Tom Montalbano

Evening all, Hope I find yourselves and your Families, well. Yes, was just thinking the same Daniel. I can remember the Synoptics of early December, 1995. A few archive charts, from that spell: If memory serves, on this Day back in 1995, there was a slight Thames Snow Streamer, event. I lived in Anerley, London S.E.20, at the time. My Girlfriend and myself, had to take our Red Tabby to a Vet's in Beckenham, on that Day. Poor Joey didn't look too pleased, when we went to collect him later that Afternoon, with Snowflakes swirling around his head!! But of course that Snowfall was nothing like that of early December, 2010. I had already moved to Lee at that time, after marrying for the second time. This was the scene in Biggin Hill, around 10 miles to the South of Lee and 500/600 feet up, on the North Downs: I'm sure "our" BIGGIN and SCRAT, will remember these scenes!! A few Days after this Video was shot, I took a trip down to Biggin Hill, which lies in the extreme South of my home Borough of Bromley. I vividly remember the huge Snowdrifts, just outside the perimeter fence at Biggin Hill Airport. Regards, Tom Q.

Morning all, Hope I find yourselves and your Families, well. Thought I heard thunder last Night but said to my Wife that I couldn't be sure, as it coincided with a Plane going over, as we are quite close to the Heathrow flight path, As I mentioned a while ago, when the Synoptics were conducive and with S.S.T.'s in the English Channel only just starting to fall away, after the scorching heat of the past Summer, it should come as no surprise that we are now seeing copious amounts of rainfall, with some rumbles of Thunder thrown in for good measure, especially close to our Southern Coastline. I was woken very early by some pretty heavy rain, caused by the "wrap around" Occlusion associated with the area of Low Pressure tracking N.E. across our Region, depicted below in this METO Fax chart for Midnight: My other alarm call, was by courtesy of Vicky our amorous Vixen, plying her "trade", in our Close. Having conducted a Thesis [not really], on the mating habits of Foxes, my research led me to believe that Foxes only mated in January but our Vicky seems to ply her "trade", all Year round. Her blood curdling screams can be heard at some point, every Night but we make allowances for Vicky, as she has a young Family to care for and I think the cost of living crisis is taking its toll on poor Vicky and her Cubs. I'm very concerned about one of her "Punters" though, who we call Dougall the Dog Fox. It seems that Dougall may well have caught something nasty from Vicky, either that or he has an ongoing furball problem. His breathing has become so laboured that the other Night, I was about to run outside and offer him my Asthma pump!! Vicky and her Cubs have taken to squatting in our dilapidated Garden Shed but I said to my Wife, who saw Vicky and one of her Cubs frolicking in our back Garden the other Week, that we should waive any thoughts on demanding some back Rent, with the cost of living causing Vicky so many financial problems. In other non-related Fox news, we recently adopted this little Lady, from our local Cats Protection League branch, in Eltham: Her name is Mia and she is Five Years old and has very quickly made herself at home, and comes to greet my Wife and myself, as soon as we appear in the Morning, and can't wait to tuck into her Breakfast. Colette and myself are great Cat Lovers and my Wife had an adopted Cat from the Pet Rescue Centre at Foal Farm, Biggin Hill, in the South of our Home Borough of Bromley. Sasha became Colette's companion for 15 Years until she had to be put to sleep, after developing a terminal kidney disease. Back to the Weather, I'm really hoping that Tomorrow's forecast respite in the current unsettled spell comes to fruition, as myself and my Wife are planning some walking exercise out to our favourite current haunt of Manor House Gardens, which is located between Lee and Lewisham. We plan to follow our walk with a Brunch at our recently discovered Eatery, named Pistachios in the Park. We've had Brunches there on three occasions recently and their food is really delicious, especially their Soups. The following Soups, were the best I've ever tasted, Parsnip/Sweet Potato, Spiced Pumpkin and last Week, Carrot/Cumin. Can't wait to try their, Broccoli/Stilton. We've followed these Soups with Toasted Sandwiches and rounding our Brunches off with a slab of Victoria Sponge or Chocolate Cake. For those S.E. Regional Members who have one of these Cafes close by, I thoroughly recommend their very tasty food which from our experience has been served by very helpful Staff. Below, is a link to the Pistachios in the Park Website: Pistachios in the Park | Welcoming park cafés in London Surrey South East Regards, Tom Q.

Not wishing to "blow my own trumpet" Harry but I'm not at all surprised that you're witnessing this electrical activity, currently. A few extracts from a post I made, earlier this Morning: QUOTE: "It should come as no surprise that after the scorching heatwaves in July/August, our Region and especially our South Coastal areas, have been experiencing some heavy and at times, Thundery Showers, as well as some enhanced Ppn. Below, is an image of a map of the current Sea Surface Temperaures, in the Coastal waters, around the U.K. Below, is a link to current S.S.T.'s around the U.K.: Current sea water temperature in United Kingdom (seatemperature.info) When Synoptics are similarly conducive to how they have been lately, with an unstable W.S.W/S.W. flow coming into contact with those above average S.S.T.'s, I wouldn't be at all surprised if our Region, especially in the South, experiences more Thundery type Ppn with the possibility of a Tornadic/Waterspout element, to them. S.S.T.'s are now reaching their maximum temperature, for the Year and are helping to provide the "fuel", for these potent events." Regards, Tom Q.

