Snowstorm hits London, heat wave in our future

Commuters walk over Westminster Bridge, in London, Monday, Feb. 2, 2009. Heavy snowfall in much of Britain caused widespread travel problems throughout the country Monday morning, causing hundreds of flight cancellations and rush hour chaos in London. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)

Remember the snowstorms that struck New Orleans and Las Vegas in December? The crazy weather continues, this time hitting another place that rarely sees heavy snow: London, England.

Here's what the Associated Press is reporting:

LONDON (AP) -- It was hardly a blizzard, but it still shut down the city that beat the Blitz.

The biggest snowfall to hit London in 18 years idled the city's trademark red buses and Underground trains Monday, stranded thousands of airline passengers, and raised the vexing question of why a predicted winter storm caught authorities so unprepared.

Transit officials had nearly a week to get ready, but they failed to keep things running normally in the capital, which was buried under more than four inches of snow overnight and another four inches in the afternoon.

I haven't looked at the weather charts, but it's possible that the remnants of our own ice storm may have crossed the Atlantic and triggered the London snow.

Heat wave coming soon

Last week, the computer models were hinting at a good chance of snow today or tomorrow. Thankfully, that isn't happening. A weak Alberta Clipper system could bring some very light snow showers or flurries tonight, but the radar is not very impressive, so I would be surprised if we received more than a dusting.

The clipper will bring colder air for two more days, with temperatures remaining below freezing until Wednesday. So all of the sleet/ice/snow/whatever still on the ground isn't going anywhere fast.

However, forecasts for later in the week are calling for a heat wave -- at least by February standards. We should see temperatures in the low-to-mid 50's from Friday through at least Monday. There is a chance of rain -- liquid rain -- during the weekend. That should flush away our white stuff once and for all.