Weather 2008

[Lvandelft]

Has anyone else in the UK noticed this phenomenon, and has anyone in Europe (not that we aren't in Europe of course!  ) noticed it?
Not this time, David. But it happens several times every year.
The windows in the house and the cars outside are full of dust then.
These days winds are more from the West.
Luit

P.s.I like your expression for an islander.   

[mark smyth]

It didnt happen here but we did discuss it last year

[Martin Baxendale]

It happened in a big way a couple of years ago I think, with plumes of hot air from the tropics carrying the Saharan dust up to us - mostly happens in Summer, but we don't seem to have Summers and Winters any more in southern England!

Apparently, the Sahara is what keep the oceans supplied with the nutrients to keep life going - each year umpteen squillion tons of dust from the Sahara is blown into the Atlantic, where the nutrients dissolve and travel around the other oceans on the currents.

[Anthony Darby]

- each year umpteen squillion tons of dust from the Sahara is blown into the Atlantic

I am reminded of a (perhaps) apocryphal quote from GW. Donald Rumsfeld is supposed to have interrupted in a meeting in the Oval Office saying that 3 Brazilian soldiers had been ambushed in Iraq. GW then asked DR to remind him how many a brazillion was.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

 

By the way David, we do get this desertsand as well out here on some occasions - mostly in Summer.

[Maggi Young]

I was contemplating having a wee moan about the worsening weather until I saw a TV report about the situation in China with all that snow and then saw lorries being blown off theroad and a man killed on the M62..... so, I now consider myself very fortunate and I have no moans to make. 

[annew]

There is a hellebore flower on the lawn this morning having been blown off its stalk overnight!

[Anthony Darby]

My garage door (leaning up agaist our house and destined for the skip) blew over for the fifth time last night!

[mark smyth]

thankfully all panes still in the glass house, never know when to use glass/green/alpine, this morning. Actually one louvre pane managed to break. The noise yesterday was terrifying. The rattles could be heard in the house through double glazing. Today is now bright sun, some snow over night and a slight breeze. A good day for photography and I'm not at work

[SueG]

Bah

Today is now bright sun, some snow over night and a slight breeze. A good day for photography and I'm not at work

here at work in Newcastle it's been snowing since midmorning and there is an icy wind blowing from all directions at once so which ever way you face the snow gets in your eyes 
the weekend forecast is not much better, still at least nothing has blown away so far!
It will get better soon I hope
Sue

[Andrew]

Just had a snow/hail storm here. Yesterday the wind and rain were so heavy that I could not see the river bank 1/2 mile away !

[John Forrest]

Just came along the promenade from Cleveleys to Blackpool and saw the ship that had run aground. Fortunately all passengers and crew were taken off by helicopter. Puts the 2 panes of glass blown out of my alpine house into sharp perspective.

[ChrisB]

Had two siskins on my peanuts today in all this weather.  We have never had them here in our garden before, tho SGill says she has seen them at her place not far from here.  Lovely little things....

[Maggi Young]

JoF and the run-aground ferry...... what was that ferry captain thinking about , going out in that weather...I think all the Scottish Ferries had cancelled long since.......

Siskins are one of  Ian's favourites birds but they are here only occasionally nowadays. In past years we would get a few pairs over long periods. Only seeing a Brambling and the Blackcaps once in a blue moon, too. Very sad. Spotted something I didn't recognise the other day and still haven't worked out what it was.... perhaps if I cleaned the windows ?........

[ChrisB]

I'd wait until its a bit warmer if I were you, Maggi....