Convective North

Funnel Clouds on 10th June 2011

2011-06-10T14:37:00.000-07:00

Yes, Convective North was out chasing storms once again. The chasing 'mojo' was still there and I still have that 'gut feeling' you need to have to get results.

I was on a cell out towards Portglenone when I noticed a very sturdy tower going up beyond Tardree Forest (to my SE). It looked ragged on the base and looked as sure as hell it was going to produce 'something'.

When you chase storms for long enough..you know and can tell when something may well 'produce'.

And it did.....

I caught the cell and stayed about 5 miles back from the updraught. Sure enough...when the cell was over the Whiteabbey area she produced a lovely Funnel Cloud. Lasted about 7 minutes.

I followed the storm towards Carrickfergus and it dropped a second funnel...this time a rapidly rotating sideways affair.

Enjoy...and please ask first if you want to use these local media.

Ice Station Zebra

2010-12-24T06:35:00.000-08:00

Yes, I've renamed Ballymena, Northern Co Antrim as Ice Station Zebra. Recent blizzards gave way to cold on a whole other level from anything I've experienced in the United Kingdom in my life time. It was -15.5C when I was taking these photos. Even the ducks have to stand on the frozen weir....below is the frozen River Braid.

The temperature has stayed below -15C for 5 days of this week.

The morning of the 23rd December saw -19.1C. We saw -18C on the other three days.

This in a week where Castlederg's official reading broke the all time lowest Northern Irish and Irish records twice in one week. -18.0C and then -18.6 (23rd Dec).

Motorways are iced up to hell. Death traps....you slide even on the straights.

Pretty dire and desparate and we're hoping for a thaw soon.

After the Snow Comes the Bitter Cold....

2010-12-11T08:21:00.000-08:00

Uncle Albert would have said "it was so cold...the flame on my lighter froze".

In the last week we have seen -15C on 3 occasions. We saw -12C before 5:30pm on one occasion.

You cannot argue that such images aren't pretty. I hate cold....but the bitterness froze the snow solid.

This is a gorgeous image. Not bad for a mobile phone.

The River Braid flows too fast to freeze.

The River Braid again. This is a noteable Salmon river in season.

Just outside Ballymena.

Postcard shot. Beautiful.

And again...it was -9.3C at this stage.

Shetland Pony looking rather at home in the snow.

Near the River Braid again. Rather Chrismassy looking don't you think.

The post card image (or near it) again. I like this view immensely.

Snow fields outside Ballymena. The temperature rose at 11am and the thaw began.

Arctic Conditions Return...In November

2010-12-11T08:05:00.000-08:00

This is the earliest freezing and snowy conditions I can remember. The 26th November saw arctic conditions engulf Northern Ireland. Just as cold as the spell which came on 18th december 2009! Snow engulfs Ballymena. This is near the ECOS Centre. Parkway is virtually a white-out. Parkway again... It was a blizzard that closed many businesses and schools... The motorway was appalling... It got worse the further North you went. Nearer belfast it wasn't so bad. This was near the ECOS Centre again...nasty.

Convection in the Convective North

2010-11-14T04:57:00.000-08:00

Just adding some images of recent convection taken from Ballymena in North Antrim.

Wider view of the storm and some new convection.

Mammatus....

Trying hard to put another tower up....

The Mammatus there is on the anvil of a fairly active thunderstorm which caused some moderate flooding over in that direction.

Removed Photographs

2010-11-08T04:27:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone, All should be resumed soon. I removed a whole lot of photographs as they appear to have been stolen and posted elsewhere. So the blog has not been forgotten about...it just looks that way for the time being. Good news is I've more images to go up soon. Watch this space.....

Matt Hughes ~ Storm Chaser

2010-05-28T15:25:00.000-07:00

It is with great shock and sadness that I have learned of the passing of storm chaser Matt Hughes. My thoughts are with his family and close friends at this time. Rest in Peace Matt...

Wanna See My Bike....?

