cloudsabove

Reasonable fall of snow now, at Hintlesham near Ipswich. Slight gust of wind threw it against the window, and there is a fresh covering over the previous snow that fell a few days ago.

OK, may I ask if something or some fundamental change has happened to the Netweather forecasting (ie. 7 day forecast etc). Over the past month or so, I have noticed that these forecasts have become less accurate. I used to find they were very accurate, if there was rain due in the afternoon according to their percentage risk, it came. Recently, it hasn't been the case. Today, no rain forecast until 1300 in my area (IP8) but we have had significant heavy showers, including sleet. Not even a risk up until 1300 here. And other things I have noticed too, but I thought I was imagining things. Now, despite having an interest in the weather, and enough to go stormchasing, I admit my expertise in forecasting is close to nothing. And I *know* forecasting isn't an exact science, of course there are endless discussions online and in these threads about it. I don't want to stir it up out of any spite. I just have a 'feeling' that something has changed with the forecasting tools (?) different model runs? I don't know what it is. Either I missed the announcement, or discussion on the forums about it, or I am barking up the wrong tree and my area is just odd... if someone could enlighten me

Yes, wheels do help! Considering you are moving luggage about everyday, up and downstairs/to motel rooms, each day on the tour.

Sorry for lurking in this year's thread, I went last year Oh dear, sorry about that smiley there, didn't mean to pull that face!

Sorry for lurking in this year's thread, I went last year I had most of my camera equipment and valuables with me in the cabin, that is, stuff that couldn't easily be replaced or is fragile. ie. tripod and some other accessories went in the suitcase for the hold - if it got lost, I could replace tripod etc at a shop. But things like dedicated chargers/cables and the camera/camcorder and its batteries were with me all the time, as it would have been v. awkward to find dedicated batteries and chargers for the cameras quickly. However you might feel like splitting some kit between bags to minimise further risk, if you want. Once on the tour of course you can split stuff between bags because mostly you have both bags with you all the time. But think that if you had to cope because the airline lost your case, could you still be up and running with sufficient kit on the tour immediately (albeit after doing a spot of shopping at Walmart for more underwear and shirts and whatever else!) Maybe I plan ahead too much and am too practical! I didn't get checked at customs, tripod was in bag with some other things and I don't think suitcase was opened or checked at all. Preferred case is a large soft holdall, l got a soft sided case from EastPak (I overpack though about 65 litres and a bit more for expansion. Of course others may advise differently

Have just completed survey, wonder what they might come up with... I found I wanted to choose more than 5 for the types of things I am most interested in!

Great picture of the tornado there (under photographie du phénomène)

Yes you are right, it went away after another flash or two and rumble! Too tired to keep looking out windows, though think rain will be all that remains for a while.

Some more flashes and rumbles of varying intensities, more rain, wind has picked up slightly. Hard to tell if it is going away or not really at the moment

Looked out the window to my east a very short while ago, did not see any flashes, but just had a large rumble of thunder half a minute ago (actually as UKWeatherOutlook said, towards Sudbury way/direction) . Will go to look out window again, but I think it might be a very sporadic affair. Heavy rain in the area for a few hours now.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthvideo/9240476/Tornado-forms-over-southern-France.html

Can't believe the stormy days (and now nights) for this year. More please! Though a bit knackered after going out to storm watch at 11pm and staying up to 130 on the off chance that the storms would continue. Unfortunately not. After driving through torrential rain, and three big bright flashes of lightning, the storm helpfully fizzled out as soon as I got to my regular vantage point last night... Some later rumbles and the odd flash but the imports moved further north/into Suffolk and didn't really have any more strength, so it seemed. But yes I'm all for round 2! More pic and video opportunities, rain permitting!

After reading your posts I rushed to look out the window towards Ipswich/coast way, and yes, big flash, haven't heard thunder but may go out to have a look soon.

On 24/25th though, did perhaps the same thing happen ie. sonic boom at night? I'm not aware jets are allowed to do that at night etc but >shrugs shoulders<

