The Great Meteorological Thread

[Ian D J]

Mornin' all from what is now a rather overcast Folkestone, but the Kent Rain Deflector appears to be fully functional as it has been dry and mild so far today.
I guess we may have to wait until the end of the week before it'll start to feel more summer like again . . . at least for a short time. Trouble is, we're now entering the European Monsoon period . . . yes, it does exist and usually lasts for a week or two. The real trick is to try and break out of it as we go into June rather than it digging too deep into the rest of summer (aka 2007 and 2012 and remember how rubbish they were?). But, most of our best summers didn't get going until late June anyway (2003 and 2006) so it's too soon to say "Oh, that's it then, that's Summer all over".

 

[Nod]

I think we had the Eurosoon at the weekend. So bad that it caused the Devon County Show to be cancelled on Saturday - which made the national news. Luckily we went on the Friday and left just before the accident that caused the H&S brigade to cancel it, being dragged up the muddy hill (yup, FABULOUS planning by the organisers - park everyone on a hilly field whose only exit is at the top...) by a tractor. The situation wasn't helped much by 4x4 owners who tried to get up the hill and failed. Wrong tyres and technique, although even the right tyres would have had problems (and would be lethal on tarmac!) Yesterday evening was glorious down here with a few clouds but enough Sun to make the cat seek out every last minute of it! Cooler today but dry so far.

 

[Cobra]

European Monsoon period . . .

Thats interesting, I didn't know that we had an "official" monsoon period

yes, it does exist and usually lasts for a week or two.

Forever the optimist Ian

The day started damp and drizzling, by midday that had given way to heavy rain,
or as we like to say, a typical British summers day

 

[Ian D J]

I think we had the Eurosoon at the weekend. So bad that it caused the Devon County Show to be cancelled on Saturday - which made the national news. Luckily we went on the Friday and left just before the accident that caused the H&S brigade to cancel it, being dragged up the muddy hill (yup, FABULOUS planning by the organisers - park everyone on a hilly field whose only exit is at the top...) by a tractor. The situation wasn't helped much by 4x4 owners who tried to get up the hill and failed. Wrong tyres and technique, although even the right tyres would have had problems (and would be lethal on tarmac!) Yesterday evening was glorious down here with a few clouds but enough Sun to make the cat seek out every last minute of it! Cooler today but dry so far.

Crumbs, that does sound messy and chaotic in every sense of the word! But that is the joys of planning outdoors type events here in the UK what with our mid-latitude position and always at the peril of the Atlantic. Especially since May is a transitional type month where we are still shaking off the last vestiges of winter but not quite warming up just yet.

 

[Ian D J]

Thats interesting, I didn't know that we had an "official" monsoon period

Forever the optimist Ian

The day started damp and drizzling, by midday that had given way to heavy rain,
or as we like to say, a typical British summers day

Indeed we do, Chris. It usually comes in two waves, one at the last week of May and first week of June and again at the last week of June but as a weaker version. It is quite long and complicated but it's all part of the huge "balancing out" process in the atmosphere over the Northern Hemisphere (a bit like a tide slowly retreating but the waves are still ebbing and flowing anyway).

 

[LauraJ23]

A cracking day yesterday, no rain until half way through the drive back. Rather damp this morning at home here.

 

[Ian D J]

Mornin' all from a rather cloudy and damp Folkestone but at least winds are light and the lawn is continuing to look healthy for it.

There are signs of things settling down and becoming brighter, drier and even warmer over the UK by the end of the week and into the weekend as high pressure builds over the country - at least for a time. But the eastern side of the country may still be hassled by low cloud and mist rolling in from the North Sea.

But for now, I have just spotted this on my Facebook wall, I'm sure it's actually a genuine advert but you really have to appreciate the hidden comedy value in it . . .

 

[Cobra]

Trouble is, we're now entering the European Monsoon period . . . yes, it does exist and usually lasts for a week or two. The real trick is to try and break out of it as we go into June rather than it digging too deep into the rest of summer (aka 2007 and 2012 and remember how rubbish they were?). But, most of our best summers didn't get going until late June anyway (2003 and 2006) so it's too soon to say "Oh, that's it then, that's Summer all over".

Well as it rained overnight Mon & all day Tues, as its now early hours of Weds morning,
and still chucking it down, as I type this,
I'm guessing the monsoon's have joined up

 

[Nod]

Hopefully it'll be dry here this morning - it looks like it could be at the moment. Coaching round of g#!# at 07:45 then I have to nip down to town on the bike (free parking and no traffic problems!) later.

2 weeks until 30°+...

