Stormy Weather

[Serial_Apologist]

Was rather bad to begin with here, too, but brightened up later and today rather non performing!

I would describe it as being in dorian grey mode.

[BBMmk2]

I would describe it as being in dorian grey mode.

Yes, lento!

[Petrushka]

Last night's soaking and strong winds have given me a very unpleasant cold. Just exactly what I didn't want right now.

A better day today but following on from yesterday's mini-hurricane the ground is suddenly covered in a wet mush of fallen leaves.

[BBMmk2]

Sorry to hear Pet Hmmmm to be correct about hurricanes. Surely, as we are not a tropical country, then the term Hurricane should be Hurricane force, surely?

[Pabmusic]

Sorry to hear Pet Hmmmm to be correct about hurricanes. Surely, as we are not a tropical country, then the term Hurricane should be Hurricane force, surely?

I quote Wikipedia, which is right-ish:

"The term "tropical" refers to the geographical origin of these systems, which form almost exclusively over tropical seas".

Here in the Pacific (misnomer!) we call them typhoons.

[BBMmk2]

I quote Wikipedia, which is right-ish:

"The term "tropical" refers to the geographical origin of these systems, which form almost exclusively over tropical seas".

Here in the Pacific (misnomer!) we call them typhoons.

As usual, a few errors with Wiki!!

[Serial_Apologist]

Sorry to hear Pet Hmmmm to be correct about hurricanes. Surely, as we are not a tropical country, then the term Hurricane should be Hurricane force, surely?

A small percentage of our temperate depressions do start life as tropical cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons, according to locational origins which determine definitions and nomenclature. Those reaching us originating west of Africa on the Tropic of Capricorn (roughtly) drift westwards towards the Caribbean on the trade winds, deepening by taking advantage of sea surface temperatures being above 28 degrees C, then curve rightwards, following the eastern seaboard of the US (or further east), declining as they hit colder waters and then getting a renewal boost on connecting with our jet stream. There, having a head start over the usual wave depressions which begin life as kinks along the trailing Polar front, they re-deepen and bring us our first strong winds of autumn, but by this stage have become extra-tropical (temperate) depressions little different from the rest apart from releasing larger amounts of precipitation due to the residue of tropical air contained within, and stronger winds. This happens nearly every year with a similar process occurring off the coast of mainland China and Japan causing even bigger, more intense cyclones due to there being the longer "fetch" offered by the much larger Pacific. As with hurricanes diverted to the Caribbean, many of the Pacific typhoons end up crossing Malaysia and Indonesia to hit the Indian subcontinent or Sri Lanka. Many of the hurricanes which might otherwise reach us are intercepted by high pressure systems forming obstructions. These hurricanes then blow themselves out in loco or after being diverted towards the Caribbean, central America or the US.

[DracoM]

Today in Ulitma Thule - and it is ringed with high hills - I have not been able to see said hills at all, Cloud/mist/fret /dreech literally down to field level, drizzly slight sneap in the wind, as if the world were entirely composed of overlapping thicknesses of water.

[vinteuil]

... well you did - I presume - choose to live in Ultima Thule...

It has always baffled me - when our primordial ancestors left Africa, those heading north - when they (and there wd not have been very many of them at that time) reached, say, the Dordogne - why didn't they stop there? Nice climate, caves, nuts and berries... And yet some insisted on struggling ever northwards, ending up in impossible places such as Finland - Greenland - Esquimauxland - even Ultima Thule...

Why???

[Richard Tarleton]

It has always baffled me - when our primordial ancestors left Africa, those heading north - when they (and there wd not have been very many of them at that time) reached, say, the Dordogne - why didn't they stop there? Nice climate, caves, nuts and berries...
Why???

It may have been a case of down to the Dordogne - and perhaps some did stay there. Looking at the spread of the various human species northwards from Africa, it seems to have been up through the Middle East and the Caucasus, and westwards into Europe, then downwards into France and Spain. The Basques speak a pre-Indo-European language whose nearest - only - linguistic links (albeit only 7% or so) are with languages still spoken in the Caucasus (as well as with languages spoken by some Berber tribes).

