Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: mark smyth on March 21, 2012, 11:05:44 AM

Title: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on March 21, 2012, 11:05:44 AM
The first, or is it second, day of spring and its lovely and warm. Currently 16c and only 11am

I hope this year doesnt progress like last year. It started like this and continued until the end of May when rain almost continued all summer
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on March 21, 2012, 11:08:24 AM
Cold and wet 18oC here today! :(
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Neil on March 21, 2012, 01:58:06 PM
Wish it was wet here :'( and that its about all the water I will see for some time if the weather forecast is anything to go by.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Panu on March 22, 2012, 08:27:56 AM
Still more than 50 cm of snow, sunny days are great for ice fishing.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on March 22, 2012, 09:54:43 AM
+8C and foggy but less so than the last days. The forecast says sun later today and tomorrow too and probably the weekend and next week also! Unbelievable :o
On the other hand it is a month since last frost and almost all my pots are out in the garden now ;D The mean temperature for March is more than 4 degrees warmer than normal.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Philippe on March 22, 2012, 11:17:18 AM
Only boring endless sunshine, and for the moment pleasing temperatures, because mid-march only.
As for many parts of west europe, the rainlack increases week after week. 2011 was already a pretty dry year, but 2012 has begun really bad, and even seems to get worse now as the temperatures raise.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Maggi Young on March 22, 2012, 02:33:46 PM
Still more than 50 cm of snow, sunny days are great for ice fishing.
Somehow, Panu, I am much happier to think of you ice fishing instead of ice swimming!  8)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: TC on March 22, 2012, 07:28:02 PM
It is officially Spring.  For me, Spring arrives with the first midge bites of the year.  I got four of them working in the garden last Thursday !
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on March 22, 2012, 07:49:39 PM
Still more than 50 cm of snow, sunny days are great for ice fishing.
Somehow, Panu, I am much happier to think of you ice fishing instead of ice swimming!  8)
We keep getting this image of Bear Grylls "skinny dipping at the North Pole" advertising his next batch of programmes on the telly. Judging by the number of trees around him it must be the North Pole that Pooh found? ::)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Maggi Young on March 22, 2012, 08:12:34 PM
It is officially Spring.  For me, Spring arrives with the first midge bites of the year.  I got four of them working in the garden last Thursday !
In that case I must agree.... I've been chewed to smithereens over the last couple of weeks.

It always happens early when my brain hasn't yet got into Avon Skin So Soft use mode  :-\ ::)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: fredg on March 22, 2012, 08:24:11 PM
I still have space in my barrels  :(
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on March 22, 2012, 09:02:18 PM
It is officially Spring.  For me, Spring arrives with the first midge bites of the year.  I got four of them working in the garden last Thursday !
Although midges and mosquitoes are common around here I'm glad I've none in my garden and never had! At least  I never get bitten ;D


Not my legs!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 23, 2012, 02:01:54 AM

Not my legs!

Thank goodness Trond. You had me worried there. I don't think they're Maggi's legs either. :)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Peter Maguire on March 23, 2012, 09:38:12 AM
Quote
I got four of them working in the garden last Thursday !

For a moment Tom I was highly impressed - I misread this as though you has four midges working for you in the garden.  :o
I was wondering whether they take much trianing? ;)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on March 23, 2012, 05:27:16 PM

Not my legs!

Thank goodness Trond. You had me worried there. I don't think they're Maggi's legs either. :)
Well, I had to tell; you can't know for sure these days :o
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on March 23, 2012, 08:02:19 PM
Jandles? 8)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on March 23, 2012, 09:19:37 PM
Jandles? 8)
Yes jandles or nothing but like this;D

[attachthumb=1]    [attachthumb=2]
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on March 23, 2012, 09:32:33 PM
Jandles are what I call flipflops and what the Aussies call thongs! :o
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 23, 2012, 11:44:42 PM
or jandals?
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on March 24, 2012, 12:54:39 AM
Sorry, yes forgot they are an offshoot of sandals.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on March 24, 2012, 03:34:05 PM
17c here today but the breeze it making it a wee bit chilly to sit out. Record breaking temps for Aberdeen - Maggi were you out in your cossy today?

Just like last year my daffs are wilting due to the lack of rain
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Maggi Young on March 24, 2012, 03:43:22 PM
Can't think this would possibly be any kind of record breaking day here, Mark.
 Been out this afternoon with the dogs and my pal with her dog... quite nice but haar never very far away even before 2pm... getting pretty chilly by the time we got back at the back of three. We both had coats on!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on March 24, 2012, 04:29:20 PM
T-shirt weather here the two last days! Yesterday we even had dinner and coffee outside  8)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Tony Willis on March 24, 2012, 06:36:54 PM
I am in Jerez southern Spain and it is raining and so windy it is difficult to stand up. Still it is 8c so I am not suffering heat exhaustion.

Needless to say no flowers but excellent sherry!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: David Nicholson on March 24, 2012, 06:45:37 PM
Top temperature of 20C here today, or at least in the car park at Lanhydrock.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Casalima on March 24, 2012, 08:48:40 PM
As my son has 2 canoe races on the Douro tomorrow (5 km - K2 and K4 - ie 2 and 4 in a kayak), it is of course due to rain  :( :( Hope it's not too bad - a lot of rain can fall into an open kayak over 5 km! Max. temperature 21ºC - so that's not too bad!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on March 24, 2012, 09:21:45 PM
Local weather said tomorrow the UK will be hotter than many places around the world
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 24, 2012, 10:30:12 PM
Local weather said tomorrow the UK will be hotter than many places around the world

Oh yeah? ;D
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: David Nicholson on March 25, 2012, 09:49:31 AM
Local weather said tomorrow the UK will be hotter than many places around the world

Could anyone name a day when it isn't? ;D
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on March 25, 2012, 09:59:35 AM
Local weather said tomorrow the UK will be hotter than many places around the world
Even where I live is always hotter than many places around the world!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on March 25, 2012, 01:28:07 PM
I suppose I should have said hotter than places that are normally hot.

18.5c just now
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: TC on March 25, 2012, 07:31:09 PM
Today has been the warmest so far.  I forgot to open the greenhouse door until 1100, by which time the temp. was 33c  Apart from that it feels more like Summer than Spring.
The difference being that it has been flat calm - a very unusual thing in these parts.  Flowers and plants seem to be leaping ahead.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on March 25, 2012, 07:58:48 PM
I suppose I should have said hotter than places that are normally hot.

18.5c just now
I couldn't resist teasing a little! Sorry, Mark.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on March 25, 2012, 09:33:57 PM
no problem.

Today peaked at 21c
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Casalima on March 25, 2012, 10:34:49 PM
In the end it didn't rain :):(:):( - and it was decidedly hot - 26ºC.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Maggi Young on March 25, 2012, 10:42:05 PM
In the end it didn't rain :):(:):( - and it was decidedly hot - 26ºC.
In the sun at mid-day it was around 24- 25 here  :o

Was your son exhausted by all that effort in the heat?
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Casalima on March 25, 2012, 11:36:13 PM
In the end it didn't rain :):(:):( - and it was decidedly hot - 26ºC.
In the sun at mid-day it was around 24- 25 here  :o
Was your son exhausted by all that effort in the heat?
24-25 in Aberdeen in March??
Not so exhausted as he didn't do the K4 because one of the four was off sick - and K2 was a bit of a trundle ... he's only a beginner and his partner was nervous. But they finished the race and overall the club absolutely thrashed the (national) opposition as usual!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on March 26, 2012, 08:41:27 AM
Apparently we have had the worst summer for donkey's, following the coldest winter. We are getting the blame and several people have suggested we go back to Scotland and take our weather with us! ;D I felt really cold sitting on a bench on Mount Hobson reading my book, while Lucy had her rehearsal and Heidi routed (pronounced rooted!!!) around in the long grass.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 26, 2012, 10:04:46 AM
Oh, so it's YOUR fault. I should have realized! I'll forgive you though because although the weather has been less hot than usual (Dunedin's been better than Auckland ;D) it has been a great season for seeds germinating, cuttings rooting and young potted plants growing on nicely without being cooked, so I've been quite happy with the summer. Of course if you want to spend the time sitting on the beach......so boring!