Morning all, Hope I find yourselves and your Families, well. Long time no post on here but felt I had to post on current Weather conditions. It should come as no surprise that after the scorching heatwaves in July/August, our Region and especially our South Coastal areas, have been experiencing some heavy and at times, Thundery Showers, as well as some enhanced Ppn. Below, is an image of a map of the current Sea Surface Temperaures, in the Coastal waters, around the U.K. Below, is a link to current S.S.T.'s around the U.K. Current sea water temperature in United Kingdom (seatemperature.info) As our own Nick Finnis expertly described in his Convective Forecast of the other Day, cool air aloft combined with above average English Channel S.S.T.'s, are an ideal recipe for "cooking up" some very lively Ppn, especially in those locations, close to the South Coast. Some of these Thundery type Showers have enough "oomph" in them, to make it well inland. I distinctly remember a few Novembers ago, when getting ready for work on a Saturday Morning. this area of S.E. London was visited by a particularly heavy and Thundery Shower, with vivid flashes of Lightning. When Synoptics are similarly conducive to how they have been lately, with an unstable W.S.W/S.W. flow coming into contact with those above average S.S.T.'s, I wouldn't be at all surprised if our Region, especially in the South, experiences more Thundery type Ppn with the possibility of a Tornadic/Waterspout element, to them. S.S.S.T.'s are now reaching their maximum temperature, for the Year and are helping to provide the "fuel", for these potent events. As I stated on the Winter thoughts Thread Yesterday Evening, I'm hoping these S,S,T.'s remain above average and our Region receives a visit from, the Beast from the East. NO, not him - But this 'fella - In other News. It's unlikely that many of you read my Horse Racing Competition Threads but those that do will have read about my Wife and my, Mouse squatting, problem. This situation has now been ongoing for around 5 Weeks, after I first spotted the unwanted Rodent back then. We've now had three sightings, of the Furry Felon. But Alfie the Pest Controller is convinced that our squatting Rodent has been using our Kitchen, as a kind of Drive Thru' Mouse Macdonalds but not actully, residing here. Evidently, there is a Mice infestation in the block of Maisonettes on the other side, of our Close. I didn't realise that Wife Colette had such bad Musophobia [Mice Phobia], which has now reached such a crescendo, that she won't venture into our Kitchen, where I have sighted the Rodent on two occasions, unless I am right behind her. Colette has only been going into the Kitchen, to operate our Washing Machine. This has meant that I have been given the task of preparing meals and washing up dishes, etc. But Colette still won't let me near our Cooker, fearing that due to my ongoing post Stroke balance problems, that I will stumble and fall on to the burning hot, hob. Despite my protestations to the contrary, I'm still not allowed to practice my Italian culinary skills, much to my frustration. I have to remind Colette, that it was myself that taught her how to cook Polpette [Italian Meatballs], and Tagliatelle Carbonara but to no avail. My meals are hardly "Gordon Blue", just a few items flung into our Microwave. So far, I've managed the preparation of Lunch/Dinner without electrocuting myself,severing a main artery, ending up in Casualty, our giving us food poisoning.. Poor Colette was already O.C.D. about hygiene, health and safety but the Covid Pandemic, has made her a hundred times worse!! My Wife now spends most of the time, cowering in our Bedroom from our Rodent squatter, researching and ordering Online food Shopping. I'm beginning to think there is an "Ocado just for Colette"!! What with my ongoing problems with Brontophobia and Colette's Musophobia, God help us if the Mouse problems gets worse, accompanied by lots of Lightning/Thunder events. This will become a pretty dysfunctional, Household!! There has been a distinct lack of late Season Wasps this Year. Also, I've yet to spot a "Daddy-Long-Legs" [Crane Fly]. Ironically, although Colette has an irrational fear of Rodents, she has no trouble in picking up a Spider and relocating it to outside our front door but conversely will chase a Fly around the House, until it exists out of an open Window. Due to our squatting Rodent, I have to reassure Colette that when I venture downstairs early in the Morning, I Ndo so with at least a Tomahawk Cruise Missile, Kalyshnikov, Machete and a Baseball Bat, about my person!! Colette is convinced our Rodent, is a Super Ninja Mouse and is as vicious as the 'fella below: Hoping to have some positive news on our squatting Rodent, early next Week. Anyway, that's enough of Mousegate and the sightings or lack of various Fauna, in S.E. London. Regards, Tom Q.

Exactly Callun. Havn't forgotten the February 2018, "Beast from the East" NO, not him - But this 'fella - and these bitterly cold "Snow Making" 850 uppers - But then I awoke from the White Nirvana!! Regards, Tom Q.

Just a P.S. to my post of this Morning. As was expected, Thunder and Lightning rolled through S.E. London around 5, although it wasn't quite as bad as Brontophobic Yours Truly, was expecting. After reading the horror stories [in my Phobic opinion], from South Coast Members, I was expecting a lot worse. Unlike this Morning, the Thunder was of the deep rolling variety, rather than the overhead "gunshot" type. After spending the last Two and a bit Weeks reassuring my Wife that a Mouse wasn't about to jump out in front of her, a couple of hours ago, it was a case of role reversal, with my Wife having to play the reassuring, role. Many Years ago, I had counselling for my Brontophobia. My Counsellor advised me to break my chain of cognitive behaviour, leading up to a Lightning/Thunder event. In other words to stop reading/watching Forecasts and anything to do, with the impending doom. Of course, that's easier said than done, when you're a Member of a Weather Forum. But she did get me to understand that the anticipatory fear, is often worse than the event, itself and fortunately for Yours Truly, that was the case a few hours ago. I still waited until around 5.45 to come downstairs but not after I had one final peak at the Meteox Radar, which confirmed that the electrical activity was clearing through London, leaving a narrow band of rain, in its wake. But as I stated this Morning, having two Phobics living under the same roof, can lead to a pretty dysfunctional Household at times. My Wife having an irrational fear that a Mouse is about to leap out at her, and Yours Truly fearing he is going to be frozen to the spot, as Lightning/Thunder, rage over his head. But at least having suffered from Brontophobia for around 55 Years, I can fully understand how my Wife feels about her Mice Phobia. Been there, done that and got the T-Shirt, many times. My Wife has now been in a very neurotic state for the best part of 3 Weeks, I can't imagine how I would feel if Lightning/Thunder had been raging over my head, for that length of time. It's strange, we are both aware that our Mothers implanted these irrational fears in us but they are so ingrained now, it's nigh on impossible to shake these feelings off. Regards, Tom Q.

