Weather in the general media (Newspaper features etc)

[Summer Sun]

Australia Summer Was Hottest On Record

Those Australians who sweated through the last three months had already guessed it, but now weather experts have confirmed the summer just gone was the country’s hottest on record. Average temperatures Down Under came in at a sweltering 28.6°C, 1.1°C above normal. That exceeds the previous record set in the summer of 1997-98 by more than 0.1°C. A new average daytime maximum temperature record was also set at 35.7°C, or 1.4°C above normal, and 0.2°C above the 1982-83 record. It was a perfect summer for ice cream sellers and air-conditioning companies as Australians tried to avoid the baking heat. Shopping malls, cinemas and swimming pools were packed for much of the summer as city dwellers tried to escape the conditions.

Some beaches reported having to bring in extra volunteer lifeguards to help cope with the numbers trying to cool off in the sea. Aussies sweltered through non-stop searing temperatures, especially during the first three weeks of January. Those weeks saw the most extreme heat during an exceptionally widespread and prolonged heatwave. The highest temperature recorded during the heatwave was at Moomba in South Australia at a scorching 49.6°C. The figures released by Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology show record temperatures were also set in two capital cities; Sydney with 45.8°C and Hobart with 41.8°C. Most of Australia saw a dry summer - despite heavy rainfall on the east coast, compounded by ex-tropical cyclone Oswald. The intense heat brought with it numerous bush fires, the worst occurring in Tasmania where around 200 homes were destroyed.

"Large parts of southern Africa recorded their hottest January on record." Hotter temperatures were also recorded in large parts of Argentina, Chile and Brazil, while temperatures in parts of Patagonia were more than 4°C above normal in January.

http://news.sky.com/story/1058574/australia-summer-was-hottest-on-record

[Summer Sun]

It's getting warmer! Get ready for balmy 14C as spring arrives with a warm start to the week

After weeks of chilly weather, Britain will finally start to feel some warmth this week. Forecasters say that England and Wales will see bright and sunny weather with temperatures up into the teens by Tuesday. Scotland - which is the warmest area of the UK today - will stay largely the same and hover around 9C. Met Office forecaster Rebecca Sherwin said most of the country will see warmer temperatures, clear skies and lighter winds with most areas hitting 12 to 13C at least. With the brighter skies spreading by Tuesday, the outlook is looking a lot more springlike, she said.

'It will clearly feel like a change because there has been quite a chill for a few weeks now,' she said. The warmest place in the UK today is expected to be Aberdeenshire with around 9C, which will be the minimum temperature for most of the UK by Tuesday. And, the forecaster said the warm weather is set to continue: 'There's no sign of an imminent return to chilly conditions.' A dry and fine day is expected for much of the UK on Monday with overnight cloud breaking to give spells of sunshine. However, it will be cloudier across the Western Isles, the western fringes of Scotland and Northern Ireland with a few spots of drizzle possible.

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2MOVztNb5

Welcome to spring folks

[Summer Sun]

BBC Weather for the week ahead

Milder

Some sunshine

Rain from midweek

[Coast]

UK must adapt for weather extremes, says Environment Agency

Britain must become more resilient to both drought and flooding, Environment Agency chairman Chris Smith has said

New figures from the agency show that one in every five days saw flooding in 2012, but one in four days saw drought. Rivers such as the Tyne, Ouse and Tone fell to their lowest and rose to their highest flows since records began, within a four-month period of the year. Lord Smith said urgent action was vital to help "prepare and adapt" many aspects of Britain for such extremes. Meteorologists fear that extremes of weather may increase as global temperatures slowly rise. Met Office analysis has suggested that the UK could experience a severe short-term drought, similar to the drought experienced in 1976, once a decade.

Transferring water

With the population of the water-stressed south-east of England projected to grow by almost a quarter by 2035, Lord Smith argued that the number of smaller reservoirs needed to be increased immediately and that new ways of transferring water from areas where it is plentiful to areas where it is scarce must be established. Lord Smith, whose agency covers England and Wales, insisted the reservoirs would be needed not just by farmers, but also by commercial turf growers, golf clubs, sport stadiums and race courses.

There are currently about 1,700 small-scale storage reservoirs across England and Wales, supplying 30% of total irrigation needs. He also said more homes would need to be protected from flooding. Lord Smith said: "The extremes of weather that we saw last year highlight the urgent need to plan for a changing climate.

