The Great Meteorological Thread

[Ian D J]

Friends from the homeland are already saying they've got lights on and heating on as the weather is so awful this morning. Hard to believe there's such a difference!!

Indeed, I bet they are wondering whether Winter had decided to hang around for a little while longer, or Autumn had arrived early! :shrug:

However, that will make for some travel disruptions so those living there will need to be aware of it before setting off on long journeys.

EDIT: With all this going on, I have decided to rename the thread title!

 

[Cobra]

EDIT: With all this going on, I have decided to rename the thread title!

Yep had me going for awhile
Very windy here with gusts in excess of the predicted 30ish MPH
How do I know that? My Pere x Lanner was knackered after a couple of trips
around the land fill today

Storm predicted for later down here, (whether or not they arrive is a different matter)
AND on top of that Bloody Iceland is at it again with this damned ash!
I did phone my local store to complain but as usual they denied it was anything to do with them!
I'll do my shopping at Tesco from now on That'll learn 'em

 

[Ian D J]

Yep had me going for awhile
Very windy here with gusts in excess of the predicted 30ish MPH
How do I know that? My Pere x Lanner was knackered after a couple of trips
around the land fill today

Storm predicted for later down here, (whether or not they arrive is a different matter)
AND on top of that Bloody Iceland is at it again with this damned ash!
I did phone my local store to complain but as usual they denied it was anything to do with them!
I'll do my shopping at Tesco from now on That'll learn 'em

Now, now, no need to blow your top. :nono:

Incidentially, these reports has just come in, Aonach Mor (1130 m) 111 mph gust, and Great Dull Fell - 89 mph gust.

While here at the tropical zone that is Kent, we're basking in glorious sunshine (granted it is a little bit breezy - lovely kite flying weather, as well as getting that line washing done in record time). But all it's doing is continuing to worsen this sheer dryness with dust and dirt blowing about all over the place while still feeling very warm in the sunshine.

 

[Kerioak]

LITTLE bit breezy Ian? I would have liked a meter for some of the gusts I have had here today. I have some shrubs in pots that are almost too heavy to move and they are laying down as there is no point in keep standing them upright, leaves blowing of tghe trees making it look more like autumn than spring

 

[Ian D J]

LITTLE bit breezy Ian? I would have liked a meter for some of the gusts I have had here today. I have some shrubs in pots that are almost too heavy to move and they are laying down as there is no point in keep standing them upright, leaves blowing of tghe trees making it look more like autumn than spring

Amazing the difference a short distance makes, I mean I live right next to the coast so yes it would - and should be - be noticeably windy but as it is, it really is nothing more than a bright and breezy afternoon with a bit of wind just tickling bushes here and there (that did sound a bit rude!). It's perfectly possible to sit in my west-facing front garden and catch some sun, it's absolutely stunning over here.

The latest radar does show a squall line marching along southeast-wards over England as I type but chances are it'll die a sudden death by the time it reaches the far South East later on this evening.

 

[*Babs]

LITTLE bit breezy Ian? I would have liked a meter for some of the gusts I have had here today. I have some shrubs in pots that are almost too heavy to move and they are laying down as there is no point in keep standing them upright, leaves blowing of tghe trees making it look more like autumn than spring

+1

My gazebo has been broken beyond repair by these "breezes"

 

[jeangenie]

It's windy here but each gust of wind seems to blow away the gathering clouds. I've done my rain dance, mown the lawns and watered all the patio pots. I can do no more.

Jean

 

[Cobra]

Well its still force 300 and something here
I am expecting to see Dorothy land her house on my ex at anytime now
There is also a band of the wet stuff passing through here as I type.
I guess that means summer finally arrived :shrug:

 

[Ian D J]

Well its still force 300 and something here
I am expecting to see Dorothy land her house on my ex at anytime now
There is also a band of the wet stuff passing through here as I type.
I guess that means summer finally arrived :shrug:

The squall line currently traversing the South East is decaying rapidly, but still wet 'n' wild over Scotland. The winds are expected to hit a peak at about now over the East of Scotland before slowly easing back tonight.

Wednesday does look more settled for most of the UK as high pressure moves in, but only temporarily before colder and showery conditions sweep down from the North to affect all parts before the week is out.

Oh, and it's still fine and sunny here at Folkestone.

 

[Ian D J]

Taken a few minutes ago, but can make out the approaching decaying squall line in the distance.

 

[donut]

i pulled a 45 foot long and 16 feet high trailer from thrapston down to kent earlier today,, it was quite er interesting at times ,just a tad windy

 

[Cobra]

i pulled a 45 foot long and 16 feet high trailer from thrapston down to kent earlier today,,

I bet your knackered was it a charity stunt ?

