Spring Weather Chat

[Barry12]

P.s I hope this summer is wet, cool and cloudy again. Can't stand the heat!

Really..such boring dull weather. Sunny with temperatures in the mid to late twentys please

[Aaron]

In retrospect, sunny and warm is hardly exciting, so could equally be described as dull. Pleasant nonetheless.

[Milhouse]

Looking at the video there seems a hint for high pressure to the north of the UK. Not great, but as May 2008 showed, if it can halt the barrage of low pressures then we could end up with some nice weather from a southeasterly flow off the continent. If the jet is too strong and sinks south like last April then it would be a different story.

[Guest pjl20101]

Looking at the video there seems a hint for high pressure to the north of the UK. Not great, but as May 2008 showed, if it can halt the barrage of low pressures then we could end up with some nice weather from a southeasterly flow off the continent. If the jet is too strong and sinks south like last April then it would be a different story.

I do love Gavin Ps videos as they reflect an unbiased, well balanced and level headed viewpoint. Have to say the view of March isn't as encouraging on the z700 on CFS Version 2 with what I looked of northern blocking and an approaching trough in the mid Atlantic. Maybe that is down to the MJO movement and SOIs. We will just have to just wait and see what comes to fruition I guess.

Edited February 20, 2013 by Rybris Ponce
done...

[Thundery wintry showers]

Dry, sunny and warm can be boring for some, as there isn't much in the way of weather to speak of.

Personally I tend to get bored during those settled spells that forecasters call "usable"- a fair amount of cloud, the odd bit of sun, and perhaps the odd bit of light drizzle. However in fairness I didn't find the first half of July 2012 any more exciting than that, as most days here were grey with either frontal rain or the odd bit of drizzle- and of course it was hardly "usable" either!

Conversely settled spells with an unusual amount of bright sunshine tend to register with me as notable weather events, in much the way that snowstorms, thunderstorms and high winds do, but of course different individuals get excited by different things and I can see why some others wouldn't feel the same way.

[Bottesford]

In retrospect, sunny and warm is hardly exciting, so could equally be described as dull. Pleasant nonetheless.

Well not really as its pretty rare in the UK to have such conditions. Understand it isn't 'action laden' but unusual none the less. I mean the last time we had a decent length spell like that was last May some 8 or so months ago. And that was only a little less than 2 weeks in length.

I think if you asked most people if they want 'exciting' vs sunny & warm I think you'd find the sunny warmth won by a large margin!

[Aaron]

Sunny and warm is anything but rare in the UK. I can't recall a single year when there wasn't an extended period of sunny and warm weather, whether it be in spring, summer or autumn. It's been a good few months since the last sunny, warm period because summer ended a long time ago (and there were decent warm periods in summer, especially August). Seasons change, surprise surprise. Now, if you're talking record-breaking heatwave, such as July 2006 or August 2003, then that's a different story, there's at least some statistical interest.

As for what most people want, who cares? This isn't a forum for most people, is it? Do most people in the real world obsess over snow? Do most people even realise that weather models exist? Nah, of course not. I don't come on here because I want warm and sunny weather every day, or to socialise with your 'average' Briton who has no interests other than searching for sun in some tacky Costa resort in the Med, and I doubt many people on here do.

Edited February 4, 2013 by Aaron

[Bottesford]

Actually sunny AND warm has not been so common in recent years. Now when I say 'sunny and warm' I mean a day where the sun is shining for the majority of the day - and not just early morning and evening with cloud during the day. Sure we had fairly warm days last August but like a lot of our warm days in recent years they came from fairly humid cloudy affairs with sunshine at a premium.

A good sunny & warm period to me is at least 5 days+ where the only cloud we get is a few small ones puffing up in the heat of the day and for that the last one was May 2012.

And yes I'm well aware that most people vs weather fans preferences are indeed very different (small example: at the sandwich van earlier I mentioned it might snow to which everyones reply was 'oh no I'm tired of that' and 'when will it warm up' - quite a contrast to here!) but it is indeed possible to be a weather fan and enjoy warm, sunny weather... I know since I've been doing exactly that for the decade I've been on this forum!

[Steve C]

I love sunny, warm weather, as I reckon the majority of people, even on this forum, do.

It just gives so many more options of things to do.

