Weather in the general media (Newspaper features etc)

[Crepuscular Ray]

Except MetO staff are only paid bonuses for performance (not for controlling the weather) whilst banks' bosses get bouses just because they exist!

And the biggest bonuses are for meeting sales targets, not for forecast reliability.

[Summer Sun]

STRIP OFF FOR YEAR'S HOTTEST DAY

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/334630/Strip-off-for-year-s-hottest-day

[Summer Sun]

It’s a leapwave

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4444821/Its-a-leapwave.html

[Coast]

Oh dear, 2 days in and silly season has started:

Speed restrictions due to hot weather could cause delays on Norwich to London trains

There could be delays on Norwich to London trains this afternoon as special speed restrictions are to be imposed due to the hot weather.

A statement from Greater Anglia, which operates the train services, said: “Due to speed restrictions imposed as a result of the exceptional hot weather Greater Anglia plans to operate a revised train service on some routes today Tuesday, July 24 between 12pm and 7pm.†It continued: “In order to avoid congestion through the area caused by the speed restriction we have implemented a revised train service.â€

It said there may be delays on the Norwich to London line, and that from midday today the Norwich to Liverpool Street services will operate as booked to Colchester and then non-stop to Liverpool Street. From 12:30pm Liverpool Street to Norwich services will operate non-stop to Colchester and then as booked to Norwich.

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/speed_restrictions_due_to_hot_weather_could_cause_delays_on_norwich_to_london_trains_1_1456904

[Summer Sun]

BRITAIN'S BAKING... AND IT'S GOING TO GET HOTTER

SUN worshippers are gearing up for the hottest day of the year so far as Britain bakes in temperatures hotter than Hawaii.

Summer has finally arrived in a blast of glory with forecasterssaying the mercury could soar to 90F (32C) in the South tomorrow. Some regions may even see highs of 96F.

Yesterday the hottest place in Britain was St James’s Park in London, where the temperatures peaked at 83F. But although southern areas will enjoy wall-to-wall sunshine, other regions face a different outlook.

But sun-lovers are warned to make the most of the weather while it lasts.

The heatwave is thanks to high pressure over most of the UK which will be nudged out by low pressure before the weekend.

Temperatures are expected to plunge by the end of the week, with a much wetter outlook.

http://www.express.c...g-to-get-hotter

SHARK SPOTTED AS HEATWAVE HITS UK

A TERRIFIED canoeist flees the waves after coming face to face with a 23ft giant.

Swimmers were enjoying the sun before the monster fish swam through the waters off Land’s End in Cornwall.

Scared sun-seekers made a dash for the shore when they spotted the enormous fin.

And one plucky oarsman got close enough to touch the fish, which turned out to be a harmless basking shark.

The scare on Sunday came as Britain prepared for a 32C (89F) heatwave which will be hotter than Hawaii. Parks were packed yesterday with workers enjoying lunch outdoors.

Making hay while the sun shines! Farmers thankful for the fine weather as Britain basks in the hottest day of the year

• Farmers take advantage of the break in the rain to work in the fields
• Holidaymakers head to the beach or take gondolas down the river
• Temperatures reach 30C on hottest day of the year so far - and tomorrow could be 31C
• But it's likely to cool down by the weekend, with showers on the way
• Rain could mar the Olympics opening ceremony on Friday
• Greater Anglia rail services were affected, which could lead to delays for passengers travelling from London's Liverpool Street tonight

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz21XFqVLZR

There’s no fin to worry about

SWIMMERS come face-to-face with a giant 23ft shark just off a beach in the UK.

Some dashed for the shore, fearing a Jaws-style attack as the monster’s fin broke the surface at Gwenver, Cornwall.

