South West and Central Southern England Discussion - Dec 2023 onwards

[Summer8906]

I'm sure February has become very much wetter of late. You wouldn't expect it to be that wet as the sea is relatively cold, hence less potential for development of active lows compared to autumn. But in the 21st century it frequently seems to be every bit as unsettled and stormy as the autumn and early winter months.

I guess it's a result of SSTs rising, so we now get late autumn or early winter conditions at this time of year.

Compare the 80s, when only 1980 and 1989 could be classified as mild and wet. Even Feb 1988 in a famously mild and wet winter achieved just 90% of average rainfall in Feb, and 3 less rain-days than usual.

Edited February 8 by Summer8906

[Alderc 2.0]

 Summer8906 interesting you say as locally the last three febs have been dry barely delivering around a combined total of 140mm. Last Feb was very dry just 12.9mm (wettest March ever followed) but it’s been a different story further north and west. 

Edited February 8 by Alderc 2.0

[Summer8906]

 Alderc 2.0 true but I'm thinking of the general trend. Not sure if 2022 was significantly wet but it was certainly very stormy, and then there was 2020, 2016, 2014, 2011, and 2007. So not every year but certainly mild and Atlantic-dominated seems more common than it was in the 80s. To be fair the change probably started in 1989 and perhaps I'm conflating wet with merely damp and Atlantic-dominated.

Edited February 8 by Summer8906

[Mapantz]

30.4mm of rain today.

Wind gusting to 38mph.

[matt111]

22mm here today. Didn't really stop raining at all until just now. 

[jy]

Today sees my 109th birthday.Snow drought heatwaves hurricanes I've seen them all.50 years in human terms is quite a chunk but in weather terms is nothing.Hopefully things will change enough for today's kids to see some lowland snow before they retire.

[Dorsetbred]

 jy Did the King remember your birthday?

[jy]

 Dorsetbred at the moment I'm struggling to remember anything lol # hungover

[AWD]

Still cloudy

Still mild

Still dull

Still grey

Still boring

[Andy Bown]

Lol it’s clearing at dusk! Naturally! 

Been a few sunny spells today but nothing like how clear it is now! Plenty of showers throughout the day too.

[dr weather]

The temperature tickled 14 degrees this lunchtime, our first taste of summer!

[Dorsetbred]

Morning All, a cooler night with the low of 4.7°C at: 02:48, currently 6.8°C, RH97% and light rain, with no air movement.

 AWD sounds a tad bit Groundhog style.

[AWD]

Hang on, it’s not dull, it’s not cloudy, it’s not damp.   
 

We have sunshine here (albeit hazy).  It’s bright, I see shadows!  A bit chilly at 5.7c but it’s dry!!

[Rich_Clements]

1 hour ago, AWD said:

Hang on, it’s not dull, it’s not cloudy, it’s not damp.   
 

We have sunshine here (albeit hazy).  It’s bright, I see shadows!  

My thoughts exactly

[Andy Bown]

Yes the first sunny morning for 9 days! 

[jtay]

Absolutely beautiful today. 

First of the crocuses are up too.

[Alderc 2.0]

Lovely start, some decent sunny spells and temps around 11C - good timing for the weekend! 

[dr weather]

Sunny day, woohoo!

[MP-R]

The surprise at seeing sun, when it should be the default, speaks volumes!

[*Stormforce~beka*]

 jtay That's very healthy grass!

 MP-R I was shocked not surprised!

[MP-R]

 *Stormforce~beka* Just another week of this and it'll be dry enough to go for a country walk somewhere... 

[*Stormforce~beka*]

 MP-R We can wish ...

[jtay]

Well this is glorious. Sat out now, cos I'm knackered from digging. Haven't even got a coat on.

[*Stormforce~beka*]

 jtay I cleaned out the chooks!

[jtay]

 *Stormforce~beka*

Good work. One job I don't miss.