"In 2012 we saw environmental damage caused by rivers with significantly reduced flows, hosepipe bans affecting millions and farmers and businesses left unable to take water from rivers. "But we also saw the wettest year on record in England, with around 8,000 homes flooded. Interestingly 2007, which saw some of the most severe flooding in recent memory, also started the year with hosepipe bans. "More of this extreme weather will exacerbate many of the problems that we already deal with including flooding and water scarcity, so taking action today to prepare and adapt homes, businesses, agricultural practices and infrastructure is vital."

Boggy land

He pointed out that modelling suggests that a changing climate could reduce some river flows by up to 80% during the summer in the next 40 years. Part of the UK’s flooding problem is due to previous policies. For decades, farmers were paid to drain boggy land in order to improve it for grazing. This caused water to rush off the fields into rivers, whereas previously it would have been held in the bogs to smooth out the flow into rivers throughout the year.

In addition, many flood plains have been built on

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21651067

[Summer Sun]

http://www.bbc.co.uk...onment-21651067

Saw that in my local paper today

Met Office analysis suggests the UK could experience a 1976-style drought every 10 years

Extreme UK Weather Prompts Call For Action

The extremes of weather that Britain has experienced over the past year highlight the urgent need to plan for a changing climate, the head of the Environment Agency has warned. Analysis by the Government agency reveals that one in every five days last year saw flooding in England and Wales, while one in four days were spent in drought. There was flooding on 78 days of the year, and for 95 days there was official drought declared for some areas, figures from the EA show. Rivers such as the Tyne, Ouse and Tone went from record low levels to experiencing their highest flows since records began, in the space of four months, the agency said.

Recent Met Office analysis suggests the UK could experience a 1976-style drought every 10 years.

The EA said that with the population of London and the South East set to grow by 23% by 2035, action should be taken now. Modelling suggests some river flows could be cut by up to 80% during the summer in the next 40 years as the climate changes, putting more pressure on businesses that rely on taking water from rivers for irrigation. The EA has called for an increase in small-scale water storage reservoirs, which can take advantage of wet times and help farmers, commercial turf growers, golf clubs, sports stadiums and racecourses cope with dry periods.

There are currently around 1,700 such water storage reservoirs in England and Wales, supplying around 30% of irrigation needs, but they will need to increase as the UK faces more extreme weather as the climate changes, the agency said.

EA chairman Lord Smith said: "The extremes of weather that we saw last year highlight the urgent need to plan for a changing climate. "In 2012 we saw environmental damage caused by rivers with significantly reduced flows, hosepipe bans affecting millions and farmers and businesses left unable to take water from rivers. "But we also saw the wettest year on record in England, with around 8,000 homes flooded. "Interestingly 2007 - which also saw some of the most severe flooding in recent memory - also started the year with hosepipe bans. "More of this extreme weather will exacerbate many of problems that we already deal with including flooding and water scarcity, so taking action today to prepare and adapt homes, businesses, agricultural practices and infrastructure is vital."

http://news.sky.com/...call-for-action

Edited March 4, 2013 by Gavin.

[Summer Sun]

Cold Spell Set To Follow Spring Sun

Britain is expected to enjoy its first taste of spring this week - but forecasters are already warning that rain and freezing temperatures are on the way. Despite a cloudy start today, sunshine and clear skies in parts of the south tomorrow mean temperatures could climb to as high as 15C in London and parts of the Home Counties. It will still feel cooler in the north with temperatures only reaching 8C in some areas. But rain is expected to sweep into the south by Thursday which could last until Tuesday of next week, while temperatures could fall to as low as -2C. Sky News weather presenter Isobel Lang, said: "The last time London recorded 15C was on November 14, 2012 with just shy of 16C being recorded in St James' Park on November 13 during a deep southwest flow from the Azores. "Since then we have only seen 14C recorded in London on December 22 and again on January 29, 2013 as warm sectors passed over.

"Looking ahead to Tuesday there is around a 30-40% chance of 15C being reached in the London area or northern and western Home Counties. "It should feel lovely in the sunshine and a nice change after the cold weather of late."

http://news.sky.com/story/1059775/weather-cold-spell-set-to-follow-spring-sun

Edited March 4, 2013 by Gavin.

