kar999

Strange.... It worked for me but then in true Blue Peter fashion it was one I'd made earlier! You need to click on the attacment first and it's file size is 380.35k so it wont animate till it's all downloaded. 'Play animations in web pages' may need to be set in 'internet options' in Internet Explorer.

I've just made this animation from SOHO/LASCO images from 04:42 to 10:20 UTC which shows the effects of that M3 flare.

From Spacew.com (11:15 UTC 26 July) Solar Activity Update Old active Region 786 is due to return to the east limb during the next 72 hours. It has (apparently) been responsible for producing numerous strong coronal mass ejections as it transited the far side of the Sun during the last 2 weeks. It marked its departure from the west limb two weeks ago by producing a strong X-class solar flare. M-class and possible major flare activity will be possible as the region nears and crosses into view around the eastern solar limb. There are no clear indications that the region will remain volatile during the next week (during which time it will rotate into a position capable of affecting the Earth). Given that it has apparently remained volatile during the last two weeks, it is reasonable to think that it may have the longevity to remain volatile during the next week or two. A better assessment will be possible after it rotates into view. Solar observers may see periods of strong limb activity as this region rotates into view. Active prominences, loops and surges are all possible. M3 Flare this morning at 0500 UT Jul27 but most likely not earth directed. Let's hope activity holds out for later in the week.

Some interesting articles about that winter in my local press (Express & Star) Midlands hit by blizzard. Originally published: December 8, 1954 First snow of the winter and high winds brought the West Midlands almost blizzard conditions today. Shropshire, Herefordshire and the Welsh border areas were worst hit, but in Staffordshire snow was two inches deep in many places by mid-morning. Worst blizzard for eight years. Originally published: February 24, 1955 Worst blizzard since early in 1947 was still raging in the West Midlands today after a stormy night which piled drifts of up to five feet along many roads. Conditions were reported to be worst in the hill districts of West Shropshire, towards the Welsh border, and on Cannock Chase. Some lower-lying parts suffered almost as badly. Early today the Wolverhampton-Stafford road at Dunston was blocked by drifts between four and five feet deep. Worst weather in May since 1891. Originally published: May 18, 1955 Not since 1891 has the West Midlands had such a day in May as yesterday was. Perplexed officials in the Midlands were faced with the prospect of calling out the snowploughs which had been detached from heavy vehicles and greased down for next winter.

Well spotted OON. Just checked and Severn Trent doing a similar thing on a 41 Gal Butt with all the accessories for £29.95 inc delv. (RRP 65.80) and 330Ltr home composters for just £5! (RRP 39.95)

Aren't hydrangeas the plants that some people put old nails in the soil under them to make the blooms more blue? The rust (ferrous oxide) increasing the acidity of the soil.

Great Pix there! I'm not sure where our butterflies have gone this year. The buddleia bushes are in flower and are normally covered with many species of butterfly from whites through to gatekeepers, red admirals and peacocks. All I saw last weekend were a few whites. Maybe the other species have still to hatch and/or pupate.

It certainly is, but it can also spread fast so it's best grown in a container of some sort.

In my experience some of the supermarket ones do very poorly.

Causing water shortages as well. Never mind hosepipe bans, just turn off the supply! :lol: From the Express and Star: Another scorcher - and water crisis. Originally published: July 14, 1955 As the whole of Britain sweltered in the heat wave once again, Wolverhampton today faced its first water crisis for nearly 15 years. On the tenth day of sun and no rain came this warning: unless the present excess daily demand for water is checked restrictions may have to be imposed from tomorrow night. Similar warnings came from most parts of the West Midlands and there was bad new for the children too - pop supplies are nearing exhaustion. The water restrictions, if imposed, would be the first since a bitter frost in the early years of the war caused widespread fractures in the undertaking's supply system. W'ton water cuts begin tonight Originally published: July 15, 1955 As there has been no break in the hot weather - and as a fine weekend is forecast - large areas of South Staffordshire will be without water from 6pm tonight until 6am tomorrow. Mr BL McMillan, borough water engineer, told the Express & Star today: "Last night we managed to save about 500,000 gallons by reducing the pressure in a number of districts. "We shall be shutting off supplies to as many private houses as possible." The times would be approximate because members of the water department staffs had to go round the supply area operating valves. Not all private houses would be cut off because the department had to maintain water supplies to hospitals and certain industries. Mr McMMillan said the cut would be repeated night by night until the demand for water returned to more normal levels.