Okay, you may argue that you can dress for almost any weather eventuality, but walking through thick mud on a country ramble (for instance) would be comparatively unpleasant for 99% of the population, than walking on dry paths in the sunshine. You can obviously apply the same logic to many other outdoor activities. I'm sure sunny weather also boosts the economy, with the caveat that occasional rain is needed for agriculture and the like.

I look forward to one last pronounced cold shot this winter, then roll on fine sunny days, as far as I'm concerned!

[Aaron]

Actually sunny AND warm has not been so common in recent years.

Really? We've had some exceptional spring warm spells with very high sunshine levels. Sure, it hasn't occurred in the season we'd want it to, but you cannot ignore May 2012, March 2012, April 2011, May 2010, May 2008, April 2007.. you get the drift.. May 2012 in particular was pretty exceptional late in the month, 10 days of virtually uninterrupted sunshine and warmth is an incredible feat for the UK (but I wouldn't call it exciting, just unusual, or statistically interesting) and cannot be expected to occur every year.

And yes I'm well aware that most people vs weather fans preferences are indeed very different (small example: at the sandwich van earlier I mentioned it might snow to which everyones reply was 'oh no I'm tired of that' and 'when will it warm up' - quite a contrast to here!) but it is indeed possible to be a weather fan and enjoy warm, sunny weather... I know since I've been doing exactly that for the decade I've been on this forum!

Of course it is, I like warm, sunny weather, but I don't want it all the time. In my ideal climate, the days are almost evenly split between sunshine and cloud all year, with no particular type dominating.

Edited February 4, 2013 by Aaron

[Bottesford]

I certainly wasn't ignoring May 2012 as my post mentioned that very spell - the last time we had such a spell.

Its true almost all our decent weather has come that bit too early. Pleasant as warmth/sun in March is it isn't so useful as the days are still short and plants haven't yet got going. Late May is a perfect time for such a spell- the days are long, the air is clear and the sun high in the sky. But if then what follows was the vileness of summer 2012 then such a nice spell will rapidly fall into distant memory.

I just hope, as always, that May-July contain our best weather of the year with ample dry & sunny weather throughout - especially late June for my wedding!

[Aaron]

yes, I'm hoping for a sunny, warm summer too, but I'd like some thunderstorms thrown in for good measure. Contrary to what people may think, I don't enjoy cloudy, wet summers (well, I like rain, just not the cloudiness, and I'd prefer my high rainfall in the form of storms or overnight frontal rain).

Edited February 4, 2013 by Aaron

[Bottesford]

Won't disagree there - definitely enjoy thunderstorms too but preferably at night and not when I'm trying to have a bbq :lol:

A sunny, steamy summer with weekly thunderstorms would be peachy. Anyway that's summer.. we best stick to spring here!

[Thundery wintry showers]

it is indeed possible to be a weather fan and enjoy warm, sunny weather... I know since I've been doing exactly that for the decade I've been on this forum!

Late-May 2012 was a good example of how spells of warmth combined by unusual amounts of sunshine often register with me as noteworthy weather events. I regularly found myself popping outside and trying to make the most of it, in much the way that I would with a snowstorm or thunderstorm. It was similar in late-March 2012 and late-September 2011. Note though that all three spells fell outside of the three main summer months!

However I don't share the popular desire for consistent 'settled' weather- would really prefer a mix of settled & unsettled spells, mainly dry and sunny in the settled spells and some sun mixed with showers and thunderstorms in the unsettled ones (and in spring that would include the showery setups from arctic northerlies and north-westerlies). I think therein lie my main dissatisfactions with the UK climate- too much of the rain is frontal and too many of our settled spells are relatively cloudy- but as we're prone to almost every possible variety of weather, individual months/seasons can provide exceptions.

Edited February 4, 2013 by Thundery wintry showers

[Bottesford]

I like variety in autumn, winter & spring especially. A good few days of snowy Arctic northerlies are great fun in April. Then some nice warmth followed by the cold showery stuff again.

In the prime peak months of May-August I probably fall out with too much variety thing in so much I want the weather to mostly be sunny, warm and dry (with just some conveniently timed thunderstorms from time to time) simply so I can be outside at much possible. We spend far too much of the year stuck indoors to spend those brief summer months staring out the window looking at the rain...

[cheeky_monkey]

For most people on this forum Alberta would be the ideal location to live... cold and snowy winters no rain or damp..summers sunny and warm with lots of thunderstorms..only downside spring is often cold and wet although it is short 6 weeks tops.