Gladiolus flanaganii has germinated, thanks. ;)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Maggi Young on March 26, 2012, 12:47:21 PM
In the end it didn't rain :):(:):( - and it was decidedly hot - 26ºC.
In the sun at mid-day it was around 24- 25 here  :o
Was your son exhausted by all that effort in the heat?
24-25 in Aberdeen in March??
Not so exhausted as he didn't do the K4 because one of the four was off sick - and K2 was a bit of a trundle ... he's only a beginner and his partner was nervous. But they finished the race and overall the club absolutely thrashed the (national) opposition as usual!

I know... but in fact that was in a very sheltered spot.... probably was more accurately around 20 or 21... which is still flippin' marvelous!

Sounds like your Lad had a mixed sort of day.... and overall was successful... great stuff!  8)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Paul T on March 26, 2012, 01:21:38 PM
Anthony,

We have a couple who've moved in across the road from us a couple of months ago..... just emigrated from the UK with their 3 kids.  I asked them at one point how they managed to bring their weather with them.  They laughed, but said that they had a couple of friends coming over from the UK at the weekend for a real barbeque.  They were trying to convince them to move over here as well.  We'd had so much rain this summer that they felt like they were false advertising to people back home when they talk about what the Aussie weather was supposed to be like.  You guessed it, rain forecast for their barbeque day.  ;D  We've barely even had 30oC here this summer, just a couple of times.  Amazingly cool compared to normal recent summers.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: brianw on March 26, 2012, 07:34:22 PM
It seems odd that we in the UK are sometimes warmer than much of mainland Europe, until you look at the daily temp. range. This is my current map at http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/?lat=51.578&lon=-0.720&zoom=13 If you drag it around or use search for your locality, you can click on the temp. readings and often get a daily graph. Do it late in the day for a good range, as by default it starts at midnight.
Here currently we get wide swings from <5 at night to 20+ in early afternoon, but in much of southern Europe the days range is only a few degrees, say from 12 at night to 18 during the day. We only get warm nights in (some) high summer days.
Hope that makes sense.
I see Aberdeen is getting the Foehn effect at present.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Maggi Young on March 26, 2012, 07:49:00 PM

I see Aberdeen is getting the Foehn effect at present.

So they say!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/feeds/17448378  this BBC explanation is all very nice... this  website ofthe Hong Kong Observatory,  paints a different picture..
http://www.hko.gov.hk/education/edu01met/wxphe/ele_foehn_e.htm

Quote: Apart from bringing warmer and drier weather, Foehn winds can cause serious natural disasters. They bring droughts, dry up plants and farmlands, and exacerbate forest fires. They also melt snow, causing avalanche and floods.


  :o
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on March 26, 2012, 10:50:28 PM
Yesterday the temperature reached 21c here around 2.30. Today was only 15c but felt much hotter than yesterday.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on March 27, 2012, 12:08:51 AM
We are sunny and are supposed to get 22oC today? Cold last night due to clear skys. Auckland Airport was supposed to be in single figures last night! :o
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: ronm on March 27, 2012, 06:14:32 PM
Seems like they're sweating profusely in Aboyne. :o :o :o :o
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on March 28, 2012, 09:44:11 AM
From the met office web site this morning

March temperature record broken again in Scotland.

Scotland has broken its March maximum temperature record again, with a temperature of 23.6C seen at Aboyne at 15:40 on Tuesday afternoon. This beats the previous record of 23.2C at Cromdale in Moray on Monday afternoon. Northern Ireland fell just short of beating its March maximum temperature record though. Giants Causeway reached 21.4C, just shy of the existing record of 21.7C at Armagh in 1965. Please note that these temperatures could be revised as further observations are received. Issued at 0208 on Wed 28 Mar 2012.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on March 28, 2012, 05:29:21 PM
My thermometer shows 28c just now
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on March 28, 2012, 06:47:54 PM
From the met office web site this morning

March temperature record broken again in Scotland.

Scotland has broken its March maximum temperature record again, with a temperature of 23.6C seen at Aboyne at 15:40 on Tuesday afternoon. This beats the previous record of 23.2C at Cromdale in Moray on Monday afternoon. Northern Ireland fell just short of beating its March maximum temperature record though. Giants Causeway reached 21.4C, just shy of the existing record of 21.7C at Armagh in 1965. Please note that these temperatures could be revised as further observations are received. Issued at 0208 on Wed 28 Mar 2012.

March maximum record is broken many places in Norway too. The warmest temperature yesterday was 23.1C and all the Southeastern parts have had record breaking temps. Some examples:
http://www.yr.no/nyheter/1.8051551
Yesterday it was more than 42 degrees difference between the warmest and coldest parts of Norway!

(http://gfx.nrk.no/t7pTQJYMWPCcpzFlvzjnlg3plTDB7968nlvJjJWzmLNg.jpg)
http://www.yr.no/nyheter/1.8053184

Here at the west coast the temps are high for the season but more moderate although the monthly average is 4 degrees above normal for March.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: johnw on March 28, 2012, 07:20:10 PM
My thermometer shows 28c just now

Mark - Did that weather come from our direction or another?

I trust what we have here now will not head your way.

Apparently the freeze Monday night took out all the Magnolias from Toronto / Boston south to Philadelphia.  Ours are still in bud but last week's heat wave made them swell a fair bit. Hopefully they are okay, we pray the cool weather hangs on 3 more weeks.

An abbreviated snowdrop season.

johnw
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Maggi Young on March 28, 2012, 08:42:23 PM


I trust what we have here now will not head your way.

Apparently the freeze Monday night took out all the Magnolias from Toronto / Boston south to Philadelphia.  Ours are still in bud but last week's heat wave made them swell a fair bit. Hopefully they are okay, we pray the cool weather hangs on 3 more weeks.

An abbreviated snowdrop season.

johnw
Eeek! That does not sound good at all.  There must be a lot of very unhappy growers..... :'(
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: TheOnionMan on March 28, 2012, 11:50:50 PM
Yup, all of the Magnolia soulangeana trees, which are widely planted in New England, were in peak flower (more than a month early) in the Boston area, the day after the deep freeze (22 F by morning, with up to 50 mph gusts, -5.5 C) turned all flowers brown.  The trees themselves will be fine, just the open flowers and swollen buds blasted.  It hit Magnolia 'Forrest Pink' in my yard, just starting to open up its huge pink flowers.  Here's a before and after, less than 24 hrs apart.

Fortunately other Magnolias in my garden; such as M. salicifolia, M. sieboldii Korean Form, several others, and my beloved 'Golden Gift', are still in bud, the wooly bud sheathes should have protected the flowers yet to come.

As John mentioned, we had two weeks of unusually mild weather, one whole week that reached 79-83 F each day (depending on location, proximity to the ocean vs. towns more inland), 26-28 C, breaking a number of records.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: johnw on March 29, 2012, 12:36:04 AM
Mark - Sorry to hear of your disaster in a few weeks the mags will be off and away to the races.  That Forrest Pink is really a great improvement on x soulangeana don't you think.  I think I have seen too many standard saucers planted near PJMs and forsythias and the saucer is the loser.  Admittedly there is a momentum when the old saucers are magnificent.

