Winter Weather

[johnstephen29]

Sounds like you have had had it rough up there in the islands chris, here I am complaining to my wife about the strong winds we have down in Lincolnshire, but there nothing compared to what you've been through.

[Chris Johnson]

Sounds like you have had had it rough up there in the islands chris, here I am complaining to my wife about the strong winds we have down in Lincolnshire, but there nothing compared to what you've been through.

We anticipate at least one Storm-force 11 each winter but this is the first hurricane since 2005. I've not heard detailed reports from the islands yet, but I feel we got off quite lightly with only minor damage. There's not much let-up for the service engineers though as we are still being battered with deep Atlantic depressions.

[Matt T]

Good to hear you and Patrick are safe, Matt. I tried contacting you but hadn't realised you were without power for so long.

How we take electricity for granted. Trying to read surrounded by candles was a real strain on the eyes.

Chris

Thanks, Chris. Griminish always seems to be the last township to get power back. We were the last in our township too, with most being restored early evening. Losing power, phones and mobiles all at the same time caused a few friends and family to be concerned. I did contemplate pootling over to see how you'd fared, but I'm afraid I didn't fancy driving whilst it's still so foul. The candlelight is a strain, so the eyes are relieved to have electric back 

[Hoy]

Back again!  Power just restored after 28 hours. Was hit Saturday noon. No serious damage at my place except a small tree uprooted and some shrubs almost defoliated.
Not everybody is that lucky. Although no casualties a lot of damage elsewhere.

[Maggi Young]

Very good to hear you are safe too, Trond.  Lots of damage for the UK- especially on the West- as Matt and Chris have shown. 
So far our  islands are still anchored  though - so that's some good news! 

[Hoy]

Very good to hear you are safe too, Trond.  Lots of damage for the UK- especially on the West- as Matt and Chris have shown. 
So far our  islands are still anchored  though - so that's some good news! 

Thanks Maggi  

Hoy - We had close to 50m/s in the great Hurricane a decade ago, the rhodos were fine.

johnw - -3c, sunny

John, I have no anemometer in my garden but at the airport not far from here they measured 44.7m/s maximum wind speed.

[johnstephen29]

It's good to hear that you guys up in Scotland are all safe and sound that's the main thing, property can be repaired or replaced people can't, I hope that doesn't sound too morbid? Same thing to you hoy.

[Matt T]

Thanks, John. My only inconvenience is being unable to get outside to enjoy and photograph all the new Narcissus and Crocus that are in flower and Galanthus on their way, so nothing more serious than the lack of a nice sheltered greenhouse to complain of here.

[Hoy]

Yes, thanks John.

Now I'm hoping we won't get the cold weather they already have in northern Norway. -42C today and schools closed.

Edit: Sorry I was wrong. They don't close the schools at all but the pupils can stay home if they want when it gets colder than -50C 

[johnstephen29]

My greenhouse is still standing thank goodness, could do with getting in there and checking the plants. The weather has been that wild though, Ive stopped in doors and only gone out when I've had to ie work, shopping.

[scatigaz]

Poly tunnel stood up well to the recent gales. Then a small elder branch snapped and punctured it in four places. Never mind, it's a straight forward repair.

[Yann]

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/2014/13

[Maggi Young]

Problems with tree damage  in Sweden at the Gothenburg Botanical Garden  - http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=104&artikel=6068819

[Matt T]

I'm going out to repeat the pollination of some Narcissus crosses I performed a couple of days ago.
It's 1.8^oC and 'feels like' -3^oC.
1. My efforts may be futile, and 2. "I may be some time..." 

[Hoy]

Although the days are getting longer it is still winter. Got 2cm of snow last night and cold weather (that is down to maybe  -5C during the nights) awaits us the next week; fortunately that also means sun. Haven't been much of that this winter.

The city of Bergen just north of us has gotten more than 50cm of precipitation last month. A new record. Here we have gotten about 10cm last week but mostly as rain. Inland it falls as snow. A lot of my friends are striving to keep their cabins accessible.