But it was a harmless basking shark, which eats only plankton. Witness Laurence Hartwell, 59, said: “It was huge. Surfers and a canoeist tried to keep up with it.â€

http://www.thesun.co...orry-about.html

[Summer Sun]

It’s the wrong kind of SUN: First it was the wrong type of snow, then the wrong type of rain, now rail services are not stopping at the Olympics complex because it’s TOO HOT

Problems are down to older sections of overhead lines expanding and sagging in high temperatures

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz21YZCCkvx

[Methuselah]

I wonder it that's true, SS.

[Summer Sun]

I wonder it that's true, SS.

No idea, just an excuse imo

"Typical British summer" heads for the North-East

PEOPLE living in the North-East can look forward to a “typically British summer†over the next few weeks, according to the Met Office.

The region basked in one of the hotest days of the year today with temperatures reaching 21C in Durham and 24 at Topcliffe, near Thirsk .

Forecasters predict the weather will be slightly cooler over the next few days but as we enter August temperatures are expected to rise again.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: “We are getting back to what we would normally expect for July. It will be quite warm but there is a chance of a few showers.

“The temperatures will be in the late teens and early twenties.

“We are not going to see the very high rainfall that we have done recently, nor will we see long hot spells that are more associated with the Mediterranean climate.

“We can expect a more “typically British summer†to come.â€

http://www.thenorthe...the_North_East/

Edited July 24, 2012 by Summer Sun

[Snowmadsam]

Interesting read :- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18978483

[Summer Sun]

PHEW...HEATWAVE TO SCORCH TO 96F TODAY

BRITAIN will put tropical hotspots like Bali and the Bahamas in the shade today with temperatures soaring into the 90s.

Many parts of the UK are likely to enjoy 90F (32C), with highs of 96F predicted for the South.

Yesterday was the hottest day for 12 months as 86.2F was recorded in St James’s Park, London – beating the 84.7F reached in Achnagart, in the Scottish Highlands, on May 25. Bali and the Bahamas only managed 86F and 82F yesterday.

But forecasters warn that the heatwave will start cooling down by the weekend, with rain on the way next week.

Jonathan Powell, forecaster for Vantage Weather Services, said last night: “Wednesday is going to be an absolute scorcher. Temperatures in the South will comfortably nudge into the 90s with 96F not impossible in sheltered areas.â€

However, he warned that sun-lovers may have to wait until September for another burst of sunshine.

“August is looking miserable, another rainy picture and much cooler,†Mr Powell added. “It is then a case of holding out until September when things may turn around again to give one last burst of summer.â€

http://www.express.c...ch-to-96F-today

[Methuselah]

96! Why do they bother with that guy!

[Backtrack]

96! Why do they bother with that guy!

Why do we bother with that paper?

[Summer Sun]

£3BN BARBECUE

THE sizzling weather could lead to £3.3billion spending on barbecues this week.

Met Office experts say temperatures will reach between 25C (77F) and 30C (86F) as summer finally breaks out.

And a study has found a quarter of people plan to spend about £108 buying gadgets and grub for their garden grills.

Another quarter will splash out £300 while 4% are even planning to part with £600, on top of £65 a head. The total bill will reach £3.3bn.

The Met Office says the weather improvement is thanks to the jet stream moving to its normal position north of the UK.

Martin Young, Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, said: “As we move towards the weekend we will see a return to a more normal summer weather pattern for the UK.

“This will bring dry and bright conditions to southern parts over the weekend, and some much needed rainfall to the far north-west of Scotland.â€

http://www.dailystar...-3bn-barbecue-/

S’warm outside

BRITS basked on the warmest day of the year yesterday — and today should be the hottest for two years.

Thousands flocked to the seaside after months of wet weather.

It was the warmest day in 13 months as thermometers hit 30°C (86°F) in Charlwood, Surrey.

And 32°C (90°F) is expected today.

Experts said the heat could also unleash the annual “flying ant day†swarm today in many places — as the bugs go about their yearly mating.