The stellatas and xloebneris round town look as if they could pop with very little encouragment.  They're really not safe here on the coast until the last week of April.  If they freeze that will be a first.  That two day heat wave a week ago would have been notable in July here.

Do post a shot of Golden Gift.

johnw
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: TheOnionMan on March 29, 2012, 12:57:41 AM
Oh, forgot about the stellata types, they were also mostly in full flower, but the white flowers are more frost-resistant so flowers only show a modicum of browning, most trees still looking presentable, but the soulangeanas are useless with frost.  I will say however, there is hardly a Magnolia that can be so laden with large blooms, and when in full flower, they can be quite an awesome sight.  My estimate is that 3 out of every 5 years the "cup and saucer" magnolias get whacked, particularly in lower elevations and valleys where frost settles.  I have much better success with good flowers on Forrest Pink, because it typically flowers a bit later than saucers, and I'm at about 500' elevation so escape frosts that hit valleys (well, in most years).

Didn't have to worry about buds and flowers blasting on my pink M. stellata, there are none this year; the tree was cut back to about 1/3rd its size after the surprize pre-Halloween snowstorm of October 2011 when we got 14" of snow while trees were still in full leaf, causing tremendous tree damage.

I had posted photos of 'Golden Gift' on SRGC back in April 2010:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=5263.msg149900#msg149900
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: johnw on March 29, 2012, 02:32:15 AM
I remember those photos Mark and want to see how many more flowers you have this year. Seems it must be one of the best yellows.

johnw
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: TheOnionMan on March 29, 2012, 04:01:44 AM
I remember those photos Mark and want to see how many more flowers you have this year. Seems it must be one of the best yellows.

johnw

I will certainly take photos this year as well, and post someplace on the SRGC forum  :D
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: ronm on April 01, 2012, 06:12:33 PM
Oh good. Just heard that we may be having snow again on Tuesday! ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on April 01, 2012, 06:32:26 PM
Johnw our heat came up from the Med.

I dont know the name of the Arctic winds but its the same ones that brought the big freeze in 2010 that brough the heat wave earlier this week.

In the big freeze they dipped southward to take in the UK, Ireland and many other countries, allowing Arctic air to cover us

This week the winds changed and went north forcing normal weather patterns north. This allowed high pressure to come up from the south and stay in place.

simples - I think.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: David Nicholson on April 01, 2012, 07:30:31 PM
It will come as a surprise, to those of you who have read my comments on Devon weather over the years, to hear me say that we could do with a drop of rain ;D
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on April 01, 2012, 07:45:14 PM
You're not the only one who needs rain and badly. Bulbs and other plants in pots are suffering badly.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on April 01, 2012, 07:57:10 PM
Have you all just seen the weather forecast, on Countryfile, for Monday and Tuesday  :o :o :o
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Maggi Young on April 01, 2012, 08:07:54 PM
No, but the forecast on the BBC Beechgrove Potting Shed today for next week was pretty awful.  :'(
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: annew on April 01, 2012, 08:45:35 PM
Just downloaded my temperature dataloggers. We went from 28˚ in the shade on Thursday to -2˚ last night. We are very confused.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on April 01, 2012, 08:49:30 PM
We didnt get the cold end to week that was predicted. No need for a coat yesterday and only a light fleece today

Anne what about Homer and friends?
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Lina Hesseling on April 01, 2012, 09:17:08 PM
We were advised to keep the wintertyres on the car.

Lina.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on April 02, 2012, 02:17:28 AM
No, but the forecast on the BBC Beechgrove Potting Shed today for next week was pretty awful.  :'(
Did you stay inside the potting shed then?
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: annew on April 02, 2012, 10:18:53 PM
Homer hasn't been back for several weeks. The various youngsters were relocated to a nice woodland. Alas, Marge didn't make it. We found her (actually a him) on her last legs in the naughty tank one day. We deposited her under a conifer out of sight, but she was just too old, we think. It couldn't have been the organic muesli she dined on daily, the others managed OK.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Casalima on April 02, 2012, 11:57:07 PM
It rained a bit last night! :o
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on April 03, 2012, 03:16:52 AM
It rained here, so we brought in the washing. The rain stopped! ::)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Lesley Cox on April 03, 2012, 03:38:40 AM
So you put it out again and then the rain started again? Par for the course. ::)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: angie on April 03, 2012, 10:11:54 AM
Last week we were in the twenties today the 0 has fallen off and we only have 2c and SNOW. All my lovely plants are flattened.

Well, one good thing I got to use my new snow shovel. Hope it melts soon.

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: angie on April 03, 2012, 10:33:20 AM
Not going outside today, but here is a view from my kitchen window. Poor birds one day they are sunbathing the next they are needing a wooly jumper.

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Panu on April 03, 2012, 02:06:31 PM
Still -15oC at nights, 50 cm of snow and nothing has flowered yet :) At least the days are sunny, but freeze drying for evergreens.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Mallotum on April 03, 2012, 02:06:42 PM
Dry and turning cooler for us, rain expected over night, and wintery showers tomorrow brrrr
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Ulla Hansson on April 03, 2012, 03:29:37 PM
I have not had any snow today, but the last few nights have been very cold.
 Last Night -10.9 °. There are many plants that have been frost damaged.
 Just got home from Peter Korn, he had -12 ° last night, although there was a lot of frost damage.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: David Nicholson on April 03, 2012, 06:58:24 PM
Only eight rain days here in March, one fewer than in March 2011. Out in the garden all day today, cloudy mainly with brief sunny periods but dry all day. Started to rain and turned much colder around 5.30PM.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Roma on April 03, 2012, 08:09:33 PM
This morning.
Most of the snow has now melted but we had more this time than any snowfall in the winter.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Neil on April 03, 2012, 08:11:07 PM
Only eight rain days here in March, one fewer than in March 2011. Out in the garden all day today, cloudy mainly with brief sunny periods but dry all day. Started to rain and turned much colder around 5.30PM.

Eight days, I wish we had that much nothing since the 4th March.

Today was another fine dry day, only reached 15C and they promised a cold wet day.  
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: angie on April 03, 2012, 10:32:54 PM

Today was another fine dry day, only reached 15C and they promised a cold wet day. 

Its heading down your way  ;)

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: SusanS on April 04, 2012, 08:03:28 AM

Today was another fine dry day, only reached 15C and they promised a cold wet day. 

Its heading down your way  ;)

Angie  :)

Thanks Angie  :o  ;)

I don't mind the wet but you can keep the cold!  Last week at the nursery I was wearing my sun hat and put on suncream.  This week it looks like I am back in my thermals.  ???

Susan
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: angie on April 04, 2012, 08:56:54 AM

Today was another fine dry day, only reached 15C and they promised a cold wet day. 

Its heading down your way  ;)

Angie  :)

Thanks Angie  :o  ;)

I don't mind the wet but you can keep the cold!  Last week at the nursery I was wearing my sun hat and put on suncream.  This week it looks like I am back in my thermals.  ???

Susan

Yep, Susan I was the same last week, suncream on and loving not to have a jumper on. Should have know there would be payback time for that beautiful weather. Still we are heading for the best summer ever. Maybe if we all wish this it might come true for once  ::) ;D. Hope its still nice with you. Snow is away here now. When I went down to Maggi and Ian's yesterday there was no snow, just a different day alltogether. I suppose being up a hill has many downfalls.