 

[donut]

I bet your knackered was it a charity stunt ?

ok you've sussed me out ,i had a little help from mr volvo ( and it was only a little help bloody gutless 400hp thing )

 

[Cobra]

ok you've sussed me out ,i had a little help from mr volvo ( and it was only a little help bloody gutless 400hp thing )

Not driven an artic in over 15 years then it was the Mercs
18/24 or something like that? pulling a tri-ax trailer for Salvessens.
When we needed a hire vehicle it used to be the OVLOV's and that
was heaven some people don't know they are born

Back on topic a drop of the wet stuff fell last night
Still bloody windy though and sunny now

 

[Ian D J]

Not driven an artic in over 15 years then it was the Mercs
18/24 or something like that? pulling a tri-ax trailer for Salvessens.
When we needed a hire vehicle it used to be the OVLOV's and that
was heaven some people don't know they are born

Back on topic a drop of the wet stuff fell last night
Still bloody windy though and sunny now

Hi! I was just about to comment on the current conditions for this neck of the woods but you beat me to it!

Indeed the sun is dancing about amongst well scattered cumulus over here right now, and I think it does seem a bit more windier compared to yesterday.

However the total rainfall amount for the past 24 hours stands at Nil as the squall line decayed before it got here last night, it just merely became overcast and that was it.

This is what was left of the squall line by the time it got here by 8 pm last night:

So, the seemingly eternal dryness continues with rainfall amount for so far in May still standing at 1.5 mm.

 

[dinners]

The wind has dropped here today - yesterday was epic.

Fortunately (besides a powercut) I'll I suffered were a few missing slates and a few plants have vanished.

 

[Cobra]

Hi! I was just about to comment on the current conditions for this neck of the woods but you beat me to it!

Indeed the sun is dancing about amongst well scattered cumulus over here right now, and I think it does seem a bit more windier compared to yesterday.

I think that we were gusting around 55 mph yesterday but down to about 35mph today (edumacted guess's in both cases)

However the total rainfall amount for the past 24 hours stands at Nil as the squall line decayed before it got here last night, it just merely became overcast and that was it.

another guess/ about 4-5mm fell late afternoon / early evening
yesterday, looks like nothing is due today though.
Strange isn't it ? your about 110 miles SSE of me as the crow fly's

 

[*Babs]

Strange cloud formation tonight ...


Clouds - 24/05/11 by *Babs, on Flickr

(iPhone photo)

What do these kinds of wispy clouds mean, Ian? There were loads of them all over the sky (managed to get some with my Canon but not sure what they turned out like yet). Looked like very high level winds causing them. Would that be right?

 

[jeangenie]

another guess/ about 4-5mm fell late afternoon / early evening
yesterday, looks like nothing is due today though.

We had about 2 or 3 mm at a guess. So my rain dance technique needs improvement. :bang::bang::bang:

Jean

 

[Ian D J]

Strange cloud formation tonight ...


Clouds - 24/05/11 by *Babs, on Flickr

(iPhone photo)

What do these kinds of wispy clouds mean, Ian? There were loads of them all over the sky (managed to get some with my Canon but not sure what they turned out like yet). Looked like very high level winds causing them. Would that be right?

Hi Babs! That is cirrus cloud (or mare's tail if you like) - latin for "curl" . . . and a lovely example of it too, so thanks for taking and showing that.

That is classed as a high level (12,000 feet and higher) cloud type and is always composed entirely of ice crystals since it forms in very cold air very high up in the stratosphere. As the "parent cloud" speeds along in strong upper air winds, it leaves behind a trail of ice crystals behind as they gently drift towards the ground (but evaporating in doing so) and the end result is that wispy bit you see. (Think of a plane dropping confetti behind as it zooms along in the air).

If cirrus are seen dappled here and there across the sky with no particular aim or direction and not really filling up the sky, then expect the settled conditions to continue.
But if cirrus and their trails are seen all "pointing" to one direction (usually the west) and the lot looks long and organised and then it starts to be accompanied by other cloud type (cumulus), then expect conditions to deteriorate in the next 24 hours as that's usually a sign of an advancing warm front.

And all this is out of my head, all thanks to being passionate about meteorology since I was 8 (I'm coming up to 44).

Anyway, good morning as I have just woken up to this at 6 am . . .

 

[*Babs]

Thanks for that Ian. Very interesting Maybe we should change the name of the forum to "Talk Weather"

 

[jeangenie]

That's fascinating, Ian and had me searching the sky this morning to see what I could spot.

Well - clear blue, a vaguely visible moon and slight haze in the east towards the rising sun. Not a single cloud in sight - again.

Jean

 

[Ian D J]

Thanks for that Ian. Very interesting Maybe we should change the name of the forum to "Talk Weather"

I'm sure our Marcel would love to do that.

That's fascinating, Ian and had me searching the sky this morning to see what I could spot.

Well - clear blue, a vaguely visible moon and slight haze in the east towards the rising sun. Not a single cloud in sight - again.

Jean

That's precisely my thoughts upon awakening this morning, just stunningly clear blue sky right across the board. It's coming up to 9 am and it's exactly the same, although I am expecting high cloud to start creeping in from the west later on this afternoon. Might even get a nice sunset out of it going by my gut feeling.

