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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I often wonder how on earth we managed in the past when forecasts didn't feel the need to patronise us with storms being named, and you just looked at the forecast to see how many jackets and/or waterproofs you needed. 
    Funny how it's suddenly a red warning too, when the wind speeds are no higher than in the north and west of Scotland yesterday, and we didn't have one. I wonder why....  ;)

    Rough, stormy weather in February. Who'd have thought eh?  :D

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    edited February 2022
    Fairygirl said:
    Funny how it's suddenly a red warning too, when the wind speeds are no higher than in the north and west of Scotland yesterday, and we didn't have one. I wonder why....  ;)

    Rough, stormy weather in February. Who'd have thought eh?  :D
    I know what you mean, it's always windy about this time of year - who knew? But actually 80mph winds inland in southern England are unusual. And yes, you can be sceptical about why it's such a big deal down here and not there, but the Met Office (and it is them and not the BBC) are not only considering the weather, but the potential impact of the weather when they calculate the warnings. 70mph winds in the areas that were worst hit by Dudley are less likely to cause death and injury than 70mph winds across London. Those wind speeds here happen every year, so most things that are going to break have already broken (my shed roof notwithstanding, or actually just 'not standing'). But in areas where those wind speeds happen rarely, both the chance of trees coming down and roofs coming off is much greater and the likelihood of them hitting someone is also higher, people being much closer together there.

    In essence, much less severe weather is more dangerous in places that don't see that weather very often.

    I've a suspicion the naming of storms was prompted by an episode of the Vicar of Dibley. "Ah yes, that was the Great Storm" "No that wasn't the Great Storm, that was the Great Snow. The great storm was when [something or other happened]" "no that wasn't the Great Storm, that was the Great Blow. The Great Storm was....."
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    Her father was John Smith, the best Labour Prime Minister we never had. Probably the only labour politician I would have voted for.

    I agree with you there fidgetbones.  He was a rare beast indeed - a politician admired by others of all parties.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I agree that John Smith would have been a wonderful PM, but at the risk of attracting some bile and hatred myself, Sir Tony was a fabulous PM and so much better than anything we have had since.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    Her father was John Smith, the best Labour Prime Minister we never had. Probably the only labour politician I would have voted for.
    I totally agree and remember the day he died as if it were yesterday. There was a genuine feeling of loss throughout the UK.
    I agree with you too KT53 and my impression was respect from all who knew him. 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • I too remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard John Smith had died. It was a national tragedy. More than that … a disaster. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Fairygirl said:
    I often wonder how on earth we managed in the past when forecasts didn't feel the need to patronise us with storms being named, and you just looked at the forecast to see how many jackets and/or waterproofs you needed. 
    Funny how it's suddenly a red warning too, when the wind speeds are no higher than in the north and west of Scotland yesterday, and we didn't have one. I wonder why....  ;)

    Rough, stormy weather in February. Who'd have thought eh?  :D

    I'm waiting for them to get to the end of the alphabet again.  Not really very imaginative with the naming are they? ;)

    Surely the recent news should give them a bit of food for thought.  How about Storm Boris ( blustery but not serious ), Storm Putin ( gusty and could be a problem ), Storm Rees Mogg ( sneaking in quietly but could cause disruption ), Storm Trump ( violent at first, easing off but then watch out ).

    I'm sure there are a few more the Met could look at :D
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    To be fair they are predicting the worst storm here for the last 10 years, which is probably worth alerting people to. We are certainly worried.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    KT53 said:
    Fairygirl said:
    I see they've issued the usual warnings about not standing in stormy areas to take selfies - cliffs/piers etc.
    Frankly - I wouldn't bother - just let them crack on. Anyone that dumb is a waste of space. These idiots never learn. 

    What's the betting that BBC reporters will still be outside so we can see what weather is!
    ch4 reporting live from the Severn estuary already
    Devon.
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