Weather in NW Europe

[crfriend]

If I did that outside where I am right now I'd likely be frozen until April. Sapphire probably wouldn't like that.

[john62]

Today in Melbourne expected to reach 40C with a north wind which will change to a southwest at 40-60kph, not surprising a Total Fire Ban, and if a fire starts the worse conditions possible.

John

[Kirbstone]

Back to work today and half way along my 8-mile commute a very large tree was horizontal across my road, necessitating a 10-minute detour. It was gone by lunchtime, I hear. I returned home at 5.30 to the news that our front gate had been torn from its hinges, our boilerhouse door ditto. Neither had been properly secured when the violent storm came through.
I walked round to the Bank in 'town' from my workplace. the place was near-deserted and the Bank was closed. There were several areas where roof tiles had smashed onto the footpaths, also bits of gutter & downpipe, so the streets weren't safe places to walk today.

Although we'd had a lot of rain the place wasn't flooded, but surface water on the side roads froze so they were like skating rinks. It's mild again tonight & no frost is expected. Just as well, as I have a row in the morning.......

Tom.

[crfriend]

Although we'd had a lot of rain the place wasn't flooded, but surface water on the side roads froze so they were like skating rinks. It's mild again tonight & no frost is expected. Just as well, as I have a row in the morning.......

This missive will not reach you in time to inspire, or even comfort, but I hope you enjoy your "leisurely row" in the morning (like it'll be anything like that) and compete well. Show those punks what it means to be a proper rower!

[john62]

Well today there has only been 40 bush and grass fires in the state, 12 were large and 2 serious, but no lives lost or serious property damage. Tomorrow will be 20C, a 20 degree difference in 24 hrs.

John

[Jack Williams]

Rainy and relatively cool today. Enough to put on two or three layers of dresses..(!)

[partlyscot]

Around here, Calgary, Alberta, Christmas was fairly mild. I actually spent 4 days at the Gf's parents place about 2 hours North. Again mild for the time of year, but colder than Calgary, about -8C up North, around +5 in Calgary. Yesterday morning we checked the forecast and saw a "Flash freeze warning" so we set of South about 3pm, and got out from under the approaching front, but conditions and wind directions were all over the place on the way down. Got in OK at about 5pm, and about an hour later it hit. For the next 6 hours or so, this chart will give you an idea of what happened, after that, the chart will cycle through and you won't see it. http://wx.ca/?service=page/Trends
It fell about 24C in 12 hours, over 10 of those happened in about an hour and a half. When the snow started and the winds picked up, the more exposed roads around town became zero visibility skating rinks. We have lots of food and drink, heater is working, not going anywhere last night.

Now? The sun is shining, tomorrow will be around zero C. Around here the weather is anything but boring...

[crfriend]

It fell about 24C in 12 hours, over 10 of those happened in about an hour and a half. When the snow started and the winds picked up, the more exposed roads around town became zero visibility skating rinks. We have lots of food and drink, heater is working, not going anywhere last night.

One word: "Ouch"!

calgary-fast-freeze.png

That's a quick drop.

By the by, that's positively awesome that your GF's family accepted you as you are and you could be yourself. That is so important. Feel good about that. Very good.

[partlyscot]

Thanks for posting that image, don't know why it didn't occur to me. Maybe because of the Rum and food coma........

I do feel very good about the acceptance, I'm not about to go out in a skirt generally, (at least at the moment!) but I am much less concerned about people knowing. My GF is cool with it, her parents are, my landlord and friend upstairs also. It makes it much less important what others think.

[crfriend]

Thanks for posting that image, don't know why it didn't occur to me. Maybe because of the Rum and food coma........

You're quite welcome, and I completely understand the "rum and food coma", although I usually acquire mine using beer.

I took a look at that graph and almost gasped.

I do feel very good about the acceptance, I'm not about to go out in a skirt generally, (at least at the moment!) but I am much less concerned about people knowing. My GF is cool with it, her parents are, my landlord and friend upstairs also. It makes it much less important what others think.

I've been saying it for a while, but I believe that the single most important thing than any of us can do whilst "differently attired" is to be ourselves and, in essence, not let on that we might be dressed "strangely" by local conventions. The power radiated by a confident personality is very hard to eclipse or to deny.

I have little doubt that if your GF thought her parents might be somewhat averse she either communicated to them beforehand, or would have said something to you even if she's supportive. In any event, it looks like you carried the day anyway, and that's grounds for congratulations!

In short, in your behaviours and mannerisms, simply don't let on that you're wearing something "odd". Most folks will ignore what you're wearing because you are interesting and that will overpower whatever you're clothed in.

[dillon]

It has been sunny and in the upper 40s - low 50s F here for a couple days. They call for rain today and temps near 70 F. I hauled another load of firewood yesterday, regardless.

[PatJ]

It was slightly chilly here this morning. Fortunately, the car started OK and the thermometer indicated that the outside temps in the valleys was about minus 24 degrees Fahrenheit. Ah - Winter in Wisconsin, a time to dress in layers, and layers.

[crfriend]

It was slightly chilly here this morning.

"Slightly chilly"? Negative 24 Fahrenheit? You, sir, are made of sterner stuff than I am.

Yes, I gripe mightily when it's 30 degrees and 100% humidity mainly because it cuts to the bone. However, -24 is absolutely life-threatening and something to be reckoned with. Layer it up! I'm thinking 2 pairs of heavy tights, a couple of heavy petticoats, and a heavy skirt below and a long-sleeved thermal undershirt, heavy flannel shirt, perhaps a casual waistcoat, and a parka up top. Not to mention gloves/mittens and a proper hat. Brrrr....

[Kirbstone]

We have strong winds & rain with brief clear periods in between when it freezes overnight on the wet, making the little untreated roads round us 'entertaining' if you like to describe uncontrolled slides that way. Then a few hours later it's mild again but with wind howling around tearing doors off hinges and knocking trees & fences down.

The wind has cancelled a couple of rowing outings for us recently, but no big freeze-up so far this Winter, for which we are very grateful.

T.

[Big and Bashful]

We have strong winds & rain with brief clear periods in between when it freezes overnight on the wet, making the little untreated roads round us 'entertaining' if you like to describe uncontrolled slides that way. Then a few hours later it's mild again but with wind howling around tearing doors off hinges and knocking trees & fences down.

The wind has cancelled a couple of rowing outings for us recently, but no big freeze-up so far this Winter, for which we are very grateful.

T.

Very similar to the weather here on the Scottish West Coast, a succession of storms with gales and heavy rain, with blustery and showery gaps inbetween, we have had very few freeze ups here, but I am basically at sea level.