Ow, my head hurts...errors in automatic weather stations (one hopes)...

Cloud type is correct but precipitation type is not. Impossible to have stable constant snow from convective cloud types.

METAR should have read:

EGCC 291050Z 28008KT 0600 R23R/0550 SNSH BKN001TCU OVC009 00/00 Q0980 R/SNOCLO BECMG 1200

precipitation from CU/TCU/CB must be showery in nature so ending with SH (RASH/SNSH)

precipitation from stable cloud should be stable types such as RA/SN/DZ but may have embedded convective cells in the stable cloud so some variation allowed.

and the following SPECI which notified of the stopping of precipitation/increased visibility/increased cloud ceiling should then have read RESNSH.

At least the moderate intensity was correct (which can also sometimes be wrong as well)

Back on topic: the strong convective development coming over us with temperatures around the freezing mark means that the showers will be heavier in nature and much more moist (read bigger, heavier flakes) which will accumulate quicker and also reduce visibility more during such showers.

The TAF for Manchester shows they are expecting showers until midnight and then the precipitation changes over to a mixture of rain and snow showers with stronger gusting winds.

Back to our regular programming...