What's the deal with all these high winds?

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

Is it global warming? Is this it now? Days of high winds every couple of weeks? Or is there some sort of short tern weather phenomenon causing it?

I was wondering this too and looked it up. Apparently it's less windy now than it was in the decade between late 80s/late 90s. The UK has always been fairly windy though because we catch bits of lots of different systems. I guess we're just more aware of it now because we name the storms.

Neither phenomenon nor global warming. It's Britain and it's winter/spring. Summer is really the only season in which high winds are less expected.

It’s winter. There are some low presssure areas converging on this tiny island. That’s it, really.

As 'lack of wind' was one of the reasons given for the high energy prices, I say "let it blow!!"

It just seems more intense this year. Maybe you are right - because they are being named, they seem more of an Event.

I've been in this house for 3.5years (it's in an elevated position and quite exposed) and have felt the effects of these high winds more in the kast month than in the whole time we've lived here.

It’s typical for February. Do you not remember this time 2 years ago before the first lockdown? February was an absolute write off - it would be mildly windy all week then massive storms and gales every weekend. It was far worse that year than this year. I remember it because I was annoyed that we couldn’t leave the house every weekend because it was so bad (little did I know how much not leaving the house was on its way).

Ooh no I don't remember - we were away for half of Feb so maybe that's why.

Apparently there have been fewer storms this year than average but the autumn storms all happened it late Autumn so they have been bunched together so it seems like lots. Storm Arwen was more severe than we are used to and from a different direction which makes the impact for noticeable. I think the naming of storm makes each individual storm stand out more or perhaps be reported on more rather than just been in the weather section of the news.

I think you’re right that it seems more of an event because they’re named. The UK is a fairly windy place. I quite like it.

I wouldn't say the winds are worse this year than any other.

It's perfectly normal weather for the UK at this time of year and is nothing compared to winter 2013-2014 when from October 2013 - February 2014 it was storm after storm after storm. Started with the St Jude's Day storm and ended after the St Valentine's Day storm.

What used to be 'winter weather' is now 'OMG the polar vortex is collapsing releasing the Arctic hounds to batter the UK in an anticyclonic disaster maelstrom!' Its the Press wanting clicks. Click it off.

At least it blows the pollution away.

What I hate most is several days of thick cloud cover and no wind.

It's the current position of the jet stream, and the lows are being driven by that. Not unusual really, but generally we tend to get more windy weather in March - just in time to blow all the daffodils down flat. As the old saying goes, March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers. Spring seems to be a bit on the early side this year, so perhaps the winds are too.

Actually this isn't typical. The winds are coming from the wrong direction (north / northwest) and are stronger and more frequent on average. The results, such as devastation on such a scale to forests in the north of England, is something that hasn't been seen before.

We do get winter storms usually, yes, but they are southwesters and not so strong or so frequent.

I blame the new system of naming storms, it makes us more aware of them. Before, unless it was like the "Great Storm" of '87 we'd just be thinking "Ooh, it's a bit blowy today" but we take more notice if it's called "Storm Balonz" or whatever.

I am absolutely here for there being a Storm Balonz. MNHQ must be able to pull some strings with the Met Office?!

Ridiculously, they have “identified” and named 2 “storms” only 48 hours apart. Surely that is the same frontal system ?

It’s clickbait stuff

@AnyFucker

Ridiculously, they have “identified” and named 2 “storms” only 48 hours apart. Surely that is the same frontal system ?

It’s clickbait stuff

No, they are two separate low-pressure systems.

You're not wrong OP definitely windier

It’s winter.

@Andoffwego

It’s typical for February. Do you not remember this time 2 years ago before the first lockdown? February was an absolute write off - it would be mildly windy all week then massive storms and gales every weekend. It was far worse that year than this year. I remember it because I was annoyed that we couldn’t leave the house every weekend because it was so bad (little did I know how much not leaving the house was on its way).

Yes, I remember ! We were going abroad and didn’t know if we’d be going or not, but just managed to get away before it kicked in.

Even if they are two different frontal systems it’s a lot less dramatic to say “we are in for a windy few days”, isn’t it

@AnyFucker

Even if they are two different frontal systems it’s a lot less dramatic to say “we are in for a windy few days”, isn’t it

These are going to be quite strong storms. Whilst I don't care much for the naming of each one, it would be doing the people living in the path of them a huge disservice to simply say "we're in for a windy few days". We could be looking at a fair amount of damage and disruption.

One thing I've noticed since moving to Sydney is the lack of wind. Its almost never windy here, aside from when a rare southerly comes through, and then only for an hour or so. I miss a good cold rainy blustery UK day! (rose tinted glasses I"m sure)