Mikel Nimbus

Just had a look at the 06z NMM Dew Points and am surprised at how the zero isotherm stays well west of our region. That's pretty impressive for a system that has just come off the Atlantic and is going to pass straight over us. It looks like the front occludes at just the right time for us SE'ners. Interesting post by Steve M regarding snow depths.

:shok: HUGE crack of thunder just shook the whole house and scared the life out of me. The only one I can ever remember being louder was in Memphis, Tennessee last year. Hammering it down again.

It's over here. Incredible storm, haven't seen one like this here for years and years. Some massive strikes and deafening boooms. Heaviest rainfall rate recorded here since started recording data nearly 10 years ago.

Our roof was struck by lightning in 2008 and electronic devices which weren't plugged in were still rendered unusable afterwards. But you are right, anything plugged into the mains was was absolutely fried. Even though the insurance paid out over £15,000 between me and next door we now have surge protectors on everything! Money can't replace your data. A few small flashes and half decent rumbles just passed over here and things are feeling fresher.

A few red dots showing up just south of Bristol. Is it just Anaprop?

Skies are clearing here now and there is a lot of altocumulus about for the first time today. DPs on my station have also jumped 3c in half an hour. Game on?

It's times like this I'm glad I have NW radar. That beast east of Newcastle is still growing and is going to nail the city center. Anyone up there you should have some fun and games soon.

Spot on Harry although I'd say it's more of a Cu layer than field. No breaks in this cloud at all. Just need to hope it doesn't affect solar heating too much.

Half and half Rob. The sun shields are now in the shade but the black rain gauge isn't so I'd maybe take it with a pinch of salt.

A very nice 30.9 here with not a cloud in the sky. http://www.onlybarnet.com/weather/current_vantage_pro.htm Looking forward to chasing tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone on tour 4 for helping Mr Fish and I through our man flu, and then putting up with it when it spread to everyone else. :blush: This year was brilliant and my favourite so far. A great group of people to share some beautiful storms and funny experiences with. Well done Paul, Arron and Paul for a fantastic trip. Hopefully see you all at the BBQ.

It is a bit of a worry but having experienced the same thing on tour 1 last year, things seemed to return to normal quite quickly once the ash was blowing elsewhere. The airlines will always honour the tickets of the passengers on that flight and re-schedule other passengers around that. GFS showing northerly set up for the whole UK on Tuesday before Azores high creeps up on Wednesday. ECM makes for much better viewing with a ridge over S'ern England much earlier. As for stateside, is it still too early to be taking GFS seriously? TX and OK seem to have some good CAPE values for the rest of tour 3.

The BBC weather forecast at 10.30 tonight was ramping up the tornado risk later in the week. Good luck guys. Looks like it could be special.

Getting a few strikes a minute to the cell 2 miles SE of here. It doesn't seem to be moving anywhere!

The sky looks very "moist" around here considering the dp is only 4c. Is there more moisture higher up?

Good question. I have always done the application online and then write down the number. But then they always make you to fill out a new form on the plane and never ask for the number I got from t'internet. Not long until tour 1 now!

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-04-11-texas-speed-limit-85_N.htm This should help keep the smokies off our backs.

Cheers Arron, Go-Walkabout were pretty good to me last year when there was the whole worry about the volcano so I think I'll stay with them again. See you on tour 4. Apologies if anyone has already seen this. Plastic sheet devil!

I've had a Caxton FX card for a couple of years now and they are brilliant. Any money you don't use stays in your account and you can then use it in any other country in the world. No need for changing money at post offices and no worries about losing cash. Who is everyone using for insurance? Just like last year, I can only find go-walkabout who do Storm Chasing insurance.

Cheers Paul. I can't wait to get out there, meet Mr Fish, read his book and chase supercells in some very good company. What a rollercoaster ride! I hope the user is dealt with properly by eBay but since it's for charity it's only fair that ShelterBox get the money quoted. Well done NW for running this.

I was sold until I Googled what a Tarantula Hawk Wasp was. :shok: :shok: :shok:

As a follow up to today's storms, my relatives flying back to Italy had their Ryanair plane struck by lightning over London and had to make a quick u-turn back for Stansted. Close shave!

There's some lovely Mammatus on the northern edge of this squall now being lit up by the setting sun. Anyone know how I can add this to the NW gallery?

....and more strong CGs becoming quite frequent now. :blink: Is this really January?

Just happily eating my lunch and flash BANG, huge bolt of lightning!!! It feels balmy out there but had no idea it was going to produce that. First lightning strike I've seen here since mid 2009!