Snowkissed

OH my goodness this is the loudest thunder I have heard in many a month! It does sound like a bomb - what an exciting beginning to 2014!

Mild it certainly is! Yesterday I saw a Red Admiral in full flight, a swam of bees and a lone ladybird on a Christmas Tree! Nothing unusual for the time of year

Absolutely stunning photos Mapantz!You certainly have a photographers eye!

Our local Rat Man (the council's Environmental Health officer) told my husband and I that he attended a conference in London last year where he was told about some rats in London, who were suffering from a disease which affected their brain. The virus is making the rats become vicious and they have been known to gang up on cats and bite them. The virus is then transferred to the cats, which then die. I thought he was joking, but he said that this was true. The reason he told me this was that I witnessed two rats corner our cat and try to bite her. It was my intervention which saved the situation and our cat was unharmed. The lovely 'Rat Man' managed to get rid of the rats very quickly with poison. Funnily enough, our cat only catches frogs and butterflies now. Have to add, that she doesn't kill anything but brings them to me as a present.

Nope, it is definitely not a shooting star, at least the two lights I have seen were not. Curious in deed

Did any one see a really bright light as the sun was going down this evening to the South, I drive the same way everyday and have never seen it before, certainly to big to be a star, was just wondering if anyone knew what it was or saw it?

OOps sorry, Just deleted post

Can see lightning moving in rapidly. Wind has picked up! Here we go

We had a tornado come through Cowshot, Pamphill and over to us at Colehill a few years back. It was a night in Jan 2001. I remember waking up hearing what seemed like a train speeding up towards the house. The trees were bent double with the ferocious wind and there were blue flashes of lightning all around. The electrics went off for some time. A man, just a few doors up from us, said at this time he saw two balls of white light bounce on the road and then just disappear. I rang the met office the next day and they confirmed that it was a tornado. They also said that the balls of light was probably ball lightning. It was frightening and exciting at the same time, unforgettable to say the least!There was damage to a few cottages at Cowshot and a tree fell down at Pamphill.

After a morning of darkness and heavy rain - its turned out nice again Blue sky and sunshine.

About ten mins ago I could see cloud to cloud flashes of lightning coming from Christchurch/Bournemouth direction. It only lasted 5 mins but it was definitely there. Just looked on radar and I couldn't see any evidence of storm activity. Can anyone tell me what the weather conditions are in Christchurch or Bournemouth please?

Hi John, would you call this recent earthquake in south-west Pakistan an after shock from the greater earthquake or is it a unique quake? Also, would value your view of the 'mud volcano' which erupted due to the earlier larger Pakistan earthquake. I have read that the 'mud volcano' might actually be caused by Methane released from the Earthquake. Thank you

We had a storm here too in East Dorset around 2.30am. Do think we have see the last of the storms for now Mapantz?

You have given me lots of food for thought Grey-wolf, thank you! I have to say that I too am following ISON with interest with regards how it might effect the atmosphere etc.

Why are we surprised at this article? I am guessing the people who find this most shocking are those who believe that we live in isolation on this blue planet of ours and we are not affected by anything in the universe. I wonder how many more years it will take for us to really understand that everything influences us and vice a versa. We are all connected - well I am

Looks like other people share your thoughts to some degree Grey-Wolf!

A beautiful morning here! There is a chill in the air but the raindrops are sparkling and there is a feeling of relief from the trees and flowers for having a drop of the wet stuff.

This made me smile:) My garden thermometer reads 32c! I have tried explaining to it that it is now Autumn and this temp could not be achieved, but it is ignoring me, as they do. I will have to go and move it as it is obviously in the wrong place in the garden AGAIN

It seems there is quite an intense swarm going on at the Aleutian islands presently. Do you think this may have a knock on effect else where John? Also, do you think we have seen the worst at the Aleutian Islands for now?

Thunderous clouds, flash of lightning, no thunder though, muggy and its started to rain here....just saying

Dark sky, rain starting now and very gusty!

We have just got absolutely drenched at the Milton Abbas Village fair. The rain made a small river travelling down the hill towards the stalls. We did bring coats and umbrellas, however, many didn't. The sky was very, very laden with Mammatus clouds present before the down pour. I would say the edge of this storm is about Poole/Bmth.

Keep thinking I can hear thunder but I believe it is the MOD firing at the Purbecks. Can you hear this too Mapantz?

What is that in the clouds top right of your photo? Is it camera flare?

Thank you John, very interesting reading!