 

[Cobra]

Well as it rained overnight Mon & all day Tues, as its now early hours of Weds morning,
and still chucking it down, as I type this,
I'm guessing the monsoon's have joined up

Weds night and it hasn't stopped raining yet,
I blame the weather man personally

 

[Ian D J]

Weds night and it hasn't stopped raining yet,
I blame the weather man personally

It has been rain-free today here at Folkestone, albeit mostly cloudy. The slow improvement to more seasonably summer-like weather for the weekend is still on track.
However, that improvement - as usual - may only be a temporary feature as the models wants to make it unsettled for all parts as we go into next week. It is a long way off in forecasting terms and I'm hoping it's just the outputs having a bad day and is having it out on us.

 

[Cobra]

It has been rain-free today here at Folkestone, albeit mostly cloudy. The slow improvement to more seasonably summer-like weather for the weekend is still on track.
However, that improvement - as usual - may only be a temporary feature as the models wants to make it unsettled for all parts as we go into next week. It is a long way off in forecasting terms and I'm hoping it's just the outputs having a bad day and is having it out on us.

I still say we should be allowed to shoot the messenger

 

[Nod]

Started spitting on the 9th green so we walked in (it was a coaching round and the coach needed to get in for the next group). Hissed down as I was driving home but cleared up in the afternoon so I managed the town trip in the dry. Not actually raining at the moment but the conservatory roof is wet.

 

[Ian D J]

Afternoon all from a sunny Folkestone. Yep, after three days of relentless gloom and drizzle, the sun is out! And boy, it feels lovely for it (might be an age thing where I get to appreciate any warmth we do get).
As expected, things will be settled, dry and bright for most of us tomorrow and into Saturday but then there'll be more in the way of cloud with the risk of showers on Sunday and into next week.

It's looking more and more like a "slow burner" (kicking in by mid-June onwards) regarding this summer.

 

[Cobra]

At least its not relentless here today, in MK - on -mud
But more like April showers.

 

[Nod]

I foresee a fortnight of sustained dry, sunny weather in the UK from 10/6 - always happens when we're away! We're almost guaranteed such weather but Nod's law can apply.

 

[Cobra]

always happens when we're away!

I'm looking forward to it already

 

[Cg_Girl]

I foresee a fortnight of sustained dry, sunny weather in the UK from 10/6 - always happens when we're away! We're almost guaranteed such weather but Nod's law can apply.

Can you go away earlier and stay longer then please



Sent from The Moon.....

 

[Nod]

No problems! Just send me enough money so Mrs Nod can retire completely and we'll be off!

 

[Ian D J]

Probably easier and cheaper if we all go with Nod if the medium range output for the first half of June is anything to go by (of course, it is a long way off in forecasting terms).

 

[Cobra]

Probably easier and cheaper if we all go with Nod if the medium range output for the first half of June is anything to go by (of course, it is a long way off in forecasting terms).

Arse covering time again

And its been hissing down for the last 3 hours or so
At least the newly planted hedge is appreciating it

 

[Ian D J]

Arse covering time again

And its been hissing down for the last 3 hours or so
At least the newly planted hedge is appreciating it

And yet the sun has been out for most of today at this end - which is as per my forecast for the local area, yet parts of Southern England had heavy rain and even thunder. Does go to show what a huge place the UK is when it comes to our climate.

 

[Cobra]

I think we maybe in an odd spot here,
when you look at a weather map on the TV, we mostly have a thick black line running through "us"
Not quite sure what that means in weather terms though?

The Chiltern hills are not that far away, and although not that high,
they often "trap" weather.
A storm will get as far as them, and bounce it straight back.

Weirdly as we say here, Whipsnade zoo sits on top of the Chilterns,
and has its very own micro climate.
It can be hissing down there and dry as a bone just down the road,
the converse apply's too.

 

[Ian D J]

As the first half of this week is expected to be mild 'n' damp with showers and longer outbreaks of rain - something that the mollusc community will appreciate - but there'll also be some sunny breaks.
There are signs of the first "proper" warm up by the end of the week or the beginning of the weekend with temperatures getting up to 25 C (mid 70's F) but with the trade off being in the form of high humidity and risk of thunderstorms. Even if it does occur, it'll most likely be a short lived event lasting for a couple of days before cooler and fresher conditions move back in from the Atlantic.

 

[Ian D J]

<--- Blows the dust off this thread.

