[Ian Williams]

Big Dave, on 19 December 2011 - 18:51, said:

It's a pity that Russian Rainbow isn't posting to know if the sustained cold in Orenburg is unusual.

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2011-12-19_tables.png

Yes was thinking the same recently, He has obviously not been able to log on since the new forum take-over i guess

[Dave K]

Day 65: We have a new nation entering the scoring: Switzerland which is now the 20th to take ranking points and goes in at 13th in the process knocking the UK down one place. Most Swiss and Austrian stations are well above the 500m asl elevation threshold which is partly why they seldom make an appearance - that and the fact it's been a mild start to winter there. Orenburg adds to its lead over second place which Grímsstaðir is now close to taking from Petrun'.

Just the daily scores for today.

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Grenchen (French: Granges) is a municipality in the district of Lebern in the canton of Solothurn in Switzerland. It is located at the foot of the Jura mountains between Solothurn and Biel. With over 16,000 inhabitants, it is one of the larger towns of the canton of Solothurn. The city is well known for its watch industry, that has been present for more than 150 years.

The municipality is the capital of the Lebern District. It is the second largest city in the Canton of Solothurn. The municipality stretches from the hamlet of Staad along the Aare river, (at an elevation of 430 m (1,410 ft)) to the first mountain range of the Jura Mountains (the Oberer Grenchenberg is 1,348 m (4,423 ft)).



Grenchen is the 2008 winner of the Wakker Prize for architectural heritage. The entire village of Grenchen is part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites. Jura-Sternwarte Grenchen astronomical observatory is located at Grenchen and is open to the public.

Around 1000 AD, the local barons built a castle on the local cliff that was inhabited for three centuries. The name Grenchen was first documented in 1131 as Granechun. The name comes from the gallo-romanic graneca, meaning by the grainery. The watch and clockmaking industry started in 1851.

Grenchen has an area, as of 2009, of 26.01 square kilometers (10.04 sq mi). Of this area, 9.85 km2 (3.80 sq mi) or 37.9% is used for agricultural purposes, while 10.42 km2 (4.02 sq mi) or 40.1% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 5.39 km2 (2.08 sq mi) or 20.7% is settled (buildings or roads), 0.34 km2 (0.13 sq mi) or 1.3% is either rivers or lakes and 0.05 km2 (12 acres) or 0.2% is unproductive land.

Of the built up area, industrial buildings made up 2.2% of the total area while housing and buildings made up 9.7% and transportation infrastructure made up 6.8%. while parks, green belts and sports fields made up 1.4%. Out of the forested land, 38.5% of the total land area is heavily forested and 1.5% is covered with orchards or small clusters of trees. Of the agricultural land, 25.8% is used for growing crops and 6.0% is pastures and 5.3% is used for alpine pastures. All the water in the municipality is flowing water.

Grenchen has a population (as of December 2010) of 16,054.[1] As of 2008, 28.7% of the population are resident foreign nationals.[6] Over the last 10 years (1999–2009 ) the population has changed at a rate of -1.3%. Most of the population (as of 2000) speaks German (13,033 or 81.8%), with Italian being second most common (1,022 or 6.4%) and French being third (460 or 2.9%). There are 16 people who speak Romantsch.

Although Grenchen is a small city, it has its own airport with facilities for the transport of goods. It is mostly used by private pilots and parachutists, but also for business travel. The freeway A5 and a connection to Grenchen lie in the vicinity of the airport.

Two railway stations (Grenchen North on the Basel-Biel line and Grenchen South on the Geneva-Zurich line) provide for an excellent connection of the city on the rail network. The Grenchen Tunnel, an 8.5 km long railroad tunnel that was built between 1911 and 1915, offers a connection between the Swiss plateau and Delémont/Basel. Construction of the tunnel attracted many foreign workers to Grenchen, coming mostly from Italy.

Grenchen has an own bus company "BGU". The bus lines connect Grenchen with Bettlach, Lengnau, Büren, Rüti and Selzach.