Huge gunshot Thunder here, in S.E. London, about 10 minutes ago. But fortunately Bromtophobic me, didn't see any Lightning. Ironically, was supporting 'er indoors as my Wife made a 'cuppa in our Kitchen, as Colette has a Mice Phobia. We've had an ongoing Mouse problem, for a few Weeks now and having Two Phobics experiencing their worst fears simultaneously, is a bit of a Nightmare. Just heard another slight rumble and now tipping down with Rain. Laptop now running on charge only, with power cable removed from electric socket, as a precaution. Regards, Tom Q.

Morning, all you S.E. Regional Thunder lovers. Hope I find yourselves and your Families, well. Below, is a copy of a post I just put up on the Storms Thread: QUOTE: "After those two blistering heatwaves during the Summer and with what must be higher than average S.S,T's in the English Channel, it should come as no surprise to experience quite a Thundery Autumn, especially in Southern Coastal locations. We seem to be developing a Mediterranean type climate. Thundery transition from Spring > Summer. I witnessed a couple of Thundery episodes here in S.E. London, in May. This was followed by a pretty much Thunder free Summer, which was followed by a bit of Thunder as Summer transitioned into Autumn. Being half Italian, I have witnessed plenty of Thundery episodes whilst on holiday during October, in Southern Italy." Regards, Tom Q.

Morning, all you Thunder lovers. After those two blistering heatwaves during the Summer and with what must be higher than average S.S,T's in the English Channel, it should come as no surprise to experience quite a Thundery Autumn, especially in Southern Coastal locations. We seem to be developing a Mediterranean type climate. Thundery transition from Spring > Summer. I witnessed a couple of Thundery episodes here in S.E. London, in May. This was followed by a pretty much Thunder free Summer, which was followed by a bit of Thunder as Summer transitioned into Autumn. Being half Italian, I have witnessed plenty of Thundery episodes whilst on holiday during October, in Southern Italy. Regards, Tom Q.

Evening all, Hope I find yourselves and your Families, well. Would just like to pass on my thanks to those Members above, for their kind messages of goodwill for my Wife Colette, and those Birthday wishes, to myself. Fortunately, my Wife feels a little better Today and managed to prepare our Evening meal. I know I could manage to do it myself but Colette is worried that my balance isn't to be trusted, standing over our Cooker. She's still a little too over protective after my Stroke, of Seven Years ago. bless her. Colette's Immune System really hasn't taken well, to these Covid vaccinations. Her body's soft tissue and joints have been ravaged for many Years, by her own Immune Systen attacking them. A couple of Years ago, she had an M.R.I. scan which revealed she was developing a very exotic sounding but very painful condition, known as Ankylosing Spondylitis. Which can be associated with Psoriatic Arthritis. Colette is not quite 57 but already has to use a Walking Stick, when she goes out. Colette wanted those Members who sent those kind messages to know, although you are Strangers to her, those goodwill messages, have been a great comfort to her and she wanted me to emphasise that if another variant of Covid surfaced and she needed yet another Covid vaccine, despite the problems she's had, she would have the vaccine without hesitation. Now in Weather news, although we had a few Showers Today, I can't recall hearing any Thunder here in Lee. Thought I would finish this post with a look at MeteoGroup's extended outlook, for the Week ahead, courtesy of fidgety Ben Rich: Weather for the Week Ahead - BBC Weather Crikey, Ben does remind me of how I used to look a few Years ago, when I had that much fungus around my "chops", complete with the receeding hairline. Really spooky, Ben. Anyway, with a couple of ex- Tropical Storms knocking about in the Atlantic, expect some Model confusion, in the next few Days. But it does seem as if we'll have some more warmth, before a possible cool down next Weekend. Still doesn't look like much rainfall in the offing for our Region, though. It will soon be time for our Lassie's Winter predicting, October Fog Index. It's about time we had some proper "Pea-Soupers" but without the hazardous effect on our lungs and safety. That last sentence, just confirmation of how ancient, this old f--t has become after Yesterday's Birthday. What a very surreal couple of Days, it has been!! Night all. Regards, Tom Q.

Morning all, Hope I find yourselves and your Families, well. Much thanks for your Birthday wishes, Malcolm. I must admit Malcolm, I've had more enjoyable Birthdays. Both my Wife and myself, had our Fourth Covid vaccine jabs [Moderna], on Weds. Morning. Unfortunately, Colette has the AutoImmune conditions Psoriasis, Raynaud's Disease and she's had quite a nasty reaction, to her jab. She's had a similar reaction to the one she had, after her first Covid jab [AstraZeneca]. Colette has a hypersensitive Immune System, which has gone into overdrive after these vaccinations. I'm certain that both myself and Colette had Covid, right at the start of the Pandemic, and as this most recent vaccine [Moderna], has strands of the original Covid Virus and the Omicron variant, it seems likely that Colette's Immune System recognised and repelled the original Virus but rejected the Omicron variant strand of the vaccine. Poor thing, spent all Day in bed Yesterday and was wimpering in pain, overnight. We've had to delay my Birthday celebration, until Colette feels better. Of course Yesterday Evening, came the announcement that the Queen, had passed away. Seems very surreal that this happened, on my Birthday. As much as I try and ignore "Father Time", as I've now reached State Pension age, I don't think I can avoid hearing about Yesterday's date, for as long as I have Birthdays to come!! In Weather news, it's entirely possible that we may experience more Thundery Showers in our Region, Today. If Lightning/Thunder does occur Today, this will be Five out of the last Six Days in South East London, to be the case. As I've stated previously, our Climate is becoming very Mediterranean like. Dry/Hot Summers, followed by a Thundery transition, to Autumn, Regards, Tom Q.

