Grow Your Own Magazine

Has anybody heard or read a long range weather forecast for spring and summer? Normally there are amateur forecasters giving their predictions for the weather in the summer but I haven't seen any. Next week they expect the temperature to drop to -6 where I live and also snow in the country in March but I want to know if we can expect a decent summer.

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There was something on the BBC a few months ago where they were talking about sea temperatures and how they affect our weather here in the UK. Based on their numbers we were due for a hard winter this year? So far they have been wrong. I suppose we will just have to sit tight and wait?
Everyone seems to be saying this summer will be mixed temperatures but dryer than a decade ago with drought problems up and down the country.
In 1976 when there was a hose pipe ban nation wide, Wales was also included in the ban even though we would have had enough water in Wales to carry on using our hoses. I know this for a fact because I used to work for Welsh Water (Hyder) before it was turned into a "not for profit" company (the only one in the UK). Now all profits are plowed back into fixing their own leaking pipelines that are the causes for 95% of all water lost each year.
Jax

Not heard anything so far about the predicted summer forcast, but I looked at the forcast for this coming friday and Yahoo says it's going to be -1 and the BBC -10!!! bit of a difference to say the least!! No doubt as we get nearer the day it will become more accurate, but it makes quite a difference to us regarding care of our plants - especially those of you with greenhouses! Who gives them their information, and how can it be so different?? Time will tell I suppose. Who do others find gives the most accurate prediction? I used to have a book with folk lore predictions, I'll have to see if I can find it

We have had a mild winter, which means we could have some wonderful blossom this spring. We have also had alot of rain, traditionally this means that we are in for a dry summer, so folk lore decrees.

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Andrewo
www.andrewoldham.co.uk

Andrewo - Mild winter?? Not where we live!!

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Looks like we are getting the snow first! From 6pm tonight - severe weather warnings for considerable amounts. Should put paid to the early daffodils and buds on the fuschia.

Some of my crofting friends here use the agricultural long range forecasts which appear to be quite good for both weekly and longer term. Will see if I can find a link.

Jennie the forecast I saw this morning was for 5-10 inches of snow. It never snows here but as the wind will be westerly we should get some during the week. Our daffodils are still not in flower - just spikey green leaves starting to show.

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We had snow today, with more forecast for the whole of this week - temperature estimates for tonight range from -2 to -8 - take your pick.
This winter has been extremely mild -and dry - up here, but I think we are about to get maybe a week or two of pretty poor weather.
We'll just have to wait and see
Rat

Anyone recall weatherlore/ folklore sayings about long range forcasts? The only one I can recall is ....March.....In like a lamb, out like a lion
In like a lion , out like a lamb.

Well tomorrow is 1st March so we shall see!!!

Woke this morning to 5 inches of snow and it has snowed more or less all day too - just what you want when it's a day when you are doing a job that more or less requires minimum amount of movement all day - lost contact with my fingers at about 10 am and my toes at about three this afternoon.
Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr - and tomorrow and Thursday are forecast to be worse than today !
Rat

here you go folks. A whole site full of sayings

http://www.coldal.org/weather.htm

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ntg

Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
A large group of professionals built the Titanic

http://grief-encounters.blogspot.com/

I think the one

'The smooth days of January will be paid for in February and March!'

Is sort of apt

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ntg

Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
A large group of professionals built the Titanic

http://grief-encounters.blogspot.com/

We started something like this back in september. here is the link Gardeners sayings and wise words Hope it helps?
Jax

Nick that site is good. They keep saying "Mackerel Skies" - What is a mackerel sky?

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its when the clouds are in stripes like on a mackerel (i think?)

A mackerel sky is when the clouds lie in stripes but look like the patterned scales on the side of a mackerel - difficult to describe - you'll know when you see it! Here it is a very good indicator of strong winds especially as we sail.

Woke to quite a bit of snow (5/6"?), but gale force winds during the day have blown up some HUGE drifts. Got one five feet tall in the garden, with a beautiful curved shape. Fell into a huge drift while walking the dog - she didn't even notice as she was in an even bigger one herself! Currently white out conditions.

How do the plants survive under the snow? I had been so excited about two tiny little sprouts of broccoli - my first Do you think they will survive? My kale had also just started to take off and had sprouted some new leaves - was really looking forward to that.

well, its official - we are the first water area in the country to be obliged to have water meters. thanks v. much Folkestone & Dover water!!

Jennie - we're the same here - boss sent us all home at 11 this morning - "can't work in these conditions" he said. Though it was bad, he's had me working in worse before now.
Your seedlings may be okay. Speaking as an ex climber who has spent more than a few nights in snow-holes, snow is actually a very good insulator, so don't give up on them yet, though you may get problems when the thaw arrives.

FVV - You have my symapathies - especially as the water down south is rotten anyway. There is a chance that as a result of this court case, more and more water authorities throughout the UK will now force water meters to be fitted to all homes. - Yet another stealth tax that will probably hit poorer families more than the rich - unless they fill their swimming pools with fresh every day !

Rat

My Uncle lives on Anglesey and they have had water meters for a few years now. It's very irritating when you want a cold drink of water because he will not let us run the water till it goes cold. (Too simple to keep a bottle in the fridge.)

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