2010-05-27T14:53:00.000-07:00

Hi folks,

Not much happening with the weather at the moment. It's been fine but pretty cold apart from Sunday 23rd May when it was 26C here.

Anyway the bike is making its debut for the Summer the last few days.

Here it is. Suzuki GSXR1000, Power Commander III, K & N Airfilter and a Jardine GP1 exhaust system.

It's a road going thunderstorm.

Bye for now.

Convection over Templepatrick

2010-04-30T13:36:00.000-07:00

Hey, good day today.

Saw a decent funnel at 1pm today and took pictures of it on my new Blackberry phone.

Trying to figure out how to get them off it, and will add them once I have. My computer hasn't taken kindly to loading Blackberry software.

Further out I saw a nice updraft near Templepatrick (these images) with a rain free base and a nice little Wall Cloud tugging at the precip.

Shortly after these were taken it absolutely emptied (the heavens).

Sunday Evening at Lough Neagh

2010-04-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

Greetings followers, 'bout time I contributed again.

Went for run out on the motorcycle this evening to Antrim and the foreshore of Lough Neagh. Sat down to drink a coke and watched the developing thunderstorm in the distance.

After a while it became immediately apparent that the cell was developing into a very heavy rain storm heading in the direction of Belfast. I headed back at a rate of knots.

Just got in and got the bike under cover when the shelf cloud rolled over Belfast and the heavens opened with hail and torrential rain.

Life in the Freezer ~ Part 2

2010-03-31T15:12:00.000-07:00

It had to come, it was inevitable...the cold returned once again with a vengeance. As you can see, even though it is melting fast, there is very deep snow here. Over a foot at any rate. I saw drifts over 6 feet deep on the way up here. The images below are not out of focus...they are showing how hazy it looks from all the airbourne drifting snow that is in the air coming off the moors. You cannot even see Slemish for all this lofted ice. Here is what it was like with the view from the top. The whole of North Antrim has been plunged back into arctic like conditions. This snow storm came with very strong winds probably up to 70 mph at this height. There are trees and power lines down all over this area. Power was off for 40,000 homes. Dreadful conditions saw cars & motorcycles abandoned at the road side. By far the worst conditions of the winter (although it is Spring now) were seen last night. I went to the Four Winds area of Belfast last night and the roads were simply impassable. It was a blizzard.

Mammatus Over the North Channel

2010-03-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

Blimey, two entries in one day.

Just took some time out to take these shots.

Mammatus out beyond the Glens of Antrim. A very heavy shower out there over the North Channel.

Click on any image for a larger view.

Convection Returns

2010-03-22T07:05:00.000-07:00

Good, so now Un-Convective North can become Convective North once again! Sorry about the power line, but I wanted to get the sheep in. If I'd have moved forwards more they would have scattered. In the background is Lough Neagh...we're at about 700 ft here. About this time that is a thunderstorm over the North Channel. Some nice Mammatus there.

This baby gave some heavy hail in Ballymena. About this time it is firing off some sfloc in the North Channel.

Click on any image for a larger version.

Life in the Freezer

2010-02-24T12:42:00.001-08:00

When will this winter ever loose it's grip? We've been back to hard frosts for over two and a half weeks now. Now, sadly and inevitably, the snow has returned with a vengeance. It's just cold and nasty out there. Looks awful. Where's Spring. No end in sight to this as yet. If you like cold then fair enough enjoy. If not, then console yourself with the fact you didn't have to go up there and freeze your parts off to take these.

Snow & Cold are Back

2010-01-30T12:30:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, just a quick call in with more photos.

The cold and snow are back again. Sadly.

Had a very interesting drive home last night...and I went the hard way just tyo make it a little interesting for me (and now you).

This image is the Crebilly Road at 800 ft asl. Frozen and snowed over.

This image is of the Collin Pass at 950 ft asl. More of a trunk road this one and as you can see, even though it has been ploughed and heavily salted the road is pretty nasty.

So now the cold and snow is here, there may be more 'orrible snow photos to add soon. That's all for now!

