Thursday 8 March 2012

Weather – hot, cold, drenching, drought ...



In recent years we seem to have had it all – and it is not just the northern hemisphere that has been suffering ...  in this topsy turvy world we are now no longer sure if an Arctic blast will bring freezing weather, or if we will be basking in an early and unexpected Spring ...

The jet streams (above) clearly shown over north America - we can see how they move our weather systems north and south as they rotate around the North Pole.

Australia is in the throes of floods, while New Zealand had a ‘storm bomb’ from across the Tasman Sea, Namibia has had glorious rain for the last four weeks, there were flash floods earlier in the Kruger Park of South Africa ...

3 " of snow in Libya
On this side of the world – Syria has snow in early March, Libya and the edge of the Sahara Desert had theirs earlier in the year, this week the Eurostar train got badly delayed (the one that runs under the English Channel) in northern France due to a ‘dump’ of snow – and yes, the weather did appear pretty foreboding, when I looked eastwards up the Channel.

The bitter winds have reached south as far as Mauritania and Mali in west Africa, snow has fallen in the Sahara, while many died in Algeria in this onslaught of unusual freezing conditions.

There was chaos on the Danube River – rising temperatures brought an end to the record cold snap which had left almost all of the Danube frozen from its journey through Austria to the Black Sea.  The temperature spread was minus 20 deg C (-4F) to plus 10 deg C (50 F) within a week.

Swan on the almost frozen Rhine,
Strasbourg, France
‘Ice-bergs’ turned into ice floes, these chunks of melting ice began drifting down the busy 2,860 km (1,777 mile) long waterway.  In the Serbian capital, Belgrade, the floes caused hundreds of boats to crash into each other, hammered bridges and banks, snapped the anchor lines of several barges and sank a floating restaurant.

The conditions on continental Europe – have given us a Siberian winter – huge snowfalls, freezing temperatures (where the daytime temperature never rose above zero and at night dropped to below -27 deg C (-17F)), severing ties with rescue parties and taking a terrible toll.  This is the worst February freeze that Europe has faced for decades.

Italy was deluged in snow storms, the Alps were hit by large snow falls trapping tourists, France was frozen out ... yet surprisingly the drought from last year constrained the potential flood danger by keeping river levels relatively low.  The danger of one, aids to avoid another type of catastrophe.

The Americas have suffered just as much topsy turvy weather as the rest of the world has been having ...  deluges of snow in New Hampshire,  freezing cold in Santa Fe ... then out of nowhere unusually mild weather reached New York, as warm air swept up from the Gulf of Mexico.

Crocuses colouring our world
above the snow
Freezing air came down from Canada triggering storms and tornadoes across the Mid West – where the two systems collide.  While Alaska too has suffered an unusually severe winter – Anchorage is on track for its snowiest winter on record ... with other towns in desperate straits for help and relief.

In fact drought is now our greatest threat across a large swathe of Europe after two dry winters in succession.  

We here in the UK have a weather divide too – the western diagonal half of the country (Scotland/North East England through to the west Devon/Dorset) has been fairly consistently wet – while to the east of the country – particularly here in Sussex, Kent and East Anglia (north of London) – it has been very dry.

There’s little we can do about our weather – and at the moment Nature is confused too – blossoms in London in December, a blackbird crooning gently in the dark of winter.  The jet streams high in the stratosphere have meandering paths – pulling cold air down, or drawing warm air up.

These two images show the Safsaf Oasis in the Sahara - the top one showing the Oasis on the surface of the Desert; the other one shows (using radar) the rock layer underneath, revealing black channels cut by the meanderings of an ancient river that once fed the Safsaf Oasis.


Throughout the course of time the weather has changed too – the Sahara used to have fertile valleys, with people living on the fringes of the desert, a well watered land – over 30,000 petroglyphs of river animals such as crocodiles survive, dinosaur fossils have also been found in these parts. 

Thank goodness Spring is nearly here – at least the days are longer and it is getting slightly warmer – the snowdrop drifts are out, grass lawns full of coloured crocuses, the daffodils have started throwing their trumpets, the blossoms and leaves now have a reason to burst – no waiting for them ...

Edith Holden's January plate in 1906
from her Nature Notes of an Edwardian lady
... the robins are singing – fluffing up their feathers against the chill, the tits (coal tits, blue tits and the great tits) have been darting around the hedges, blackbirds too serenading us from the dark of the morning.