[Summer Sun]

Britain ‘must prepare for more floods and droughts'

BRITAIN must be ready for severe floods and droughts every decade, environment chiefs warn today. An Environment Agency report shows that last year some part of Britain was hit by floods one day in five. Met Office figures also suggest Britain faces a major drought every 10 years, sparking warnings to improve water supplies. The beginning of last year was hit by one of the worst droughts on record before one of Britain’s wettest summers in history. The UK was hit by another bout of persistent rain at the end of the year which led to widespread floods. Environment Agency chairman Lord Smith said the extreme weather highlighted the need for “urgent†action. “The extremes of weather that we saw last year highlight the urgent need to plan for a changing climate,†he said.

“In 2012 we saw environmental damage caused by rivers with significantly reduced flows, hosepipe bans affecting millions and farmers left unable to take water from rivers. “But we also saw the wettest year on record in England, with around 8,000 homes flooded. More of this extreme weather will exacerbate many of the problems that we already deal with including flooding and water scarcity, so taking action today to prepare and adapt homes, businesses, agricultural practices and infrastructure is vital.†Rivers including the Tyne, and Ouse, in the North, and Tone, in Somerset, went from their lowest to their highest flows since records began in four months.

An Environment Agency spokeswoman said: “Last year was quite dramatic in that we had England’s wettest summer ever which immediately followed the driest 18 months on record. Theses sorts of extremes might be something we will have to get used to, and we must plan so we can deal with them.â€

http://www.express.c...ds-and-droughts

Enjoy Spring weather...while it lasts

TEMPERATURES are set to soar to 60F (16C) this week but don’t put the winter woolies away as it won’t last. Jonathan Powell, of Vantage Weather Services, said the best conditions would be in the South. But it will be a North-South divide with temperatures struggling to just 46F (8C) in northern areas. “High pressure will be in charge for a few days.We could probably see up to 15 or 16C by Friday but unfortunately it will be accompanied by rain,†he said. “It’s a false dawn though as colder weather is set to return with night frosts.†Met Office forecaster Rebekah Sherwin said: “It will be a welcome change after the last couple of weeks. From Wednesday rain will start appearing in the South-west then moving across the rest of Britain.â€

http://www.express.c...-while-it-lasts

MARCH HEATWAVE ON ITS WAY

BRITAIN will enjoy a mini heatwave this week as temperatures rocket to a balmy 16C. After one of the coldest winters on record, forecasters reckon this week could be as warm as May. But they reckon a three-week chill is on its way and the Environment Agency warned more must be done to cope with flooding and droughts. Ladbrokes has slashed odds to 7-1 that this month is the warmest March on record. But those who do not believe the sunshine will stick around can get 12-1 that the Easter weekend will be the coldest on record. Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes said: “Not too long ago it looked like our Easter eggs would be frozen, but now it looks like they’ll be melting instead.†Sunny spells are expected from later today, with MeteoGroup and Channel 4 weatherman Liam Dutton forecasting highs up to 16C in the south tomorrow.

But the Met Office forecast rain from Thursday, with gales threatening the south west and north east and snow on Scottish hills. It said temperatures will turn colder than average next week and the end of March will also be chillier than usual. Met Office forecaster Sarah Holland said: “Milder temperatures could reach 13C, with sunny spells but patchy rain and drizzle spreading slowly east on Wednesday as it turns more unsettled.†Meanwhile, the Environment Agency has warned that more must be done to improve water supplies for business and farming. Its figures show flooding occurred every five days in 2012 – but one in four days were officially in droughts. It said Met Office analysis suggests that the UK could expect a severe drought every 10 years.

http://www.dailystar...ave-on-its-way/

[Summer Sun]

Enjoy the sun: Britain set for warmest day but a winter blast will nip spring in the bud

BRITONS enjoying a taste of spring were warned last night that winter has a final blast in store – with freezing conditions returning next week. Forecasters said it could be the beginning of next month before the cold weather bows out for good. Today will see temperatures hit a relatively balmy 61F (16C) in places. But the message from the Met Office was: “Enjoy it while you can.â€