Around 1,000 World War II RAF “practice†bombs found on a beach in Mappleton, Yorks, were made safe.

http://www.thesun.co...rm-outside.html

[Summer Sun]

Summer's still here! Britain to bask in the hottest day of the year today as temperatures to top 31C (but it's back to rain next week)

• Children enjoying first week of school holidays lap up sunshine in the country's parks and beaches
• Baking Britain hotter than Rio
• But it's likely to cool down by the weekend, with showers on the way
• Rain could marr the Olympics opening ceremony on Friday
• Train speed restrictions in place on First Great Western services in and out of Paddington in London
• Sun has been blamed for a blaze that caused thousands of pounds' worth of damage at a house in picturesque village

Britain will bask in more glorious sunshine and higher temperatures today as forecasters say it will be the hottest of the year so far.

The mercury is set to hit 31C in parts of London and the Sunny weather is likely to hold for the start of the Olympic Games.

By noon beaches across the country were teeming with people, including school children enjoying the hot weather on the first week of their summer holidays.

In West Wittering, West Sussex, it was hard to find a patch of sand amongst the windbreaks, tents and sunbathers.

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz21e5MBZ4m

[Jon Somerset]

Isn't Rio in the middle of winter at the moment?

[Methuselah]

Isn't Rio in the middle of winter at the moment?

Well, what do you expect from the Daily Mail? Something sensible?

[knocker]

Weather Eye : Flying Ant Day

The yearly spectacle took place yesterday when swarms of winged ants took to the air, encouraged by the warm weather

Yesterday was Flying Ant Day, when swarms of large black winged ants took to the air in alarming numbers. This spectacle happens every year when the summer weather turns fine and dry, and although the phenomenon is infuriating for us, this is the natural mating ritual of the ants in their first step to set up new colonies.

The ants normally live in underground nests but as the colonies grow in numbers they reach a point when they need to fly off and find a new place to set up home. Large virgin females — the potential new queens — take to the air, chased by countless numbers of smaller males all keen to mate with her. And after successful mating, the female dispenses with her wings and settles down to found a new colony down in the ground. It is not such good news for the males, though, because they crawl away and die shortly afterwards, although their sperm lives on in the queens as she lays eggs in the new colonies.

The astonishing thing about this event is how ants all over the country take to the air on roughly the same day every year. Quite what triggers such a mass flight is not completely understood, but weather clearly plays a key role.

It seems that the ants inside their nests may be monitoring the length of the days, wind speed, humidity and temperature to pick just the right moment to fly off on their nuptial flights. The best times are usually in July and August before a thunderstorm, when conditions are hot and muggy. A recent study in Spain also pointed to a spell of wet weather beforehand helping with the ants’ flight plans. The rains may help to wet the ground, making it easier for the new queens to burrow into the soil to start a new colony.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/weather/article3486675.ece

[Summer Sun]

NOW THE ROADS MELT IN BAKING BRITAIN

BRITONS baked on the hottest day of the year yesterday – and there’s more to come.

Forecasters said the blue skies and sizzling temperatures are likely to hold out until the weekend.

The mercury soared to 87F (30C) in St James’s Park, London, making it the hottest day for 12 months.

Independent forecasters at Netweather said:

“The further south you are the less heavy and frequent any showers will be, with South-west England

only in with an outside chance of catching one.

“Into Friday, the South-east corner of the country keeps the warm air, but it’s fresher and breezy elsewhere.â€

http://www.express.c...-baking-Britain

HEATWAVE OVER AT WEEKEND

BRITAIN yesterday sweltered through the hottest day of the year so far, but forecasters warned that it won’t last.

Sunbathers sizzled in 31C (88F) – hotter than Barbados and Rio de Janeiro.

But the heatwave will fade away by the weekend.

The mercury is set to plummet to a far ­cooler 20C (68F) by Saturday, with rain ­expected.

Brits still have today to soak up the rays ­before millions celebrate the start of the Olympic Games.

Met Office forecaster Alexa Jones said: “Tomorrow a cold front indicates cooler, fresher weather in all areas.