Our hearts are lifting to the warmer, longer days ahead – we can do nothing about these warm, wet, dry years, or the cold, freezing, flooding ones ... nor can nature, it must just adjust and evolve – the birds, bees and plants seem to have inbuilt mechanisms to help them survive.

Last year was warm, wet and dry – the second warmest yearly average on record – at 9.62 deg C (49.3 F) – what will this year ahead hold ... we could do with some rain so those reservoirs and aquifers start to fill up and our trees and plants have a good long soaking. 

The weather men tell me I need a good six months of steady rain ... I would just rather it did not do that, I rather enjoy my English summer days.  We have a busy year ahead of us ... the Queen’s Jubilee, Wimbledon, the Olympics and Para Olympics ... not much time for rain?! 

Spring has sprung a beautiful day here for International Women's Day - my heart is lifted with the sun.

Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

70 comments:

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

It certainly is a topsy turvey world Hilary, spring flowers out, blossom on the trees yet still that nip in the air.

A most interesting post about different parts of the world. We do have a busy year this year and am looking forward to it all. When the British do something it is always done in style.

Have a lovely day.

Yvonne.

Talli Roland said...

It's a beautifully sunny day in London, too -- but cold! Very odd weather this year, you're right. Fingers crossed for that BBQ summer the Daily Mail keeps promising!

Mike Goad said...

Because of our unusually warm late winter, everything that blooms in the spring here seems to be doing it in a time span much more compressed than normal. My allergies (itching, not so much nasal) are really bad this year.

I suspect that our near future winters will be closer to what they were like in the time of Dickens.

writing and living by Richard P Hughes said...

I wish I could enjoy the positives in our climate upheaval, but it worries me more than pleases me.

MorningAJ said...

My mother always used to tell me that Mother Shipton (of Knaresborough fame) prophesied that the end of the world was coming when you couldn't tell the difference between the seasons.

Ah well.

Bob Scotney said...

It's quite obvious why the winter has been so warm this year. After threatening to do so for 10 years I finally bought a snow shovel. I've used it for all of half an hour!

Old Kitty said...

Totally crazy weather all round!! I just want to be able to have a week of settled weather so I know what to wear! LOL! One minute I've packed my boots away next I need them again! :-)

Oh but what about these solar flare attacks on the horizon!?!? Yikes!

Take care
x

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Yvonne .. it is so funny this weather - not like the old days?! Thanks so much re the post - it's good to encapsulate aspects sometimes .. I should have mentioned the Queen starts her Diamond Jubilee visits today .. I hadn't realised though! As you say - we do do things in style .. and I love the heraldic pageantry reminding us of our history through the ages.

@ Talli - I bet London is beautiful - I always used to ride on the top of the bus down Bayswater Road and just glory in the mass of crocuses in Hyde Park during the journey!

I do hope the rain doesn't rain on our parade! ... as you say BBQ weather would be great.

@ Mike - yes I can agree there - actually I'm not sure if the north isn't further ahead than we are here. Sorry about your allergies - just so pleased I don't suffer.

Certainly the weather was colder a few centuries back and in Dickens' time ... I remember my father going to work in London with pajamas under his suit - as it was so so cold on the train and at work!!

@ Richard - there's nought we can do about it - except enjoy the parts we can .. I think Nature and the Universe hold the keys and that we cannot beat ... life will go on somehow.

@ Anne - oh dear doom and gloom in this prediction .. hope then we still have a few apparent seasonal splits .. I love the seasons!

Fortunately we've passed on of her others (or invented ones by others) which reads:

"The world to an end shall come
In eighteen hundred and eighty one."

@ Bob .. oh that is funny! Typical - as you say .. I'm sure in years to come the snow shovel will have its day. At least you made use of it for half-an-hour!!

@ Old Kitty - it is totally crazy isn't it. The weekend looks as though you'll have settled weather - so you might be able to hide those boots once again - but it's cold in the mornings and evenings.

The solar flares - if they were on the horizon .. you'd be fried by now?! We are living in interesting times .. now I want to go north and see the Northern Lights, which are meant to be spectacular as a result of the solar flares ... otherwise looks as thought we'll be ok. Apparently they turn on all the distribution lines in the National Grid and that disperses the charge - should there be one ..