[summer blizzard]

Won't disagree there - definitely enjoy thunderstorms too but preferably at night and not when I'm trying to have a bbq

A sunny, steamy summer with weekly thunderstorms would be peachy. Anyway that's summer.. we best stick to spring here!

Horrid, can't stand humidity.

From March-August i actually like the sunny, dry monotonous warmth.

[Bottesford]

Need a bit of humidity otherwise (unlike in mainland Europe) temperatures plummet early evening. No warm evenings means only two days per week to actually enjoy warmth!

[Aaron]

Well, I guess it depends. Most heatwaves in the UK are accompanied by low humidity and low dew points, and cool evenings don't appear to be too much of a problem, but I guess it varies from place to place.

I've noticed it can feel a bit cool after sunset even if it's above 20C, but when it gets dark, that isn't a problem at all.

Edited February 4, 2013 by Aaron

[Thundery wintry showers]

I think the main issue in the UK is that our sunny summers' days tend to be cooler and more breezy on average than in continental Europe.

If we get a sunny day with a maximum of 27-30C, not much wind and low humidity, it ends up too hot for some during the afternoons, but then the evenings end up comforrtably warm for most of us. This pattern was common during the famous scorchers of August 1995 and July 2006 for example. However, if we're talking 21-24C with low humidity, while very few people will complain of heat during the afternoons, it becomes chilly more quickly during the evenings.

Humidity helps to hold the evening temperatures up even when maximum temperatures are at a relatively modest 21-24C, which means that both the afternoons and evenings tend to be comfortable for most people, but the downside is that it becomes difficult for many people to sleep at night. Essentially, everything seems to be a trade-off!

[Bottesford]

When I visited Germany/Poland/Ukraine it was warm (but not hot about say 25c) by day but it stayed up all evening and night but didn't feel humid at all. That's something we just can't get in the UK because as you say it needs to be 27c+ to give pleasant evenings - or high humidity.

I can understand people not wanting it too humid to sleep or too hot if they're out in it a lot during the day I really can. It's just from my own (and I'm sure many others) perspective it can be pretty annoying on a blazing warm sunny day that feels lovely to be out in - but you're stuck in the office... Then you finally get out at 5pm or so hit the pub (or garden at home), finally sit down with your pint then start to freeze to death in your short sleeved t-shirt... Perhaps if we could all get a day off on nice, warm sunny days it'd be fine!

[summer blizzard]

I think the main issue in the UK is that our sunny summers' days tend to be cooler and more breezy on average than in continental Europe.

If we get a sunny day with a maximum of 27-30C, not much wind and low humidity, it ends up too hot for some during the afternoons, but then the evenings end up comforrtably warm for most of us. This pattern was common during the famous scorchers of August 1995 and July 2006 for example. However, if we're talking 21-24C with low humidity, while very few people will complain of heat during the afternoons, it becomes chilly more quickly during the evenings.

Humidity helps to hold the evening temperatures up even when maximum temperatures are at a relatively modest 21-24C, which means that both the afternoons and evenings tend to be comfortable for most people, but the downside is that it becomes difficult for many people to sleep at night. Essentially, everything seems to be a trade-off!

I recall in June 2005 i think that a Tesco Express which always had the heat high i went into on a warm night and when i walked back out i had not realized just how warm it was outside because i walked back out and it was like a hairdrier.

I never have a problem with cool evenings so i don't mind.

August 2003 was horrific, it was 23C one night in London.

[Harve]

There's a lot of talk of it being a shame about the hot spells falling outside of summer. But if it were up to me, I'd keep it that way. 20-25c is fine and can be produced in a hot spell in spring or early autumn, but a hot spell in summer can give 30c or up to 38c in the south-east, which is far too extreme for me. On the other hand, 35c didn't feel too awful in Central Asia, which is thousands of miles from an ocean.

[Guest pjl20101]

Think now there may be some truth in Crewe colds posts for march according to this current output by the CFS: http://www.cpc.ncep....z700e3Mon.html

Which basically indicates northern blocking and a meridional type of jet stream. Also I checked the solar ham website and solar activity is very low at the moment so not as encouraging as a week ago.

[Summer Sun]

Think now there may be some truth in Crewe colds posts for march according to this current output by the CFS: http://www.cpc.ncep....z700e3Mon.html.

Which basically indicates northern blocking and a meridional type of jet stream. Also I checked the solar ham website and solar activity is very low at the moment so not as encouraging as a week ago.

The link doesn't work