Grenchen has a large traditional watch industry and several famous manufacturers are based in the city:

Atlantic Watch Production Ltd
Breitling SA
Epos
ETA SA
Fortis
Eterna SA
Nivada
Titoni Ltd.

[Dave K]

Day 66: Yet another new nation to join the scoring, Bosnia & Herzegovina is the 21st and it pushes the UK back down a place to 18th. There were some rather low minima in other parts of the Balkans but few ice days there. Meanwhile Norway and Sweden continue their private tussle and Tynset Ii records not only the lowest eligible minimum for Scandinavia in the whole project so far (-27.1 °C) but the lowest for December anywhere (note that Nikkaluokta logged -42.1 °C on the 20th last year though). Russia was far less cold but Orenburg still clung on to a place in the daily scoring places.

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[Dave K]

Day 67: Major surprise - Russia doesn't make any of the 10 scoring places today! Relatively "mild" in European Russia while there were ice days all over the Baltic states and Belarus but also not cold enough. Much colder than it has been of late though in Poland and all the way down into the Balkans. As a result of today's scores Tynset Ii and Kevo move into the Locations Top 10 and Norway is within a gnats gonad of catching Sweden for 2nd place in the nation's ranking.

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Lublin (Ukrainian: Люблін, Liublin, Yiddish: לובלין Lublin) is the ninth largest city in Poland. It is the capital of Lublin Voivodeship (province) with a population of 350,392 (June 2009). Lublin is also the largest Polish city east of the Vistula river. Lublin was a candidate for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2016.



The first permanent settlements on the Lublin site were established in the early Middle Ages, though archeological finds indicate a long, earlier presence of various cultures in the general area. The earliest, most significant settlement began in the 6th century, on a hill located in the suburb of Czwartek (in Polish Thursday, most likely in reference to the market day of the settlement). It is likely that the surrounding hills, notably the site of the present day Old Town, were also settled at around this time. In the 10th and 11th centuries the Czwartek settlement developed into an important trade centre. The location of Lublin at the eastern borders of the Polish lands gave it a military significance. The first fortification on the site may have been built as early as the 8th century, possibly on the Castle Hill. Certainly at the end of the 10th century a significant fortification existed there. As the castle grew, the Old Town hill adjacent to it became the main focus of settlement, and the Czwartek settlement declined in relative importance. The castle became the seat of a Castellan, first mentioned in historical sources from 1224, but quite possibly present from the start of the 12th, or even 10th century. The oldest historical document mentioning Lublin dates from 1198, so the name must have come into general use some time earlier. The city was a target of attacks by Tatars, Ruthenes, Yotvingians and Lithuanians and was destroyed a number of times. It received a city charter in 1317. Casimir the Great, appreciating the strategic importance of the site, built a masonry castle in 1341 and encircled the city with defensive walls.

In 1392, the city received an important trade privilege from king Władysław Jagiełło, and with the coming of the peace between Poland and Lithuania developed into a great trade centre carrying a large portion of commerce between the two countries. In 1474 the area around Lublin was combined to form the Lublin Voivodeship. In the 15th century and 16th century the town grew rapidly. The largest trade fairs of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth were held in Lublin. During the 16th century the noble parliaments (sejm) were held in Lublin a number of times. On June 26, 1569, one of the most important ones proclaimed the Union of Lublin, which united Poland and Lithuania. The Lithuanian name for the city is Liublinas.

Some of the artists and writers of the Polish renaissance lived and worked in Lublin, including Sebastian Klonowic and Jan Kochanowski, who died in the city in 1584. In 1578 the Crown Tribunal was established in the city, this being the highest court of the Lesser Poland region.

Since the second half of the 16th century, Reformation movements developed in Lublin, and a large congregation of Polish Brethren was present in the city. One of Poland's most important Jewish communities was also established in Lublin around this time. It continued to be a vital part of the city's life until the community ceased to exist during the Nazi Holocaust. Between 1580 and 1764 the Jewish Council of Four Lands Arba Aracot (Sejm of 4 countries) was held in Lublin. 70 delegates of Jewish local kahals met to discuss issue of taxations and other important for Jewish communities issues.