 

[jemdna]

Had a bit of rain Monday evening, nothing exciting but enough to make the patio "damp". This morning though stunning clear blue skys!!

Bry

 

[Doog]

Just the odd shower here today and the wind has dropped. Monday was a different story though.

..and he's not falling. lol by Doog E, on Flickr​

 

[Cobra]

We had about 2 or 3 mm at a guess. So my rain dance technique needs improvement. :bang::bang::bang:

Jean

Perhaps if we team up we may manage half inch between us for the week-end :shrug:

Thank God the winds have dropped today, my poor little Pere x Saker
has been knackered these past few days flying against it

Its about 10mph today and a light cloud cover, now, from this mornings
"clear and blue"

 

[jeangenie]

Perhaps if we team up we may manage half inch between us for the week-end :shrug:

Is that an offer?

Half an inch is better than no inches! Start dancing!

Its about 10mph today and a light cloud cover, now, from this mornings
"clear and blue"

Much the same here - the wind's dropped and there's a scattering of cirrus cloud (see, Ian, I *have* been taking the tecchie stuff on board! ). And it's far too hot to do anything in the greenhouse.

Jean

 

[Ian D J]

Much the same here - the wind's dropped and there's a scattering of cirrus cloud (see, Ian, I *have* been taking the tecchie stuff on board! ). And it's far too hot to do anything in the greenhouse.

Jean

Good lass. Like to think my messages doesn't go unnoticed.

I, too, am sitting out in my quite sheltered west-facing front garden soaking up the rays. It's days like this when I sure am glad I'm no longer a greenhouse worker picking tomatoes.

However, tomorrow will be quite a different story regarding our weather as showers will break out much more widely, and there's a strong possibility of some thundery activity where even the South and East is at risk.
What is making it tricky for me in terms of forecasting is that it will be all part of a "cut off" low pressure drifting eastwards across the middle part of the UK.
This will make it hard for me to work out where and how those showers will move around since winds around that low pressure will be light and variable in direction, not like on Monday where that low pressure which brought the wind and heavy rain to the North of the UK was the result of a fast-moving active depression system imported straight in from the Atlantic.

So, here's hoping I will actually get to see some proper rain here at Kent tomorrow thus interrupting this exceptional dry spell. Hope so as it does look like things will settle down and dry up once again later on in the weekend and into next week - just in time for the late May bank holiday and half term break.

 

[Cobra]

Is that an offer?

I've nothing planned for the week-end
I'm game if you are (gotta warn you though I have 2 left feet )

So Ian, beings its a bank holiday week -end
( and it seems I have a hot date )
I'd like an hour by hour prediction please

 

[Deleted member 29733]

I've nothing planned for the week-end
I'm game if you are (gotta warn you though I have 2 left feet )

So Ian, beings its a bank holiday week -end
( and it seems I have a hot date )
I'd like an hour by hour prediction please

I predict you will need some little blue pills.....

 

[Cobra]

I predict you will need some little blue pills.....

Only some? :shrug:

 

[Deleted member 29733]

Only some? :shrug:

Christ! How friggin big is it then?

 

[Ian D J]

Christ! How friggin big is it then?

Well, weathercocks do come in different shapes and size.

 

[Cobra]

Well, weathercocks do come in different shapes and size.

PMSL Ian

 

[flossie]

Still no real rain in West London for what seems like months now... but have had lots of unusual clouds recently :

Funky vertical partial rainbow - couldn't get to a viewpoint with a camera in time to capture at its best though...



And today, the entire sky was full of these wierd wispy circles for a few minutes... (cameraphone, only shot small part, as had shopping in other hand!)



Still no rain though...

 

[Ian D J]

Still no real rain in West London for what seems like months now... but have had lots of unusual clouds recently :

Funky vertical partial rainbow - couldn't get to a viewpoint with a camera in time to capture at its best though...



And today, the entire sky was full of these wierd wispy circles for a few minutes... (cameraphone, only shot small part, as had shopping in other hand!)



Still no rain though...

Thanks for taking and showing those photos, Flossie! Very much appreciated, the cirrus one is very striking, love the arrangement of it all.

And back to my neck of the woods (again ) the drought-like conditions continues at Folkestone as we nearly complete the 51st day without any significant rainfall.

The Sports Ground taken earlier on today . . .

 

[Cobra]

The Sports Ground taken earlier on today . . .

Don't know why you are worrying,
my lawn is like a billiard table............................


No grass and full of holes

 

[Ian D J]

Don't know why you are worrying,
my lawn is like a billiard table............................


No grass and full of holes

Sounds an awful lot like Ryan Gigg's current situation.

 

[Deleted member 29733]

Don't know why you are worrying,
my lawn is like a billiard table............................


No grass and full of holes

Oh so so tempting to mention a folically challenged pate, but I wont.

 

[Cobra]

Sounds an awful lot like Ryan Gigg's current situation.

If he had kept his balls in his pockets none of that would be an issue

Seems this all came out right on cue too