Will it ever get cold???

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Bilbo675, Nov 19, 2011.

  1. Trunky

    Trunky ...who nose about gardening

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    I'm going to stick my neck out now and say I think we're in for a mild winter.
    On what have I based this wild, nay reckless prediction I hear you cry?
    Well not much really, apart from a gut feeling based on a couple of observations:

    1. For the past few months it seems that almost everyone, everywhere, including meteorologists, wise old sages steeped in weather lore and even experienced gardeners and weather watchers on these august pages has been making dire predictions of a hard winter to come.
    Therefore, given the contrary nature of the great British climate and life in general, this will probably not happen.

    2. After many years of working outdoors, you notice subtle patterns in the climate and seasons.
    My impression over the years has been that November often sets the trend for the winter to come.
    If we get a cold snap during the month with snow or hard frost, it often seems to be followed by more of the same during the following months.
    Whereas if November is mild, with an absence of wintry conditions, this mildness seems to persist throughout the winter.
    I have absolutely no idea whether the statistics over the years prove this to be true, it's just my impression.

    Remember, you read it here first! :)
     
  2. *dim*

    *dim* Head Gardener

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    I'm new here in the UK, but what worries me is the theory of berries (lots of berries means an extremely cold winter)

    i'm still learning, so hope that it is mild as I have planted/landscaped several gardens in the tropical/exotic style, but have chosen the hardier plants/shrubs
     
  3. Scrungee

    Scrungee Well known for it

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    +1

    My father in law is a retired farmer and remembers what the weather was like every year for the last 80 years. He reckons it's going to be a mild winter.

    But what really convinces me is the hordes of shoppers who have rushed to buy snow shovels and sacks of rock salt.
     
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    • Val..

      Val.. Confessed snail lover

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      On Autumn watch last week it showed a mother duck swimming along with a line of little ducklings behind her!!!:( They think it is Spring!!! :OUCH:Chris Packham said that unless it stays mild for a good few weeks to come they are all in trouble. The gulls were already circling above ready to feed on them!!
      I love this mild weather but the plants and animals are seriously confused.

      Val
       
    • music

      music Memories Are Made Of This.

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      About 5-6 weeks ago, the local shop was selling Snow Shovels £12.99. You could not enter the shop for people squeezing past with Snow shovels, the shop run out of stock a couple of times. Today same shop, same shovels , £6.99:). There are a lot of disappointed people out there standing looking out the window with their Snow Shovels and their new thermal underwear staring at the sky with a forlorn look on their faces:WINK1:.
       
    • Val..

      Val.. Confessed snail lover

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      Disappointed?!?!? You mean they can't wait to start shovelling!!!! :DOH::heehee:

      Val
       
    • Sheal

      Sheal Total Gardener

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      Trunky, for you I hope your prediction is right. For me I don't, as it will mean this dear island of mine will continue being lashed by rain and wind, as it is now while I'm writing this post and has been mostly for the last two and a half months!
       
    • lazydog

      lazydog Know nothing but willing to learn

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      If it continues to be mild we will have a bigger problem with pests next year,might be good for the birds,but not good for the veg.
       
    • Jack McHammocklashing

      Jack McHammocklashing Sludgemariner

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      Sorry Trunky, but I predicted this late October

      It is bound to be a mild winter as I had spent money on snow tyres, boots, shovel and salt,
      Whenever I part with money it is inevetable the stuff I purhcased is not needed :-)

      So it is my fault it will be mild

      Jack McH
       
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      • ARMANDII

        ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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        Well. I stick to strictly scientific methods when looking for a forecast for the oncoming Winter, so I go to my Digital Weather Station and then test the Seaweed next to it for dryness and then see whether or not the pine cones strung up on the Lilac are open or closed. Then I throw a handful of Pyracantha berries onto the ground and read the "signs". So according to my method it'll be mild up and including Christmas, then January will be colder but February is going to be a Freezer......you may snigger, but the Fairies at the bottom of the garden agree with me.:cry3::what::rolleyespink::coffee:
         
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        • Scrungee

          Scrungee Well known for it

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          A couple of neighbours still have tomato plants growing on their patios, and it's now December!
           
        • Jack McHammocklashing

          Jack McHammocklashing Sludgemariner

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          I have seen you FLY BOYS weather stations before

          A piece of string
          If the string is wet it is raining
          If the string is dry it is sunny
          If the string is swinging about it is windy
          If you can not see the string it is foggy
          If the string looks like an icicle it is very cold

          Jack McH
           
        • Sheal

          Sheal Total Gardener

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          Armandii, I'm being serious here. What do you read 'sign wise' with the Pyracantha berries. I'm intrigued! :)
           
        • ARMANDII

          ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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          Life's too short to be serious, Sheal.:D Actually, I did used to "read" the berries when we had normal Summers and perhaps there was something behind the numbers of berries set on different plants that would give an "indication" of the severity of the oncoming Winter. But the truth is that with the dull, sunless Summers we've had recently the plants aren't behaving normally and everything is out of synch.:scratch::WINK1::mad:

          Jack, us Fly boys always turned into the wind to take off, and turned our backs on it when we wanted to pee. But the Sailor boys always predicted wet weather, particularly the Sub boys, because their string were always wet. But you're right about the method..........it worked didn't it:D:heehee::loll:
           
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          • HarryS

            HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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            My Pyracantha by the front door is abso' full of berries'............is this a sign ?
            To follow Armandii's line ----------
            A GI and a Tommy are in the urinals. The Tommy finishes and starts to leave. The GI turns and says " In the American army , they teach us to wash our hands after a pee ! "
            The tommy turns round and says " In the British army , they teach us not to pee on our hands...........see ya ! " :D
             
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