Jump to content
Snow?
Local
Radar
Cold?
IGNORED

How to predict thunder


0000

Recommended Posts

00-30AM- 07/01/08

I watched temp's fluctuate rapidly tonight and wondered why there were no thunder storms.What is the understood pattern to expect for them to occur?

Edited by hannegan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: 4 miles north of Durham City
  • Location: 4 miles north of Durham City

At this time of the year, thundery activity is most likely reserved to coastal regions as the warmer sea temps and the colder air aloft interact to encourage the air to rise...particularly after an active cold front has passed.

For more details check this excellent guide by Nick F: -

http://www.netweather.tv/forum/index.php?showtopic=29496

Excerpt that may be relevant for the coming week: -

Late October to Early March

This 'winter' period is when polar airmasses are likely to be colder than sea areas they cross, therefore the sea surface 'warms' the surface air layer causing parcels of air to rise up through the colder polar air above it and form cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds. Coastal areas of the UK during the winter see a higher frequency of thunderstorms than further inland, as the weaker sun during the period has little effect at warming the ground. NW, N, NE, E winds , and even W and SW winds via returning polar maritime air circulating around lows to the West commonly bring heavy showers of hail, sleet and snow accompanied by thunder to coastal areas of the UK in winter if cloud tops reach high enough. Sometimes, if the temperature gradient along a cold front is steep enough along cold fronts during winter thunder may accompany rain or even snow over inland areas aswell.

Edited by PersianPaladin
Link to comment
Share on other sites

At this time of the year, thundery activity is most likely reserved to coastal regions as the warmer sea temps and the colder air aloft interact to encourage the air to rise...particularly after an active cold front has passed.

For more details check this link: -

http://www.netweather.tv/forum/index.php?showtopic=29496

Excerpt that may be relevant for the coming week: -

:) Cheers

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: 4 miles north of Durham City
  • Location: 4 miles north of Durham City
:) Cheers

No problem....that link is a great guide for thunderstorm set-ups all year round in the UK.

Edited by PersianPaladin
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: 14m als, Clacton-on Sea,NE Essex
  • Location: 14m als, Clacton-on Sea,NE Essex
No problem....that link is a great guide for thunderstorm set-ups all year round in the UK.

i have just read the guide to thunderstorms set up,, it was really interesting,

as a young child i developed a phobia of t storms which has got worse over the years,, but desite this i am fasinated with them(as long as i'm not in them) and try to understand them

We do tend to get nasty storms down here, is that because i on the s-e coast only about half mile from sea and only 14m asl ??

and why do i get a migrane before a storm??

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: 14m als, Clacton-on Sea,NE Essex
  • Location: 14m als, Clacton-on Sea,NE Essex
I agree with Donna why do we get sore heads before one?

so i'm not alone then,, my mum and i always suffer before storms,,

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How do you mean a smell?

My Grandad(a Farmer)used to say he could smell the ozone.Maybe it's just my senses being affected too coz I too smell thunder.Odd but not scientific

Edited by hannegan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: Coventry,Warwickshire
  • Location: Coventry,Warwickshire

Yes the air can smell differently but usually after the thunderstorm has passed. Ahead of the thunderstorm you will normally get slightly gusting winds of moist air (inflow region). I think it can be the humid air which triggers the initial headache. As the thunderstorm approaches then pressure lowers and everything takes on an electrical charge (st elmo's fire) and this can make headaches worse. The ozone smell from air broken down by lightening occurs while you are in the thunderstorm or in the outflow region of a storm.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: Novia
  • Location: Novia
Yes the air can smell differently but usually after the thunderstorm has passed. Ahead of the thunderstorm you will normally get slightly gusting winds of moist air (inflow region). I think it can be the humid air which triggers the initial headache. As the thunderstorm approaches then pressure lowers and everything takes on an electrical charge (st elmo's fire) and this can make headaches worse. The ozone smell from air broken down by lightening occurs while you are in the thunderstorm or in the outflow region of a storm.

Thanks for that I will keep that in mind :doh:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes the air can smell differently but usually after the thunderstorm has passed. Ahead of the thunderstorm you will normally get slightly gusting winds of moist air (inflow region). I think it can be the humid air which triggers the initial headache. As the thunderstorm approaches then pressure lowers and everything takes on an electrical charge (st elmo's fire) and this can make headaches worse. The ozone smell from air broken down by lightening occurs while you are in the thunderstorm or in the outflow region of a storm.

yep..........thinking about it you're quite correct....Cheers BF :doh:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • UK Storm and Severe Convective Forecast

    UK Severe Convective & Storm Forecast - Issued 2024-03-29 07:13:16 Valid: 29/03/2024 0600 - 30/03/2024 0600 THUNDERSTORM WATCH - FRI 29 MARCH 2024 Click here for the full forecast

    Nick F
    Nick F
    Latest weather updates from Netweather

    Difficult travel conditions as the Easter break begins

    Low Nelson is throwing wind and rain at the UK before it impacts mainland Spain at Easter. Wild condtions in the English Channel, and more rain and lightning here on Thursday. Read the full update here

    Netweather forecasts
    Netweather forecasts
    Latest weather updates from Netweather

    UK Storm and Severe Convective Forecast

    UK Severe Convective & Storm Forecast - Issued 2024-03-28 09:16:06 Valid: 28/03/2024 0800 - 29/03/2024 0600 SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH - THURS 28 MARCH 2024 Click here for the full forecast

    Nick F
    Nick F
    Latest weather updates from Netweather
×
×
  • Create New...