Stormy Weather II

[Serial_Apologist]

It has looked thundery all day here, but will it or won't it remains the question. Very close and warm. I will take my brolly with me shortly.

[Old Grumpy]

[QUOTE=Serial_Apologist;885681 I will take my brolly with me shortly.[/QUOTE]

Is that a good idea in thundery conditions?

[DracoM]

Too right!

[BBMmk2]

A rather cloudy day, today, with sunny intervals. Max 20C.

[Serial_Apologist]

Is that a good idea in thundery conditions?

Relative, I would say. One uses what experience one has of weather situations to decided on when or if one puts up in thundery situations. With lightning literally near to hand it would be unwise. Having said that, I do remember on one occasion in Maidstone, crossing the bridge next to the castle, a cloud-to-ground strike occurring too close for comfort which I did not see - the sun was shining at the time, it was not raining - but knew all about from the huge crash of thunder, which startled myself and passers-by. The actual core of the storm was a few miles to the east, clearly visible from the dense black clouds and rain curtain shrouding the adjacent downs - this was a lone strike and must have been an arc discharge from off the anvil. These can be the strongest because they have a longer distance to breach than flashes linking low cloud base to earth. But it does go to show how one can never be completely certain in thundery conditions. I have an American documentary on video in which a woman describes having been hit by lightning from a storm calculated to have been 12 miles away while out boating. The conductivity potential of water makes swimming or any kind of activity on water inadvisable - yet there exist numerous youtubes of people happily swimming, sailing and water skiing in close proximity to thunderstorms off Caribbean islands.

Speaking of thunderstorms I suppose there's a small chance today, particularly the further north one is where orographic forcing helps developing showers become thundery. More generally it's a day of warm southerlies ahead of a low pressure that will plague the west, in particular, for the weekend (think Glasto!) and much of next week. It looks like showers are breaking out in this region today, as surface warming helps break the present-existing stratocumulus infill-indicated inversion cap. Nice to remind ourselves we are back in a relatively cool Atlantic air regime! A muggy 23C at this point of writing.

[Old Grumpy]

A pleasant 22/23 C here too. Just enjoying a cup of Yorkshire Tea after returning from a pleasant stroll round Helmsley Walled Garden. Didn't get wet despite threatened Met Office app) thunderstorms (there was a but of rain earlier around lunchtime).

[BBMmk2]

Feels rather muggy today, down here, with, by the looks of it, intermittent showers.

[Serial_Apologist]

Feels rather muggy today, down here, with, by the looks of it, intermittent showers.

I know! For two reasons I can't make up my mind as to whether or not to cycle up to Burgess Park for today's and tomorrow's Radiate Windrush Festival: lets of dreadlocks music, Caribbean food stalls, and wafty substances too I expect!! They're charging £15 quid entry, with family increments, and only free for under fives and over seventies! My mate (60) has just rung to say he can't afford it! And in any case it might well rain. Funnily enough they're charging fifty quid entry for a similar type event in posh nearby Dulwich Park - must be in order to keep the hoi polloi out!

[Old Grumpy]

I know! For two reasons I can't make up my mind as to whether or not to cycle up to Burgess Park for today's and tomorrow's Radiate Windrush Festival: lets of dreadlocks music, Caribbean food stalls, and wafty substances too I expect!! They're charging £15 quid entry, with family increments, and only free for under fives and over seventies! My mate (60) has just rung to say he can't afford it! And in any case it might well rain. Funnily enough they're charging fifty quid entry for a similar type event in posh nearby Dulwich Park - must be in order to keep the hoi polloi out!

If, in this context, you might be considered hoi polloi, I don't think you'll be missing much, S_A!

[muzzer]

This is obvs grumpy, but most of these events leave me cold. Overpriced not great food, often not especially good music, lots of ‘the great smell of Brooklyn/Brixton/wherever” in your face whether you like it or not. Yes it’s time for my nap;)

[Serial_Apologist]

If, in this context, you might be considered hoi polloi, I don't think you'll be missing much, S_A!

Ridiculous prices! Where do they think we live? In Hampstead???

[french frank]

Ridiculous prices! Where do they think we live? In Hampstead???

Just think: for that price you could go to a goodish restaurant and WITHOUT THE MUSIC!!!

[Serial_Apologist]

Just think: for that price you could go to a goodish restaurant and WITHOUT THE MUSIC!!!

There are some class acts, it has to be admitted: Sister Sledge, Mica Paris; but I associate Aswad and Trevor Nelson with Notting Hill Carnival at its best and big marches against the National Front in the late 70s, not this. I haven't bothered checking ticket prices for Glasto for many years - presumably they are even more expensive. I'm much preferring the sorts of music offered for nowt on today's J to Z. It's just £15 entry to Burgess Park today and tomorrow which seems much more affordable and convivial for all - and free for over 70s. I think I might even treat myself.

[cloughie]

Some good sunny intervals today but also some very heavy showers - Penzance was packed today for Mazey Day!

[DracoM]

Monsoon-like showers + thunder and lightning and huge DROP in temp to 9C up here!