Evening all, Hope I find yourselves and your Families well, on this very sad Evening for the Nation. I'm in no way a Royalist but Elizabeth Windsor, was a very special Lady. Much thanks for those very kind words, President Dami. I've very much enjoyed contributing a bit of "Tomfoolery", to this Thread. Yes President, we do NOT want those "silly numbers", returning. Myself and Morticia [Wife, Colette], are still recovering after being "stabbed" in the arm, with our Fourth Covid vaccine jab. Having two AutoImmine conditions [Psoriasis and Reynaud's Disease], meant that Colette was likely to get a reaction to the jab, and Boy did she get one!! At 2.30 A.M. this Morning, she was shivering, even though her skin was hot to the touch and we had our Duvet over us. The full Duvet returned last Week, after having a Holiday during the Two Heatwaves. But after a couple of Paracetamol, Colette's "chills" diminished and then she complained of feeling hot, even though her skin temperature, had greatly diminished. So much so, that we had to put Petunia the Pedestal Fan, on quite a high setting. This was a similar reaction to what my Wife experienced after our first Covid jabs [AstraZeneca]. Evidently the Moderna vaccine has strands of the original Covid Virus, and the Omicron variant. As is normal with Colette's hypersensitive Immune System, it goes into overdrive when an "alien" attempts to enter her body. Her Immune System has experienced the original Covid Virus but not the Omicron variant, hence her adverse reaction to it. I've got away with just having a very sore upper left arm, at the site of the injection. But what has this got with "Heat Hating", you ask? Not a lot really but I hated having Colette's hot skin [steady on. Matron!!], touching my own skin, last Night. These reactions to our Covid jabs has really ruined the Day for us both, as it was my Birthday. Which was made even more poignant by the announcement, of Her Majesty's passing. Much thanks for all your kind words and contributions. It's a great shame President Dami had to put the Heat Hater's Club together, in the first place but I'm fully expecting to see a repeat performance, next Summer. Hope not but I'm not holding my breath!! Very best wishes, Morticia and Gomez Addams [aka Colette and Tom Q].

Morning all, Hope I find yourselves and your Families, well. Yes Ms, very Florida like. Will Bromley's Keston Ponds, become the Everglades? Would you believe, it may well be 5 Thunder Days, by the end of Today and possibly 6 Tomorrow? This for Today, from the Met Office: A mixture of sunny spells and showers, some heavy with hail and thunder, and slow-moving across England and Wales. More persistent heavy rain perhaps reaching the northeast later. FRIDAY Band of cloud and rain across northern and western areas clearing east with scattered heavy showers developing in south. Scotland and Northern Ireland becoming mainly dry with sunshine. MeteoGroup via the BBC, singing from the same Hymn sheet: TODAY Today will see showers or spells of rain in eastern Scotland, heavy at times. Elsewhere there will be a mix of sunny spells and showers, possibly heavy and thundery in places. FRIDAY Tomorrow, showers are expected for many, possibly heavy at times. Long spells of rain in southern Scotland and the far north of England. Drier with sunshine in north and northwest Scotland. After what has been a virtually Thunder free Summer, the transition to Autumn has certainly woken up the Weather Gods. And with winds becoming lighter now, as that persistent area of Low Pressure that has been parked to the West of us for what seems like an eternity, drifts across England, any Thundery Showers that do occur could well be longer lasting and could deposit a lot of rain, in a relatively short space of time. I can't remember in my lifetime, if it should happen, that I would experience 5/6 Days of Thunder on the trot!! Below, is a link to the BBC Weather Website, explaining why we have seen so much Lightning, lately: Why has there been so much lightning? - BBC Weather Raining steadily here in Lee already but no Sferics, just yet. Still feels pretty humid, with a Relative Humidity of 88% at London City Airport, a little way to the North of here: In a different way, this Thundery spell is beginning to remind of what occurred in February 2005, a Month after I joined NW. After many Years of not seeing much Snow, out of the blue we started to see some Northern Blocking. I went by the Avatar name of TOMSE20, back then. I lived in a different part of S.E. London, called Anerley. I witnessed Thirteen consecutive Days of Snow falling, although the majority of Days it was of the flurry variety, there were Three separate Thames Snow Streamer events. As there had been hardly any Frost before these noteworthy Synoptics took hold, I have no doubt the Snow Depth of Four inches that was attained during one of those Thames Snow Streamer events, would have been exceeded. In other news, after having my 4th Covid vaccine jab Yesterday Morning, I experienced quite an uncomfortable Night due to the site of the injection becoming very sore but this was nothing like what my Wife Colette, experienced. At around 2.30 A.M., she woke me up, claiming she was "freezing", yet her skin was hot to touch. This was the same reaction Colette had to her first Covid vaccine jab [AstraZeneca]. As I've stated before, Colette suffers from the AutoImmune condition Psoriasis, and she has a hypersensitive Immune System. Evidently the vaccine we had Yesterday [Moderna], has elements of both the original Covid Virus and the Omicron variant. It could be that Colette's Immune System recognised the original Covid Virus, as I am convinced we both had it, at the start of the Pandemic but reacted against the Omicron variant, as it was alien to my Wife's Immune System. Fortunately after taking a couple of Paracetamol, the "chills" subsided but for a while she complained of feeling hot, and put one of our Bedroom fans, on. But Colette maintains, that if she needed to have a 5th Covid vaccine, she would take it without hesitation. Regards, Tom Q.

How can you afford Indian Takeaways, in the current financial situation, Lauren? Yes, had a recent rumbling here in S.E. London, and currently tipping it down. So, that does indeed make Four Thunder Days on the trot, here in S.E. London. Welcome to Climate Change, and the Costa del Londres!! Regards, Tom.