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on April 04, 2012, 09:05:34 AM
Here at our cabin in 1000m altitude it has been a very dry spring. Only 15mm of precipitation the two last months (February and March) and nothing so far in April either. The other week they experienced all time high temps here with record breaking +17C as maximum. Almost all the snow melted. What is left is hard and like ice as the last days (nights) has seen temps down to -14C. Although the sun shines from an almost cloudfree sky the daytemp doesn't reach 0C.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: arisaema on April 04, 2012, 09:07:41 AM
I'm pretty sure neither Maggi nor Ofcom would allow my current thoughts about the weather in print...  :-X
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on April 04, 2012, 09:16:15 AM
I'm pretty sure neither Maggi nor Ofcom would allow my current thoughts about the weather in print...  :-X
I understand you have had cold nights! I am anxious to see may garden when I am back home.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: johnw on April 04, 2012, 04:27:54 PM
Very dry here too Trond, I can't remember the last time it rained.  Usually in the latter part of March we have a week of foggy misty weather but nothing this year. On the coast we are promised 20mm of rain on Sunday, with the usual wind no doubt.

johnw
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Martin Baxendale on April 04, 2012, 06:38:38 PM
Here at our cabin in 1000m altitude

Looks like Mountain Troll territory  ;D
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Neil on April 04, 2012, 07:50:44 PM

Today was another fine dry day, only reached 15C and they promised a cold wet day. 

Its heading down your way  ;)

Angie  :)

Well it eventually rain overnight  ;D  but only 1 mm >:(  and it was another fine dry warmish day 13C.  But next week looks promising
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: angie on April 04, 2012, 08:15:34 PM

Today was another fine dry day, only reached 15C and they promised a cold wet day. 

Its heading down your way  ;)

Angie  :)

Well it eventually rain overnight  ;D  but only 1 mm >:(  and it was another fine dry warmish day 13C.  But next week looks promising

13c you are lucky it felt like 3c here today, hope it gets warmer soon. No more snow though.

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on April 04, 2012, 09:29:03 PM
Here at our cabin in 1000m altitude

Looks like Mountain Troll territory  ;D
Martin, I meet some every year  :o
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on April 04, 2012, 11:47:19 PM
Here at our cabin in 1000m altitude

Looks like Mountain Troll territory  ;D
Martin, I meet some every year  :o
Are they friendly enough to share a noggin or two?

Our forecast for the last couple of days was for rain. We have had sunshine and 25oC! 8)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: johnw on April 08, 2012, 02:05:03 PM
Now it's our turn.  7 cm. of fluffy stuff fell overnight thanks to a retrograding low pressure system east of us.  Spring? ::)

johnw
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: ronm on April 08, 2012, 02:31:08 PM
We have had an incredibly dry winter and looking like a dry spring too, although some showers today,  ;D
The water in our garden pond is usually at least three feet higher than shown here, at this time of year!!  :( :(
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: ronm on April 08, 2012, 02:32:36 PM
o
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: fredg on April 08, 2012, 05:34:04 PM
Ron,

Your pond is bigger than my garden  :o
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: ronm on April 08, 2012, 07:32:55 PM
It used to look beautiful Fred. Some delicious Water Lillies, Iris etc. but now a mud hole. Worse still the island in the middle used to protect our geese on a nightime. No water... no protection. The Fox families have gradually taken them all. Messy.  :( :( :(
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on April 09, 2012, 09:19:25 AM
So we're only seeing less than half your pond! The island is the middle is bigger than my garden - and my previous garden...........................put together! ;D
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: ronm on April 09, 2012, 09:29:14 AM
The main part of the pond is at the other end from where I took the photos.
The island is somewhat over run which is great for the birds. Along with the common species we have a 'family' of Long Tailed Tits, Aegithalos caudatus, ( 30 + ) which are constantly on the island.
I suppose the newts will give laying a miss this year :(
I hope we can post some pics of it full up in the future.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: David Nicholson on April 09, 2012, 11:44:40 AM
Good old fashioned British Bank Holiday weather here today. Chucking it down and a gale blowing. Plans to have a quiet day in the garden come to nought again!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: TC on April 09, 2012, 06:05:49 PM
Cheer up David.  In the North we are going to be colder by the weekend with the possibility of snow down to sea level.  Oh joy!!!!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on April 09, 2012, 06:44:24 PM
What a start to 9 days off work - lashing .... dry ..... lashing .... bit of sun ... lashing
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: David Nicholson on April 09, 2012, 07:09:33 PM
Good old fashioned British Bank Holiday weather here today. Chucking it down and a gale blowing. Plans to have a quiet day in the garden come to nought again!

..... as it still is now, not stopped all day.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Paul T on April 10, 2012, 12:55:18 AM
What a start to 9 days off work - lashing .... dry ..... lashing .... bit of sun ... lashing

Mark,

Isn't it always the way.  :o
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Maren on April 10, 2012, 08:15:13 AM
Back to work. The sun is shining. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Casalima on April 10, 2012, 08:51:34 AM
Serious rain here this morning!  ;D ;D Though we need a truly wet April to make up for the lack of rain over the winter :(
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: angie on April 10, 2012, 10:48:06 AM
Cheer up David.  In the North we are going to be colder by the weekend with the possibility of snow down to sea level.  Oh joy!!!!

Well, thats cheered me up. Its always the same here when the kids are of school the weather is miserable.
I have so much things I want to get done in the garden, so fed up. Off to eat one of my easter eggs.

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on April 10, 2012, 10:57:38 AM
Serious rain here this morning!  ;D ;D Though we need a truly wet April to make up for the lack of rain over the winter :(
Serious rain every day here! We need at least a week to get the lawns dry enough to walk on. Now it's like bogs everywhere.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on April 10, 2012, 11:20:49 AM
Saw on the forecast this morning Scotland is due to get snow again
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: angie on April 10, 2012, 01:03:32 PM
Saw on the forecast this morning Scotland is due to get snow again

Every year my Paeonia molly the witch or should I say P. mlokosewitschii gets either covered in snow or hail just when the flowers are ready to open. So we are sure to get snow soon.

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Casalima on April 10, 2012, 11:36:22 PM
Serious rain here this morning!  ;D ;D Though we need a truly wet April to make up for the lack of rain over the winter :(
Serious rain every day here! We need at least a week to get the lawns dry enough to walk on. Now it's like bogs everywhere.
According to wikipedia (so open to correction), the average rainfall in Stavenger (as close as I could find to you) is 1,180 mm/year while near me it's nearly 1,500 mm/year - this is normally a very rainy part of the world. 11 years ago it rained 2,500 mm from one summer to the next!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: chasw on April 12, 2012, 12:21:26 PM
Doing the Hokey Kokey here at the moment with the April showers .......................................hailstones as well
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on April 12, 2012, 01:28:57 PM
That's what April's all about. 8)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on April 12, 2012, 02:07:40 PM
Serious rain here this morning!  ;D ;D Though we need a truly wet April to make up for the lack of rain over the winter :(
Serious rain every day here! We need at least a week to get the lawns dry enough to walk on. Now it's like bogs everywhere.
According to wikipedia (so open to correction), the average rainfall in Stavenger (as close as I could find to you) is 1,180 mm/year while near me it's nearly 1,500 mm/year - this is normally a very rainy part of the world. 11 years ago it rained 2,500 mm from one summer to the next!

1,500mm/year is some water! But you have higher temperatures and higher evaporation  ;) However farther north of me is the place that officially receive most precipitation: Brekke i Sogn with 3575mm/year.