Thaw = Flooding

2010-01-16T07:45:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone...just a quick look in to post some photos from today (less than an hour ago).

The Atlantic has returned with a vengeance. Mild air at 10C (at night) is some 24C warmer than it was just 1 week ago. Astonishing stuff for N. Ireland.

Anyway, the rapid thaw along with torrential rain and high winds sweeping in from the Atlantic have ensured we end up with flooding. Rivers are bursting their Banks across the province.

On my way to work this morning, I noticed that Five Mile Water (near Ballyclare) was at the highest level I have seen in 7 years of driving the route.

Arrival at Ballymena saw this. The River Braid at the highest I have seen it....and I've seen it pretty high. Bear in mind that this is normally a very shallow trout stream.

The second image here is looking towards the town centre. The river is 3 feet over the road.

Click on the images for a larger version. That's all for now.

Still Very Cold in Co. Antrim

2009-12-29T15:37:00.000-08:00

Still very cold North of Belfast. Here's a shot back towards the Newtownabbey area. Belfast is 500 ft below and beyond the gap in the hills near dead centre. We're at 1050 ft here.

These are much the same. 20 miles distant is the industrial area of Mallusk & Newtownabbey. Looks pretty misty and much of that is smoke/steam.

The areas of Ballymena and Broughshane are being hit hard by frozen water mains. Cap that with frozen sewers getting blocked with ice slush causing methane fume problems. This is the coldest period in these parts of Northern Ireland for quite some years.

Bitter cold is set to return by New Year.

Snow, Snow and more Snow in Co Antrim

2009-12-22T11:02:00.000-08:00

It had to come one day. Not usual that we get much snow (if at all) in December. we usually get it in March!

Anyway, a very cold pool of air is sitting over Northern Ireland and it has been snowing on and off for 4 days now.

Up in Ballymena, Broughshane and the Ballyclare area there has been over 10 inches of snow now. This is an astonishing amount considering our proximity to the Gulf Stream and general milder air.

Anyway, I took the opportunity to take some images today before the Collin Summit got snowed up again. Images taken at around 1000ft.

Below is Slemish where Legend has it, St. Patrick tended his sheep... And again...a more wide angled shot.

It is snowing again now (heavily) and that route is now impassable.

The Glens of Antrim in their snowy glory...

Looking towards Shillnavogy Pass...

Lastly Slemish again....

Freezing Rain, Ice, Snow & the Collin

2009-12-18T12:28:00.000-08:00

Yesterday (17-12-09) was interesting.

First we had freezing rain, instantly freezing onto roads and footpaths, and then we had the snow. This led to appalling driving conditions last night at midnight or thereabouts.

Between Ballymena and Crebilly it was a skating rink. Snow hiding the sheet ice. There is a steep drop down to the Broughshane Road there (at Crebilly) and it was immediately apparent I wouldn't be able to stop the car for the junction and the drop over the other side if I went for it. I turned back.

I headed over the Collin Summit (at circa 1000 ft) and the conditions there were slightly better as the route was gritted. However, at the other side of the pass facing into the wind the ice and snow was very bad indeed. 3 miles of driving down steep inclines was some of the most challenging and scary I've done in a long time.

Today, in clear daylight I headed back up to the Collin Summit to take some photos of the pristine snow. It was gorgeous up there and the road was somewhat clearer after being plastered by gritters.

Hope you enjoy. Click on a pic for a larger image.

Shillanvogy Pass (1350 ft)

2009-12-17T13:06:00.000-08:00

Good Evening everyone.

Todays outing was to Shillanvogy Pass, which is the second highest road in N. Ireland. Very close to the Glens of Antrim, and to the East of Slemish.

Spectacular views to day in the very clear cold air before the snow came in. In fact, at the time of writing this (8 hours later) the pass is snowed in and impassable.

Views in the images are out over the North Channel, where in the distance you can see Central Scotland and the distant highlands. Also shown are the moors, Slemish and one of the Glens.

Hope you enjoy.