An Atlantic low-pressure system will bring strong winds and rain from Thursday. And the temperature will plunge from the weekend, bringing widespread frosts, bitter gales and possibly snow on high ground. Forecaster Dan Williams said: “Temperatures today will feel quite spring-like. But we do have a marked change later in the week as a wet and windy Atlantic system moves in. “It is going to be unsettled by Wednesday and temperatures will be below-average next week. There is an increased chance overnight frosts and snow in some places.â€

Jonathan Powell, of Vantage Weather Services, said bitter winds will send temperatures plunging below freezing next week. And heavy rain from Thursday will bring a risk of flooding. He added: “Next week will see winter take its final bow. It follows some particularly wet and windy weather at the end of this week, with persistent rain and winds hitting 60mph. “Worst hit will be the South-west, where the flood risk returns.†Leon Brown, of The Weather Channel, also warned it will feel “like winter again†early next week. He added: “It will be a lot colder everywhere.†Netweather’s Paul Michaelwaite said Thursday and Friday will be cloudy with rain, heavy at times. The Environment Agency had 20 flood alerts in place last night.

http://www.express.c...ring-in-the-bud

It's enough to put a SPRING in your step: Britain basks in the warmest day of the year as temperatures hit 17.5C

Spring has finally sprung as Brits enjoyed the hottest day of the year today with temperatures reaching a balmy 17.5C. Today has been the finest day of the week, with southern Britain and western Wales experiencing the warm weather, with most of the country set to experience similar warm weather. Trawsgoed in west Wales enjoyed the hottest temperature in the UK, reaching 17.5C, closely followed by Gravesend, in Kent, which saw the thermometer tip the 17.1C mark. They were followed by St James' Park in central London, which measured 16.8C - giving some of the UK a welcome respite from the wintry weather

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2MggyY3DU

[Coast]

Hottest day of the year to be followed by snow

Enjoy the warm weather while it lasts as the winter will return in the next few days with snow showers across parts of the country.

Top temperatures reached 17.5C on Tuesday, the warmest day of the year so far and 7C warmer than average for this time of year as winds blew in from north Africa. The top temperature was 17.5C in Trawscoed in west Wales. It was 16.8C in London. Ice cream kiosks opened on the south coast as Bournemouth and Brighton reported increasing numbers of people coming to the beach.

But don’t pack away the winter woolies just yet. The weather will start to cool from Wednesday to daytime highs of around 10 or 12C and rain in the north and west. The weekend will be cold, with maximum temperatures of just 7C and outbreaks of rain and drizzle. By next week winds will be blowing in from the Arctic again, bringing colder air and snow to the north and east. Overnight frost could kill off flowers that came out earlier in the warm spring weather this week.

The snow could get worse as the week progresses with more wintry weather right into March. Sarah Holland of the Met Office, said the spring weather will not last. “The mild theme will continue for the next few days - but there will be a gradual change with more cloud and light rain, but possible sunny spells at times in the South-East. “The weekend will be mostly cloudy with spells of rain and drizzle affecting many and snow likely across higher ground of Scotland. “It will turn colder in northern areas on Monday with an increasing risk of snow falling to lower-levels, with much colder conditions nationwide from Tuesday with snow showers increasingly affecting the North and East and perhaps coastal areas in the West. “Rain, sleet or hill snow is possible further south, with risk of snow to lower-levels across central Britain.â€

The Met Office said March 20 to April 3 - including Easter - would see “most areas likely to be colder than average, with an easterly influence most probable.â€

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/9911226/Hottest-day-of-the-year-to-be-followed-by-snow.html

[Summer Sun]

Hotter than Med but winter snaps back

A BURST of spring glory yesterday saw Britain bask in the hottest day of the year so far.But sun-lovers should make the most of it as winter is poised to return with a vengeance next week. Parts of the UK were hotter than the Mediterranean as warm air from Africa swept into the country sending temperatures soaring.The mercury hit a balmy 17.5C (64F), in, Dyfed, Wales, around 7C higher than average for the time of year. In Gravesend, Kent, temperatures nudged 17.1C (63F) while 16.8C (62F) was recorded in St James’ Park, London. But forecasters warned it is all change from today (Wednesday) with temperatures set to fall and rain and strong winds on the way. Met Office forecaster Helen Chivers said: “Tuesday was the hottest day of the year so far but it is going to change. “From Wednesday it is going to be colder and there is going to be rain and wind around, particularly in the South-west.