Thousands flocked to ­Brighton and Bournemouth beaches on the south coast, as temperatures hit 31C (88F), beating 29C (84F) in Brazil’s Rio and the same in Barbados in the Caribbean.

Newlyweds James and Sharon McGregor swapped fresher Fife for boiling Brighton where they celeb-rated on the beach.

But the heat hit commuters after speed restrictions were put in place on First Great Western services.

On the Isle of Wight a road was closed when it started melting.

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/264009/Heatwave-over-at-weekend/

[Summer Sun]

Make the most of the sun! Rain and cooler temperatures to return to Britain at weekend while August forecast looks even bleaker

• Forecasters predicting mercury will drop to low 60s by Saturday
• Apache dancers perform reverse rain dance in London
• Met Office say lengthy spell of hot, sunny weather across whole country looks unlikely for August

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz21kLdWBtR

[Jon Somerset]

Well that's rubbish because Weatheronline is putting charts up for a high right on top of us around the 11th. They're usually pretty good.

[Summer Sun]

STORMS WILL SIGNAL END OF SUMMER

BRITAIN’S brief but glorious summer is due to fizzle out tomorrow as non-stop rain and gloomy temperatures make a return.

Torrential downpours and strong winds will bring an abrupt end to a week of blue skies and sunshine, forecasters warn.

Temperatures will struggle to reach 60F (16C) in areas that basked in highs of 86F just a few days ago – with a band of low pressure also bringing heavy downpours and winds, which could even touch gale-force in parts.

Paul Michaelwaite from Netweather said the North will be first in line for the rain with the rest of the UK braced for downpours next week.

He explained: “Into the weekend the cooler air pushes into all parts and then we’re into the familiar regime of sunshine and showers.

“These will return with a vengeance into Sunday with just about everywhere liable to catch a sharp downpour. Into next week we keep the showers going, along with a spell of rain and wind arriving into the South-west during Monday and pushing North-east into Tuesday.â€

Jonathan Powell of Vantage Weather Services said: “August is shaping up to be very shabby with more rain. There may be some short bursts of heat but September looks like it might be the last chance for summer.â€

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/335704/Storms-will-signal-end-of-summer

[Methuselah]

NOW THE ROADS MELT IN BAKING BRITAIN

BRITONS baked on the hottest day of the year yesterday – and there’s more to come.

Forecasters said the blue skies and sizzling temperatures are likely to hold out until the weekend.

The mercury soared to 87F (30C) in St James’s Park, London, making it the hottest day for 12 months.

Independent forecasters at Netweather said:

“The further south you are the less heavy and frequent any showers will be, with South-west England

only in with an outside chance of catching one.

“Into Friday, the South-east corner of the country keeps the warm air, but it’s fresher and breezy elsewhere.â€

http://www.express.c...-baking-Britain

HEATWAVE OVER AT WEEKEND

BRITAIN yesterday sweltered through the hottest day of the year so far, but forecasters warned that it won’t last.

Sunbathers sizzled in 31C (88F) – hotter than Barbados and Rio de Janeiro.

But the heatwave will fade away by the weekend.

The mercury is set to plummet to a far ­cooler 20C (68F) by Saturday, with rain ­expected.

Brits still have today to soak up the rays ­before millions celebrate the start of the Olympic Games.

Met Office forecaster Alexa Jones said: “Tomorrow a cold front indicates cooler, fresher weather in all areas.

Thousands flocked to ­Brighton and Bournemouth beaches on the south coast, as temperatures hit 31C (88F), beating 29C (84F) in Brazil’s Rio and the same in Barbados in the Caribbean.

Newlyweds James and Sharon McGregor swapped fresher Fife for boiling Brighton where they celeb-rated on the beach.

But the heat hit commuters after speed restrictions were put in place on First Great Western services.

On the Isle of Wight a road was closed when it started melting.

http://www.dailystar...ver-at-weekend/

That's news!