Wolf Bog Wind Farm

2009-12-11T12:03:00.000-08:00

Hello again.

This week's photographic expedition (of sorts) was up to Wolf Bog Wind Farm at around 1200 ft ASL. It's not easy to get to so you have to hike a bit.

Wolf Bog is 6 miles North of Ballyclare in Northern Ireland. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Some would say the windmills ruin this beauty. They are effectively sitting on the highest land around...so you might judge for yourself.

I would say that in amongst these would be a pretty threatening place to be during a thunderstorm. You'd need to be in a car...if you can get it up the track.

The land is so high here that it would make an excellent location for storm spotting and photographing from.

Any one of my images can be purchased for a nominal fee.

Enjoy.

Lough Neagh During Stormy Conditions

2009-11-25T12:33:00.000-08:00

Having a run on these photos at the moment.

Anyway...I went to Lough Neagh today as the winds were very strong indeed. The wind was whistling up Lough Neagh (a fresh water lake)...so I headed to the NE corner where I knew a swell would be coming in.

I wasn't disappointed, the swell was so large it was being driven in over the road causing local flooding. Enjoy.

Click on any image for a larger version. All images are for sale for a nominal fee.

Mammatus and Flooding

2009-11-12T15:53:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone. I put these on facebook and my twitter account so I think I may as well place them on here too.

The first two images are Mammatus taken at Wolf Bog, a 1000 ft up on the moors near Ballyclare in Northern Ireland.

The three images after that are the River Main taken at Galgorm after some seriously torrrential rainfall on 12th November. Normally you can see the boulders with trickles of water around them...so currently she is shifting some water and the current is hauling the mail...

Hope you enjoy...

Floridian Convection....

2009-11-01T06:30:00.000-08:00

Life's a bitch sometimes...and I just haven't had the time to update my blog for quite some time.

I thought I'd have a look see today and was shocked at how long it is since I sat down and added something. Truth is the weather has been pretty uninteresting in these parts for quite some time. Not really anything to write home about...let alone update a blog.

El Nino has 'put paid' to the North Atlantic Tropical Cyclone season as far as the Caribbean & Americas are concerned...and the British Isles sit in a mild and largely damp and mild weather pattern.

But hang on...I've just 'found' some photos taken in Florida in September. Good enough...all taken during (or close to) heavy thunderstorms.

Click on the images for a larger view...Enjoy.....

Noctilucent Clouds North of Belfast...

2009-06-19T15:27:00.000-07:00

Quick blog entry here. The Mesosphere has been very active with Noctilucent Clouds this week. In fact at 0300 hrs on 17th June I saw the best display of my life. If you wanna know what they are have a look at this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noctilucent_cloud Anyway, last night I was wondering if they would appear again and they did. Marvellous...and the sky was this beautiful glow. You'll need to click on the photo to get the larger size image.

Thunderstorm over Belfast ~ 14 June 2009

2009-06-14T09:47:00.000-07:00

Took a few interesting shots of a thunderstorm over Belfast today. Hope you like them.

There was some hail and plenty of lightning...and a few scud tags were moving around under it at one stage.

Dominating & Surging into Tornadoes....