Evening all, Hope I find yourselves and your Families, well. As posted above, those areas in the N.E. of our Region have largely missed out on the Thundery Showers that have affected our the rest of our Region, recently. I see more electrical activity is heading towards the South of our Region. If we were to hear Thunder in S.E. London in the next few hours, that would be Four Days on the trot. As I posted on the Storm Thread the other Day, we seem to be developing a Mediterranean style Climate. Hot, dry Summer Months with the Thundery Weather, coming in the transition from Summer to Autumn, just as it does in the Med. Being half Italian, I've witnessed a very Thundery October, in my Mother's homeland of Southern Italy. With S.S.T's in the English Channel anomalously high currently, after the very warm/hot Summer, this is currently aiding these potent cells, to survive the Channel crossing from France, I would expect more opportunities for some lively Cells to affect our South Coast, during the rest of Autumn, when the Synoptics are conducive to allow a long Sea track over the Channel, allowing the flow to tap into the above normal temperatures, in the Channel. In other News, both myself and my Wife had our Fourth Covid vaccine jabs, this Morning. My Wife Colette, has the AutoImmune condition Psoriasis and again, due to her hypersensitive Immune System, she has had a stronger reaction to her jab, than Yours Truly. We both felt a little queasy/woozy, after the jab but I soon recovered, whereas my Wife is still complaining of feeling nauseous, and the site of her jab, is tender and a little swollen, whereas I just have a slight tingling sensation, at the moment. We had a bit of a laugh with the brilliant NHS Staff on duty, at the Vaccination Centre. I pointed out when filling in my consent form, that it is my Birthday Tomorrow, and was I entitled to a cuppa/biscuit or cake. The Nurse replied, "Er Sir, we don't even qualify, for those treats"!! Regards, Tom Q.

Good Evening, My near Neighbour. Yes pretty torrential wasn't it. Could just about make out some muffled Thunder, against the noise of the deluge. Me and 'er indoors, are just off Burnt Ash Hill. Regards, Tom Q.

Morning all, Hope I find yourselves and your Families, well. Just thought I would Copy/Paste a post, I put on the Storm Thread, Twelve hours ago. QUOTE: "Not being a fan of Thunder but being half Italian, England seems to be developing a Mediterranean type climate, Summer Months being dominated by dry heat and High Pressure, and the Thunder threat coming in the transition from Summer to Autumn, as High Pressure starts to give way as moist Atlantic air begins to infiltrate the Mediterranean Basin. They obviously get Thunder in the Summer but this is mainly due to converging winds from the Adriatic and Mediterranean, meeting over the Apennine Mountain chain, running down the spine of Italy. Eventually these T/Storms drift down into the Plains either side of the Apennine Mountains, depending on which is the more dominant arm, of the converging winds. Here in S.E. London we have now had Two Thundery episodes, in the past few Weeks. This coming after a Thunder free June/July and most of August. Very unusual for S.E. London. I was fortunate enough to meet S.E,. Meteorologist Ian Currie, a few Years ago and his very salient words are still ringing, in my ears. He stated, "It can be as hot as Hell but if there is no trigger in the Atmosphere, it simply won't Thunder". Mr. Currie's words have certainly rung true, in recent Years, down in the S.E. Region." Would now like to comment on recent Thunder events, in my area of S.E. London. Well, last Night was a repeat performance of Sunday Night, albeit a couple of hours earlier. Lying in bed, I checked Meteox Radar and could see that line of heavy Ppn with embedded electrical activity heading for my location, and estimated it would be with me by 11.30, and so it proved. That is now Three episodes of Thunder, in as many Weeks. There is a Forecast of yet more possible Thundery activity, Today. The characteristics of last Night's events, were virtually identical to the previous Night. A narrow band of heavy Ppn. Although our Bedroom was in darkness, I saw no Lightning. I counted about 4/5 deep growls of Thunder but they didn't seem that close but within about Twenty/Thirty minutes, it was all over. No pun intended but a bit of a "flash in the pan". But it does reinforce what I was suggesting in the above post. I can't recall hearing any Thunder in June/July, and that is very unusual for S.E. London, believe me. I've stated many times before, that I'm Brontophobic by nature. This Phobia was unwittingly implanted in me by my Italian Mother, who when I was about Ten/Eleven, at the first sign of Lightning would make the "Sign of the Cross", and call on Santa Barbara. This Saint is the Patron Saint of Lightning/Storms in general, throughout Italy. Very superstitious breed, the Italians. Coming from the opposite end of the spectrum to most Thunder loving Members on here, feel I can be pretty objective about my experiences of Lightning/Thunder. Allied to what I've posted above about Thunder coming at the transition between Summer and Autumn, is the fact that we experienced quite a Thundery May. This late Spring incidence of Thunder mirrors what can take place in the homeland of my Mother, Southern Italy. April/May can be very Thundery there, as the Mediterranean Basin starts to heat up, whilst still being infiltrated by moist Atlantic air, resulting in Thundery activity. If I were a Lightning/Thunder lover, and obviously I'm not, I would be encouraged by the unusually high S.S.T's, around the Region's, Southern Coast. Below, is a link to current S,S,T.'s around the U.K., of course including those around our Region's Coastline. United Kingdom sea temperatures I don't want to jinx the Lightning/Thunder chances of you L/T lovers that live along the South Coast but when the Synoptics are aligned in your favour, during the Autumn Months, I can envisage some heavy Thundery Ppn, along that area. Summing up, another very unusual Summer for our Region then. The Azores High was King, this Summer. Often the bane of Cold/Snow lovers in Winter, it was very much the hero during the final Two Months, of Meteorological Summer, for Heat Lovers. Being a fully paid up Member of DAMI's, Heat Haters Club, the Azores High was very influential in June and doing "what it says on the tin", stayed in it's home location, meaning that the U.K. was bathed in an Atlantic sourced flow, with max Temps, low to mid Twenties C, with a cooling W/N.W. breeze. ideal Summer Weather, for Yours Truly. But the A.H. got a bit too big for his boots, and flexing his muscles, decided to migrate further N.E., and during what was for myself an intolerable spell of Heat/Humidity, settled to the East of the U.K., tapping into that fierce Heat that was entrenched over N.Africa, Spain and France. This led to a new Meteorological term for Yours Truly, that being "Heat Dome", and joined an increasingly common term for our Region, "Tropical Nights". Below, are details from the Met Office, of the now highest minimum Temp., which was recorded during that torturous hot spell, in July: "A low of 26.8°C was recorded at Shirburn Model Farm in Oxfordshire on 19 July 2022 at 04:32AM, meaning that the temperature never got below 26.8°C over a 24 hour period. This replaces the record set at Kenley Airfield on the same day where 25.8°C was recorded." As a Cold/Snow lover, which is tempered by the forecast cost of heating this Winter, part of me is hoping that those unusually high S.S.T's are maintained, and that we receive a visit from the "Beast from the East", with bitter cold Upper Air flowing over those higher than normal S.S.T.'s, should result in copious amounts of Snow in any "Snow Streamers" that form. Now, I've probably gone and jinxed Winter for us Cold/Snow lovers, as well!! So. yet another very strange Summer has ended, devoid of much Thunder but some very high Temperatures were experienced but just to "name drop" one more time, as S.E. Meteorologist said to myself in the Summer of 2018, it can be as "hot as Hell but if there's no trigger in the Atmosphere, it simply won't Thunder", and that's been so very true yet again this Summer. Speaking of Ian Currie, I hope those handful of Members that took up Ian's very generous offer of his Co-written, Kent County Weather Book/Weather Eye Magazine deal, have enjoyed these very informative publications. Mr, Currie phoned me by mistake, a few Months ago. He had logged my Mobile number against an Electrician he knew but typical of Ian, he stayed on the phone and as always was very giving of his time, and once he starts talking about the Weather, it's very difficult to stop him!! Ian gives the impression of an absent minded Professor but one who has a lot of passion, about his favourite subject. Finally, although I'm half Italian my intolerance to heat makes me glad that I've seen the back of this intolerably hot, Mediterranean type Summer!! Regards, Tom Q.