“Thursday will see more widespread rain and by next week it will be much colder with the risk of overnight frosts and there will be some more snow around.â€onathan Powell, forecaster for Vantage Weather Services, said Britain is braced for a “week of winter†from Monday. He said temperatures could fall as low as -5C (23F) overnight with highs of just 5C (41F) during the day. He warned bitter winds from the Arctic will also bring the possibility of snow as far south as London. “This is definitely going to be winter’s curtain call,†he said. “Sunday into Monday will see bitter cold winds from the Arctic region return to the UK with the chance of some widespread snow, even as far south as London and the South-east. “It is going to be much colder than we have seen over the past few days and could set in for some time, it could be later in the month before we see any more fine weather.â€

Britain put parts of the Mediterranean in the shade yesterday with Ibiza reaching just 15C (59F) and Morocco nudging 14C (57F). Much of the country enjoyed hours of unbroken sunshine tempting people to beaches and parks. Around 2,000 people headed to Bournemouth while Brighton’s seafront lured around 3,000 visitors. A Brighton tourism spokesman said: “It’s glorious and the seafront is far busier as people have rushed down after weeks of terrible weather. Coats have been ditched and T-shirts are back.â€

Netweather said Britons should make the most of any more spring weather before winter makes a comeback next week. Forecaster Paul Michaelwaite said: “It is remaining unsettled over the weekend, with further rain across many areas, while turning increasingly cold from the North. “Rain may turn increasingly to snow across the north – especially over higher ground. “The colder conditions in the north possibly then spreading further south by early next week and as it remains unsettled. “Make the most of the spring-like conditions today, because winter looks like making a comeback later this weekend.â€

http://www.express.c...nter-snaps-back

What a difference a year makes: Mother's Day daffodils delayed by the cold weather... as Britain enjoys its warmest day of 2013 so far

It was hotter than Marbella yesterday as we were treated to the warmest day of the year so far – but don’t think the daffodils took any notice. The unseasonably cold winter has already wreaked havoc on crops, causing them to bloom four weeks late. And they could be hampered further still as snow showers are predicted to return next week. The late bloom means there is a shortage as Mother’s Day approaches on Sunday, with prices up 50 per cent. This time last year, Taylor’s Bulbs near Spalding, Lincolnshire, was carpeted with nodding daffodils; this year their leaves are still making their way out of the ground. Claire Taylor, who works at the farm, said she had picked 2,000 boxes of the flowers this year – half the amount in previous seasons.

She said: ‘I’ve had lots of people calling me and offering extra money for daffodils, but we just don’t have enough to meet the demand.

This year the cold weather means we are way behind and still cutting our first variety which we usually pick in late January or February time.’ Spring has finally sprung as people across the country enjoyed the hottest day of the year yesterday with temperatures reaching a balmy 17.5C. Yesterday was the finest day of the week, with southern Britain and western Wales experiencing the warm weather, with most of the country set to experience similar warm weather. Trawsgoed in west Wales enjoyed the hottest temperature in the UK, reaching 17.5C, closely followed by Gravesend, in Kent, which saw the thermometer tip the 17.1C mark. They were followed by St James' Park in central London, which measured 16.8C - giving some of the UK a welcome respite from the wintry weather.

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2Mm7bkH3B

[Weather-history]

Accuweather on the potential European cold snap

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-blogs/andrews/europe-cold-snow-to-follow-taste-of-spring/7528632

[Summer Sun]

Britain braced for eight inches of snow as winter roars back

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/382590/Britian-braced-for-eight-inches-of-snow-as-winter-roars-back

[Summer Sun]

Cold snap blocks thoughts of spring

http://uk.news.yahoo...28.html#aCOzOwZ

Snow Forecast After Brief Spring

http://news.sky.com/...er-brief-spring

Britain braced for eight inches of snow as winter roars back

http://www.express.c...nter-roars-back

Hopes of Spring blossoming are dashed as SNOW and rain will dampen the weekend with a temperature of 1C on Monday

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2MxfhX0WX

[hillbilly]

Hotter than Med but winter snaps back

A BURST of spring glory yesterday saw Britain bask in the hottest day of the year so far.But sun-lovers should make the most of it as winter is poised to return with a vengeance next week. Parts of the UK were hotter than the Mediterranean as warm air from Africa swept into the country sending temperatures soaring.The mercury hit a balmy 17.5C (64F), in, Dyfed, Wales, around 7C higher than average for the time of year. In Gravesend, Kent, temperatures nudged 17.1C (63F) while 16.8C (62F) was recorded in St James’ Park, London. But forecasters warned it is all change from today (Wednesday) with temperatures set to fall and rain and strong winds on the way. Met Office forecaster Helen Chivers said: “Tuesday was the hottest day of the year so far but it is going to change. “From Wednesday it is going to be colder and there is going to be rain and wind around, particularly in the South-west.