Students came to Lublin from all over Europe to study at the yeshiva there. The yeshiva became a centre of learning of both Talmud and Kabbalah. The great scholarship of those who studied there led to the city being named the "Jewish Oxford"; the Rosh yeshiva received the title of rector and equal rights to those in Polish universities with the permission of the King in 1567.

In the 17th century, the town suffered a decline due to a Russo-Ukrainian invasion in 1655 and a Swedish invasion during the Northern Wars. After the Third of the Partitions of Poland in 1795 Lublin was located in the Austrian empire, then since 1809 in the Duchy of Warsaw, and then since 1815 in the Congress Poland under Russian rule. At the beginning of the 19th century a number of modern urban developments took place, with new squares, streets, and public buildings coming into existence. In 1877 a railway connection to Warsaw and Kovel was built, together with Lublin Station, which spurred industrial development in the city. Lublin's population grew from 28,900 in 1873 to 50,150 in 1897 (including 24,000 Jews).

The Russian rule ended in 1915, when the city was occupied by German and Austro-Hungarian armies. After the defeat of the Central Powers in 1918, the first government of independent Poland operated in Lublin for a short time. In the inter war years, the city continued to develop, its population grew, and important industrial enterprises were established, including the first aviation factory in Poland, the Plage i Laśkiewicz works, later nationalized as the LWS factory. The Catholic University of Lublin was founded in 1918. The city contained a vibrant Jewish community which formed around 40% of Lublin's population.

The Lublin region had the lowest per capita GDP in the European Union until Bulgaria and Romania joined in 2007 (it was 32% of EU average in 2002). It is a part of eastern Poland, which has benefited less from the economic transformation after 1989 than other regions of Poland located closer to Western Europe. While the standard of living in the city of Lublin is considerably higher than in the surrounding countryside, the city's relatively poor economic performance is tied to the poverty of its surrounding region.

Lublin is not only the biggest city in eastern Poland, but an important culture core city also. Since accession of Poland into the EU, Lublin has been called "Gate to the East." Since then, many important international events have taken place here, involving Ukrainian, Lithuanian, Russian and Belorussian artists, researchers and politicians. Lublin connects the West with the East. Even frescos at the Holy Trinity Chapel in Lublin are a mixture of Catholic motifs with eastern Russian-Byzantine styles.

[Dave K]

Day 68: 2nd placed Petrun' is back in the scoring after a long absence but Sweden dominates today. Cold still spread around a bit more than has been the case as of late with Poland getting two slots but Iceland is rather mild currently.

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[Dave K]

Day 69: Finally Belarus seeing some proper winter cold as deep ice days again spread around much of eastern Europe but much of northern Scandinavia and Finland turned rather mild again.

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[Dave K]

Day 70: Quick update with the daily scores. Orenburg continues its run of cold. Some very large diurnal ranges in Sweden meaning that some of the coldest minima were cancelled out by positive maxima and Finland still having temperatures well above average. In Romania lowest temperatures near the Moldovan and Ukrainian borders. Bulgaria also had some ice days today though not cold enough to score.

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[Dave K]

Day 71: Once again northern Europe and is struggling a little with some very mild daytime temperatures so that Finland is absent but a cold pool has drifted into the south of the Balkans. Bulgaria and FYRO Macedonia become the 22nd and 23rd nations to get points and in the process the UK with its single entry is down to 20th. Demir Kapija is now the southernmost location to score, and considering a record high of 45.7 °C in 2007 that is quite some range of temperature.

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Demir Kapija (Macedonian: Демир Капија) is a town in the Republic of Macedonia, located near the ominous limestone gates of the same name. It has 3,725 inhabitants. The town is the seat of Demir Kapija Municipality.



The name of the town comes from Turkish Demir Kapı (Iron Gate) when the settlement was part of the Ottoman Empire, and is still called Demir Kapı in Turkish.