Great comments Yvonne, Talli, Mike, Richard, Anne, Bob and Old Kitty - thank you so much .. I love reading them - cheers Hilary

Theresa Milstein said...

I know, the weather is crazy. This has been the warmest winter I've ever experienced in my life. Last year, January was brutal and the southern states had even more snow than we did! My mother in law had flowers blooming in February. It's scary to wonder what things will be like in ten years.

Theresa Milstein said...

By the way, what an amazing swan picture.

Angela said...

Weather is crazy, huh?

Susan Scheid said...

It is worrisome, all these shifts and extremes, yet one can't help but brighten up at the first appearance of spring. You put all of that together, with such scope and at the same time such telling details, in this post.

A Lady's Life said...

Our weather in BC is also funny
I love it when it rains at night and beautiful during the day. To much dull weather is always a damper lol
I guess some rain in the Sahara is beneficial.
Great post Hilary:)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Theresa - it's not so warm here - but we've had hot days, and then it goes again. Reading the blogs - I pick up the weather .. one day I may know where all 50 States are! Certainly extraordinary weather events throughout the States .. I too wonder what our weather will be like in a few years ...

Isn't the Swan an amazing photo - that's why I had to include it .. too beautiful ... almost looks like a ballet dancer.

@ Angela - lovely seeing you here - too strange for words sometimes.

@ Susan - I agree, it is worrisome - but I don't think much has changed over time .. the weather and thus our earth is constantly on the go. Many thanks I enjoyed drafting the post .. so very glad to hear it passes muster!

Thanks Theresa, Angela and Susan .. good to see you - at least we're all in the Springing half of the world! Longer days .. it's the light that makes so much difference. Cheers Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi A Lady's Life .. I gather your weather in British Columbia has been strange. Yes, rain outside beating down while it's still dark, and then the beauty of the day - sounds good to me.

I don't think it rains much now in the Sahara - but some millennia ago it used to have rain more often ...

Glad you enjoyed it .. thanks for stopping by and commenting - cheers Hilary

Robyn Campbell said...

What a beautiful swan and a great post, Hilary.

Our winter was so warm on certain days I was actually sweating. Flowers started popping up in Feb.. I wanted a old winter to get the germs out of the air. Now there will be a lot of sickness all summer. *moan*

Happy day, Hilary! :-)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Robyn .. well I haven't had that problem yet! I go up to see my mother in the Nursing Centre and it's boiling hot up there usually, but my mother prefers it cold - so I cool off when I'm with her!

Well I thought last year we had so much snow and ice every bug would have died .. but they still came out - the gnats this year are already up and at it - getting their legs over before the birds can nab them?!

We've got some nasty virus possibly spread via midges or other biting insects that have come over on the wind from the Continent .. and are seriously affecting sheep and cattle .. very unfortunate ..

I hope we don't have a summer of discontent in any way at all - way too much happening .. I just wish the UK all the very best - oh dear I'm getting all patriotic now!

Same to you - my day has nearly ended .. cheers for now .. Hilary

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

We had an even more mild winter here than usual, with my first daffodil blooming in early January! Now, we may be paying the price again this spring with violent weather. Lots of rain, wind, and tornado warnings out the wazoo.

Unknown said...

We've had a wonderful winter here in Mexico. I'm not sure we had winter, in fact. And now, we are reaching summer temperatures. We've had drought for the last few years with barely any rain. I think they will be rationing our water soon. Yike, it's horrible all over.

Golden Eagle said...

We've had a very mild season this year. There hasn't been a major snowfall (over a couple inches) since winter in 2011.

Marja said...

Yeh the storm has lifted lots of roof on the North Island. nature is very angry lately. It is all over the place here. Good that you are moving into spring. we already have autumn That's a great period here as there is usually hardly any wind and the weather is quite mild (she sais when she hears the wind chimes playing because of the heavy wind)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Susan - the weather is really strange - I see they've had avalanches in Afghanistan ..

I don't think our daffodils started appearing til February .. but are starting to really come up and flower now. Presumably the Wazoo is inland USA from Washington?

@ Clarissa - it gets so hot doesn't it .. and sometimes one just wants a change = rain!

