Stormy Weather II

[Serial_Apologist]

It looks as though that low-pressure system isn't going to behave quite as 'normal' (e.g. West to East) but is going to lurk in the North Atlantic.
I wonder how that blocking High over Western Europe will behave? And how long will it stay? I suspect the forecasters may be hedging their bets.

The BBC's forecasters have the high to the east moving eastwards into Russia and declining by the end of next week, with the Azores high ridging tentativenly in from our SW but not far, meanwhile the primary low SE of Greenland which is throwing its frontal systems in our direction will shift slowly east to be between Iceland and NW Scotland by the following weekend. If they've got that evolution right then we'll be back in a zonal situation with that Iceland low generating secondaries along its southern flank which will cross N Ireland Wales, Scotland and the north, giving average amounts of rain associated with this time of year there, while the south gets low amounts: temperatures being around normal. An awful lot can happen in a week, however.

[oddoneout]

Just heard the BBC's lunchtime weather forecast on R4 - 'temps in Northern England in and around 20C.
I go to check the garden therm: 16C.
In an edgy, chillyish westerly.

Ahem.

London-centric version of Northern England, ie quite a few miles south of you?

[Constantbee]

Summer solstice at Stonehenge broadcast live by English Heritage on Youtube: sunset from 21:26 on 20/06/20, and sunrise, behind the Heel Stone in the north east part of the horizon, from 04:52 on 21/06/20.

This year was due to be the 20th anniversary of the peaceful gathering at Stonehenge but not possible under current conditions and so made available to view online.

No music, no talk, just the breeze through the microphone and a couple of human figure in hi-viz jackets. A moving reminder of our place in the scheme of things.

[ardcarp]

An awful lot can happen in a week, however.

Yes. Statistically, a 7-day forecast is more than 50% likely to be different by the time you get to day 7.

[BBMmk2]

The sun has arrived at long last! The BBC was nearly right!

[DracoM]

Strong, edgy westerly here, intermittent sun and thick cloud.
Blown tub of tree lilies etc etc clean over despite wedge and weighting.
And a real drumming thrash of heaviest rain for 35 mins!

[Serial_Apologist]

Hardly more than a few spots of rain from this morning's cold front, despite it producing downpours further oop t'coontree. That'll probably the our last lot for at least another week.

[gurnemanz]

Quite breezy on this afternoon's bike ride. 4.42 km recorded on the app. I usually do a bit more. I should have waited. Lovely evening now.

[BBMmk2]

PLeased to hear you enjoyed your 61 years young birthday, Bbm. By odd coincidence, I shall be lunching at a pub called the Thatcher's Arms tomorrow. No relation!!! It will involve a 5 mile cycle from one of the nethermost tube stations on my senior's railcard, and the weather doesn't look too promising. Shame the rendez-vous couldn't have waited until mid-week next week, when it promises to be pleasant and quite warm once more.

I should’ve said that I’m actually 64 now. Ah well..

Going to be warm today 21C !

[DracoM]

Given wind and rain at near gale force at times, it's back to winter clothes up here - seriously.
Max 14C yesterday, nowhere near the 18-20 forecast.

Harrumph.

[Serial_Apologist]

Breezy and coolish here, but otherwise sunny with very little cloud.

This morning traffic and everyday passers-by seemed to have returned to pre-shut-down numbers; however, there was no queue whatever at the Tescos Express a mile down the road from me. A young woman was peering into the estate agent's window; "Good luck with your searches - and it's a very friendly area around here, by the way" I said to her. "I know - I already live here!" she said!

Today being probably the last day with comfortable outside temperatures for some time to come, I shall probably make the most of it by taking to the road on my bike: I really need to start shedding the winter pounds. At 478 feet above sea level, Shirley golf course, which is about 5 miles to my south-west, is one of the highest spots within the London boundary, affording stunning views of its landmarks to the north and rural views to the south, and I shall probably head that way. Will I make it up the 1 in 10 to the "summit" without needing to get off? The return route takes in the unspoilt village of Addington, with its Norman church; Spring Park, with its field margin footpath along the wooded south-east side of the Addington ridge; the very beautiful Kelsey Park, with the Pool River running through; Beckenham town centre, just to the NW of it; Penge town centre; and a final pant up the always-longer-than-seems mile ascent to the Crystal Palace Parade, from where I can freewheel back down to my manor. Incidentally I understand that Elgar (COTW) lived just at the top of that descent sometime around the time he composed "Cocaigne", presently on the wireless! Sadly the tea hut in Spring Park with its outside seating area and usually people prepared to chat will presumably still be shut, but I've stocked up on lager in the fridge for the return!

[oddoneout]

The rather brisk breeze is keeping temperatures down to pleasant - but increasing the burn factor. Breeze and high temperatures are not helpful in the garden, but at least all my veg is in the ground now and well established after the recent rain, so a bit more resilient. Apparently it will get hotter over the next couple of days, oh joy - not.

[Serial_Apologist]

The rather brisk breeze is keeping temperatures down to pleasant - but increasing the burn factor. Breeze and high temperatures are not helpful in the garden, but at least all my veg is in the ground now and well established after the recent rain, so a bit more resilient. Apparently it will get hotter over the next couple of days, oh joy - not.

Indeed so! Many people suffer under the misapprehension that lower temperatures lower the risk of sunburn too, and I shall be remembering to put my summer hat on when going out on the bike this afternoon, and applying the sunscreen to nose, cheeks, hands and forearms. Forearmed is as good as forewarned!

[Joseph K]

Nice - coolish blustery wind, but sunny.

[Serial_Apologist]

Well I managed to make my entire intended journey - about 16 miles in all. I didn't suceed in remaining on the saddle all the way up the climb I mentioned - I walked about 600 metres of 1 in 10 incline, and on the return didn't quite have the strength to make it back up the Crystal Palace Road climb from Penge* - which is a mile of continuous 1 in 12. But hey-ho, not bad for 74 pushing 75! One amusing incident: a man, approaching hand-in-hand with his very, very pregnant partner, who turns to him and says, "Phew, I think I can just about make it to the car"!

*People around here are thinking that should Penge ever become gentrified - the likelihood of which is extremely doubtful, in my opinion - the new incomers will be pronouncing the place name as though it were French!