The Vardar river makes a wonderful gorge close to Demir Kapija, while the "Bela Voda" cave is very interesting to see at 955 m long. When passing "The Iron Gates", the road leads to the Valandovo and Gevgelija valley. It is the most picturesque region in Macedonia, as well as the most varied with its agricultural products. This valley is under the influence of the Aegean climate. Demir Kapija has recorded the highest temperature in whole Macedonia. 45,7 degrees Celsius was recorded here the 24 of July 2007. It is also a national monument of nature and an ornithological reserve, home to many rare species of birds and endemic plants.

Macedonia has unique climate explained by its location and topography. The climate of the plains is extraordinary - Mediterranean climate combined with the influence of the Black Sea. The country also holds continental characteristics, which are accentuated by the mountains in the south which prevent hot air from the south moving to the north. Conversely, the Šar Mountains, which are located in the northwestern part, block cold northern winds. On the whole, the northern and western parts of the country are relatively close to Continental climate and the southern and eastern to Mediterranean climate.

Demir-Kapija is a place already mentioned in Classical times under the name of Stenae (Greek for gorge). Even earlier dates to the Paeonian era, a fortress for which remains on the mountain Ramniste on the foothills of the Demir Kapija settlement. The ruins are one of only 3 known Paeonian structures in Macedonia unearthed, and dating some 3000 years. In the Middle Ages Demir Kapija was known as a Slav settlement, under the name of Prosek, while today's name originates from the Turkish reign, meaning "The Iron Gate".

The town of Prosek was used as a fortress due to its good strategic position; history and artifacts suggest this fortress was built in the era of the Macedonian dynasty around 450 BC as a look out to the canyon beyond for troop movements to the north. In the thirteenth century AD, Prosek had become the seat of Dobromir Hriz, and Strez was its well-known commander.

The former settlement was fortified by walls, and it is considered that it was used to exist in the Neolithic Age. Demir Kapija is hiding numerous localities and invincible remains. The research up to the present has proved that all the pass periods have left their traces: the Paeonian, Ancient Macedonian, Roman, Byzantine, the period of Samuil the Turkish as well as the early Christian period.

The former Yugoslavic King Aleksandar Karadjordjevic had his summer home and winery built here. The winery is the oldest on the Balkans and still produces quality wines under the privately owned Agropin name. Newer wineries, like Popova Kula, have opened up additionally and paves the way for exports and economic stimulus of the region. Demir Kapija is also home to the flour mill Dekamel and has a modern farm for production of eggs known as Salmak.

Demir Kapija is an outdoors haven for sports and recreational activities. Mountaineers often enjoy hiking the area for their favorite tea plants. Formerly, the national and regional Kayak competitions were held here because of the natural rapids formed by the river into the canyon. Alpinists climb the rock towers to see the most impressive view of the canyon beyond. Trails are also made to hike to these points, as well as to the remains of the aforementioned ruins of the fortress Prosek. Possibly the most interesting hike, noted in The Brandt Guide to Macedonia, is the stopping point between the 2 tunnels on the highway. Parking exists, and it is very interesting walking along the small river between 2 rock faces, like an open-ended cave to some unique Turkish Villages.

Demir Kapija is also home to the largest mental institute in the state, The Specijalen Zavod. The Special Olympics team from this institute is well noted in football and track and field events. The continued support of foreign aid such as UNICEF and the British Embassy continues to educate families and the community in general to the contribution and awareness of special needs.

[Dave K]

Day 72: Once again some large diurnal ranges in Norway and Sweden so that the places with the lowest minima also had positive maxima and Norway just takes one scoring position today. Otherwise, a long trawl again to find the coldest ice days in Europe as less cold or even mild air swept eastwards. Still some cold in the southern Balkans but not as widely or as frigid as yesterday. The only real change in the rankings sees Muonio move up one place to 5th in the locations table.

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[Dave K]

Day 73: The opposite to yesterday: Norway, Sweden and Finland had some low temperatures albeit only in Lapland while E and SE Europe although still cold in parts (Albania nearly had an ice day ) were not cold enough to score today. So today it is the "Big 5" nations taking the points and the Norway vs Sweden 2nd place battle continues.