2009-06-08T12:11:00.000-07:00

It's been a while (mainly due to work commitments) since I had the time to update this blog. Anyway...I have been interested and amused by the antics of one Reed Timmer and his valiant team driving his armoured intercept vehicle (aptly named the Dominator) at least two tornadoes...and probably more. The vortex is spotted, assessed and the vehicle is directed more or less straight into the tornadoes path. This is done in a blaze of shouting and verbal chaos...with the passing of the tornado marked with major laughter, glee and an element of relief. Discovery are with him filming and I have to say what has happened so far with him (and his team don't forget) looks to make spectacular television for later this year. Now, I am aware Reed is an aquired taste as far as some chasers are concerned...but I have to hold my hat up and recognise what he has done so far. As far as the outstanding televison is concered...that's all well and good, But what is priceless is the data. Reed Timmer (whether some like it or not) is getting outstanding data....data we could not have even wished for only a couple of years ago. Now hold on...lets also consider the (extremely likable) Sean Casey who drove into tornadoes long before Reed ever did. The difference here is the fact that Reed has been getting close to tornadoes consistently...and now as a result of this he is able to drive into them consistently. Sean (often accompanied by a DoW) does show a level of caution and restraint...something Reed doesn't (appear to). I admire their courage (both Reed & Sean)...and I won't say foolhardy either...cause I'd love to be in that TVN Dominator headed into a tornado myself. In the words of the great Geoff Mackley..."you only know you're truly alive when you're in that much danger!". I look forward to watching the rest of the season pan out...and hope Reed, Joel and Chris are well strapped in when that thing eventually gets rolled. Now that would make great TV as long as they don't get hurt. Wait...hang on a minute! ***STOP PRESS*** I'm just reading on Facebook....TVN are testing a Radio Controlled Plane!!

It's All Going Quiet Over There..!

2009-05-16T09:09:00.000-07:00

Yes, yes...it is...the US Plains that is. The Great Plains has entered a quiet period where 'chase weather' will be very hard to come by. The moisture and instability has been ridged out and the pattern looks to hold for at least a week or two. Yes, there maybe storms somewhere...but they will be few and far between. What there are will be crawled over by desperate chasers and the Vortex 2 project. Not good...and that's no criticism of anyone. People book time off work (stateside) and people fly over to chase...and this is all organised months ahead...so they want storms. Thankfully yours truly is heading out to Florida to do the evening storms thing in September (yes the storms get later in the day/evening as the wet season progresses) and maybe pick up a tropical cyclone. So I don't have that problem. Personally, if I was flying over I may consider touring around and visit Yellowstone and some other touristy meccas. I may even consider (if you have to do a touristy mecca thing) not collecting my car at all and get an internal flight direct to Orlando, Tampa or Sanford and go where there are storms (with a severe risk on 19th/20th May) and tourist meccas. You can always plan to drift back in your hire car as the plains 'perhaps' start to become active once again. It's a matter of personal choice. Would you rather be scratching around looking for moisture and convection...or would you rather be literally swimming in it. Record heat and an early start to the wet season there mean things are active. Okay...you might not get supercells, but you will get highly electrified pulse type storms and some more organised clusters. I know what I would do....May is a quiet month (tourist-wise) and Typhoon Lagoon is great at this time of year...

Funnel Clouds & Thunderstorms...

2009-04-29T05:57:00.000-07:00

It's been a while hasn't it...since the last time I posted my musings. Well, I've been pretty busy lately...and not with convection. Work is taking priority and I have had little time for weather matters. However, that is not to say I don't look every day and consider what may be in the offing. Just such a day was Saturday 26th April. Thunderstorms were a racing certainty along a cold front (CF) that was edging into Northern Ireland. I raced out of the starting blocks as towers went up and headed home to collect my chasing paraphernalia. Once there...I realised a reverse journey was going to be needed as the CF passed me going in the opposite direction prior to reaching Belfast. So off back up the Motorway I headed in the direction of a now ongoing storm between Ballyclare and Ballymena. My place of work confirmed that a storm was chucking our hail at a rather drastic rate. Sadly though, some severe flooding just beyond Ballyclare prevented any further progress. After seeking some radar advice from Howard ( http://www.howardkirbyphotography.co.uk/ ) I decided to take a run down the side of Lough Neagh and try to intercept a storm down that way. It soon became apparent that I was on the wrong side of the Lough and that any intercept would be virtually impossible. I help position for some lightning as darkness came...but there was none to be seen. The whole event had ended. Undaunted... The next best convective day was Monday 27th April. I was headed to work and decided to go via N. Irelands highest road (1300ft ~ Shillanvogy Road) at the back of Slemish. Convection was building and there was a fair bit of hail up there. I got out of the car for a 20 minute view at the developing towers. It was a day of stout convection and there was a lot of motion in those bases...particularly one over between Belfast and Antrim. Then suddenly I noticed the tell-tale lowering of a rather stout Funnel Cloud. It was good enough to be beyond doubt even at the range I was at. The view was clear and a pair of binos confirmed the rotation....not that I needed to check really. Texts and tweets flying out from my phone...and the info gets passed fairly quickly from there. It was later in the day that someone posted a photo of the very same on Netweather, a UK Weather forum. It was posted by (credit) Jello of Co Antrim. You can see it here: http://www.netweather.tv/forum/index.php?s=8ffe36e3ac640f257ed2bf6f9b667218&act=attach&type=post&id=81710