My weather looks more like this, but it is not that low temperatures (we have had no frost in March, and little before Xmas) as this is inland from me:

(http://www.yr.no/stasjon/eklima/46930/graf/aar.nob.png)

Today like yesterday, started with rain, then some sun and probably rain again later in the evening.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Magnar on April 12, 2012, 07:15:39 PM
April in North Norway has been cold, north wind and a little snow or sleet almost every day. No fun at all  >:(
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: cohan on April 13, 2012, 08:56:36 AM
Up and down weather here- typical enough for spring! Still large mounds of snow around the yard to melt, in spite of many warm days and major melting already! But several recent snowfalls and its snowing again now- like Trond, I wouldn't mind drying out a little before the next one  ;D though the moisture will be good for wildflowers and mosquitoes  ::)

Here's the drive home from work today, just started snowing a while before that, still coming down now at almost 2 am- supposed to be on and off through saturday, maybe some rain mixed in...

https://picasaweb.google.com/111492944361897930115/April122012SpringDriveHome
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Neil on April 13, 2012, 08:20:10 PM
We did have rain this week 32mm in total :) and more due next week ;D

A usefully site for you weather history http://www.accuweather.com/en/gb/peacehaven/bn10-8/april-weather/43174_pc?monyr=4/1/2012&view=table

Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Mallotum on April 18, 2012, 03:12:08 PM
Very wet and chilly the last few days.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Neil on April 18, 2012, 07:22:32 PM
OK when is it going to be nice again fed up with all this rain and wind!!!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: David Nicholson on April 18, 2012, 07:28:23 PM
Seconded, and I'm used to it!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: ashley on April 18, 2012, 09:28:39 PM
I thought you all wanted rain :-\ ;D
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Maren on April 18, 2012, 10:06:28 PM
We do want rain, lots of it, between midnight and sunrise. ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: ashley on April 18, 2012, 10:12:50 PM
Well it's either you or us Maren ;) ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: chasw on April 19, 2012, 06:54:58 AM
Anhd since they posted a hose pipe ban in our area,we've had nothing but rain,and may it continue :D
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on April 19, 2012, 07:49:27 AM
A bit like the appointment a Minister for Drought in 1976! ;D
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Philippe on April 28, 2012, 05:03:49 PM
New heat records are observed above NE France, south and east germany! The absolute maximum temperature showed an unbelievable peak up to 32.9°c this afternoon over a locality of south germany, and München , with about 32.3°C broke its old april record from 1927, and, on the same occasion, also broke the absolute heat record from month may. Yes we're still in april though...
Such an insane level will fortunately not last very long, and temperatures should turn back to more normality in the next 4/5 days.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Brian Ellis on April 28, 2012, 05:45:33 PM
I'm pleased to see all this rain that has arrived since we were officially in drought conditions, what I don't like is the cold :(
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: chasw on April 28, 2012, 07:07:43 PM
Yes ,very bitter here this afternoon Brian,we have a strong easterly breeze,Jan has lit a fire so we should warm up soon
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on April 28, 2012, 09:10:29 PM
New heat records are observed above NE France, south and east germany! The absolute maximum temperature showed an unbelievable peak up to 32.9°c this afternoon over a locality of south germany, and München , with about 32.3°C broke its old april record from 1927, and, on the same occasion, also broke the absolute heat record from month may. Yes we're still in april though...
Such an insane level will fortunately not last very long, and temperatures should turn back to more normality in the next 4/5 days.

Could you please send me some of that heat? Here we have the same cool days and cold nights (no frost however) so the plants haven't devoloped much the last month!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on April 28, 2012, 09:16:52 PM
Something strange happens here- I got two replies for one and when I try to modify (remove) the last one I get the message it doesn't exists!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: David Nicholson on April 30, 2012, 07:11:50 PM
According to Maureen's diary we had 23 rain days in April-seems ages since I was able to get out in the garden for more than a couple of minutes at a time.

Was speaking to my brother today who was telling me that his wife's sister who lives near Munich has being having record temperature highs for April. It's a funny old world.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on April 30, 2012, 07:17:40 PM
After several very cold days around 9C and a frost yesterday morning we have a lovely day here. The maximum today was 18C
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: angie on April 30, 2012, 07:31:03 PM
Tommorow is meant to be dry here  :D :D :D :D :D I will believe it when I see it.

Hans J was saying that they had 30c I am so jealous. The west coast of Scotland is getting nice weather tomorrow.

Mark enjoy that nice weather.

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Casalima on April 30, 2012, 08:18:32 PM
Heavy showers (much appreciated, though we are out of practice ...), max. 12ºC, min. 4ºC. Not much fun, but at least the beer is cheaper down here  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on April 30, 2012, 08:19:58 PM
I did Angie - shorts flip flops and t-shirt
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on April 30, 2012, 09:22:22 PM
Had to wear a fleece and beanie on Heidi's Tuesday walk at 6.45 a.m. today. It'll be long trousers, socks and shoes next! :(
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Maggi Young on April 30, 2012, 09:57:30 PM
Something strange happens here- I got two replies for one and when I try to modify (remove) the last one I get the message it doesn't exists!
Somehow you had posted the same message twice Trond, and I removed the second one for you.  :)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 02, 2012, 10:12:48 PM
Ground frost this morning! Last Wednesday James was getting a tan on Maraetai Beach and swimming in the sea. Today it is frosty but really sunny and clear!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 05, 2012, 10:49:27 PM
Was going to say "Don't believe you" until I saw your pictures Anthony. I didn't realize Auckland had a frost like that. We've had only -1 so far and only on 1 day, if I believe the thermometer. Still eating our outdoor tomatoes and none of the more tender bulbs has been touched. Central Otago and the southern lakes have been harder hit though.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 06, 2012, 01:53:04 AM
Tom Jones weather, apparently. ::)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Paul T on May 06, 2012, 02:56:28 AM
So it's not unusual then, Anthony?
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 06, 2012, 04:22:38 AM
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on May 06, 2012, 12:20:10 PM
I woke up to a layer of hail after a hailstorm last night!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on May 06, 2012, 06:23:33 PM
We had a frost on Thursday morning but on cars only. By 1pm the temperature was 18C and I had to drive 3 hours south and south west without air conditioning. In the car it was so hot. Saturday at 8am it was only 1C rising to 15. Today its been hovering around  13. We havent had rain for a long time.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: David Nicholson on May 07, 2012, 07:24:49 PM
Too much rain here. It's been weeks since I was able to do anything meaningful in the garden. Managed to get some of my dormant bulbs out of the greenhouse today and into covered shelving outside between regular, and very heavy, showers.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Maggi Young on May 07, 2012, 07:33:03 PM
We had a nice sunny morning. Danish visitors were expected in the afternoon.... as if by magic, as they arrived,  it began to rain. Luckily it was not much, though it was colder than we would have liked and they were able to enjoy the garden without too much threat of hypothermia.

The garden is lush with growth, but there is nothing like the depth of colour that we expect at this time of year.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: admin on May 07, 2012, 08:00:51 PM
This has been the coldest spring I can remember. We had snow again this week.

Growers depend on spring sales to provide most of their annual income. I'm very glad I no longer run a nursery.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: angie on May 07, 2012, 09:41:11 PM
Like Maggi said it was nice in the morning here but in the afternoon the fleece went back on. Its raining now. Oh when will we get a whole day that I don't have to wear a fleece. It was cosy in my polytunnel though, fish swimming happily in warm water, I feel like turning up the heater a couple of more degrees and jumping in with them  :o ;D

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on May 07, 2012, 10:24:20 PM
Rain fell here for most of the morning. THis evening around 9.30pm huge black clouds were rolling in from the north west
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Casalima on May 07, 2012, 11:30:19 PM
I'm even wearing a fleece here! And socks - don't think I wore socks all March! If I had heating, I would almost put it on - it was actually 17/18ºC out today - but rain makes it feel colder.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: David Nicholson on May 10, 2012, 03:22:39 PM
Pig of a day here today.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on May 10, 2012, 05:04:03 PM
I'm even wearing a fleece here! And socks - don't think I wore socks all March! If I had heating, I would almost put it on - it was actually 17/18ºC out today - but rain makes it feel colder.

17/18oC??

