Stormy Weather II

[Flay]

Apparently it's all down to what they call stratospheric warming, though how this comes to impact is way above my head, I'm afraid.

The stratosphere is way above all our heads, S_A.

But what a beautiful spring day we’re having today!

[Serial_Apologist]

The stratosphere is way above all our heads, S_A.

But what a beautiful spring day we’re having today!

Not here, today - we're still stuck under that gridlocked front I was talking about, and it's just started raining again in a stiff northerly, following ten seconds of sunshine.

[vinteuil]

Looks like we're all set for severe cold weather for early next week onwards, borne on an easterly, which will be strong and well possibly snow-bearing for all regions except the extreme NW, and could possibly extend into March. The signs have been there for some time with frontal systems advancing in from the west and then stalling in the face of strong high pressure to the east acting as a powerful block. This then counteracts the normal tendency for weather systems to "want" to travel eastwards, propelled by the earth's revolving. .

... must be true : The Times agrees with you - 'Cold air is waiting in the wings because a large block of high pressure is building up over Scandinavia and is set to drive a brisk easterly wind from continental Europe across the UK by Thursday. This marks the return of frost, freezing fog and snow flurries, especially in the south and east. And next week could turn much colder, with an increasing threat of snow for many places... ' And if you wish to have further worries - 'The Bewl Water reservoir in Kent is the largest body of open fresh water in southeast England and in December was at one-third capacity after a long run of low rainfall, and Southern Water had applied for a “precautionary” drought permit. ... More rain is needed to fill up many groundwater supplies in the south and east before spring brings warmer weather and the trees start drawing up water. A long spell of dry conditions possibly lasting well into March is not good news for these regions.'

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[Serial_Apologist]

... must be true : The Times agrees with you - 'Cold air is waiting in the wings because a large block of high pressure is building up over Scandinavia and is set to drive a brisk easterly wind from continental Europe across the UK by Thursday. This marks the return of frost, freezing fog and snow flurries, especially in the south and east. And next week could turn much colder, with an increasing threat of snow for many places... ' And if you wish to have further worries - 'The Bewl Water reservoir in Kent is the largest body of open fresh water in southeast England and in December was at one-third capacity after a long run of low rainfall, and Southern Water had applied for a “precautionary” drought permit. ... More rain is needed to fill up many groundwater supplies in the south and east before spring brings warmer weather and the trees start drawing up water. A long spell of dry conditions possibly lasting well into March is not good news for these regions.'

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And severe cold in March is very bad news for natural species interactions, because many insect grubs emerging at that time of year will be killed off, thus depriving birds of much needed nutrients, and new-born animal species will be highly vulnerable. Blossoms can also be killed off as frost gets to the branch tips, to the detriment of later fruiting - this, btw, being one reason why it is advisable to only cut back by about two nodes when rose pruning in November, thus protecting lower emergent shoots to some extent, and then pruning right back at the end of April, when the worst of any frosts should be over.

As far as regards our reservoirs in the SE we are fortunate in that London's siting on a geological anticline, where the surrounding chalk streams percolate through to a large underground reservoir located at the centre over periods longer than single years, keeps our water supply pretty much safe. Whenever I find myself cursing on seeing yet another leak in the road I think, well, at least all that water is ending up at the impervious London Clay layer underneath us!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

But what a beautiful spring day we’re having today!

Here, too - as a result, I got an hour's gardening done for the first time since the beginning of November: Buddleia pruning and general deadheading and tidying up.

[BBMmk2]

I was up in Sutton, at the Royal Marsden for my bone marrow biopsy. So a different area! Not very nice to start of with but the weather improved late, thankfully.

My day wasn't so good. Infact, quite stressful. inasmuch that the main receptionist said we had to go to what I call The Vampire Unit for blood test. Wrong! I waited there for a whole hour before I was told as well! Had to go to the usual place I go to, as it turned out. It was all due to misinformation from the receptionist! Grr! It would also have been made a lot easier if we had more detail from the minor procedures unit administrator as well. Not surprising I'm a feeling rather peaky todfay!

[Serial_Apologist]

I was up in Sutton, at the Royal Marsden for my bone marrow biopsy. So a different area! Not very nice to start of with but the weather improved late, thankfully.

My day wasn't so good. Infact, quite stressful. inasmuch that the main receptionist said we had to go to what I call The Vampire Unit for blood test. Wrong! I waited there for a whole hour before I was told as well! Had to go to the usual place I go to, as it turned out. It was all due to misinformation from the receptionist! Grr! It would also have been made a lot easier if we had more detail from the minor procedures unit administrator as well. Not surprising I'm a feeling rather peaky todfay!

Oh dear, it sounds like you had rather a marrowing experience yesterday, Bbm! If it's any consolation (NO!!!) it looks like the "experts" (experts? Who needs them???) may have exaggerated the degree of cold on the way. The Beeb forecast is predicting cold, but not outstandingly so, and little if any snow; daytime temperatures should be not far below those of present, with slight night frosts. I hope they've got that right!

[oddoneout]

at least all that water is ending up at the impervious London Clay layer underneath us!

Does it? If it gets into gutters then it won't be soaking into the ground I wouldn't have thought.

[Serial_Apologist]

Does it? If it gets into gutters then it won't be soaking into the ground I wouldn't have thought.

Some of that water, then...

[BBMmk2]

I never believe what the experts say! Looks lke it's going to be a good day today. Only a visit to the Vampire Nurses today, and that's only just uo the road!

[BBMmk2]

I never believe what the experts say! Looks lke it's going to be a good day today. Only a visit to the Vampire Nurses today, and that's only just uo the road!

Have the weather guys forecasted the qweather wrong? We were supposed to have frost this morning. Looks like it's sunny out there!

[Serial_Apologist]

Have the weather guys forecasted the qweather wrong? We were supposed to have frost this morning. Looks like it's sunny out there!

Very dry air means invisible frost, ie air too dry for condensation to occur, Bbm. Temperatures here fell to - 3 C last night, probably much the same where you are, as this seems to be the general story. Looks like Tuesday to Friday next week are set to be the coldest days in this spell, though there's argument as to how long it will last.

[vinteuil]

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... even The Guardian seems to be joining the doom-mongers -

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/23/uk-faces-significant-snowfall-due-to-freezing-air-from-siberia

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[Serial_Apologist]

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... even The Guardian seems to be joining the doom-mongers -

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/23/uk-faces-significant-snowfall-due-to-freezing-air-from-siberia

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Regular wearers of trainers should be advised as to their total unsuitability for icy conditions, as I discovered when we had a small amount of snowfall here a couple of months ago, and found it impossible even to get to the bins outside. The only suitable pair of shoes in my possession is a sturdy pair of suede boots from E Europe with deep tread soles I bought long ago, and which proved so suitable I was able boastfully to stride down the hill where i was living, observing others anxiously slithering and grasping at hedgerows and lamp posts. Unfortunately the leather on these has hardened, so that the last time I tried them out on a short walk I returned home with painful red weals around the ankles. Not sure what to do about this: maybe don a pair of thick socks. Anyone any ideas on how to soften hardened leather?

[vinteuil]

Anyone any ideas on how to soften hardened leather?

... I think it was Hilaire Belloc (possibly in his book on the Pyrenees? Richd: Tarleton might know... ) who recommended, after purchasing a pair of leather boots, that you should fill them up with olive oil and leave them until all the oil had either been absorbed by the leather or percolated through it.

I was reading somewhere recently that the best foot wear for icy conditions, surprisingly, is your old gumboots. I shall see if I can find the reference...


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