“Thursday will see more widespread rain and by next week it will be much colder with the risk of overnight frosts and there will be some more snow around.â€onathan Powell, forecaster for Vantage Weather Services, said Britain is braced for a “week of winter†from Monday. He said temperatures could fall as low as -5C (23F) overnight with highs of just 5C (41F) during the day. He warned bitter winds from the Arctic will also bring the possibility of snow as far south as London. “This is definitely going to be winter’s curtain call,†he said. “Sunday into Monday will see bitter cold winds from the Arctic region return to the UK with the chance of some widespread snow, even as far south as London and the South-east. “It is going to be much colder than we have seen over the past few days and could set in for some time, it could be later in the month before we see any more fine weather.â€

Britain put parts of the Mediterranean in the shade yesterday with Ibiza reaching just 15C (59F) and Morocco nudging 14C (57F). Much of the country enjoyed hours of unbroken sunshine tempting people to beaches and parks. Around 2,000 people headed to Bournemouth while Brighton’s seafront lured around 3,000 visitors. A Brighton tourism spokesman said: “It’s glorious and the seafront is far busier as people have rushed down after weeks of terrible weather. Coats have been ditched and T-shirts are back.â€

Netweather said Britons should make the most of any more spring weather before winter makes a comeback next week. Forecaster Paul Michaelwaite said: “It is remaining unsettled over the weekend, with further rain across many areas, while turning increasingly cold from the North. “Rain may turn increasingly to snow across the north – especially over higher ground. “The colder conditions in the north possibly then spreading further south by early next week and as it remains unsettled. “Make the most of the spring-like conditions today, because winter looks like making a comeback later this weekend.â€

http://www.express.c...nter-snaps-back

What a difference a year makes: Mother's Day daffodils delayed by the cold weather... as Britain enjoys its warmest day of 2013 so far

It was hotter than Marbella yesterday as we were treated to the warmest day of the year so far – but don’t think the daffodils took any notice. The unseasonably cold winter has already wreaked havoc on crops, causing them to bloom four weeks late. And they could be hampered further still as snow showers are predicted to return next week. The late bloom means there is a shortage as Mother’s Day approaches on Sunday, with prices up 50 per cent. This time last year, Taylor’s Bulbs near Spalding, Lincolnshire, was carpeted with nodding daffodils; this year their leaves are still making their way out of the ground. Claire Taylor, who works at the farm, said she had picked 2,000 boxes of the flowers this year – half the amount in previous seasons.

She said: ‘I’ve had lots of people calling me and offering extra money for daffodils, but we just don’t have enough to meet the demand.

This year the cold weather means we are way behind and still cutting our first variety which we usually pick in late January or February time.’ Spring has finally sprung as people across the country enjoyed the hottest day of the year yesterday with temperatures reaching a balmy 17.5C. Yesterday was the finest day of the week, with southern Britain and western Wales experiencing the warm weather, with most of the country set to experience similar warm weather. Trawsgoed in west Wales enjoyed the hottest temperature in the UK, reaching 17.5C, closely followed by Gravesend, in Kent, which saw the thermometer tip the 17.1C mark. They were followed by St James' Park in central London, which measured 16.8C - giving some of the UK a welcome respite from the wintry weather.

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2Mm7bkH3B

i got 8 deg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[Summer Sun]

i got 8 deg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Yes the south was the warmest (wales and Gravesend) some parts of the north only recorded 3c where the fog stuck all day

[Summer Sun]

The calm before the solar storm? NASA warns 'something unexpected is happening to the Sun'

Something unexpected' is happening on the Sun, Nasa has warned. This year was supposed to be the year of 'solar maximum,' the peak of the 11-year sunspot cycle. But as this image reveals, solar activity is relatively low. 'Sunspot numbers are well below their values from 2011, and strong solar flares have been infrequent,' the space agency says. The image above shows the Earth-facing surface of the Sun on February 28, 2013, as observed by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) on NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. It observed just a few small sunspots on an otherwise clean face, which is usually riddled with many spots during peak solar activity. Experts have been baffled by the apparent lack of activity - with many wondering if NASA simply got it wrong.

