The weather where you live is not necessarily the prevailing weather across the UK

[IamEarthymama]

Is Britain's weather unique?

I have always been aware that the weather across the UK can vary hugely from place to place. Watching or listening to the weather forecast makes that very clear.
I am therefore surprised when posters say "Really, you haven't been meeting with friends and family outside? The weather has been glorious!"

Well it might be where you are but on the news you might have seen the families who had to be rescued from floods in West Wales this week. Lots of pictures of the effects of the storms, trees brought down, parks closed to the public etc.

I think it's the air of disbelief that irks a little. As if those of us living in wet, cold and miserable weather are somehow lacking in moral fibre and if we only bought the correct clothing we too could be sitting in
a pub garden, merrily quaffing G&Ts.

At the beginning of lockdown it was glorious here in South Wales. Since early July it has been mostly wet and chilly, with the odd exceptionally lovely couple of days here and there.
In fact, I seriously thought of washing and putting away the majority of my summer clothes as I have lived in jeans, skirts with tights, jumpers and cardigans recently.

I have lived in various parts of the UK, perhaps that is why I understood that weather conditions are variable.
Has anyone else noticed this attitude on MN?

the sky is clear except for the massive cloud hanging directly over the Isle of Wight

I came home on the ferry a couple of weeks ago - left Southampton in beautiful sunshine, half way across it was like entering some weird mist vortex. Drizzly, misty and cold. I’d left my coat in the car as it was so nice when we left. I hate wearing masks so was sitting outside, had to beat a retreat inside.

It's good to know I am not alone in my minor irritation!
As an incomer (from 10 miles away and having lived in other places) I am often faced with incredulity when I talk about some of my life experiences 😊 as though this life here is the norm

Saying that, this is a truly lovely place and I am very grateful to love here, just wish there was more snow!

To this that lives up north and have had shitty weather

Do you feel a bit jealous when you see the forecasts for all day sun and warmth in the SE?!

Decentsalnotime
I also see a lot of whinging about heatwaves and it being too hot to sleep, so it’s swings and roundabouts!

I live on the North Norfolk coast, when everyone else was having really bad thunderstorms, in my town we had flash, bang, splosh and that was it.
These days I look out of my window to see whats happening.

I’m ‘up north’ and think we’ve have a glorious summer! The idd bad day, but mainly dry and sunny. My grass is brown from the lack of rain!

I've noticed this. On a thread where the op was saying it had been really difficult to arrange outdoor meet ups because of the weather numerous people claimed she was talking rubbish because it's been a glorious summer where they are.

It's 11degrees here today but feels like 6. We've had torrential rain and it's really windy. It's been so wet here since July - we've only had a handful of nice days.

@MaveyWavey

I’m ‘up north’ and think we’ve have a glorious summer! The idd bad day, but mainly dry and sunny. My grass is brown from the lack of rain!

I'm up north and it's rained a lot. I put my son's wooden ikea kitchen in garden thinking he could use it as mud kitchen over the summer then we'd tip it when he went back to school. It collapsed due to it being so wet 2 weeks ago. I've not had to water our garden for weeks.

I'm in the middle and it's been mixed since June. Better than last year which really wasn't a challenge when other than some random scorchers, the rain set in from July to March with very few days off. Fortunately this year. not too many washouts in a row as my DCs are not good at staying indoors...

Lots of localised variations around here. I used to work 6 miles away and it was often surpringly different in the next town.

Years ago I was on placement 10 miles away. Drove to work in the snow, it lurked around freezing, some flurries of snow, drove home fine. 13 miles away DH drove to work. It thawed. It hailed. It froze suddenly. It snowed. He manouvered the car into the warehouse, had gentle heat in there and it still took 30 mins to chisel off the lumpy sheet ice!

It is the case in real life too. I live towards the west coast and have had a cold and wet summer. August has been miserable. My parents live near the East coast and tell me I am wrong about the weather because they have huge cracks in the flowerbeds and have to water the vegetable beds every night.

My parents live near the East coast and tell me I am wrong about the weather because they have huge cracks in the flowerbeds and have to water the vegetable beds every night. hmm As if you wouldn't have noticed if the sun was shining?

There's a difference between weather and climate.

I'd say that the climate of the British Isles is unique, yes.

I read a great description in a children's book-"Climate may be, weather is".

Please tell weather presenters and newspapers this.

It may be shock to them- break it gently. Then remind them that the UK extends beyond London.

I'm in South Wales and I've no idea what you're talking about OP, in regards to being 'wet' and 'chilly' since July? Nothing of the sort! (Which I guess proves your point!)

I think our weather is amazing. So many micro climates. I also know a field that sits proud on a hill, north-facing and sheltered on three sides by pine trees. On freezing winter days it never defrosts or melts after it snows, always the last to go. You see this square in the distance with a blue green hue or a white blanket. In spring and summer in one corner are some rare orchids that are normally found in alpine regions.

I work 35 min drive from home and the weather can be vastly different. I once got a phone call from my son's nursery asking me to collect him because they were closing due to heavy snow. It was raining at work. I had to abandon my car on the drive home it was so bad.

@sueelleker

I read a great description in a children's book-"Climate may be, weather is".

That's from one of the Chalet Schools. Perhaps 3 go?

Yes, definitely Chalet School, but I'm not sure which one.