What challenges you in Winter Observing?

[Charon]

Snow (yes snow!), dew and a bad back are my biggest moans.

[MorningMajor]

Yup, they've all been mentioned - cold, frost, dew, wind, mist (fog and cloud are an obvious non starter) but the advantages - it's dark from 5pm!!

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I actually like the early darkness. I can show the kids stuff without them having to stay up way too late. I can also get much longer sessions without gettig to bed at an outrageously late time.

[RikM]

Yep, starting observing at 7pm instead of 1am is a big plus when you cycle 15miles to and from work each day.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Yep, starting observing at 7pm instead of 1am is a big plus when you cycle 15miles to and from work each day.

For me it is just 3.7 km, but I first make breakfast, lunch boxes, have breakfast, take the kids to school (by bike), and then cycle to work.

[RikM]

Same for me with the packed lunches and breakfasts but at least my wife takes the kids to school with her. She is a science dept. teaching assistant.

[saturn4me]

Definately the cold and the quick changes in weather conditions.

[pvaz]

The clouds and the rain. :/

[LukeSkywatcher]

UK/Irish weather.............we can have all 4 seasons within minutes.

[Quatermass]

For me the cold is not an issue I use my fishing thermals and keep toasty warm out there for the dew I use a hair-dryer and if the neighbours put there annoying lights on I use my fishing brolly to block it off. Bring it on..

[Mr Q]

COLD! At my age I can't tolerate it. Just thinking about it makes me want a nice hot:coffee2:, then maybe a nice warm bed and a short nappy:D

[laser_jock99]

I was thinking about going into the observatory last night but high winds made opening the sliding roof a bit risky. The day before a gale force wind had made the roof jump off the runners- and that was with it tied down in seven places with steel cable!!! Cold is a big problem up here in the Welsh hills- never got above 3 deg C all day today. Hail showers all day today- snow forcast for tomorow....

Last winter was coldest for a while- wonder if we're for a repeat?

[paul schofield]

Neighbours lights, dewing, cold, and my Mrs saying come in its freezing out there, you'll catch your death, ha.

[Cjg]

That Sunday nights are clear (before work on a Monday) so I cannot stay up late; whilst Friday and Saturday nights have been generally cloudy!

[foundaplanet]

For me the cold is not an issue I use my fishing thermals and keep toasty warm out there for the dew I use a hair-dryer and if the neighbours put there annoying lights on I use my fishing brolly to block it off. Bring it on..

Wind and wet ground. I don't mind the cold. Just put on loads of layers and drink lots of tea. Oh charcoal hand warmers in pockets they are excellent.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Wind and wet ground. I don't mind the cold. Just put on loads of layers and drink lots of tea. Oh charcoal hand warmers in pockets they are excellent.

If the worst comes to the worst, you can always put a dew strip round your head (or other extremity)

[foundaplanet]

If the worst comes to the worst, you can always put a dew strip round your head (or other extremity)

Maybe not a bad idea

Or some of this Thermojacket

[ScottR]

My issues is getting sick after the viewing.