Spring Weather watch

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Optimistically we turn our eyes towards Spring weather in the hope that we are in the last throes of winter. But March is a capricious month. ...

It looks like we've a fairly unsettled couple of weeks coming up overall, with plenty of showers and rain. I'm afraid wintry showers are still likely over northern hills for a time yet.

Water storage will be grateful for the rain and at least there's a chance of spectacular cumulus cloudscapes on showery days (as opposed to these grey gloomy days which frankly can sod off)

Old thread www.mumsnet.com/talk/weather/4708880-winter-weather-outlook-part-2-into-january-23

I don't think the contrasts are especially unusual at this time of year, but it does look as though Spain will break its all time April record of 37.4c. Generally though, temperatures are around 15c lower in April than they are this year.

Last year 40c wasn't reached until the end of May. That was a record breaking May.

The drought conditions there are exacerbating these extreme temperatures that they are seeing.

What we are seeing with climate change is an increase in the frequency and intensity of these extreme heat events across the world.

Silly question I'm sure, but why does a drought make a heatwave worse? I thought a heatwave would make a drought worse not the other way round?
Thanks!

Dry ground heats up faster than wet ground as there's nothing to evaporate to keep it cooler.

What pp said. And once the ground is hot, you're basically living on top of a massive radiator....

They can create a cycle where one makes another worse. As others have said, evaporating water takes heat energy, so the less water there is in the soil to evaporate the more energy there is left available to heat the air.

But I think it's more nuanced than YouveGotToGrooveIt's second statement. Moist soil has higher heat capacity. What that means is that when it goes dark, moist soil stays warmer for longer than dry soil.

Oh and it's not a silly question at all. Questioning why is always good!

It has been one of the chilliest April's here in South Yorkshire that I can remember. We have barely reached double figure temperatures this month.

I had a memory on my Facebook feed from the glorious so spring 3 years ago with images of beautiful cherry blossom. The same trees are only just starting to come into flower.

I want to stop wearing winter clothes.

I've just booked an outdoor forest school birthday party for my nearly-6yo on May 21st - I wanted to hedge my bets but he was determined, so it's done now.

Absolutely freezing and hammering down rain today here! Everybody cross your fingers for a sunny and mild day please.

Good luck with the party next month, Wooly.

A really interesting discussion about soil/heat retention, thank you gang.

Good luck for all the events. We have the Llandudno extravaganza this weekend. Looking cold and wet. Conwy pirate weekend next weekend. And of course a wee coronation to consider.

Knowing what to wear or carry is such a pain at this time of year. I miss the pushchair these days

We're not going to get a summer are we?

I finally got out of my boiling hot flat and now I'm sitting here, cold, in May. I bet it's at least 23 in my old flat!

It does feel as though it's taking its time. Although we have some sunshine in the forecast, it's slow to arrive and interspersed with lots of cloud.

Still chilly in central Scotland. Have had to put the heating on! Off to the Outer Hebrides next week so will probably be snowing

I thought last spring was cold and comparing my heating usage this year to last year - they are the same!

It just never seems to be warming up.

The met office outlook leans towards an average 3 months coming up, but with a higher chance of hot spells that usual.

Anyone else noticed there seem to be more bluebells this year. Everywhere I go, it’s lovely. And as it’s not warm all these places are just me and the dog still!

Not in my garden. I dug half of them up last year. They were everywhere. The forget me nots have gone mad though.

I checked temperature before I went out this morning was 18c. In north Wales. It's cloudy and threatening rain now though

We haven't had 18 degrees yet this year where I live.

We moved recently, we have cowslips in the lawn, nice. And dandelions, umm?

Dandelions are the first flowers and vital for bees. Just pluck them before they turn to clocks. Council cutbacks mean our verges and roundabouts grass haven't been cut yet. They're a beautiful carpet of daisies and buttercups now. It's so pretty.

I dig out dandelions whenever I see them, but I have plenty of other flowers to keep the bees buzzy. Right now they're all over the cranesbill geraniums.

I pick some to make a "honey" with. Delicious on toast. Also use the leaves in salad and tea.

I also use nettles in soup and tea,and as we speak, in pesto!

Pasta with nettle pesto

Oh my today is glorious, finally! I’m taking a sneaky work break on the sunlounger with the dog also enjoying the sun!