Spring May Well be Here (at last)

2009-03-20T13:36:00.000-07:00

Quiet times for Convective North. It's been a while since anything has actually happened. Certainly no thunder even as yet in 2009 for me. Might have to go to Florida and do something about that. No seriously... Sunny days are the order of the day with rather cool winds from the SE. Beautiful days though. I shouldn't complain though as I am the first to admit to being glad to see the back of winter 08/09. It has been really, really shite to say the least. One good thing about April/May is the fact we usually see some pretty good thunderstorms in certain parts of the UK. I look forward to that...I even look forward to seeing them in Europe. One thing about Europe is that there is a pretty big hot-spot for severe thunderstorms and supercells. This is Poland and the Czech Republic. One day I may well chase there...but that would be during a Summer. Promotion time! A friend of mine has just begun his own weather site. Howard Kirby is an outstanding and (some would say opinionated) Weather & Nature photographer. You can find his site here.... http://www.howardkirbyphotography.co.uk/ Ttfn....

Torro & Tyrrell...

2009-03-11T12:40:00.000-07:00

For anyone who doesn't know... I've been vociferous and rather clamorous in the back benches of the Tornado & Storm Research Organisation (Torro) for quite some time. I've no doubt that this position has not exactly endeared myself to some senior members of staff. However, that said....I was left in no doubt that many people supported what I was saying. I'll not go into too much detail here but...I (with the support these others) tended to question the validity of many severe weather reports....some which quite frankly needed Yvette Fielding's attention rather than ours. I've not much idea of how this came about but...in mid 2008 Torro did appoint a new 'Head' Director who arrived in the form of Dr. John Tyrrell currently practicing at Cork University. It is from here that things began to change for the better. John personally wrote emails to people querying things and tried to make things improve for the better. Suggestions were taken on board and....if it seemed possible to progress them, he made (and makes) an effort to keep people informed of same. A classic example of this is the new regional site investigations plan which we had asked for quite some time before John came along....and is now being sanctioned. My pov was beginning to change that maybe we were actually moving forward. The suddenly it hit me with a jolt...we actually were! In the forum of Torro (you'll have to become a member to see this) I began to read genuine posts with genuine contributions form staff attempting to address the long standing Tornado vs Straight Line Winds (SLW) debate. A database to register convective wind damage from downdrafts, downbursts and microbursts...my goodness how I like the sound of that! Anyone who knows me would realise that my greatest meteorological pet peeve alert was with dodgy tornado reports from strong SLW winds..usually involving a trampoline (don't ask). I have spent many, many hours poring over some tornado reports and questioning how the heck people could come to such conclusions. Anyway...it now seems that this issue is being addressed too. I mean...holy shit man! What do I do now!? Well the only thing I can do is say thanks to the good doctor (and his team) and give a nod of approval that Torro is making steady headway. So...is Torro worth joining if you are interested in weather at a professional or amateur level? Yes...it is. And coming from me...that is a ringing endorcement. http://www.torro.org.uk/TORRO/index.php

Spring Delivers More Cold Weather.......