Water rationing fills me with dread .. drought is a word we hear a great deal ..

@ Golden Eagle - you're on the west coast aren't you .. and it's surprising there's been so little snow -

@ Marja - sadly it's the damage that must be repaired - and I hope your Autumn settles into its normal course for you .. calm and mild. I love seeing the flowers and trees open as Spring goes on into early Summer .. England greens up!

Cheers Susan, Clarissa, Golden Eagle and Marja .. lovely seeing you here - thank you .. the weather affects us all - enjoy your weekends... Hilary

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

I've been very thankful of the mild winter we are having in NE Iowa in the States. This is the mildest winter we have had since we moved here in 2008.

Symphony of Love said...

The weather has certainly be bazaar. Over here in Singapore and Malaysia where we should be expecting relatively hot weather now yet it was raining very heavily a few days ago which caused flood in some areas in Kuala Lumpur. However, it has been this year since a few years back; not as predictable as it used to be many many years bad. I agree with you that there isn't much time for rain over your side especially with so much going on for this year.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Sharon .. I agree I like the mild winters .. I am just not geared up for snow! - mentally or physically! But then I don't like having a drought situation possibly about to arise ..

@ BK - I wondered what Asia had been like - I guessed the same, I think I read about floods in South America too. The weather has certainly changed in my lifetime ..

.. but as you say - we don't have time for bad weather this year - but if it arrives I guess we'll cope and talk about it for years to come!!

Good to see you both - thanks Sharon and BK for visiting ... enjoy the weekend - Hilary

Betsy Brock said...

It has been very strange weather indeed! I saw on the news yesterday that there is a place in Australia that has been invaded by the Wolf Spider which has moved into town to get away from the flooding. They are so vast there that their webs look like snow has fallen on the city! Eew!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Betsy .. I'd spotted that - it happens here too but with moths - it's an incredible phenomena ... but the insects have to go somewhere .. this post gives a brief idea:


http://positiveletters.blogspot.com/2009/06/bird-cherry-ermine.html

I expect I'll see something at the weekend in article form ... or on the web! Creatures are amazing at how they adapt.

Good to see you - sorry I can't comment on your blog .. hope you catch your Smoky this weekend!

Cheers Hilary

Anonymous said...

yes we can get all this weather in one week or just one day sometimes.
It's a job these days to remember what time of year/month it is, I pity the poor flora and fauna, they must be so confused, too.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

We've had one of the mildest winters ever. It's didn't snow much until the end of February. It's anyone's guess what summer will be like. Even Alaska has been experiencing a warmer than usual winter. They also say that Canada is one of the worst countries for not being eco-friendly. My grandchildren are conscious of this and will hopefully teach their parents.

But that's another story for another day. Great post, Hilary. The photos are beautiful, especially one of the swan.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Madeleine - it is really odd weather I agree. Well the flora and fauna are all bobbing around and popping up - so they're coping somehow ..

@ Karen - so, you're like us for now ... weather uncertainty.

Thanks for the offer of your book - I've bought it - just need to read it .. time!

@ Joylene - did your lake not freeze over? Alaska has been having loads of snow - must be from the Pacific wet winds and then the dump ...

That will be good if the kids do educate their parents - we could just do with more adults taking responsibility and accountability for things .. but as you say - another day, another story.

Thanks so much for your visits Madeleine, Karen and Joylene - have happy weekends whatever the weather! Cheers Hilary

Dew said...

Thanks for sharing about world climate in general in some parts of the world that were / are happening now.
I love to read such topics.

Rosaria Williams said...

So much weather news in the last couple of years! We're unusually dry here in the Northwest, and our forests and rivers will bear the brunt of this drought throughout the ecosystem. It's also getting warmer, and animals are migrating in different waves.

Great post!

Rosaria Williams said...

So much weather news in the last couple of years! We're unusually dry here in the Northwest, and our forests and rivers will bear the brunt of this drought throughout the ecosystem. It's also getting warmer, and animals are migrating in different waves.

Great post!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Dew - thanks for coming by and commenting - unfortunately I cannot comment back - but I've tried to get a message through to you via Rainfield61.

It's interesting that it is raining a lot in Indonesia too ...