Sorry reposting from different thread: Question: what was that sound? Mods please post to correct thread if anyone is interested (beg pardon - have just read your post snow raven, sorry to perhaps post in wrong area but this is my region Last Wednesday 25 or Thursday 26 evening 9pm ish, heard a low rumble, but with defined boom type noises. I thought it was fireworks though noted it sounded bigger and more booming (like a big gun) than small cracks of fireworks. It went away (as far as I could tell while in the house) but then repeated, so I rushed outside. Once outside I immediately looked up, clear sky, medium height jet on approach to Stansted or similar (thought it was having problems actually). The rumble continued with another two big booms, and it sounded high up, large, and even like distant explosions. Thought it was odd, but didn't think anything more until parents, who live a couple of miles away higher up out of the valley where I am, said they heard it. Father said he looked on radar but saw no lightning traces on there. Having said that, he may have looked at the wrong time or the radar hadn't picked anything up. I thought all the storms had passed into non existence by 9pm which is roughly when the sound was. Question: could sound travel that strongly, if there were no storms generate that sound, where did it come from, and did anyone else hear it? It may simply have been thunder, but I am interested to know how sound would travel as I thought no storms were around at that time. Was there a large cell near London and could sound have travelled from there. Edit: having just done a bit of research, and referring to the Brit Geo Survey site who recorded reports from general public about boom/rumbles, it seems the Ministry of Defence confirmed it was Typhoons breaking the sound barrier on 12 April. http://www.earthquak...ire_120412.html I know there were at least a couple of Typhoons in the area last Tuesday 24 due to accompanying an AWACS aircraft for a flyover in London. I saw them returning/heading towards Wattisham during that day, perhaps they had an overnight stop etc. Could it have been them finally leaving and breaking the sound barrier? Twice at night?

oops thanks for the redirection

Question: what was that sound? Mods please post to correct thread if anyone is interested (beg pardon - have just read your post snow raven, sorry to perhaps post in wrong area but this is my region Last Wednesday or Thursday evening 9pm ish, heard a low rumble, but with defined boom type noises. I thought it was fireworks though noted it sounded bigger and more booming (like a big gun) than small cracks of fireworks. It went away (as far as I could tell while in the house) but then repeated, so I rushed outside. Once outside I immediately looked up, clear sky, medium height jet on approach to Stansted or similar (thought it was having problems actually). The rumble continued with another two big booms, and it sounded high up, large, and even like distant explosions. Thought it was odd, but didn't think anything more until parents, who live a couple of miles away higher up out of the valley where I am, said they heard it. Father said he looked on radar but saw no lightning traces on there. Having said that, he may have looked at the wrong time or the radar hadn't picked anything up. I thought all the storms had passed into non existence by 9pm which is roughly when the sound was. Question: could sound travel that strongly, if there were no storms generate that sound, where did it come from, and did anyone else hear it? It may simply have been thunder, but I am interested to know how sound would travel as I thought no storms were around at that time. Was there a large cell near London and could sound have travelled from there. Edit: having just done a bit of research, and referring to the Brit Geo Survey site who recorded reports from general public about boom/rumbles, it seems the Ministry of Defence confirmed it was Typhoons breaking the sound barrier on 12 April. http://www.earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/earthquakes/recent_events/sonic_warwickshire_120412.html I know there were at least a couple of Typhoons in the area last Tuesday due to accompanying an AWACS aircraft for a flyover in London. I saw them returning/heading towards Wattisham during that day, perhaps they had an overnight stop etc. Could it have been them finally leaving and breaking the sound barrier? Twice?

Not sure if this has uploaded properly. Some grainy captures from my iPhone 4S video. Quite pleased to have caught them. Might try to upload better quality cloud shots later, from today

Now at an old airfield near Hadleigh, Suffolk. I don't go far but it is enough (did miles enough in USA last year to make up for it!). I live where i can't see much sky so I like to get in the car to get to viewpoints where I can at least see most of the sky!

Another mini chase! Right under cell that has passed over, CG and IC seen, some interesting scud in the distance, mammatus forming, rain and hail core, with rainbow in distance but more like a smear over the distant rain and hail. Another cell behind me? Looks quite dark, managed to get mobile radar working Very pleased with all this interesting weather we are having

Back from mini-chase, storm moved just west of me but saw some instability before the rain hit, plus some CG, and IC lightning, with one of those earth shaking long rumbles which seemed to shake the car and earth! Now raining a lot, waiting for it to pass for more photo ops

Hmmm re the 'notice' bit for cash... oops I'll start saving now as who knows when the storms might arrive! sigh

I'd be interested to join up with someone in my area (east of England). I'd prefer to navigate and would pay for fuel if someone drives, but of course it depends on who/what/when/where. We have so few storms really that we have to be flexible I guess!! I have laptop and mobile internet too, coverage permitting. As for flying, if I had a bit of notice (to get some cash sorted), I'd be there and willing to fly in a light plane, to see some storm systems. I've flown in and photographed/filmed before from light aircraft (different types) before so it doesn't bother me at all. Might message you further for details if that is OK

http://www.webcamgalore.com/EN/ This one? (sorry can't remember who posted this originally)

Hi! If you are happy with buying from USA, you can register with a service that enables you to buy goods and have a company forward it to you. You get given an American address and then they parcel it up and forward it on to your UK address. It cost snext to nothing to join and so far I have made one purchase for something from USA Amazon. The service works fine, except of course you may be clobbered for customs charges here, as the service/company does declare the exact cost of the item on the customs/postal form when they forward it on to you. Check out MyUS.com: http://myus2.myus.com/