Stormy Weather II

[oddoneout]

As forecast the temperature has gone up considerably, noticeable when out and about. What has also happened, partly due to a stiff breeze, is that indoor temperatures feel to have have dropped due to the accompanying dampness, not helped by lack of sun.

[Serial_Apologist]

Lying abed just after 7 this morning waiting for coffee, a tremendous clap of thunder accompanied by a near instantaneous flash of lightening struck. We are quite used to storms here in the Wye Valley - usually rolling in from the west across the Welsh border two miles away - but this gave absolutely no warning, just one clap, and an intense downpour...for about one minute! Electricity off (main trip gone) Internet off, water off (we're on our own pump up here - it trips for a pastime!).....back to 'normal' now, but a rude awakening!

Looking at the rain patterns at that time, a narrow straight line of heavy rain was aligned SSW/NNE right across your area. It would have been described as "line convection" at the point where cold air from the south west was slicing into the southerly winds just to the east (of the surface cold front). Thunder is not uncommon at such air mass junctions even in winter; and it would be very difficult to predict from ground-based observations, with the parent cloud (probably at about 6000 feet above sea level) obscured at lower levels (at around 1000 ft ASL) by ragged stratus " clag". Such has been the case here this afternoon as the same front has slowly edged eastwards, catching me on my cycle journey home from the mini Tescos a mile down the road with a burst of moderate rain, the only advance clue being a general darkening of the sky. A strengthening breeze has not made today's 12 degree celsius maximum feel as mild as one anticipated following so many days with sub-average temperatures.

[Roger Webb]

Looking at the rain patterns at that time, a narrow straight line of heavy rain was aligned SSW/NNE right across your area. It would have been described as "line convection" at the point where cold air from the south west was slicing into the southerly winds just to the east (of the surface cold front). Thunder is not uncommon at such air mass junctions even in winter; and it would be very difficult to predict from ground-based observations, with the parent cloud (probably at about 6000 feet above sea level) obscured at lower levels (at around 1000 ft ASL) by ragged stratus " clag". Such has been the case here this afternoon as the same front has slowly edged eastwards, catching me on my cycle journey home from the mini Tescos a mile down the road with a burst of moderate rain, the only advance clue being a general darkening of the sky. A strengthening breeze has not made today's 12 degree celsius maximum feel as mild as one anticipated following so many days with sub-average temperatures.

Thanks for your meteorological analysis SA..............mine is that it was bloody loud!

[Serial_Apologist]

Thanks for your meteorological analysis SA..............mine is that it was bloody loud!

You're welcome, Roger - as everybody seems to say these days... around here, at any rate.

[Serial_Apologist]

Real spring-like warmth from the sun for the first time this year for my 4-mile afternoon stroll today, as a consequence of lighter winds than yesterday's, which took the edge off the 16C maximum. I took the same route as yesterday, just reversing the direction. Snowdrops and croci now out in great profusion everywhere, and I heard my first song thrush in full voice - those instantly recognisable repeat motifs that have become so rare these days. I have yet to hear a blackbird, surprisingly, but I'm not usually awake at sunrise! Tomorrow those strong winds are set to return, and with a vengeance in Scotland and the NW - but at least my well-pegged down washing should have time to dry before rain arrives in the evening.

[Roger Webb]

Real spring-like warmth from the sun for the first time this year for my 4-mile afternoon stroll today, as a consequence of lighter winds than yesterday's, which took the edge off the 16C maximum. I took the same route as yesterday, just reversing the direction. Snowdrops and croci now out in great profusion everywhere, and I heard my first song thrush in full voice - those instantly recognisable repeat motifs that have become so rare these days. I have yet to hear a blackbird, surprisingly, but I'm not usually awake at sunrise! Tomorrow those strong winds are set to return, and with a vengeance in Scotland and the NW - but at least my well-pegged down washing should have time to dry before rain arrives in the evening.

Yes, ditto here, a lovely walk over and round our hill (our nature reserve and deer park)...we're the hill to the east of Symonds Yat that everyone photographs from the viewing point! Lots of snowdrops, daffs just appearing - we're always a bit behind up here. The river (Wye) is magnificent here, making a huge loop almost round the hill nearly forming an island - the reason the Courtfield Priory was chosen as a safe place for the young Prince Hal to grow up in....Monmouth where he was born was considered too dangerous.

The thunderbolt that you kindly analysed for possible cause struck the church tower half a mile away in the village apparently - no harm done...lightning conductor!

https://images.app.goo.gl/Lzn1tmoapJgX16Sz5

Coppett Hill from Symonds Yat Rock.

[Serial_Apologist]

Yes, ditto here, a lovely walk over and round our hill (our nature reserve and deer park)...we're the hill to the east of Symonds Yat that everyone photographs from the viewing point! Lots of snowdrops, daffs just appearing - we're always a bit behind up here. The river (Wye) is magnificent here, making a huge loop almost round the hill nearly forming an island - the reason the Courtfield Priory was chosen as a safe place for the young Prince Hal to grow up in....Monmouth where he was born was considered too dangerous.

The thunderbolt that you kindly analysed for possible cause struck the church tower half a mile away in the village apparently - no harm done...lightning conductor!

https://images.app.goo.gl/Lzn1tmoapJgX16Sz5

Coppett Hill from Symonds Yat Rock.

If I'm not mistaken, that is one of those "incised meanders" we learned about for Geography O Level!

[Roger Webb]

If I'm not mistaken, that is one of those "incised meanders" we learned about for Geography O Level!

And if it continues to 'incise' the 'meander' becomes an 'oxbow lake'....now that would be something to live on an island in the middle of!....you must have done your Geog. O level about the same time as me!......at least this information may have a practical application, unlike the memorisation of the principal flax-growing countries!

[vinteuil]

And if it continues to 'incise' the 'meander' becomes an 'oxbow lake'....now that would be something to live on an island in the middle of!....you must have done your Geog. O level about the same time as me!......at least this information may have a practical application, unlike the memorisation of the principal flax-growing countries!

... not forgetting the Great Lakes - and the Tennessee Valley Authority

[Guest]

Up here, utter filth - cold, 10/10 cloud, rain on a driving westerly only marginally less malicious than the recent vicious, freezig easterlies.

[Old Grumpy]

Up here, utter filth - cold, 10/10 cloud, rain on a driving westerly only marginally less malicious than the recent vicious, freezig easterlies.

Good to hear from you, Draco...


...plus ça change, eh?

[Guest]

yeah, but the recent hour after hour fierce EASTERLIES were utterly de-humanising.

[Serial_Apologist]

And if it continues to 'incise' the 'meander' becomes an 'oxbow lake'....now that would be something to live on an island in the middle of!....you must have done your Geog. O level about the same time as me!......at least this information may have a practical application, unlike the memorisation of the principal flax-growing countries!

It would have been 1963, when we took our O Levels. The being event of that year was a joint school trip to the Mole Valley with a neighbouring girl's school. From the number of pupils arriving late for the return journey after undertaking extra-curricular activities in neighbouring woods, for some especially so!

[Serial_Apologist]

yeah, but the recent hour after hour fierce EASTERLIES were utterly de-humanising.

I was beginning to worry that you'd been swept away in the outflow from your melting glacier!

[Roger Webb]

It would have been 1963, when we took our O Levels. The being event of that year was a joint school trip to the Mole Valley with a neighbouring girl's school. From the number of pupils arriving late for the return journey after undertaking extra-curricular activities in neighbouring woods, for some especially so!

I took mine in 1965, by then we did 'Human Biology', but not of the 'hands-on' practical kind your school seems to have enjoyed!