I can never understand people who complain about clouds, one of Natures manifestations which are always beautiful. People who live where they are rare appreciate them much more than those who see them frequently. GWW moved to Ireland almost 20 years ago now - to escape what were evident 35 years ago to her & fellow meteorologists the signs of the doubtless results in Britain of Global Warming, which now are accelerating. Some folks might revel in temperatures of 30 C +, but as someone with Celtic genes (red-hair, freckles, intolerance to heat/humidity and a high tendency to sunburn & heatstroke), GWW actually moved to Ireland to avoid these!
The current blocking high of 1025 HPa/Mb which is currently delivering heatwave conditions to England and continental Europe has halted the normal fairly swift progression of Low Pressure areas across Ireland and Europe from West to East.
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2009/pr20090701.html
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/heathealth/index.html
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/advice/heat.html
Instead, linked and almost stationary fronts are aligned from South to North along the jetstream, pulsing areas of cloud and heavy rainfall up through the length of Ireland.
The past few days in Ireland have been very cloudy, which is tending to keep temperatures down. So, thank you beautiful clouds over Tipperary, for keeping me cooler than I might have been otherwise! Here in an area of limestone geology in the middle of Ireland, flooding from rain is unlikely. GWW chose to live here because of this and because of the general weather patterns past and expected future ones, that is. Heatwaves are unlikely here.
Unfortunately for some people in Ireland, especially in the East of the country, the recent continuous heavy rain has brought flooding. A major hospital in Dublin has closed its and Emergency Department today (2 July 2009) and also had had to postpone elective surgeries due to flooding. One ward had to be evacuated and patients given beds elsewhere because the roof & ceiling fell down due to rain penetration! Lying in bed in a hospital is about the last place anyone would expect to be rained upon.
http://www.breakingnews.ie/archives/2009/0702/ireland/eykfqlauqloj/
More than two weeks'-worth of average July rainfall was recorded in Dublin airport in one hour last night, but flights are operating as normal. Commuter train services around Dublin were stopped, and many roads are flooded.
Before any of us who are currently covered by clouds & are being rained upon start complaining, let us all spare a thought for areas of the world which have experienced more drought conditions that usual in recent years Australia, Africa, America, Asia & even in Europe. When clouds of any type are over us, they shelter us from constant sunlight which would burn our skin and parch the earth. Check out this link to find the UV Index for wherever you are in Europe under the sun and TAKE CARE !
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/europe/europe_uv.html
Clouds lead to rain and water is Life. So if you are under clouds, which are all beautiful, look up at them and give thanks for their protection and life-giving gifts! GWW