@ Rosaria - you say it like it is .. nature is out of synch with itself - that will make life even more tricky ... the food sources will be too early .. or too late -

Nice to meet you Dew, and good to see you Rosaria .. have enjoyable weekends .. Hilary

rainfield61 said...

If Nature has gotten into confusion, we shall be in a red alarm mode.

Liara Covert said...

March is also the period of the Equinox and this being a leap year invites everything to be turned upside down. Not only are protocols and customs inversed or ignored in some places, but Mother Nature continues to remind us that unpredictable weather patterns nurture our own versatility.

Mike Goad said...

While this seems to be an unusual season, it is likely that all of this has happened before to one extent or another, even in our lifetimes. It's just that we are now more connected than we have ever been in the past, so we perceive more unusual weather than we would have even even a couple of decades ago. Last year's USA winter weather was unusual for a La Nina winter, while this year was actually more in line with normal La Nina expectations, except more than just a bit warmer than expected.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Rainfield - nature does have a way of coping somehow .. it struggles too and particularly with what we do.

@ Liara - yes it is a topsy turvy time .. I hadn't linked the equinox, leap year .. etc - and your other point that Mother Nature challenges us - and so far we have adapted - and used these changing times creatively. Good to see you.

@ Mike - your point too - we do find things out so quickly;

Our seasons here have definitely 'merged' and are not so obvious - thankfully Spring does come. Interesting to know that you think this year's La Nina's effects have been more in keeping with those expected in the States.

Thanks Rainfield, Liara and Mike - lovely seeing you all .. Hilary

Unknown said...

Lovely pictures, Hilary. That swan is amazing.

The weather is definitely odd - from one part of the UK to another. Areas in the south are having a drought and in Lancashire we have plenty of water to spare. I'm hoping for a wonderful hot summer. (Again.)

Juliet said...

Hi Hilary, I'm catching up after being out of town. You certainly give a vivid picture of the global weather craziness. We have plenty of rain here, after the wettest summer I can ever remember. You are welcome to have some! Meanwhile, enjoy your spring. It must be such a special time.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Shirley - I loved the swan picture. I know you've got lots of water around .. I might be up to camp! I do hope the weather stays fine for the summer - but we need the rain .. perhaps it'll rain at night?!

@ Juliet - your sandcastle photos at the estuary were lovely .. reminded me of childhood times, and everytime I visit Cornwall ..

Your storms across the Tasman Sea got a mention - as I realised you'd been having a wet summer. Spring here is just wonderful as the plants leaf and blossom ..

Thanks Shirley and Juliet - enjoy your gardens .. cheers Hilary

Anonymous said...

In 2011 Texas had the worst heat and drought on record here, but so far in 2012 we've had plenty of rain (the third straight day of it in Austin today, in fact). But then that's the nature of weather and so many other things: they vary. Where would statisticians be if that weren't the case?

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Steve .. I remember the Austin fire that raged last year .. and have heard you've been having loads of rain this year .. but where would stats be - and I'd miss them .. I love highlighting bits and bobs that interest me ... statisticians, yes, we need you!! Cheers Hilary

TALON said...

The weather in our region has really changed over the last 15 years, but this winter in particular has been the strangest with wild temperature swings within 24 hours over and over - like a crazy roller coaster ride.

I am really looking forward to the warmer weather, more sunshine, and just the right amount of rain. Can't wait for the Olympics!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Talon - the weather change does seem to be happening everywhere.. Thankfully Spring and Summer in their ways still arrive! I hope your predictions hold good .. i.e. 'just the right amount of rain' ..

Me too the Olympics will be amazing - but so much before then .. thanks for coming over - cheers Hilary

Patsy said...

The weather certainly is more unpredictable than usual at the moment!

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Hilary, the lake did freeze over early, and lots of fishermen are out every day, but one day it would be -15, the next it would be -4. That's very mild for this country.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

After several years of record-breaking snowfall, we've experienced the mildest winter here on the East Coast of the U.S. Daffodils and crocuses are blooming, as well as springtime allergies!

Arlee Bird said...

I must say that I have not been keeping up with the world weather much. It has seemed to have been a milder than normal winter in L.A. which is not saying much since it tends to be mild her most of the time. My wife said yesterday that she heard on the news that it would be a warm dry spring where we are.


Lee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
Twitter: @AprilA2Z

scarlett clay said...

