I think these days weather forecasters tend to over-emphasise anything that might be percieved to be "bad" weather (including rain, which as we gardeners all know is good at this time of year) -they probably haven't forgotten failing to forecast the storms in 1987 - they got a lot of stick for that.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
@jamesholt Normally high temperatures in the UK are followed by a storm but in the last few years it has been more likely that the temperature will just drop from one day to the next with no rain.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I think these days weather forecasters tend to over-emphasise anything that might be percieved to be "bad" weather (including rain, which as we gardeners all know is good at this time of year) -they probably haven't forgotten failing to forecast the storms in 1987 - they got a lot of stick for that.
I've given up planning things based on the weather forecast as it's so often very wrong. It really won't surprise me if next week isn't as hot as predicted but unfortunately with young kids and the dog I can't take any risks with this type of weather. I can pack waterproofs or thermals if it's wet or cold but the only way to avoid the heat is to stay at home.
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
I think these days weather forecasters tend to over-emphasise anything that might be percieved to be "bad" weather (including rain, which as we gardeners all know is good at this time of year) -they probably haven't forgotten failing to forecast the storms in 1987 - they got a lot of stick for that.
I think the media look for drama in weather, yes. However the govt and the Met are now careful to give weather alerts - storms, snow, heat, high wind etc. - more careful than twenty years ago. I guess this is trying to reduce loss of life and in part driven by insurance companies.
Thousands of people do die every year from heat across Europe in extreme heat. So it's good to be careful - but ignore the hype - I would say.
There are folk who care for and are responsible for the well-being of others who may be very vulnerable to extremes of temperature eg the frail elderly, children and infants, and those with medical conditions which are impacted by the heat.
It is therefore very important that people take the risks seriously. A strapping teenager may look perfectly capable of coping with a bit of heat or cold … however that strapping teenager may have a Sickle Cell condition, and changes of temperature can cause a loss of blood flow to organs causing organ damage … this damage is cumulative and a bad episode can therefore result in organ failure.
If it takes a bit of ‘drama’ for the message to reach teachers, employers, bus drivers, in fact anyone who may be in a position to alleviate the stress on affected folk, without making judgements, then so be it.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I agree. Judging from the "waaa-hey BBQ!" messages on the newspaper message boards, many people are seeing extreme heat as a chance to go to the beach and pretend they are in Greece. As ever it's the crumbled NHS that takes the brunt of the drunk, burnt, badly dehydrated, and the consequences of foolishness. People drown each year, without fail on summer swims. Older people often really struggle.
My own dad died after scorching summer where he didn't realise how much his body was struggling with the heat. He refused to drink water (after endless arguments, attempts at reasoning, cajolling etc) and his kidneys packed up. It wasn't really the heat that got him in the end, he was very unwell anyway, but 35oC heat without hydrating certainly didn't help. He didn't take the idea of drinking to stay well seriously. In a few days he went from "I'm 83, I'll be fine" to "I should make a will".
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Still, the media love a crisis state of screaming ying-yang collywobbles. It's why I got rid the tv.
@Fire it will definitely be like that down here, Cornwall is renowned for beach disasters one way or another.
I think the worst thing is that the news has to tell everyone what they should be doing, don’t people feel they’re are too hot, or have an illness where they shouldn’t be in full sun, it’s seems these days everyone needs telling what’s what every stage of their lives. If I feel hot in the garden, I come in.
I suppose if I stayed out there and got ill I could sue the media for not telling me it was hot and I should have stayed in. Just looked at our forecast for August , hope that’s a fake weather report, by the time I’ve taken 3° off for altitude it will be like the start of autumn.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
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Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I think the worst thing is that the news has to tell everyone what they should be doing, don’t people feel they’re are too hot, or have an illness where they shouldn’t be in full sun, it’s seems these days everyone needs telling what’s what every stage of their lives. If I feel hot in the garden, I come in.
Just looked at our forecast for August , hope that’s a fake weather report, by the time I’ve taken 3° off for altitude it will be like the start of autumn.