February 5th 2014

 

Well what can I say, today has been another rip roaring winters day. Gales, pestilence, driving rain, even the shipping forecast had an air of excitement about it; at one point using the phrase for wave height off Cornwall as 'phenomenal';

Sole : Storm warnings - Issued: 2000 UTC Wed 05 Feb

At 051200 UTC, low 61 north 29 west 960 expected 60 north 40 west 959 by 061200 UTC. Winds will reach storm force 10 at times in the far northwest of West Northern Section and the far southwest of Denmark Strait after 060300 UTC. New low expected 45 north 50 west 977 by same time. Winds will reach storm force 10 in the southwest of West Central Section after 061800 UTC.

 

Area Forecast - Issued: 2000 UTC Wed 05 Feb

 

Wind West 7 to severe gale 9, occasionally storm 10 at first, decreasing 6, becoming cyclonic, mainly north later, 6 to gale 8, perhaps severe gale 9 later.

 

Sea State High or very high, becoming rough or very rough. Weather Squally showers, rain later. Visibility Good, occasionally poor.

Outlook for following 24 hours

From 2000 UTC on Thu 06 Feb 2014.

Hurricane force winds expected in East Central Section and West Central Section with storms expected in West Northern Section and Denmark Strait. Gales or severe gales expected in all other areas. 

So there's nothing for it but to batten down the hatches and head into the school tuck shop and have an early Cadbury's Cream Egg. Although as this photograph was taken at 8am, even for me that's a bit early!