Crazy weather everywhere! We had the worst drought in our history here in central Texas last summer...not even sure how many days of rain it would take to get us out of the danger zone. It's been a bit nerve racking with all the talk of water shortage around here!
I do hope that September will bring pleasant weather to the western half of your beautiful country and not too much rain, as I'm coming over with my sweetie-pie Knox for the worldwide CS retreat!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Patsy - we agree there, lets hope it holds beautiful for your wedding!

@ Joylene - thanks for the update re the lake .. we couldn't have had your freezing lake competition then this year.

@ Susan - your weather always produces excesses, when they happen - snow, rain etc .. oh sorry about the allergies, but the bulbs must be gorgeous ... love them myself.

@ Arlee - I can imagine you've been tied up .. it's just we always talk about the weather here! Also we get to hear about the European weather as it so often affects us, or we miss it as they get the brunt of it. Looks like we might we joining you on this side of England .. warm dry spring.

@ Scarlett - Texas does sound as though you've had crazy weather - didn't you have that snow dump on the baseball roof, when it fell in .. ?

I do hope the weather here in September is very kind for you .. when you visit with Knox for the CS retreat .. I see it is in Chester in the north of England from 21 - 23 September. Just good to know where it is being held ..

Thanks so much Patsy, Joylene, Susan, Arlee and Scarlett - so good to see you .. cheers and enjoy whatever weather you're having! Beautiful day again here - Cheers Hilary

The Blonde Duck said...

Spring is my favorite season!

Southpaw said...

The weather sure has been crazy. Last year it was freezing, this year it was very mild. Today, the high is 68F.

Snopdrop flowers came early. They began sprouting a few weeks ago.

Jemi Fraser said...

We really have messed up the planet in order to shift the weather patterns so much. We've had an extremely mild winter - I worry there wasn't enough snow for the farmers.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Blonde Duck .. it's a good time isn't it!

@ Holly - I went out in bright sunshine and now it's tea time a thick sea mist has come in .. we had to have our car lights on! But it's been 68 degF here too today ..

The spring flowers - I love ...

@ Jemi - the weather patterns appear to have changed, but they've always done it .. if we look back over time ...

I was surprised I'd have thought snow would have fed back into the land too .. but it seems if it snows then it is considered a dry period .... odd?!

Cheers Blonde Duck, Holly and Jemi - lovely seeing you all .. Hilary

Ellie Garratt said...

It's been sunny and hot here in South Devon today, but we could definitely do with rain. Not nearly as much as we need. But like you I want hot summer days too!

LTM said...

we get crocuses here, and I didn't know what they were! But they're gorgeous. Indy is having a very mild winter this year, and this week we'll be up in the 70s! Yep, global climate change. It'll be interesting to see where we land~ :o) <3

Patricia said...

Hello Hilary,
Wow I finally made it here, will need to go back and read about Cornish Pasty

I have been having computer problems since January...maybe I should just quite trying to do something regular? I got a new laptop and I think that will help somewhat...and now a new Word program, but still the email is not working right?

The weather has been truly something else this year. We are in the middle of a huge wind storm yet again - warm so that the flowers are being blown down. Davina has lost power today and ours keeps coming and going...Very scary wind all night long...
We got almost no snow in the mountains It pays to be flexible
Thank you for your great reporting here....weather is breaking out all over!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Ellie .. we must have had the same weather up along the coast .. but suddenly the thick sea mist rolled in over tea time .. it's gone now. We're thinking along the same lines - we need both don't we .. some rain and lovely weather!

@ Leigh - ah! now you do .. the crocuses are lovely aren't they - so pretty. Looks like we're all experiencing this odd weather .. they've just told us the ribbon of jet stream is back above Scotland .. keeping the wet weather to the north - so we're back with no rain.

@ Patricia .. computer problems are a nuisance, sorry about that ... good luck with getting it sorted.

Are you having another huge wind storm .. and Davina further north is out of power too - sounds quite worrying ..

Yet Alaska is having an awful lot of snow .. must be part of your jet stream pushing the damper air north ..

Thanks - it was fun to put the 2012/2011 weather into some sort of summary ..

Cheers Ellie, Leigh and Patricia .. we all in the weather melting pot together - enjoy whatever the week's worth of weather throws at you!! Hilary

Sara said...

