Long Range Weather Forecast

[JennieAtkinson]

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.

[fruit&vegvirgin]

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!!

[sewer rat]

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

[Lesley Jay]

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.)

[JennieAtkinson]

Been away for a few days (in Iceland of all places!), and just got back last night- eventually - to even more snow. I now have a six foot drift over my poor broccoli. Slight thaw set in today, but had to dig seven days of snow out of our (long) drive in order to get the car out- reckon it was two feet deep in places.

Polytunnel has survived well in the heavy snow, even though much snow on top, and managed to pick a lettuce tonight for tea. Leeks and chard in tunnel also look very healthy. So nice to be able to "harvest" in such bad weather.

Can't believe that in the south you are struggling with drought and water meters!

[sewer rat]

The thaw is coming !!!
The last of the current (please note that I say "current") snow should be here tomorrow then the thaw is due to set in - hope it's nice and slow as a quick thaw is a serious pain in the butt - especially for my type of work - too much water too quickly and the drains can't cope.
For the record, today was so hot, I had to discard my jacket, sweatshirt and T shirt - kept the wellies on though !
Rat

[Jaxom]

For the record, today was so hot, I had to discard my jacket, sweatshirt and T shirt - kept the wellies on though !
Rat

Rat, are you a part of the same forum as Nick TG where he is talking about being into tights? What is the world comming too?
Jax

[Lesley Jay]

The full monty Rat???

[Jaxom]

here you go folks. A whole site full of sayings

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

Nick I have only just looked at the link you provided and I have to say I love the following;
Dirty days hath September
April June and November
From January up to May
The rain it raineth every day
All the rest have thirty-one
Without a blessed gleam of sun
And if any of them had two-and-thirty
They'd be just as wet and twice as dirty.

I will have to raed the rest
Thanks.

[sewer rat]

Not sure if my digger driver would appreciate The Full Monty !
Just to ease any concerns, I was wearing jeans and bib and brace type oilskins (a la deep sea fisherman type) as well as my wellies. This is a standard summer uniform - but when you tan (or maybe up here it's not a tan but rust!) you get these white lines on your shoulders ! See, now I'm off on one as well, talking about white bits 'n'stuff - gonna have to go and lie down in a darkened room...........................
Rat

[andrewo]

Today we are mainly experiencing rain...

[Lesley Jay]

More snow is forecast for this weekend - when will it end?

[JennieAtkinson]

We haven't got rid of the last lot yet! Its been 9 degrees and raining and its still lying in places. My broccoli hasn't surfaced yet ............

[nick the grief]

Would you with all this Snow & Rain

[eskymo]

If you use the 'firefox' browser you can download an extension that gives you your local weather forecast for the next three days. It's great! and it constantly updates itself with the current weather - it's been pretty acurate so far...

link to forecastfox extension