chrisbell-nottheweatherman

Well that's a wonderfully clear view... B)

I agree that for those who almost always drive in the city they are ridiculous and dangerous to pedestrians, but in rural areas (especially upland areas that tend to see more snow) they are a good thing. The bad reputation that 4x4s get in wintry weather is mainly due to typical British poor winter driving; if used properly a decent 4x4 (e.g. a Land Rover NOT one of those broad-bean-shaped Korean things) is brilliant in snow and ice.

Yes, of course, I'm always swimming in Durban! :lol: In all seriousness, my suspicion is this case is basking shark. The footage I saw didn't show a view down into the water which would have made IDing the shark more reliable.

Nice explanation John, thanks.

I suspect (although as I'm stil a complete novice, this is guesswork based on what's happened in past years rather than great meteorological insight) that the SE of the country probably will scrape 30 degrees C at some stage in the next few weeks. Having said that, I'd be surprised if we got it here (Norfolk), and I would be pretty disappointed - my genetics are Celtic, and us Celts don't cope well in searing weather. I never again want a repeat of July last year when, on a few days away to go to an outdoor concert near Basingstoke we roasted for the entire period, especially in the Travel Inn (near Newbury) at night, in beds with duvets (horrible things!) Even nearby thunderstorms one night failed to cool things down; the next day it was just as hot as it had been previously. Nearly as bad as 1989 and 1990, which I well remember as a kid being ridiculously hot, and worse, IMO than 1995. We don't realise here in Norfolk how lucky we are to have the sea so close by keeping our maximum temps down a notch compared to the Berkshire area. Give me 20-25 degrees tops and 13-14 at night and I'm a happy bunny.

Mild, though not exactly hot here, mainly sunny with cumulus-type clouds drifting slowly across, lightish breeze. Probably about 6/10ths cloud cover.

Been decent so far here today (26th July) with mostly well-broken cumulus clouds, sunny intervals and a stiff breeze, but, in the last few minutes, a big, dark cloud has drifted past just to our north roughly on a WSW-ENE track.

I'm normally accused of being a hand-wringing leftie, but I'm inclined to agree with you. Ridiculous situation - can't police or community support officers be put on the beat in the area round the bowsers?

I'm not alone! She always came across on TV as being very personable and friendly, so it's nice to hear that she actually is that way. I always thought that she managed to make the BBC in-house style look better than most because she didn't try to 'glam-up' as some did with trowel-fulls of make-up, in much the same way that Fiona Bruce always looks by far the most attractive of the main Beeb newscasters in my opinion.

Thanks, PersianPaladin - oddly enough, that's not the most flattering photos of her in the world!

What the hell is in the water that means that boiling it won't make any difference? Can't be bacterial, unless someone's added a culture of extremophile bacteria from Icelandic geysers - can't think it's viral, either. Must be some kind of organic solvent or heavy metal contamination (cadmium, not Iron Maiden!).

I also like Peter Gibbs, and I'm sad that he's not on the main BBC forecasts now, as he once was. Schaffernaker (sp?) is good also; seems enthusiastic, and I like the fact that, amidst the dull-grey suit-wearers that normally present the forecasts, his sartorial style stands out. Still no support for the beautiful and much-missed (by me at least) Helen Young, though. Looks like I'm a one-man fan club.

Don't get me wrong; I prefer Sir R of McElwee as well. What I can't get is why everyone (well, the guys anyway) raves about Helen W. She's nice, but I must admit my favourite was another Helen - the gorgeous Ms Young. :o What can I say - I like the fuller-figured woman. :o

Which goes to show how good he is: he's explained the effects of a high pressure in terms that allow the average viewer to picture it in their mind's eye.

Similar here, except for a few spots of rain a little earlier.

To think I had a few day's holiday around that part of Oxon last October. Some gorgeous Thames-side villages around there - Culham, Sutton Courtenay, Clfton Hampden etc. Hope they haven't been damaged. Abingdon itself wasn't my favourite, but it would obviously be dreadful if it had become flooded.

Thanks, Kentish Sally. It didn't look quite as threatening as that, but it was more than just ordinary cumulus. Rather a dull grey sheet of cloud now blocking-out the sun. <_<

Update: Heavier cloud over lunchtime, light scattered showers forecast by Met Office on BBC news, some large, tall cumulus-type clouds visible to NW.

Would the angle of lifting of the warm air make a difference to the amount of precipitation?

Take care dogs - oh, and NickF; sounds like you and Stephen differ on that one! Must admit, in my ignorant, bumbling way I couldn't make-out how lightning could be generated in a stratus-type cloud. I thought it was the height of the cloud that allowed the separation of charges, and, as you pointed-out, convection is important. When you said that nimbostratus forms where warm, moist air is being lifted - I presume, therefore you're referring to a cold front?

How many exactly are there, Dave? Oh, and is there still a foghorn around Scratby way, 'cos I remember as a kid on the beach in the mid-'80s hearing the foghorn sounding as thick sea mist rolled onto the beach. Very eerie. P.S. Foghorn may have been Gorlestone rather than Scratby; can't remember which.

Mostly ordinary fluffy cumulus here, though some looks a bit 'taller' and darker-based. Is that cumulus congestus, and therefore a sign of convection?

NickF - sorry, I meant Nimbostratus. In the Guides entry on clouds, Stephen Prudence mentions nimbostratus and says (words in bold are my emphasis, not his: Can you explain, please?

Yes, but your use of capitals and the fact that you did not qualify that is a little misleading, I'm afraid to say. That seven days minimum statement is mains supply. Emergency supplies are being provided.

Best of luck, dogs32. According to the news, you should be getting bowsers some time in the next 3 days, keeping my fingers crossed.