I'm lucky if I get that during the summer 8)

Here it barely reach 8 and has done so for weeks. We had our summer in March I think :(
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Casalima on May 10, 2012, 05:17:18 PM
27ºC, hazy and very windy today - strange! But still only 14ºC in my flat, so northerners used to central heating would probably find it rather cold :)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on May 12, 2012, 02:03:39 PM
27ºC, hazy and very windy today - strange! But still only 14ºC in my flat, so northerners used to central heating would probably find it rather cold :)

It's quite opposite! I would find 27ºC too hot!

Still the temperature is well below 10ºC and last night and today we have had a fullblown gale. The rhododendrons have lost many flowers and quite a few perennials are flattened, broken or completely damaged. The windy weather is more like late fall or winter and we had the same temperatures in January :-\
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Casalima on May 12, 2012, 03:26:29 PM
It's quite opposite! I would find 27ºC too hot!

Still the temperature is well below 10ºC and last night and today we have had a fullblown gale. The rhododendrons have lost many flowers and quite a few perennials are flattened, broken or completely damaged. The windy weather is more like late fall or winter and we had the same temperatures in January :-\
I meant the indoor temperature - memories of northern Europeans shivering here in unheated houses ... Today the temperature outdoors is 33ºC and the indoor temperature is up to a heady 16ºC!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Neil on May 12, 2012, 04:17:31 PM
Blue Sky :o
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: David Nicholson on May 12, 2012, 05:10:22 PM
..... and here too, but tomorrow.........?
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: ronm on May 12, 2012, 05:21:04 PM
Good point David, at the moment who knows,  ??? ??? ??

I have found the new Met office site very good though. I like the fact that the location can be changed so you really do see your local satellite images. This at least allows you to make your own mind up based on the most up to date info. :-\ :-\

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ (http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on May 12, 2012, 07:29:52 PM
I meant the indoor temperature - memories of northern Europeans shivering here in unheated houses ... Today the temperature outdoors is 33ºC and the indoor temperature is up to a heady 16ºC!

Oh yeah, I did understand that! But I'm more used to lower indoor temps than higher outdoors temp ;D although I prefere about 20ºC ;)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Neil on May 12, 2012, 08:20:44 PM
Good point David, at the moment who knows,  ??? ??? ??

I have found the new Met office site very good though. I like the fact that the location can be changed so you really do see your local satellite images. This at least allows you to make your own mind up based on the most up to date info. :-\ :-\

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ (http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/)


I use this site much more info

http://www.accuweather.com/en/gb/peacehaven/bn10-8/weather-forecast/327916 (http://www.accuweather.com/en/gb/peacehaven/bn10-8/weather-forecast/327916)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 13, 2012, 09:25:38 AM
I'm happy that my weather forecast is more complicated than it used to be, which was: if you can see the hills it's going to rain; if you can't see the hills it's already raining.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Neil on May 13, 2012, 09:41:34 AM
More blue Sky where's the factor 30?
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 13, 2012, 12:02:10 PM
Never used anything more than factor 15, which you can't buy labelled as 'sunscreen' here? :-\
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Maggi Young on May 13, 2012, 02:15:11 PM
Anthony, I'd think for you Brits in NZ factor 50 might be a good idea.... especially for the good looking redheads in the family..... that's red haired persons, for the avoidance of doubt!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: David Nicholson on May 13, 2012, 07:17:14 PM
Blue sky all day but a strong breeze with a bit of a nip in it. 16C this afternoon. Rain due overnight and tomorrow.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 13, 2012, 10:06:32 PM
Anthony, I'd think for you Brits in NZ factor 50 might be a good idea.... especially for the good looking redheads in the family..... that's red haired persons, for the avoidance of doubt!
"Nivea for Men" (factor 15) does for me. Vivienne uses factor 15 self tanning stuff. Kids use factor 15 (30 now, as we can't get 15) just go brown. The problems come about from paranoia about exposure to sun. It's lack of it, rather than the opposite, that causes the problems. People who spend their lives outside don't have skin problems as they build up protection. It's the people whose only time in the sun is a brief baking on a beach far far away for a fortnight of pain and after sun. Clearly, you have to be sensible, as unmoisturised skin ages quickly.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 13, 2012, 11:35:09 PM
Oh when will we get a whole day that I don't have to wear a fleece. I
Angie  :)

Imagine what it's like having to listen to 5 million sheep ask that very question? ???
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 13, 2012, 11:37:54 PM
I'm happy that my weather forecast is more complicated than it used to be, which was: if you can see the hills it's going to rain; if you can't see the hills it's already raining.

That's the Invercargill forecast. "If you can see Stewart Island....."
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 14, 2012, 12:06:16 AM
Health people are now saying we cover up from the sun too much and are lacking Vitamin D ::)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: cohan on May 14, 2012, 02:41:47 AM
Sounds like many of you've had up and down weather like us- though ours has really been nothing much outside our normal variations- March was warmer than April, and April was wetter than usual.. May has had snow, rain, and days over 20C-- yesterday morning was -5C, today probably 25C and sunny, and thurs/fri are forecast for 7/8 and rain.. tomorrow we head into the mountains for the day, should be warm at moderate elevations, not sure how high we will go!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 14, 2012, 05:48:51 AM
My goodness. Some fluctuations there! :o
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: cohan on May 14, 2012, 07:11:29 AM
Fluctuations indeed! Foothills weather, even though the actual foothills are about an hours drive..lol
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 14, 2012, 09:14:31 PM
I seem to remember the weather forecasts: "rain in the west" and suddenly Dunblane is in the west; "rain in the east" and now Dunblane is in the east! ::)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Roma on May 14, 2012, 09:24:22 PM
It was very windy here last night.  I have a few broken stems on my meconopsis and look at my poor double Trillium grandiflorum :'(  It badly needs repotting or planting out.  I think now is the time to be splitting it?  I must check up in Ian's Bulblog.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on May 14, 2012, 09:45:05 PM
It was very windy here last night.  I have a few broken stems on my meconopsis and look at my poor double Trillium grandiflorum :'(  It badly needs repotting or planting out.  I think now is the time to be splitting it?  I must check up in Ian's Bulblog.

Could have been here! Lot of plants damaged by two storms (gale force) in three days. Farther north they even had hurricane. Lot of snow in the mountains, railway closed, cars blown off the road.

April and May (so far) colder than March!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: cohan on May 15, 2012, 02:37:23 AM
Anthony- sounds like a lot of rain one way or another!

Trond and Roma- hope the winds pass without too much damage! Cars don't blow off the road here! Down south where there are fewer/no trees to slow the wind is different....
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Neil on May 22, 2012, 08:43:50 PM
25C  ;D  but maybe not the right day to assemble the plunge bed and fill it!  38C inside there. 
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on May 22, 2012, 09:46:34 PM
Today was the warmer days for two years, 26oC!! Now it is 10.45PM local time and it is still 18oC  ;)
It is almost too hot . . . . .
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on May 22, 2012, 11:30:36 PM
It's been brilliant here also. Yesterday at 8.30am it was already 22C by 6pm it had fallen to 17C. This evening at 8pm it was 19C.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: angie on May 23, 2012, 11:35:04 PM
Today was the warmer days for two years, 26oC!! Now it is 10.45PM local time and it is still 18oC  ;)
It is almost too hot . . . . .

Enjoy, its just nice to have some warmth at long last.
I was out watering all the shrubs that I had to relocate, it was so lovely out there. The owl was keeping me company and the deer were barking, it was so nice I didn't want to come in. Hope this nice weather last for a while.