Yes, E.E.W. Not being a fan of Thunder but being half Italian, England seems to be developing a Mediterranean type climate, Summer Months being dominated by dry heat and High Pressure, and the Thunder threat coming in the transition from Summer to Autumn, as High Pressure starts to give way as moist Atlantic air begins to infiltrate the Mediterranean Basin. They obviously get Thunder in the Summer but this is mainly due to converging winds from the Adriatic and Mediterranean, meeting over the Apennine Mountain chain, running down the spine of Italy. Eventually these T/Storms drift down into the Plains either side of the Apennine Mountains, depending on which is the more dominant arm, of the converging winds. Here in S.E. London we have now had Two Thundery episodes, in the past few Weeks. This coming after a Thunder free June/July and most of August. Very unusual for S.E. London. I was fortunate enough to meet S.E,. Meteorologist Ian Currie, a few Years ago and his very salient words are still ringing, in my ears. He stated, "It can be as hot as Hell but if there is no trigger in the Atmosphere, it simply won't Thunder". Mr. Currie's words have certainly rung true, in recent Years, down in the S.E. Region. Regards, Tom Q.

Just to explain my vote of "SO AWFUL, MAN". Recent Summers in S,E. London have tended to be very warm and humid. Living in a very small House, in a built up area of London, the heat tends to accumulate to very uncomfortable levels, as was the case with this Summer. At times my Wife and myself had to run THREE Fans in our Bedroom, just to try and get a decent Night's sleep. The Azores High has been very dominant, throughout the Summer Months. It did what it "says on the bottle" by staying at Home, this resulted in a Westerly sourced flow from the Atlantic and temperatures never got that high. But it got a bit big for it's boots and decided to migrate further North and East, with a new term entering the Meteorological vocabulary and joining the recently introduced term of "Tropuical Nights". We now have been introduced to the term "Heat Dome". Temperatures rising incrementally Day by Day, as an area of High Pressure became established over the U.K. and in July transferring to the East bof the U.K., meant a hot and very humid Southerly sourced flow, came at the U.K. from much further South, where temperatures had been way above average, for some time. It was during that time, that I had a very scary experience. I always have an Afternoon nap, necessary after I experienced a near fatal Stroke, back in mid September 2015. I woke up feeling very dizzy, faint and felt I was going to pass out. It was only the quick actions of my Wife, that prevented this from happening. She doused me with cold water, and got plenty of fluids inside of me. I had a similar experience in the very warm Summer, of 2018. During that Summer, I ended up in the Casualty Dept. at our local Sidcup Hospital, with heat exhaustion. Therefore, very warm/hot Summers are a definite thumbs down, for Yours Truly. Regards, Tom Q.

