a while back but it's so prolific, we're back to square one for more trimming. Means no fruit in 2025. 

Our butterfly bush (buddleia) was damaged by the snow so that's a clean up job.  Compost heap needs turning over.  I also have to clean my gutters out.  I have a beef with my rear neighbours and their blinking leaf shedding trees.  Luckily I can throw the leaves back into their garden.

13C here - t-shirt weather!!

Nearing the end of my home office refurb, so all the old stuff was just taken out to the tip and the recent rain has caused run-off from the fields to the roads, then the cars throw it up as they drive through it, makes the car filthy with mud.

13C here - t-shirt weather!!Nearing the end of my home office refurb, so all the old stuff was just taken out to the tip and the recent rain has caused run-off from the fields to the roads, then the cars throw it up as they drive through it, makes the car filthy with mud. - @Cynic

Yes, I heard up to 16C.  That's outlandish.

One has to wonder here if it's worth washing the car at all during the winter.  We could get snow anytime and with the salt or whatever they put down everything vehicular gets this white film.  If I do go to the car wash, I make a point of spraying underneath to get that stuff off.  It might not be salt but it could be corrosive and will ruin it over time.  We get through a lot of screenwash!

We gave the cherry tree a jolly good thrashing (aka pruning) for being so impudent as to grow too big.  Mrs Fluffy stopped me going full on postal on it. It's a pain in the derriere.  It blocks my office light during the summer but also keeps it cooler.  It had to be reduced because when it's really windy the branches were in danger of touching the house.  I wanted to reduce the height a lot but got overruled.  Now I think it looks like a dogs dinner now.   As I said, we won't get any fruit though in 2025.  Cherry trees don't like to produce fruit after they've been mangled by amateur pruners armed with dangerous chainsaws.   Meh well, it is what it is.

And it's left us with a load of sticks and twigs.  The logs have been chopped up by chainsaw and will be stacked for burning in 18-24 months time.   The twigs can go for "green" collection.  They are useless for compost. They take forever to decompose.  Only thing is green collection has or will be stopped for the winter and won't start again for ages. Very annoying.

12C and raining here; just waiting for the wife to get ready, then it's off shopping.  Our grandson is coming to stay for a couple of nights, so Oma has to get special foods in (that I never get)!

12C and raining here; just waiting for the wife to get ready, then it's off shopping. Our grandson is coming to stay for a couple of nights, so Oma has to get special foods in (that I never get)! - @Cynic

It's mega sunny here, tad under 10C.  Ideal dog walking but where to go?  I'm running out of useful routes. 

I need to expand my repertoire of dog walking favourites. It's only for me and other two legged friends. 

The doggy herself is up for anything, anytime.  Makes her sound like an original good time girl.

If having an NL weekend, maybe have some vla and rijstaart.   These are temptations worthy of the devil.

But one can keep the creamed spinach - what were they thinking of?!

12C and raining here; just waiting for the wife to get ready, then it's off shopping. Our grandson is coming to stay for a couple of nights, so Oma has to get special foods in (that I never get)! - @Cynic
It's mega sunny here, tad under 10C. Ideal dog walking but where to go? I'm running out of useful routes.
I need to expand my repertoire of dog walking favourites. It's only for me and other two legged friends.

The doggy herself is up for anything, anytime. Makes her sound like an original good time girl.

If having an NL weekend, maybe have some vla and rijstaart. These are temptations worthy of the devil.

But one can keep the creamed spinach - what were they thinking of?! - @fluffy2560

Our grandson will be happy getting his hands on some beschuit met hagelslag.  He's more a fruit kid to be honest; I never realised that you can eat too much fruit - too much sugar (I would have encouraged him to eat it before I found out), so we have to watch what we buy.

Our grandson will be happy getting his hands on some beschuit met hagelslag. He's more a fruit kid to be honest; I never realised that you can eat too much fruit - too much sugar (I would have encouraged him to eat it before I found out), so we have to watch what we buy. - @Cynic

Excellent choices for kids.   Never liked the sprinkles myself except on ice-cream.  Less sensible for adults, especially those with dietary requirements. 

Not quite the same as I'd go savoury. I quite fancy some "pommes met".  I do miss Dutch/Belgie double cooked fries.  Only way I get any these days is on the Belgian motorway direction of Lille. Driving to the UK from here is less than once in a blue moon.  We did drive this summer but I reckon that was the first time driving there in about 10 years.

Christmas Weather has arrived!

The short forecast is snow!   It's not even a forecast, it's here, right now!

And looking out the window at 20h, it's about 2 or 3cm so far.  Apparently it will snow until Christmas Eve. 

Santa is going to have a smooth journey with his sled.

Currently 0C, zero wind, snowing heavily, low pressure.

We won't make the same mistake as before which is to ignore the snow on the cars, driveway, patio and paths.  We'll shift it asap because if it freezes, it'll be really hard to shift out of the way.

I need to do non-critical car repairs but I cannot see that happening until after Xmas.