2009-03-04T10:56:00.000-08:00

This is becoming silly...... Winter has effectively been going on since the end of October. It's been a heck of a cold year. It'll not break any records for all time low temperatures or anything...but for fairly consistant and general cold for over 4 months now, it is finally taking the biscuit. Last night on my way home it was raining...however as I got closer to Belfast the rain turned to sleet and then to snow and at Newtownabbey it was like Norway once again. Even though it was dark...you could see the hills lit up by the City were uniformally white. This wasn't light snow either...it was yet again another bash of over 10 cm. However, today I returned (North) to Ballymena and there is not a bit of snow here. There is a rather harsh frost out there tonight...and my fingers were without feeling when I returned from taking some photographs of the North Channel Effect earlier. And that brings me to the North Channel. As you can see in the above photograph there is some activity going on about 25 miles away. Slemish (where St. Patrick once resided) is the hill to the left at about 1500 ft. Beyond that is some more moorland and then the North Channel. During cold Northerlies the North Channel produces convection and a shower train that progresses into the Irish Sea. Interestingly today...there was some very sharp shear from about 10,000 ft which was taking the anvil tops off these showers in a quite spectacular way. As you can see. Some time later the entire anvil had detached from the parent updraft. Interestingly the updraft still carried on and produced another anvil some time later (as dusk approached). Anyway...I can see a great big shower of snow heading towards me....and the prospects look cold for tomorrow once again....sadly. Can't wait for Florida......

Quiet Boring Weather Really...

2009-02-21T12:32:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a bit since I last wrote. Truth be told there hasn't been an awful lot to write about weather wise. Mild but boring weather a present with a high of 12C. That's got to be better then the constant cold weather we've had since October. I can honestly say that this has been the longest winter I can ever remember. Personally....I don't think I've seen 12C since November. We had the earliest ever snow in October, with more in November...which (and I believe in weather patterns) I said would lead to some some serious snow in the depths of winter. We got it in spades. Now we're approaching the end of February and into March. The sun came out today and it was the first time in a long time I can remember feeling the heat of the sun on my face, back and arms. Now, we nearly always get a final fling (of winter) snowfall at the start of March in the Ballymena area of N. Ireland. That said, the sun has enough kick in it to (usually) melt it every day. So there we have it...I think we're near to coming out of the other side of this. Do you wanna know the other reason I suspect this? Lol...the dogs and cats have started to moult... ;-) I'll be back....

Boredom Led Me to Twitter....

2009-01-31T13:17:00.000-08:00

Weather is really quiet these days...well since the last storm. That's despite the fact that the Uk is plunging into some rather cold weather over the next few days. Anyway...I was plinking around (as you do) and found twitter. I know it's been around for a while...but there you go. Anyway I signed up and linked up to a few news and weather outlets. I never realised how handy it is. Weather warnings from the Meto come to you immediately they are issued. You don't have to go to them...they come to you. I can update my twitter account with my storm chase locations by mobile text, which is brilliant cause I don't have to send texts to a variety of people. It really is a very handy tool. So...snow is on the way for England. Expect the media to be talking like it's the arctic by the time the first flake falls. Serioiusly...they'd shit themselves if they lived here...

More Unwelcome Snow....

2009-01-23T10:46:00.000-08:00

Driving to work from Belfast this lunchtime was rather interesting. Once I got to 450 ft coming out of Belfast it was snowing heavily. When this is the case you can usually assume it is snowing in Ballymena.

The reason for this is that even though Ballymena is lower...it is quite a long way inland. Enough to cancel out the proximity to the sea which always seems to affect coastal snowfall around here.

Sure enough there was a covering of snow in Ballymena. However, all local snow melted in a fast thaw before I could find time to take a snap. That said, Slemish (in the picture) was still fairly snowed up.

I went out later in the afternoon and took an image of a passing convective cell showing signs of looking slightly Mammatus(y).

That just about remains the highlight of the day so far...so 'till next time...

President Obama...A Welcome...

2009-01-20T14:44:00.000-08:00

I'd just like to post a welcome to the inauguration of President Obama. A figure who promises so much and represents so much. Maybe he is the electrical jolt to the heart of the free world that is needed. I sincerely wish him 'god speed' in his forthcoming journey.

Atlantic Storm...with a Vengeance...