Morning Everybody, It's AUTUMN!! With this in mind and apologies to Noddy Holder and Slade. I thought I would rewrite their Festive favourite to honour President Dami, and my fellow colleagues, in the Heat Hater's Party. MERRY AUTUMN EVERYBODY "Are you hanging up your T-Shirts, in the Hall? It's the time that every Heat Hater, has a ball. Do they no longer have a red nose? No more need to use high factor lotion. It will soon be time to have, a hot toddy potion. So, here it is merry Autumn, every Heat Hater's having fun. Look to the future now, it's only just begun. Are you waiting for the first frosts, to arrive? Are you sure you've got the heating on inside? Does your Granny always tell ya, that the old Autumns are the best? Which she speaks of with great zest. So, here it is Merry Autumn, every Heat Hater's having fun. Look to the future now, it's only just begun. Has it all gone very quiet on the MAD Thread? Is the cooler, wetter Weather filling them with dread? So, here it is Merry Autumn, every Heat Hater's having fun. Look to the future now, it's only just begun." If any other of my Heat Hating colleagues would like to add further Choruses, please feel free to do so. Apologies to Noddy Holder and Slade, I'm no Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon or Stephen Sondheim but after emerging from such a torrid and intolerable Summer, felt it warranted celebrating. Myself and Morticia [Wife, Colette], have welcomed the fresher last couple of Nights, by putting a new Duvet on our Bed. Ever since the July Heatwave, until a couple of Nights ago, we had just the Duvet cover over us. Hope all my colleagues in the Heat Hater's Party, enjoy the change in the Weather. We all certainly deserve it, after the disgustingly high temperatures this Summer has thrown at us!! When time permits, I would like to do an appraisal of what this Summer threw at us. Regards to President Dami and all Members of the Heat Hater's Party. Very best wishes, Morticia and Gomez Addams [aka Colette and Tom Q].

A very good Morning to President Dami, and all, in the Heat Haters Party. Finally, this filthy muck is on it's way out. Brontophobic me, was woken by a couple of rumbles of Thunder just before 3 A.M. These were followed by a brilliant flash of Lightning, which was my cue to up sticks and move downstairs, to our Lounge. Find it difficult to remain on the top level of the House, with Lightning flashing about. Didn't want to disturb Colette, as she can become very upset if her sleep is broken. Yes, Morticia - can then morph into - Medusa, if woe betide anybody/thing, comes between her and her shuteye. One of ny nicknames for Colette is A.M. Grumpy Knickers. So, I did the dutiful thing and retreated downstairs, to brave any Lightning/Thunder out, on my lonesome. Find it difficult to remain on the top level of the House, with Lightning flashing about. But nothing else happened, until just before 6 A.M. I was very impressed with Meteox Radar's prediction of some torrential Rain for the London area, between 5.30 and 6.30 A.M. During that hour, the Rain fell in absolute torrents. Could only hear some rumbles of Thunder at that time, and saw no Lightning. Obviously the Storm, was very elevated. Morticia/Medusa/A.M. Grumpy Knickers [I do love her, really I do!!], is occupied with disinfecting an Ocado delivery, so can't see what I'm posting. The Rain is still coming down in torrents and our Postage Stamp garden has already got a green tinge, about it. As you can see from below and not surprisingly, it's still very humid at our nearest recording Station, of London City Airport, with a Relative Humidity of 94% but that filth is on it's way out now. So, where do we go from here. Well, it should certainly feel a lot more pleasant for us Heat Haters but as was stated above, although September is the first Month of Meteorological Autumn, it can still become uncomfortably warm. Early September is the time of my Birthday and I've had many, very warm ones. But to the chagrin of Members in the H.L.P. [Heat Lovers Party], 'Ole Father Time is now on our side. Good riddance to this God awful Summer/Heat and Humidity, and don't darken our doorstep for at least another 10 Months. I'd better sign off now as Medusa [sorry Colette], is about to finish disinfecting the Shopping and may want to know, what I've written!! To all fellow Members of the H.H.P., go outside and take a few lungfuls of fresh air [when it finally arrives]. and breathe a sigh of relief, that we are about to get some payback for having to endure, such a diabolical Summer. P.S. It's still tipping it down outside and you can almost hear our garden go, aaahhhh!! Regards, Tom Q and Medusa.

Evening all, President Dami, and all Members of the Heat Haters Party. Signora Basso, you have the same mindset as my Wife and myself. Colette calls us the "Addams Family" - We both hate Summer, Sunlight and light Nights. Of course, Colette is Morticia. And I just prefer to be known as Gomez, rather than any of the other Male characters. Have been keeping an eye on this Thread from afar, whilst I've been hosting my Horse Racing Competition. After having to put our exercise walking on hold, due to the ridiculously high temperatures, we finally managed to get some exercise, Yesterday Morning. We killed "two birds with one stone", by having some exercise and Colette picking up my very important, B.P. medication. It was unbelievably humid Yesterday Morning, as I'm sure Members of the H.H.P. that live in the London/South East area, will confirm. We left home at 9.15, with the Relative Humidity at around 93%. The air was so "thick", you could almost cut it with a knife. Yuck!! Just before we left, I checked the Weather Forecast and although my Laptop was telling me that my home location was still under a Yellow Warning for T/Storms, being a "Weather Geek", knew that ship had sailed, quite a few hours earlier. On our outward bound journey, there was still quite a bit of pretty shallow Cumulus about, some even had fairly dark bases and if I my hobby had not been Meteorology, I might have suspected that a heavy Shower, was imminent. Colette, sat me in a local Park, while she walked a further half a Mile, to collect my medication, from a Chemist in Sainsburys. While she was gone, an area of Cumulus with darker bases started to move overhead but this self confessed Brontophobe felt self in the knowledge, that I wasn't about to be struck by Lightning. So much so, that I felt brave enough to sit under a large Horse Chestnut Tree, knowing that I wouldn't be struck by lightning. The cloud was thick enough to produce a few spits of Rain. I shouted across to a Lady opposite to enquire, what was that wetness I could feel on my arm. Very innocently she replied, "It's Rain". Then she realised I was pulling her Leg, with a bit of irony. But the "fake" Shower, soon disappeared and Colette came hobbling back. We must have looked like the "Odd Couple", walking together. Colette with her Walking Stick, an aid as she is suffering from Psoriatic Arthritis/Raynaud's Disease and myself with my unsteady gait, caused by a Stroke in Sept, 2015. The "Odd Couple" then went to the Park's Cafe, for a quick beverage before we returned home. Google Maps calculated that Colette had walked about Four Miles [with that diversion to pick up my medication], and myself Three and a half Miles. As the clouds were much more broken on the way home, the Sun was much more evident as was the rising temperature and ongoing humidity. Both "fake" Morticia - [Colette really}, after I did my Italian hairdressing bit, by colouring her hair. I coloured it almost as Black, as Morticias'. Colette and myself, really enjoyed our very welcome Showers. But not together, no that Avenue of pleasure Colette closed "Sybil Fawlty" like, a few Years ago and she doesn't want it open again. Poor thing, being my Carer, she has to administer Personal Care to myself, in showering me and bless her that's enough penance for any Woman, to have to endure!! But a very brave Lady, for entrusting me with colouring her hair, just a few Weeks before we got engaged. Anyway, back to the Weather and where we stand regarding any further "Silly Numbers", in terms of more horrendously high temperatures. Below, is a link to MeteoGroup's, Dame Helen of Chester sporting what looks like a "Morticia like", grey streak in her hair : Weather for the Week Ahead - BBC Weather That a Girl, Dame Helen!! Ms Willetts is having none of the return to "Silly Numbers" that those opposite in the Heat Lovers Party, are clamouring for!! Or to put it another way, in terms of a Football chant, soon I want to be hearing, "It's all gone quiet, over there!!". Regards, Gomez and Morticia [aka The Addams Family].