Hi all and . . . well, what can I say? After that vicious winter, thankfully it lead to a kind Spring and now that we are "officially" in the Summer season, it seems to be pretty much following the same kind of theme; as in not too cold, not too hot, not too dry and not too wet - a "Goldilocks" type Summer.
But, if anything, since the last time my location got to see any appreciable "useful" rain, which was 2.7 mm on the 9th June, my lawn is now starting to look a little thirsty where it could use a drop of the hard stuff.

Once we get through the cool and showery type phase over the next few days, I have absolutely no idea how next week is going to pan out, let alone the rest of the Summer season. The only thing I have to go on is how this year is following the same kind of pattern as 1990 - that started off as being wet, wild 'n' mild then it lead to a kind, dry and warm Spring which eventually lead to a very decent summer with hot spells, especially in August.

 

[Cobra]

Hi Ian.
LOL @ the cartoons as always

Yes its been rather pleasant for a few days here too.
We had a hell of a storm yesterday tea time,
that had been threatening all day.

It only lasted about an hour, but the rain was much needed.
(Strangely)

 

[Nod]

I foresee a fortnight of sustained dry, sunny weather in the UK from 10/6 - always happens when we're away! We're almost guaranteed such weather but Nod's law can apply.

Judging from the amount of water everything supped while we were away, I'm guessing I was right! Temperature in the conservatory was 48.5C when we got home at about noon today and the self watering reservoirs for the courgettes were almost dried out.

Of course, temperatures are relative - it was mid 20s last night at 2 am and we had no air con! Had we not both had a drink or 3 to dull the pain of leaving, we would have gone for a drive to cool off!

 

[Gremlin]

Oh well the rain is on it's way back apparently, just in time for the weekend

 

[donut]

Oh well the rain is on it's way back apparently, just in time for the weekend

and glasto

 

[Ian D J]

and glasto

Oh, but of course. However, it's all going to be quite showery in nature on Friday and into Saturday where I cannot rule out the risk of thunder, but it'll get to be pleasantly warm whenever the sun does come out. Sunday looks like being the better day with less showers being about.

 

[Nod]

and glasto

Need an ROFPML smiley!

 

[Gremlin]

and glasto

a workmate has a friend who helps organise Glasto, I asked if she has a map showing the temporary lakes
She didn't get it

 

[LauraJ23]

Bbc weather shows rain upto next friday for here. Been lovely here, but the last 2 days have been awful for drying my washing! Lol

 

[Cobra]

a workmate has a friend who helps organise Glasto, I asked if she has a map showing the temporary lakes
She didn't get it

LOL no sense of humour some people

The local weather is saying sunshine & showers Fri & Sat.
Wetter on Sunday

 

[Gremlin]

LOL no sense of humour some people

The local weather is saying sunshine & showers Fri & Sat.
Wetter on Sunday

well if you're gonna camp down there you need somewhere dry to pitch a tent
Not that I am, it always rains and turns into a mud bath

 

[Ian D J]

As summer spluttered to a halt here at Kent where I have recorded 17 mm of rain in the past 24 hours. The sun's back out again now as I type but with a fresh south westerly breeze keeping it feeling distinctively autumnal.

 

[Ian D J]

Oh, we can expect a benign week weather-wise over the UK with bright spells and varied cloud amounts while not getting too hot just yet. It may become cloudy and damp over the Eastern side of the UK for a time later on in the week while Western parts will tend to pick up showers.

In other words, not a lot to get excited over but not a lot to get worked up about.

 

[donut]

@Ian D J ...hello Ian ,,,the forecast for the end of this week is saying storms for the west of the country ,,,its not fair we never seem to get any good ones, do you think its possible they might get this far over to the east ?

 

[Ian D J]

@Ian D J ...hello Ian ,,,the forecast for the end of this week is saying storms for the west of the country ,,,its not fair we never seem to get any good ones, do you think its possible they might get this far over to the east ?

Hi. It'll come in two stages. First one to affect the South West as soon as tomorrow and then stage two (the main event) is likely to affect more of England and Wales later on Friday and into Saturday.
But as always with a slack thundery set up, some areas may get to see a humdinger and other areas may miss out on it completely.
Sunday, however, should be a getting better kind of day with more in the way of sunny breaks as the thundery stuff trundles onto the North Sea by then.
And it looks set to be quite summer-like and settled as we go into next week.

 

[Cg_Girl]

@Ian D J ...hello Ian ,,,the forecast for the end of this week is saying storms for the west of the country ,,,its not fair we never seem to get any good ones, do you think its possible they might get this far over to the east ?

Totally agree, it's been ages since a damn decent storm!.. Northants chronicle posted a big weather warning on Facebook for huge storms Saturday,.. I'll bet we get nothing


Sent from Button Moon.....