I think weather is the most unpredictable science there is:~)

We hardly had ANY winter this year. It was strange, given last winter was so COLD.

I hope you do have a sunny Spring where you're at. May the flowers lift their heads to sky and, if it rains, may be enough, but not too much:~)

Karen Lange said...

Love the photo of the swan! It has been a warm and wet winter here. You are right, not much we can do about the weather. I aim to enjoy it as much as possible when it is pleasant! :)

Connie Arnold said...

The weather is so unpredictable and seems to be doing some unexpected things lately. Your post really points out the unusual aspects of it in many different places. I'm enjoying the early spring here and hoping there will be some quiet weather now to enjoy it! Enjoyed your post very much, as always, Hilary!

Denise Covey said...

Hello Hilary. Yes, Australia is still flooding. Weather everywhere seems extreme. We're just beginning Autumn but it is still summery.

Are you going to any of the Olympic events?

Denise

klahanie said...

Hi Hilary,
I'm really sorry I've not visited your blog in the last little while. I'm struggling to keep up with large amount of blogs I comment on and my attempts at commenting on each person who so kindly leaves a comment on my site.
On top of that, I'm battling the worse 'low pressure ridge' in my mind in many a year. May this spring in the Northern Hemisphere, bring a time of much wanted inspiration and renewal for all of us.
Much respect, your way, Gary

Anonymous said...

A very timely post, Hilary. As always so interesting with lots of great pictures.

Yeah, spring here in Virginia USA - suddenly. Temps this week will get to the mid to high 70s. This makes some people sick. We need a cold snow spell to clear the air!

Hope you're doing well. I've been bogged down getting a new aide. Will write to you again soon. I always LOVE getting YOUR emails. XXX from me and Jen
Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror & Other Memoirs

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Sara - I agree with you - but things seem to be improving, and they're understanding more.

Had my first mosquito yesterday when I got home! But I think your thoughts are ones - be sunny, rain to be kind .. but not too much.

@ Karen - thanks .. the swan photo is beautiful isn't it .. as you say enjoy the fine days as we best can.

@ Connie - the jet stream seems to affect us all in the northern hemisphere .. we can only enjoy our weather though. Good to see you ..

@ Denise - are you still having huge floods, yet with warm temperatures.

I haven't booked any Olympic events - the whole thing looks 'horrendous' logistically - I should have, but haven't! If I lived in London I'm sure I would have done .. I shall enjoy via the tv .. and will be with my Mama who continues on.

@ Gary - I'm sending happy vibes north .. the weather can't help in some ways .. it is very unsettling. Enjoy your walks with Penny quietly breathing in the Spring air .. many thoughts to you all ...

@ Ann - if I was going to do it I had to do it quickly as the weather was turning into Spring .. but that cold is still around and has left its legacy on the continent.

Spring in Virginia sounds lovely .. but we all get affected by the weather ... perhaps a cold snowy spell is in the offing?!

Mum and I are fine - I gather you've been sorting out a new aide - quite time consuming .. good luck with getting the right person for you both .. big hugs to you and Jen xoxox

Lovely to see you Sara, Karen, Connie, Denise, Gary and Ann .. enjoy your week - now it's warmish but cloudy! But I don't think I'll have the windows open as I did yesterday ... cheers Hilary

Empty Nest Insider said...

I especially love your last line! It's unseasonably warm here, but it could still snow in April! I think a lot of us are coming down with Spring Fever! Julie

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Julie .. Spring comes slowly in doesn't it - and the frosts are never far away - we don't usually get snow .. but a few years ago we had a sudden dump of it .. Spring fever is a good feeling .. it's cloudy today - but definitely warmer.

Have a great weekend .. cheers Hilary

Linda said...

So glad to see that Spring has made it your neck of the woods. It has been very nice here, and for over a week we have had the A/C on. Fierce thunderstorms settled over the area last night bringing a drenching rain and an enormous amount of lightning. Naturally, it was a night we had to go out. I hope that your weather is not too severe this Spring.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Linda - it is much warmer now - well enough for the cold wind to have gone at the moment. But the birds are having a sing song!

Incredible to think you put the A/C on - I open the windows!Those lightning storms can be so fierce can't they -

At least we all seem to be getting Spring - and I love this time of year .. many thanks Linda for your comment - cheers Hilary