Evening all, Hoe I find yourselves and your Families, and havn't been adversely affected by flash flooding that occurred, in some parts of our Region, Today. I hope Russell Peacock of Palmers Green isn't offended, by borrowing his Radar grab from earlier this Afternoon, to demonstrate how relatively local, these torrential downpours were. If you zoom in on Russell's map, my home location of Lee, lies roughly between the M of Lewisham and the D of Catford. As the crow flies, we are around 10 Miles S.E. of King's Cross, from where the majority of these images, are of. They are screengrabs taken from a news report, by ITN London Weather Girl, Sally Williams. Below, Sally Williams looking a bit bemused by the amount of flooding that occurred at King's Cross: Apologies to Ms Williams, this isn't meant to be a gratuitous shot of her rear but to demonstrate the amount of floodwater that spilled onto the pavements, at Kings Cross: I think this image is of a Shop Owner in King's Cross, struggling to sweep floodwater down a drain. And this is an image of flooding on a section of the M25, not sure where though. Evidently some parts of that area of London, received a Month's Rainfall in three hours. Here in Lee, we had barely enough Rain, to wet the ground and that was probably at the time I heard the faintest of rumbles Thunder. Which was around time that my neighbour to the East of me at Bexleyheath, Leeanne [Snow Raven], reported on hearing Thunder also. Below, are recent observations taken at my nearest recording Station - London City Airport. TEMP -20c. DEW POINT - 18C. RELATIVE HUMIDITY - 88%. Still pretty humid here then and myself and my Wife will no doubt need two of our three Bedroom fans operating, overnight but at least this interminable heat and now accompanied by high humidity, is finally on it's last legs!! I'd like to thank Russell Peacock for the timely appearance of his Radar grab. I for one, hope that we don't see anything like these excessive temperatures, for at least another 10 Months. Regards, Tom Q.

Humid here as well but don't cry, look at all that "virtual" money you've won off of me, this Afternoon. You'll be able to buy a really nice "virtual" Air Con unit, now!! Regards, Tom Q

Morning all, Hope I find yourselves and your Families, well. Hopefully, this is the final Day of inexorable heat, accompanied by high humidity. Must say EAGLE EYE, some brilliant analysis from yourself. Your enthusiasm for Thundery Weather, really shines through, As no doubt some of you are aware, not being a lover of Lightning/Thunder since around 10 Years of age, I come from the opposite end of the spectrum, to most Members on this Thread. As I'm now claiming my State Pension, that is a long time to be carrying around, "Phobic" baggage. I had a quick gander at the Radar just before retiring to my pit last Night, and felt reassured that the potent looking T/Storm on the coast of N.E. France and just about to enter the Channel was indeed as PIXEL suggested above, a harmless [for Yours Truly], Kent Clipper. There was a very narrow train of sferics around the Cherbourg Peninsula and if they had made it across the Channel [and I don't believe they did], looked bound for E.Sussex/Kent, again. But those Thunder lovers amongst you, may get your just rewards Today. Those of you that have been following the Forecasts since last Weekend, may well have noted that Today was mentioned as the most likely Day to see some meaningful Rain, in the form of T/Showers/Storms. I have to realise that for Brontophobic me, it has to be a case of "no pain, no gain". To come out from the other side of this interminable heat, now accompanied by draining humidity, I may well have to "run the gauntlet", of some Thundery Weather. Although I've been quite happy to dodge the Thundery bullets so far, I do sympathise with all you Brontophiles!! I could really feel the pain of our Convective Guru [Nick Finnis], when he stated in a post that Yesterday Afternoon T/Storms developed to the North and South, where Nick was working at Heathrow and then to get back home to Caterham-on-the-Hill and see a potent looking Cell close to the Airport, must have been utterly galling!!! As we know, the locations for the likelihood of T/Storms are extremely difficult to predict and can be a frustrating as those wishing for Snow, in Winter. Looking further ahead and concerned that the promised decent rainfall for Sunday, may not be that substantial after all. The BBC extended Outlook, courtesy of MeteoGroup/ECM, were flagging up some doubts about this, concerning the track of the Low, bringing the Rainfall, and to my untrained eye the forecast Rainfall at the moment, doesn't look that substantial. But at least for the time being, this should still be the last Day of this very draining spell of Weather. Regards, Tom Q.