That's 11 inches!! I wonder Mr Data, if the whole of the UK had storms/downpours that night.

In my local paper for 50 Years ago today. Originally published: July 18, 1955 Express & Star Lightning struck five houses and killed two cows during the long dry thunderstorm that burst over the town like a firework display last night. No personal injuries were reported. The cows, valuable dairy Shorthorns, were struck at a farm as they sheltered near a hedge. They leaned on a barbed-wire and the lightning ran along the wire. After an hour of picturesque, silent and harmless sheet lightning, the storm developed higher voltage, particularly over north-west Wolverhampton. One resident, whose house was struck, said: "I thought the world had come to an end. "The rooms filled up with soot and chippings. We sat up the rest of the night, scared to go out until the lightning stopped."

An X-Class flare at last but if only it could have been a week ago! Solar activity has suddenly increased with a series of strong explosions from sunspot 786, the latest an X1-class flare at 1055 UT on July 14th. Because the sunspot is near the sun's western limb, none of the blasts was Earth directed. Nevertheless, coronal mass ejections (CMEs) hurled into space by these explosions could deliver glancing blows to Earth's magnetic field as early as tonight and continuing through the weekend, possibly sparking geomagnetic storms. Sky watchers in Canada and northern US states should be alert for auroras.

Just be careful when you water your tomatoes tonight... A Black Country pensioner had a lucky escape when a 100ft mineshaft opened up below his greenhouse as he was watering his tomatoes. Bill Howes, aged 69, said he noticed the plants wobbling as he was tending to them, then noticed that the water was disappearing down a hole which began to get bigger and bigger. "The plants were moving at the bottom and shaking at the top," Mr Howes explained. "Then a hole appeared by my feet and the soil started to disappear down it as it got bigger." http://www.expressandstar.com/articles/new...ticle_77619.php

Sunspot 786 is shovelling out M class flares like there is no tomorrow. Unfortunately it's probably too far out on the western limb of the Sun to cause Earth directed disturbances. (Images credit spaceweather.com)

They would have to be really thick rose branches to cut with a chain saw! They'd go flying everywhere! A lot of plants benefit from being cut back hard. I'm a bit of wuss as I'm frightend of killing the things off whereas Mrs Kar always gives her clematis a good seeing to and its blooming nicely again this summer.

Things are still active up there with a G2 storm still in progress. KP index has risen to 6 and Bz still -10 south. Probably not enough for me but you guys up north might be in with a bit of a shout. From spacew.com Updated: 03:35 UTC 10 July (11:35 pm EDT, 09 July) Geomagnetic and Auroral Activity Update A minor coronal mass ejection has impacted the Earth and is producing periods of enhanced geomagnetic and high-latitude auroral activity. Periods of minor auroral storming are possible tonight, which may provide middle latitudes with an opportunity to observe sporadic periods of activity. A middle latitude auroral activity watch is active. At least one other CME disturbance (as well as a coronal hole based disturance) are expected during the next 72 hours, which should keep activity at fairly active levels through 11 and 12 July. Solar Activity Update M-class flare activity remains likely during the next 24 to 72 hours. There is also a slight chance of a major flare.

Solar activity intensified on July 7th with an M4-class explosion near fast-changing sunspot 786. The blast hurled a faint coronal mass ejection toward Earth, which could spark a mild geomagnetic storm when it arrives on July 9th or 10th. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras. Because the explosion only caused a faint coronal mass ejection, mid-latitudes like most of the UK (except Northern Scotland) are unlikely to see any major activity. Always worth a look low on the Northern horizon though if activity starts especially at your location. Weather permitting of course!

Plenty of CG activity about over the Clee Hills area of Shropshire and drifting NE towards Telford area.

Another few claps of thunder and heavy rain here in Reading.

Can confirm that Matt. 11:45 Storm tracked NW from Tilehurst/Caversham direction I would think. Quiet now. (Matt ...and you said nothing ever happens in Reading! )

Dont want to double post so here is my report for my travels this morning. http://www.net-weather.co.uk/forum/index.p...ndpost&p=367784

Storms - Sunday 19 June 2005 - South Staffs/Shrops These clouds were growing quickly from this, at 16:26 (looking SW towards the Clee Hills). To this, at 18:00 (looking NW towards The Wrekin)