[Summer Sun]

BYE-BYE SUMMER, IT'S GONNA RAIN TILL SEPTEMBER

BRITAIN’S mini heatwave will be washed away over the next few days as the dreadful weather ­returns.

It looks as if summer is ­already over as Met Office experts warned temperatures will plunge by 14C.

And it is time to grab the brollies until at least September.

The mercury fell to 25C in the south yesterday, down from Wednesday’s 30.7C, the hottest day of the year.

Temperatures will fall to 22C today and 17C tomorrow and showers will hit most regions.

BBC Weather called the warm spell a “flash in the pan†and Met Office forecaster Dan Williams said: “Olympic fans should pack an umbrella and waterproof.

“The outlook to August 9 is for generally unsettled weather throughout, with rain or showers at times, some heavy with a risk of thunder and often ­rather breezy.

“Temperatures will be below normal overall and it will feel much cooler than recent days.â€

Experts said the dramatic cool-down is being caused by jet stream winds plunging south, allowing air from southern Scandinavia to chill Britain.

There is a hint of a warmer spell early in the second week of the Games.

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/264295/Bye-bye-summer-it-s-gonna-rain-till-September/

[Summer Sun]

Worst first half of summer ever

Why it's the fault of the jetstream

The last of the hosepipe bans in the southeastern corner of England were lifted a couple of weeks ago, and not before time. The water year begins in October, when the reservoirs and aquifers - the water-bearing rocks beneath our feet - begin to fill up again after the summer. Between October 2010 and March 2012 the Southeast of England recorded 240mm less rain than normal. Since then we have had an excess of 220mm, the reservoirs are full, and so are the aquifers.

It is all the fault of the mid-latitude jet stream, that powerful conveyor belt of winds in the upper atmosphere which, if it's in the right place, brings aircraft returning from America back to the UK hours ahead of time.

Let me try to explain why the jet stream is always there. It marks the boundary between cold polar air and warm tropical air, and it is located in the zone of biggest temperature contrast. These huge temperature contrasts provide the energy which drives this narrow stream of powerful winds.

There is another feature of the jet stream which is crucial to understanding how it works. It controls the behaviour of the depressions that we see on our TV weather charts, and these depressions routinely bring widespread rain, and often strong winds too.

Throughout the 1990s and the early-2000s the jet stream blew powerfully from the west, and the distribution of weather across the UK was relatively normal, with just a few exceptional droughts and wet periods. Since 2003, however, the flow has been sluggish and meandering, and as a result we have experienced long periods when the weather has appeared to get stuck in a rut. So we had heat-wave summers in 2003 and 2006, appalling floods in 2007 and now in 2012, and an extended drought in 2010 and 2011.

This poses the question why the jet stream has been so weak over such a long period. Such periods have happened before, notably in the 1950s and '60s, so it may not be necessary to blame anything other than "natural variability". But in terms of the degree of sluggishness of the jet stream, the last ten years have certainly been pushing hard at the boundaries of previous experience. It is therefore wise to develop theories about why this may be happening, while also retaining the "natural variability" theory.

The first likely culprit to be identified was solar activity. The numbers of sunspots visible on the surface of the sun is a measure of that activity, and it follows an approximately 11-year cycle. We also know that there is a measurable statistical link - admittedly not a very strong one - between solar activity and the strength of the jet stream. The last "solar minimum", when the numbers of sunspots are at their lowest, was appreciably longer than usual, lasting from late-2003 to early-2011, but it has now ended. That may appear to scupper this particular theory, but the next "solar maximum", when the sunspots are most numerous, due in 2014, is predicted to be 50 per cent lower than the last one.

http://www.weatheron...it&DAY=20120721

Edited July 28, 2012 by Summer Sun

[Summer Sun]

BBC weather for the wee ahead with Nina Ridge

Temperatures should be warm for many with 19c to 23c likely for many in england and wales, rain will be hit and miss away from north west scotland which is where its needed badly now