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: David Nicholson on May 24, 2012, 07:55:50 PM
Having been away for most of the past week I put shade paint on my greenhouse today. This normally means it'll rain solidly for the whole of the next thirty days ::)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Neil on May 24, 2012, 10:50:38 PM
David how could you, mind you we still need the rain here.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: angie on May 24, 2012, 10:58:00 PM
Having been away for most of the past week I put shade paint on my greenhouse today. This normally means it'll rain solidly for the whole of the next thirty days ::)

David get out there and wash it off  ;D, I don't want anymore rain. I am enjoying this nice weather, getting lots of gardening jobs done.
David my Lewisa snowstorm that I got from you was really nice, it had three flowering stalks, thanks  :)

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on May 24, 2012, 11:53:14 PM
soo hot here today.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 25, 2012, 11:29:22 AM
My greenhouse was positioned north - south (I believe this is the way for alpine houses) so I never put shading on the glass.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Michael J Campbell on May 25, 2012, 01:43:58 PM
 26 oC here today and we have had no rain for three weeks, ???
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: shelagh on May 25, 2012, 03:01:41 PM
Can I change my username to GUNGA DIN?
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 26, 2012, 05:47:07 AM
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on May 27, 2012, 08:27:43 PM
Sadly our heat wave is to break on Tuesday night. I've enjoyed it but the plants havent
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: David Nicholson on June 05, 2012, 12:01:06 PM
Is it still Spring. Typical Bank Holiday weather here today (not that Bank Holidays are any different to any other day when you're retired :P) chucking it down. Just been down to the village to get a paper (no deliveries on BH's!) and got soaked. My usual car park was out of use, being used for a Jubilee party with kiddies rides, stalls etc but not a sole there apart from some very soggy ride operators. Very sad for the organisers who must have put a lot of effort in. Still, that's the UK!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on June 05, 2012, 12:54:10 PM
Horizontal rain here, as in Oz, when I watched Scotland beat Australia at rugby. ;D
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: David Nicholson on June 05, 2012, 01:25:19 PM
How did that happen, didn't Australia turn up ;D
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Maggi Young on June 05, 2012, 01:46:27 PM
How did that happen, didn't Australia turn up ;D
A reasonable enough supposition, David... the Aussies might have been relying on SatNav to find their way to the stadium....

but no, I understand that the Scots triumphed in atrocious weather.... something we are well used to, but with  which the Southerners seem not to cope!!  :D ;D


 It appears to be giving the Welsh confidence...... http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/06/05/scotland-show-wales-how-to-beat-australia-with-dramatic-triumph-91466-31116653/ (http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/06/05/scotland-show-wales-how-to-beat-australia-with-dramatic-triumph-91466-31116653/)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on June 06, 2012, 08:46:55 AM
Scottish defence was superb. 8) We've got tickets for ABs vs Ireland on Saturday.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on June 06, 2012, 10:20:42 AM
After a long weekend of wall to wall sunshine we have had two dull days, so I missed today's transit of Venus. :( If you missed it that's it, as you won't see the next one either. ;)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Maggi Young on June 06, 2012, 10:48:39 AM
I set my alarm clock  to wake me at  04.15 for fear of missing the spectacle ..... but the sky was uniformly clouded.... so no sight of the transit of Venus here, either. 

Ian had predicted zero visibility, telling me to rouse him if there was anything to see !
I don't think he even moved a muscle when the alarm went off - how I envy him his ability to sleep. :-X
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: maggiepie on June 06, 2012, 12:30:58 PM
Third day of single digit highs here.
Currently 8C heading for high of 9 if we get lucky.
Have not seen the sun for 4 days.
Whinge, whine, moan.

Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: angie on June 06, 2012, 07:24:35 PM
Are we having a dry spell in Scotland, was over in the west coast yesterday and coming home we noticed how low the river bed was  :o  ::)

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: cohan on June 06, 2012, 09:21:56 PM
Chilly and wet here- but no complaints- we are not past the point where the rain is beneficial overall, not as cold as Maggie in NB (highs 10-19C this week, lows 3-9C), no tornadoes as there were farther south in Alberta last night, nor winds as bad as in Calgary, nor the 100mm of rain possible in the foothills....
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: David Nicholson on June 07, 2012, 10:39:32 AM
As we batten down the hatches to face a 70mph gale later today the barometer in the hall is as low as I've ever seen it and still falling. Had breakfast with the light on to read the paper and dipped beam on the car to run Maureen to the hairdressers. Heavy squally showers at the moment and I've just closed the roof vents down in the greenhouse. This is the fifth rainy day in June so far. Did someone once say "Oh to be in England now that Spring is here"? I did warn you all of this a few days ago when I put shade paint on the greenhouse!

We fly off to Madeira for a week on Monday and it's not a brilliant forecast ther either. Am I a rain God or something?
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: angie on June 07, 2012, 10:50:32 AM
David hope there won't be any damage with you. I hate having high wind speeds at anytime and we are so used to it up here but at this time of year it just ruins the garden. It rained all day here yesterday and more rain forecasted today and tomorrow, any room for me in your suitcase.
Enjoy your holiday, whatever weather you will have will be 100% better than we are having now.
I did say wash of your shading  ::)  ;)

Here is another picture of the low water taken on Tuesday, I presume the lowered the water levels in the loch for some reason  ;).
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on June 07, 2012, 11:01:56 AM
I saw the weather in action yesterday and remembered my geography lesson. I was out looking for bats when I saw rain clouds coming. I was on the north west side of mountains. I called off the survey and headed home over the mountain. On the other side of the mountain it was dry - the rain shadow.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Peter Maguire on June 07, 2012, 01:03:15 PM
It has been dry over in the north-west Angie, I was there at the beginning of the month and the weather was glorious  ;D
Also some of those lochs are used for hydroelectric schemes. I gather that they release water to generate power when demand in high, and sometimes pump it back up to a higher loch during the night when there is power to spare.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: chasw on June 11, 2012, 12:18:38 PM
Beautiful weather here today...if you are a duck ;D
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: angie on June 12, 2012, 10:11:41 AM
It has been dry over in the north-west Angie, I was there at the beginning of the month and the weather was glorious  ;D
Also some of those lochs are used for hydroelectric schemes. I gather that they release water to generate power when demand in high, and sometimes pump it back up to a higher loch during the night when there is power to spare.

Peter I wandered why they would have dropped the level that much, further up the loch there was hardly any water and the ground was turning green. 
Fed up of this weather now. I WANT SOME SUN  ;D

Angie :)

Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: ronm on June 13, 2012, 08:09:10 PM
I hope no one minds me posting this link, and sending our thoughts to the people of Taiwan, so adversely affected by very heavy rain, :o

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2012/06/13/344199/Torrential-rain.htm (http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2012/06/13/344199/Torrential-rain.htm)

That's approx. 1M ( 3 feet ) of rain in 2 1/2 days.
I used to drive this road often so feel this personally,[attachimg=1]

Our thoughts are with you all.