However, Solar physicist Dean Pesnell of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center believes he has a different explanation. 'This is solar maximum,' he says. 'But it looks different from what we expected because it is double-peaked.' 'The last two solar maxima, around 1989 and 2001, had not one but two peaks.' Solar activity went up, dipped, then rose again, performing a mini-cycle that lasted about two years, he said. The same thing could be happening now, as sunspot counts jumped in 2011 and dipped in 2012, he believes. Pesnell expects them to rebound in 2013: 'I am comfortable in saying that another peak will happen in 2013 and possibly last into 2014.' He spotted a similarity between Solar Cycle 24 and Solar Cycle 14, which had a double-peak during the first decade of the 20th century. If the two cycles are twins, 'it would mean one peak in late 2013 and another in 2015'.

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2MyxrWsgG

[Summer Sun]

Big freeze blasts back: Snow, rain and gales sweep UK

http://www.express.c...-gales-sweep-UK

Winter Marches on: Temperatures will fall by 10C in the space of 24 hours... the snow is back again (and it's meant to be spring!)

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2N3PcF0Qz

March raws in like a lion

http://www.thesun.co...ike-a-lion.html

[Summer Sun]

BBC weather for the week ahead with Helen Willetts

Early this week

Snow and Ice

Gale force winds

Bitterly cold

End of the week

Less cold

Less wintry

http://youtu.be/tSTCodAIdzU

[Summer Sun]

BRITAIN 'COLDER THAN ALASKA' AS SNOW BLASTS IN

BRITAIN is colder than Alaska with the “Beast from the East†set to bring up to 4in of snow – threatening rush-hour chaos tomorrow morning. Daytime temperatures will feel like -8C and nights around -14C, the country’s coldest temperature for a year. Weathermen warned last night of possible power cuts and floods. The Met Office expected 2in of snow in the North East and East Midlands, where 55mph winds and ice threatened to topple power lines. An inch of snow was expected in East Anglia by this morning.

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/302839/Britain-colder-than-Alaska-as-snow-blasts-in-/

Call this spring? Snow carpets Britain as temperatures plunge to -7C and BLIZZARDS cause chaos in last icy blast of winter

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2291000/UK-weather-Winters-final-blast-Snow-hits-large-parts-UK-way-temperatures-plunge-7C.html

[BARRY]

Country file forecast was a sitting on the fence if ever i saw one

[Summer Sun]

Bookmakers slash the odds on a white Easter as snow sweeps into Britain from the south and biting 50mph winds make it feel like -12C

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2NF5MmOWO

Britain set for a white Easter as snow and arctic temperatures roar back again

http://www.express.c...roar-back-again

SNOW RETURNS TO BATTER BRITAIN

http://www.dailystar...batter-Britain/

[Summer Sun]

Britain shivers as Beast from the East returns with a chill

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4835607/britain-shivers-as-beast-from-the-east-returns.html#ixzz2NGUyis8b

[Summer Sun]

Hundreds of drivers stranded overnight in freezing conditions

http://www.express.c...zing-conditions

Snow: Hundreds Trapped In Cars Overnight

http://news.sky.com/...-cars-overnight

Snow causes more travel disruption

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21752699

[Summer Sun]

Snowfall In Western Europe Sparks Travel Chaos

http://news.sky.com/...ks-travel-chaos

FREEZING DRIVERS STRANDED IN CARS OVERNIGHT AS SNOW STRIKES

http://www.dailystar...s-snow-strikes/

Man, 27, fights for life after being hit by telegraph pole knocked down in high winds as snow forces Eurostar to cancel ALL trains

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2NL0mh4Qx

Spring snow causes travel chaos across Europe: Frankfurt airport SHUTS, quarter of flights cancelled in Paris and huge traffic jams hit Belgium

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2NL1YJVfF

[Summer Sun]

Snow hell drivers sleep in their cars

http://www.express.c...p-in-their-cars

FREEZING WEATHER A KILLER

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/303317/Freezing-weather-a-killer/