2009-01-17T14:01:00.000-08:00

Blimey...well that one blew the cobwebs out. We knew it was coming for several days. But...it provided everything it threatened from torrential rain to exceptional winds courtesy of a probable Sting Jet. From early this morning it became obvious that explosive cyclogenesis was occurring of SW Ireland. The storm moved NE past North West Ireland and the Western Isles of Scotland. I was in Ballymena as the storm hit it's stride at around 1530 hrs. Roof and fence damage occurred at my place of work. At home the house across the road has lost all of its ridge tiles. The storm (possibly courtesy of a Sting Jet) reached 108 mph on the coast of Belmullet in the Republic or Ireland. Currently the storm centre is off the coast of the Outer Hebrides where an automatic weather station has just recorded 75 knots ((86 mph). It's shot its bolt here mind...I'm just waiting for the snow to move in which is usual off the back of such storms at they pull air down from colder climes... Anyway...I'll write on Sunday and hopefully get some photos....

Talking Rain and Podcasts....

2009-01-14T14:46:00.000-08:00

Rain Not a very nice day today. 8C and torrential rain all day resulting in localised flooding in the Ballymena area. Propects for the weekend still point towards some rather stormy weather to say the least. Podcasts I've recently become a great fan of podcasts. It's the 'select when you want to listen' flexibility that comes with them. I always did listen to Kermode and Mayo's Film Reviews...which is nothing short of spectacular if you want to hear a full on Kermodian Rant. Latest film to get the Kermode treatment is Bride Wars...a shockingly bad film to say the least. I used to have Jonathon Ross's and Russell Brands podcasts on too...but they were stopped after the Sachs thingy (which incidentally I thought was very funny). I have Chris Moyles on which is always fun... ...but the real reason I have brought this up is to highlight Stephen Fry's wonderful podgram. It's a podcast in all but name. But he muses about so many things and he does it with a sense of frankness and mirth. It is well worth subscribing to. I'm not one to blow Apples trumpet but...all of the above can be found free on itunes. bfn.....

The Severe Weather Group (SWG)

2009-01-13T05:12:00.000-08:00

Pretty much back to the fog and 2C. Not much wind...maybe a breath of such at most. The Severe Weather Group (SWG) I have a fairly strong group on Facebook now. The Severe Weather Group (SWG) is collecting 10 - 20 members a day now. The key with this group is to notify members of Severe Weather events worldwide. It was great this week to be able to add Reed Timmer (lead Meteorologist) of http://tornadovideos.net/ and Dick McGowan of same as US admins to the group. I am grateful to them for considering and agreeing to such. Both are great (and well known) storm chasers. I also thank James Reynolds of http://typhoonfury.com/ and Howard Kirby of the International Journal of Meteorology for their input too. Ultimately SWG will remain on Facebook untill such time as they begin charging for groups. After this SWG will likely become a stand alone website which will continue to promote the links and associates it has made... Anyway...that's the future...

Mobile Atlantic Weather Returns....

2009-01-12T12:05:00.000-08:00

Well, after a period of stagnant, cold weather with much anticyclonic gloom...we have returned to an Atlantic mobile set up. Rain and wind with showers. As you can imagine...for a Storm Chaser (who like warm and hot for storms) outgoing cold will not be missed. Even then it's only 10C so...not exactly warm either. Prospects for a mobile week ahead with a mixed bag of weather and the looming prospect of more cold next week with some more snow for this part of the UK.

Mesocyclone...

2009-01-12T11:32:00.000-08:00

Look at this...Mesocyclone of a Supercell thunderstorm taken near Belfast, N. Ireland.

Lonely Cloud...

2009-01-12T11:17:00.000-08:00

Taken at Scrabo Hill, Newtownards....

Stunning Mammatus taken in Ballymena...

2009-01-12T10:58:00.000-08:00

Oh Mamma...!

Stunning sunset....

2009-01-12T10:55:00.000-08:00

At the end of a cold day....

Goliath in Belfast

2009-01-12T10:43:00.000-08:00

Goliath (shipyard crane) at sunset in Belfast...