The Weather Thread

Just been looking at the news about Storm Desmond. Amazing to see the scenes from Appleby, Kendal and Hawick. They're also saying that the worst is yet to come.

TurnaboutVox said:

The electricity distribution board is in the cellar.

Hmm well, we have a coal stove and fire, and the hob is gas...

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All the best.

Here in Norfolk, it's slightly damp. Although it rains a lot - 1 day in 3 - we get very little rain in total - typically below 3" a month, with a yearly average of about 27".

dogen said:

Plus, you couldn't have surface run-off from the hills; not really having any!

On the downside, a rise in sea level...

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What we tend to get is tidal rivers backing up plus the infamous North Sea tidal surge - where southerly winds on the leading edge of a storm back water up the coast only for it to be forced downward by northerly winds on the trailing edge. If that coincides with a high tide then flooding ensues. The matter is made worse since we effectively live on an island joined to the mainlan by five bridges. Four of these are susceptible to flooding and the fifth closes in storm conditions because high winds make it unsafe.

Still, looking at the news sites, it's nothing like tbe situation up North. Our sympathies go out to those struggling with the floods in Lancashire and Yorkshire.

TurnaboutVox said:

Thanks for members' expressions of concern and sympathy. I and my family are all lucky enough to be safe and dry at home, thank goodness.

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Glad to hear it.

sospiro said:

What the authorities won't tell you about the floods.

Not sure if this is genuine. I can't believe we are prevented from dredging rivers because of a European Directive.

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The big story about dredging goes back to 2013/2014 and the Somerset Levels Floods. Fascinating because it's a polder situation much like the fens. But unlike the fens they didn't use pumps relying on drainage. There's a lot of buck passing in the story with the EU getting some stick. The actual position is probably much more complex than any single factor explanation.

Given all the fuss about dredging an interesting article from the Independent on how Pickering avoided flooding.

The basic point is that they used old fashioned techniques to slow down the water flow and provided holding areas to stop sudden inundations. Rather than blocking the flood water, they simply slowed it down. The article also makes the point that dredging simply passes the problem on down stream by allowing the water to race past.

Somebody enjoyed the snow:

The other three in the pod were found at Skegness in Lincolnshire. Definite shame and a bit of a mystery as to why it happened.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35395369

Apparently a fifth has been found at Wainfleet to the south of Skegness.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35400884

Glad to see the the Americans are just as eccentric as we British.

Belowpar said:

By contrast, my host tomorrow is known for wearing a small wooden boat on each foot.

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A third generation businessman?

Pyotr said:

Sent this link by a friend who lives in Florida. Mean! It's only a little over 3 minutes long. Can anyone identify the music? Feel sorry for the guy at the 1:56 minute mark, Did that ever happen to you?

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Handel's Coronation Anthem - Zadok the Priest

Dr Johnson said:

Spring is surely here.

My neighbour has got his lawnmower out.

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Ours had his out a couple of weeks ago! Obviously much colder where you are.

Typical British weather - two hot days followed by a thunderstorm.

As the Scots have it - ne'er cast a clout till May be out.

Dr Johnson said:

I wish there was a refreshing sea breeze a few miles north of Cambridge!

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Just wait for the rising sea levels. Then Ely will be back to being an island again.

Same here - typical British summer - two warm (warmish anyway) days followed by a thunderstorm.

Sometimes the weather can be very funny:

Ginger said:

I went to Scotland in July and we had (surpriiiiise ) two weeks of pure liquid sunshine...

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Yes the whisky is always delightful.

EddieRUKiddingVarese said:

45deg C on the thermometer by the pool yesterday and today is going to be worse...............

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Hopefully your new job is in an air-conditioned office?