Thanks SRGC for the opportunity to highlight this situation. 8)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Maggi Young on June 13, 2012, 08:12:23 PM
Ironic that this deluge is afflicting Taiwan just as several areas of the USA, most notably Colorado, are suffering horrible bush fires.
The world is a frightening place. 
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: cohan on June 14, 2012, 06:54:28 AM
Yes, it doesn't seem we can get the weather/precipitation evenly distributed does it? We've been rather soggy, though not really problematically so- apart from those foolish farmers who try to plant crops in the low spots in fields best left to native vegetation!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on June 16, 2012, 10:46:54 AM
This explains it!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Neil on June 16, 2012, 12:50:02 PM
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Hoy on June 16, 2012, 01:33:48 PM
While waiting for better weather you can join on this 1 1/2 hours drive in western Norway filmed last week. Parts of the road opened last week after being closed in winter. It is still snow in the mountains! The more than 100km drive takes you from mountains to fjords. The best part however is the last 15 minutes ;)


http://nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/more_og_romsdal/1.8202512 (http://nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/more_og_romsdal/1.8202512)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Peter Maguire on June 16, 2012, 03:38:45 PM
Nice one Anthony,
Is this something else we can blame on Microsoft?  8)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Neil on June 16, 2012, 05:49:57 PM
While waiting for better weather you can join on this 1 1/2 hours drive in western Norway filmed last week. Parts of the road opened last week after being closed in winter. It is still snow in the mountains! The more than 100km drive takes you from mountains to fjords. The best part however is the last 15 minutes ;)


Oh for a motorbike,or open top sports car ;)  Last 15 mins are spectacular.  Thanks for sharing
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Diane Clement on June 28, 2012, 12:59:03 PM
Just had torrential rain here 25mm fell in 15 minutes.  The drains can't take it and some roads are flooded to more than 50cm in places and manhole covers in the road were lifted on fountains of water.  I've got to go out again now, wish me luck  ::)   
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Maggi Young on June 28, 2012, 01:00:12 PM
Just had torrential rain here 25mm fell in 15 minutes.  The drains can't take it and some roads are flooded to more than 50cm in places and manhole covers in the road were lifted on fountains of water.  I've got to go out again now, wish me luck  ::)   
Crikey!  Now I really wish I had bought you that snorkel for Christmas.......
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Diane Clement on June 28, 2012, 01:23:10 PM
Crikey!  Now I really wish I had bought you that snorkel for Christmas....... 

At the moment, what I really need is an ark
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Maggi Young on June 28, 2012, 01:26:58 PM
Seems odd, but your wish is my command........
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: mark smyth on June 28, 2012, 03:16:42 PM
the rain here last night was the worst I have ever seen. We had 40+mm in an hour. I was driving when it arrived after being out to twitch two birds. The rain was coming down so hard the spray made driving difficult. It was dark at 9pm!! :o Fllods on every road. East Belfast was hit very bad.

This all came after a brilliant day yesterday. The temp was 25.5c
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: David Nicholson on June 28, 2012, 06:55:18 PM
Dry all day here (so far) but always looked as if it was going to rain. Managed to get all my Cyclamen re-potted.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Roma on June 28, 2012, 08:43:37 PM
Is it Spring, Summer or Autumn here?  Polyanthus Garnet Cowichans and Gold laced are putting up new flower spikes but a Cyclamen hederifolium in the greenhouse has started flowering and there are flower buds on a couple of acis autumnalis.  The plants are as confused as we are.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: jomowi on June 28, 2012, 09:06:10 PM
How lucky can you be? Yesterday I went walking with the Ramblers in E. Lothian.  The forecast was for heavy rain and very few turned up because of it.  Result? No rain, not a breath of wind, pleasant temp. and the sun even came out for a while.  Added to which the walk from Aberlady Bay to Gullane had stunning views and the wildflowers were superb.  The only rain was on the way home and it had been raining most of the day in Linlithgow.

Today, with an equally bad forecast for heavy rain (warnings on the motorway electronic boards for same), I went to Cupar in Fife to visit a Club member.  Admittedly a foggy journey, but the only rain was a  shower when going round her garden.  Most years she complains about the lack of rain - this year it is the opposite, but she finds some things are flourishing as never before because of the wet conditions.  On returning to L. I found again that it had been raining here most of the day. 
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: angie on June 28, 2012, 10:36:16 PM
Lucky you Maureen, today its been foggy here and we have had some showers, nothing like I was expecting, maybe its still to come.
Hubbies golf was cancelled and he hasn't stopped moaning all night, its mild and dry out there tonight. Last Thursday when he came back I could have rung him out, so much for his expensive galvin green waterproofs, Can you imagine anything more daft than walking around in torrential rain hitting a small white ball  ::) :-X
No pictures of your nice walk.

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Peter Maguire on June 28, 2012, 11:51:43 PM
Well, the rain Diane was experiencing at midday arrived in Newcastle in time for the rush hour. My 20 minute journey home from work eventually took 2 hours 25 minutes due to the flooding and subsequent traffic congestion - the sun was shining by the time I reached home.
The astonishing thing was the degree of flooding in every little hollow in the road - on top of a hill!! - the drain covers were being lifted up here also.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: annew on June 29, 2012, 09:51:03 PM
My son lives in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and the motorcycle factory where he works was hit by enormous hailstones. Afterwards all the cars in the car park were severely damaged. Don't like to think about peoples' greenhouses.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on June 30, 2012, 07:34:00 AM
Wow! :o I hope you rushed inside and made yourself a gin and tonic. Those shouldn't go to waste! ;D
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: jomowi on June 30, 2012, 12:49:20 PM

No pictures of your nice walk.

Angie  :)

No, Angie, - I don't take the camera on walks.  If you stop you get left behind.  It is very frustrating - the Ramblers are very single minded i.e. getting from A to B, - they seem completely oblivious to what is around them.  Echium vulgare, for instance, was at its peak, plentiful and looking stunning, but it was not until near the end of the walk that a particularly large stand of it stopped them in their tracks and they stood puzzling as to what it could be until I caught up with them and put them right. (I stayed with Viper's bugloss as far as they were concerned!) Plenty of Dactylorhiza purpurella too, although mostly past its best.  Again, not a single comment on this or any other flora. I did enlighten them about the Northern Marsh orchid, but "orchid" alone would have done as far as they were concerned.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: David Nicholson on June 30, 2012, 07:45:49 PM
So, farewell June and Spring, you'll not be missed. 24 rain days in June here.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on July 01, 2012, 03:25:32 AM
I hope you're praying to St Swithin. ;D
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: David Nicholson on July 01, 2012, 09:42:48 AM
I think he lives next door!
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: angie on July 01, 2012, 02:01:28 PM
So, farewell June and Spring, you'll not be missed. 24 rain days in June here.

1st of July, started lovely this morning but now we have rain. I tell you if I get a month like June I am moving. Can anyone give me a home in a warm sunny place  ;D

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: arilnut on July 01, 2012, 04:39:16 PM
Move to Kansas Angie. No rain for 2 weeks, bright sun, and 100F.

John B

1st of July, started lovely this morning but now we have rain. I tell you if I get a month like June I am moving. Can anyone give me a home in a warm sunny place  ;D

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Neil on July 01, 2012, 04:41:04 PM
June 146mm of rain more than the whole of December to March put together.   Just wish the wind would die down everything is being scorched by the salt and there is no rain to wash it off.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Peter Maguire on July 01, 2012, 07:18:07 PM
The forum's a warm, sunny place Angie, and just think of what you'll save in removal costs, etc. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: angie on July 01, 2012, 08:52:16 PM
The forum's a warm, sunny place Angie, and just think of what you'll save in removal costs, etc. ;D ;D ;D

Yes Peter the forum is a warm and sunny place and its the folks that make it that way. It helps pass the time when its rainy  ;D

Move to Kansas Angie. No rain for 2 weeks, bright sun, and 100F.

John B


My friend lives in Owasso , not far from Tulsa, US and she was saying that they have been having it really warm, today was  39c  with her, now thats to warm for me. I only want 25c no wind and blue skies, don't want it to warm I would have to get rid of my insulation and thats not an easy task  ::) :-X

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on July 02, 2012, 05:35:20 AM
Be like the Queen Angie: stayed in, reigned all day.
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: angie on July 02, 2012, 11:22:28 AM
Be like the Queen Angie: stayed in, reigned all day.

 ;D ;D ;D ;D

Grey and miserable here again today. Anthony I bet you have blue skies.

Angie
Title: Re: Spring weather 2012
Post by: Anthony Darby on July 03, 2012, 04:24:15 AM
Nope, 50 shades of grey with torrential rain here. Perishing cold. I'd be surprised if it was much more than 12oC! :-\
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