And of course there are always more people pressing you onwards from behind....

One also needs to consider the timing of such migrations against climate shifts....Ch 1 of Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs and Steel a good starting point.

I feel this might be a question Pabs can help us with, he knows about these things

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

It's been a lovely day in the Pennines: warm (16 degrees) and sunny, everybody in shirt sleeves or pullovers; coats carried rather than worn - much better than some days in August! Clouding over now (and I hate having to turn lights on at five o'clock) - similar weather forecast for tomorrow morning, then the rains start in the afternoon and a real drop in temperature for the middle of the week. Grateful for today, though - an unexpected delight.

[Serial_Apologist]

It's been a lovely day in the Pennines: warm (16 degrees) and sunny, everybody in shirt sleeves or pullovers; coats carried rather than worn - much better than some days in August! Clouding over now (and I hate having to turn lights on at five o'clock) - similar weather forecast for tomorrow morning, then the rains start in the afternoon and a real drop in temperature for the middle of the week. Grateful for today, though - an unexpected delight.

.

Same weather and temperature here in London, ferney - shirt sleeve order for my afternoon stroll, albeit less daylight in which to take it!

I find coping with the change to GMT more and more difficult as the years pass by.

[BBMmk2]

A small percentage of our temperate depressions do start life as tropical cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons, according to locational origins which determine definitions and nomenclature. Those reaching us originating west of Africa on the Tropic of Capricorn (roughtly) drift westwards towards the Caribbean on the trade winds, deepening by taking advantage of sea surface temperatures being above 28 degrees C, then curve rightwards, following the eastern seaboard of the US (or further east), declining as they hit colder waters and then getting a renewal boost on connecting with our jet stream. There, having a head start over the usual wave depressions which begin life as kinks along the trailing Polar front, they re-deepen and bring us our first strong winds of autumn, but by this stage have become extra-tropical (temperate) depressions little different from the rest apart from releasing larger amounts of precipitation due to the residue of tropical air contained within, and stronger winds. This happens nearly every year with a similar process occurring off the coast of mainland China and Japan causing even bigger, more intense cyclones due to there being the longer "fetch" offered by the much larger Pacific. As with hurricanes diverted to the Caribbean, many of the Pacific typhoons end up crossing Malaysia and Indonesia to hit the Indian subcontinent or Sri Lanka. Many of the hurricanes which might otherwise reach us are intercepted by high pressure systems forming obstructions. These hurricanes then blow themselves out in loco or after being diverted towards the Caribbean, central America or the US.

Thanks for that info SA!

What a lovely sunny day today. Unfortunately, I had to wait for a bed to be delivered, so hence, was not able to take advantage of the sunny weather! :(

[Petrushka]

An atrocious day! Leaving the office at 5.15 was a complete nightmare with a savage head wind and lashing rain. I was soaked in seconds. The Berghaus was useless in stuff like this: the hood is too small, the toggles keep coming undone and the zip is a dead loss. These coats are not cheap but they are not as good as one I used to have that was as cheap as chips and lasted for years.

Following the above frightening experience and the general uselessness of the Berghaus I've decided to equip myself better for the rigours of the British autumn and winter weather. A pair of waterproof overtrousers is easily and cheaply sorted out but I'm wanting a better waterproof coat. I seem to recall Richard Tarleton pointing me in the direction of something good on this thread some while ago but cannot remember the name. Can anyone (Richard for instance) come to the rescue?

I need something with a good sized hood that covers head and surrounds the face well. I also require one with a good, solid and strong zip. No toggle fastenings for the hood though (Velcro and press studs are ok) and, needless to say, warm and waterproof.

I work on a bleak business park (aren't they all bleak?) and have a 20 minute walk to the railway station. In foul weather (and wind is the major problem as it is always windy) it isn't pleasant and on a day like last Tuesday can be a serious issue.

What are your recommendations?

[visualnickmos]

What are your recommendations?

Move to southern France