Argh, BadKitten, tell me this weather pattern is going to change soon!!!

[HeadFairy]

One storm after another, trees down everywhere, power flickering on and off constantly, garden totally destroyed. Not sure I can handle any more but apparently it's going to carry on in to the new year.

Why have we been stuck like this for so long?

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

They have backed off a little with the cold forecast though, seems to be postponed a bit. So I wouldnt hold your breath for a real winter. Also, I think people are taking as it means that it will be much drier. Rain and flooding could still be an issue I'm afraid.

[HeadFairy]

Cold is good for me.... I need the frost to kill off all these miserable cold bugs that are constantly attacking me!

[GloriaSmud]

Metoffice have an update:

UK Outlook for Saturday 11 Jan 2014 to Monday 20 Jan 2014:

Although showers and longer spells of rain will continue to affect the UK, conditions are not expected to be as stormy as of late. A band of rain lying across the UK on Saturday will be the focus for the most unsettled weather but it will weaken during the weekend. Temperatures are likely to be near or a little above normal at first but turn rather colder with an increasing risk of frost, ice and fog. Thereafter, more changeable conditions are likely in the north and west of the UK with the best of the drier weather in the south and southeast. It will be rather cold in the north with an increasing risk of snow, mainly over northern hills, and nearer normal further south but an increased frost risk.

Updated: 1134 on Mon 6 Jan 2014

And further ahead:

UK Outlook for Tuesday 21 Jan 2014 to Tuesday 4 Feb 2014:

Whilst current indications point towards changeable conditions persisting through to the end of January, conditions are not expected to be as stormy as earlier in the month. This would mean outbreaks of rain mainly affecting northwestern parts of the UK, spreading further southeast at times but tending to weaken. The best of the dry and brighter weather should remain in the southeast. Some signals are also emerging for an increasing risk that the weather may undergo a change to colder weather types early next month.

Updated: 1158 on Mon 6 Jan 2014

I think next week will be a bit of a shock to the system once temperatures start dropping. Temperatures are also forecast to drop over in Europe as well so a blast of cold over there as well.

[HeadFairy]

Ooh, I'd forgotten about this thread, thanks for replying Gloria and BadKitten! :)

Today was absolutely horrific, flooding meant my train was 45 mins late (coming in from Horsham so lots of flooding) and when I got to Victoria there was a person stuck under a tube so I had a 45 minute walk in the most torrential rain I've seen outside of the tropics! Today was my first day in a new job and I turned up 90 mins late and looking like a drowned rat

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

It does look cautiously better from mid week - not good, but less wild and less soggy.

[FourAndDone]

I hate rain

[GloriaSmud]

Metoffice are saying this about the next few weeks:

UK Outlook for Wednesday 8 Jan 2014 to Friday 17 Jan 2014:

The unsettled theme looks set to continue through the rest of next week onwards into the following week. Whilst this means showers and longer spells of rain will continue to affect the UK, conditions are not expected to be as stormy as of late. The most frequent and most persistent rain is then likely to be to the west and northwest where there is also a risk of occasional gales in exposed areas. Maximum temperatures are expected to often be near or just above average to the south and a little colder to the north at first. Later in the period we may see a slightly higher occurrence of colder interludes between spells of rain leading to an increased risk of frost and icy patches compared to recent weeks.

Updated: 1156 on Fri 3 Jan 2014
UK Outlook for Sunday 19 Jan 2014 to Sunday 2 Feb 2014:

Whilst current indications point towards unsettled conditions persisting through much of the rest of January, conditions are not expected to be as stormy as during recent weeks. Some signals are also emerging for an increasing risk that the weather may undergo a change to colder weather types later this month. This would also increase the potential for more settled conditions leaving a lower risk of wet and windy spells than has recently been the case.

Updated: 1134 on Sat 4 Jan 2014

[GloriaSmud]

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I was admiring your persistence

[GloriaSmud]

Ah now I've worked out what I've done. I could have been 'Billy No mates' and talked to myself for hours over here!

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Gloria scroll down to the bottom and untick the hide thread bit.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

You must have been wondering where we all are!!

[GloriaSmud]

I couldn't see that thread ~ I think I might have 'hidden' it by mistake!

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Good idea Gloria, I've said a little on the warnings thread

[GloriaSmud]

Guardian report here. People are being warned to stay away from coastlines because of strong winds and high tides.

[GloriaSmud]

Thought this might be the right place to 'bump' the really awful weather that's on its way for tomorrow. It's the lead story on the BBC website and on TV and radio news.

[LumpySpacePrincessOhMyGlob]

Thank you so much Gloria and OYBBK. I will do some reading up later, I like to understand how it all works.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

It's to do with the temperature contrast between north of it and south of it. The greater the contrast the faster the stream goes (generalisation) Canada has had a huge pool of really cold air. Contrast that with further south in the states and you end up with a runaway jet stream.

It is the Gulf Stream which keeps the west warmer than it ought to be. That one is in the sea. The jet stream is high high up in the air and you can think of it like a stream of air with eddies in it (which become low pressures)

[GloriaSmud]

Lumpy ~ I'm not sure what causes the jet stream to be fast or slow (need to do more reading up!) but there's a bit about it here. I think you've got it more or less right about it 'wiggling' but (and I only found this out a few weeks ago) it needs to wiggle more south of us, to let in colder air from the north. There are still lots of other weather factors that have to be 'right' for there to be snow but (kind of like when you make a cake) if all the right ingredients are there, you should get snow. But it also affects us in summer as well, as we found out the summer of 2012 when it was a very wet year caused by the jet stream staying south of us.

[LumpySpacePrincessOhMyGlob]

I think we are getting the wet woolly weather later. Dh has taken dd bird watching to start their year list.

I am a happy wife and mother of geeks

[LumpySpacePrincessOhMyGlob]

Happy new year! I'm also fed up with mild weather. I want snow.

What causes the jet stream to be either fast or slow? I live in East Kent and I think it was the jet stream that prevented us having cold enough temperatures for snow for years. That changed in 2010 when the jet stream went all wiggly allowing our part of the country to become cold. Is that right?

And, what is a jet stream anyway?

[OhYouMerryLittleKitten]

Happy New Year! Tipping it down here too.
Think we might cancel our NYD walk!!

[CaptainSweatPants]

I really don't want snow though & freezing cold frosty mornings for the mike walk to school
I'd rather mild but dry

[GloriaSmud]

Happy New Year everyone!
While the year is new, the weather isn't ~ chucking it down with rain here and 6.8C. And nothing changes when it comes to the weather warnings either.

[gallicgirl]

I live in Essex and feel like I'm back in North West :(

Should I consider buying a sledge for my DD or would I be wasting my money?