[DG57]

I wonder if France will have a chance to appear in your tables this winter... Actually, it should at least once...

[Dave K]

MorganeLanesle, on 28 December 2011 - 18:52, said:

I wonder if France will have a chance to appear in your tables this winter... Actually, it should at least once...

Well it might need a particular weather setup with a mild airflow for Iceland, Scandinavia and SE Europe; with really cold continental air flooding into western Europe but I'm not sure I want that! If France is going to get in the points then E/NE France is the best bet for it though, perhaps the area near Mouthe if there is a synoptic station somewhere near.

This post has been edited by Big Dave's Gusset: 28 December 2011 - 19:01

[Dave K]

Day 74: Today again it is the "Big 5" nations taking the points. No significant changes in the tables but Grímsstaðir has closed in a bit more on first place for the locations.

[Dave K]

Day 75: Once again the leading 5 nations have wrapped up all the daily points. Some new Russian stations appeared on the synop reporting network and within a couple of days two of them grab the highest points of the day! Grímsstaðir has made up a little more ground on first place in the locations table and Norway still inching closer to Sweden in the nation's rankings. No sign of France yet

[Dave K]

Day 76: Well Iceland crept above freezing this morning and it was another detective hunt to find the 10 coldest ice days. Kvikkjokk Årrenjarka A recorded the lowest minimum of the month so far and helped Sweden widen the gap over its neighbour in the nation's ranking after Norway had been threatening to take 2nd place this week. Orenburg re-appears in the scoring to re-inforce its lead at the top of the locations table.

Next full update will probably be on Monday with a recap of the data for December only.

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And since it is that time of year, the seasonal greetings for our leading competing nations ( and France )

С Новым Годом!

Gott nytt år!

Godt nyttår!

Onnellista uutta vuotta!

Gleðilegt nýtt ár!

Щасливого Нового Року!

La mulţi ani!

Szczęśliwego nowego roku!

Boldog új évet!

Prost Neujahr!

Bonne année!

[Dave K]

Day 77: Didn't think i'd have time for this today but as Iceland was mild today I don't have to wait for late synop returns.

The current standings for the whole duration so far:

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The final stats for the month of December only:

[Dave K]

Day 78: Another with no real impact on the league tables, Belarus moving up from 10th to 9th in the Nation's rankings the only change of note.

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Arjeplog (Pite Sami: Arjepluovve) is a locality and the seat of Arjeplog Municipality in Norrbotten County, Sweden with 1,947 inhabitants in 2005.
It is a popular winter test site for the European car industry.

Arjeplog has offered families 100,000 kronor, or individuals 25,000 kronor to move to the town. They are hoping to increase their population by 30 residents per year for the next three years. [ So there's still time for those interested BDG ).

Arjeplog does indeed have the space. It is Sweden's fourth largest municipality in terms of surface area and the country's most sparsely inhabited.

[Dave K]

Day 79: Today we have a -30 °C minimum at <500m asl for the first time since November 24th - last year minima this low were ten-a-penny. No significant changes anywhere, Norway still trying to catch Sweden but making little headway.

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A photo of the weather station at Khoseda-Khard (the background building not the tent!). Clearly taken in summer.

The once flourishing village of Khoseda-Khard is now mainly ruins. The only buildings now remaining at Khoseda-Khard belong to a governmental Meteorological and Hydrological monitoring station.

[Dave K]

Day 80: Russia was much colder than anywhere else but even there temperatures were largely rising through last night into this morning. Right in the heart of winter and yet consistently rather moderate temperatures (relatively) are enough to get places into the ten scoring positions. Today's scores have no significant impact on the locations or national rankings. 184 locations have now managed to claim points in this project.

[Dave K]

Day 81: A really cold night in a small part of Lapland overnight which didn't affect Sweden and so Norway is able to close the gap on its neighbour again in the nation's rankings. In fact temperatures plunged still further after 06Z so it may be much the same with tomorrow's scores and perhaps Norway will finally catch Sweden. Naturally Russia continues to push further ahead, the rest of Europe again becoming much less cold generally for the time of year.