Wildswimmer Pete

Well, regarding the SST gradient in the Atlantic (discussed here https://forum.netweather.tv/topic/83902-model-banter-moans-and-ramps-autumnwinter-201516/page-7#entry3262698) Summer 1969 wasn't very good, but not as bad as this past "summer". If I remember correctly the sun was behaving itself back then.

The decreasing solar activity? Yes - I'll say it: Grand Minimum?

The last few days of September 1969 were exceptionally warm, with temps in the mid-70s F (we thought in old money then). Mid-October saw a relatively quick transition from warm to more seasonal (ie chilly) temps with overcast skies. Autumn/Winter '69/70 were pretty meh, the coldest time of that winter was early March '70. This was in Wirral.

Increasingly cloudy all day then a band of rain at teatime. Currently clear with Sc in view looking west.

Same here, Liverpool ATIS still reporting 14C but the sun makes it feel a little warmer.

How do I embed Youtube videos? Can't see any way to do so

Another miserable morning, was woken up during the small hours by what sounded like heavy rain. Currently cloudy with some blue patches, Liverpool ATIS reports 14C Well, it is the beginning of astronomical autumn.

Thoroughly foul this morning - wet and cold. just had a sharp shower and some patches of blue now appearing. Note to self: must pick up a waterproof container and new batteries for my outdoor sensor so I can keep an eye on how cold it gets overnight.

If you're getting on a bit then you should heat your home to maintain at least 16C. We oldies mightn't realise we are dangerously near to hypothermia until it's too late. I maintain 16C indoors in winter despite my sport affording me heavy insulation (OK, blubber )

Same here. High pressure and still we can't shift that damned Sc dross.

No need for apologies Ian. I can be terse because it still takes me some effort to write prose (consequence of stroke). I believe that whenever wind farms are needed they should be sited off-shore. Even I think the situation on the Southern Uplands is a bit OTT. However not all infrastructure is ugly, hydro schemes were resisted but many schemes are now regarded to be picturesque. Unfortunately we all know the effects of burning fossil fuels so we need renewables to help reduce the carbon we are still belching into the atmosphere. The alternatives are conventional nuclear which takes time to build replacement power stations (and dealing with the nuclear waste), and fusion - if I'm still alive I might even see the first fusion pilot plant being built in France go into action.

I was originally commenting on the remarks about Llandudno. I live ONE MILE from Frodsham Marsh and I wouldn't be bothered. There is already a huge 400kV Supergrid switching centre nearby with long lines of pylons converging across Frodsham Marsh so I can't see any problem with half-a-dozen so of turbines.

The relatively small Burbo Bank windfarm situated near the mouth of the Mersey can produce 90MW, you'd need a bloody big kettle! Compare that with a typical 600MW steam turbine/alternator set as found in power stations.

I was commenting on Weather-history's post regarding the windfarm visible from Llandudno.

...........which requires a pair of powerful binoculars in order to be "offended" by them. I can only just see them from the coast railway line, and even if viewed directly from the Wirral coast which is closest to the Rhyl East and North Hoyle windfarm they can't be described to be "intrusive". The clue's in the name: North Hoyle and Hoylake (I originally hail from Wirral). I see the NIMBYs in my area are kicking off at the prospect of a few turbines on Frodsham Marsh.

Glad to report the weather didn't disappoint me, lunchtime saw blue skies with some towering Cu wandering about in the distance. Went swimming in the Dee at Eccleston Ferry (Chester), water temp. a bit low at 13C. Should be around 14-16C in mid-September. I was even caught smiling! Swimmer's eye view

The promised sunny morning didn't materialise. Needless to say it's the omnipresent grey lid and so cold outdoors I can see my breath. Supposed to be swimming in the River Dee in Chester later on so I hope it cheers up. Fed up with the British weather ruining everything for me.

Really? Do you have the data to back that up? Your knowledge is obviously inadequate. I suffer from it so know what I'm talking about, and I know others who suffer from it. The information I gave in my post isn't learned by using Google, I have a scientific background and have researched into matters such as the causes of SAD as well the biological mechanisms that let me withstand extreme cold without harm. Severe SAD can lead to suicidal ideation - it can be that bad, and necessitates medical intervention. As I've said when you last criticised me, you don't have to read my posts nor reply to them.

Nothing to do with Vit D. The players are melotonin (a hormone) and serotonin (a neurotransmitter). Melotonin basically controls our circadian cycle, keeps us awake during the day and encourages sleep at night. Serotonin is one of the main neurotransmitters in the brain, and low levels of serotonin are known to be behind "normal" clinical depression as well as SAD. The alternative meaning of SAD is Seasonally Affected Depression. The "cure"? There isn't one. We are basically a tropical species and not designed for the awful sunless British climate. Some can handle British conditions, but those of us at the other end of the spectrum suffer the effects of SAD, and with our increasingly cloudy skies SAD often manifests for most of the year. In order of practicality, a.) St. John's Wort is a natural serotonin booster, useful if you don't want to take b.)selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like fluoxetine (Prozac) or c.) use a light box (I've seen them for as little as £35). WARNING: Don't take St. John's Wort together with SSRIs as doing so could lead to serotonin syndrome which is potentially fatal. NICE recommends that SAD should be treated in the same way as other types of depression. In other words, SAD is an actual illness.

You could see your GP for a course of an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor ie fluoxetine (Prozac)) that will help maintain your levels of serotonin during the dark months. You could also get a light box but these can be a bit expensive.

Appears to me that all the usual "weather singularities" seem to have been jumbled or even missing. I was comparing wetterzentral's Top Karten from the 1960s and now and nowadays the atmosphere over the North Atlantic appears to be highly turbulent. Of course I know the Top Karten from the Sixties are "re-sampled" from physical charts so obviously can't have the fine detail of contemporary model output.

Yes, we really need Star Trek stasis

I haven't looked through the past few of posts but for me that time I dread is nigh - one word SAD SAD isn't something "to snap out of" - it's a neurological illness with serious physical symptoms. Given the "summer" we've just endured I'm doubly concerned over the next few months.

I despise the British climate full stop. I wish I'd ignored my family and got out of Britain 35 years ago when I had the chance.

It wasn't April, it was January and February. That winter my school opened its new swimming pool and as I was a non-swimmer I was one of the "elite" who was taught to swim. The others had to do cross-country in the snow (snigger) because rugby and hockey were snowed off for weeks.