@fluffy2560

No snow here andts 3°C. Saying that we are on low ground, up in the mountains they will get it.

@fluffy2560
No snow here andts 3°C. Saying that we are on low ground, up in the mountains they will get it. - @SimCityAT

Yes. I think so.  Good job I took the furry friend out earlier.

Our village is something like 300m AMSL (Above Mean Sea Level) and my house is a little bit higher as we're on the edge of the foothills.  I can see a hill from my balcony with a tower on it (Erzsébet-kilátó) and that's at 527m.    The highest hill here in HU is the Kékestető ski area is well blanketed - live camera here.

Looks like it's going to snow all night. I looked on the radar and it's solid just about everywhere here and south of where you are, like down towards Graz.

Very foggy this morning but needs must and even if foggy, it's time for the doggy.

Cold too at only about -2C here at Fluffy Towers.  Slight breeze which is surprising since it's foggy.   No chill factor to speak off. The pressure is steady at 1015 kPA but showing clouds.

Sunset is 16.02 so we've gained about 4 minutes since the winter solstice (when the Earth is furthest from the Sun) on 21st/22nd December.   It's all downhill from here.  Sunrise was 07.31h this morning.

We'll get better weather towards the weekend but it'll be wildly swinging as usual for here.  Anything up to 7C during the day and -6C at night.  A 13C difference. 

It's been a steady 7/8C during day for the last few days. But it does hit -2c at night.

Happy New Years Day!

-4C, slight breeze earlier on, foggy and 92% humidity,  snow showing on barometer, sunrise 07.31h sunset 16.03h.   

Tomorrow, we're expecting 7C so all the snow and ice will be gone.

Strange kind of foggy ice crystals accumulating on cars.   My windscreen wipers need replacing.  The ice has pulled off the rubber edging that was in contact with the glass.  This isn't the first time I've had windscreen wipers frozen in situ. The wipers haven't been replaced for at least 5 years so I guess it's time for new ones anyway just as part of general maintenance.

Not something that happens in Austria, but we have a Tornado warning in place today. Currently it's 8°C and dry.

Not something that happens in Austria, but we have a Tornado warning in place today. Currently it's 8°C and dry. - @SimCityAT

Mein Gott!  Tornado!  That's unusual.  Maybe it's coming this way.   I looked on the radar and it's pretty high winds near you, like Sopron.  Shows gusts to 62 km/h there and 71 km/h max just north of Balaton!  Our radar doesn't extend much over the borders.

Temperatures seem unseasonable locally.  We've got like 12C at the moment and no wind to speak of.  Maybe we're in the eye of it.    It's raining slowly.  Utterly screwed up my dog walking. It wasn't supposed to rain until later.

I was outside yesterday doing some garden things and I've noticed plants have got buds on and it looks like snowdrops are coming early too.  Wouldn't expect that for another month or so.

I was also looking at the aircraft tracking over the North West of England and snow seems to be a problem at Manchester.  Lots of diversions and some cancellations.  Snow always seems to get the UK. I find it very strange as it's not much of a problem in places like Canada.  I was held up by snow in Toronto once but it wasn't by much, maybe 1h.

Bloody freezing here in North Yorkshire; -5C today; the dog doesn't like it because I made him put a coat on, I've never heard moaning like it.  I had to de-ice the car for Mrs C this week.  It's not like I don't know what to do, I spent long enough in the past playing silly buggers in Norway, I've found as I got older that I really don't like the extremes in the weather we now experience.

Bloody freezing here in North Yorkshire; -5C today; the dog doesn't like it because I made him put a coat on, I've never heard moaning like it. I had to de-ice the car for Mrs C this week. It's not like I don't know what to do, I spent long enough in the past playing silly buggers in Norway, I've found as I got older that I really don't like the extremes in the weather we now experience. - @Cynic

We're usually well prepared for snow here.  Snow shovels, de-icer, scrapers,  all season tyres etc.  And my hobby car is 4WD so we can use that in an emergency.   We're only buying all season tyres now as it's necessary if we go to Austria for some reason.  Legal requirement there for winter season.  Not here though.

But these past few years, it's been mild comparatively.  At the beginning of my original sojourn to Hungary way back in 1994, we used to have -20C or so and like 50cm of snow.  It seems that kind of weather was almost a one off.  I can only think of only 2 or 3 times since then when there's been serious snow blocking roads, fallen trees and impassable areas.  Usually one can rely on public transport routes to be cleared immediately.   

Our wood pile is not going down.  We've only used the wood burner once during Xmas/New Year.  It's just too warm to bother.   It has to be below zero to make it worthwhile.

As for the pooch, she doesn't get a coat.  She's a Goldie that's pretty furry anyway.  Like layered I suppose a bit like a duck.  The cat seems impervious to cold.  Wants to be outside most of the time whatever the weather. I think she finds a place to snuggle up outside and just goes to sleep there during the day and patrols at night, returning only for food.