Winter 2024/2025 predictions

This is my interpretation, for what it is worth. La Nina events have less impact on Europe than the Pacific and North America as other factors come into play. One of these is the North Atlantic Oscillation, which for us means the warming effect of the Gulf Stream/North Atlantic Drift. It brings warm water (and the air blowing across that water is also warmed) and is the reason why we and western Norway are ice free in the winter. There is evidence that this oscillation is weakening and that is why there are predictions of colder winters with more snow in GB. The models in the linked forecast suggest that the start of the winter could have more changeable weather if the Polar Vortex is weakened (which is predicted) but it may strengthen later in the winter to bring dryer conditions. A weak polar vortex allows cold air to reach us from the Arctic, but that is interspersed with mild, wet weather due to the wavy polar front. A strong polar vortex tends to keep the cold air further north. So, don't get your hopes up too soon!
 
That reminds me of the bygone farmers lore - where we witness natures trends indicating what’s to come.
I’ve noticed this year half the swallows have left, and half remain as there was a late nest to bring on. That’s different to most years, maybe they know autumn will be mild dry and warm? Hope so!

When we moved to west Ireland, the old man at the local shop told us “if it rains on St Patricks Day, it’ll rain for 40 days”….it bloody well did!


I’m going to lag/insulate all outside yard pipes/water tanks so horse watering is less likely to freeze, saving me hauling buckets around.

One I was told earlier in the year was a snowy winter would bring a warm summer….. that did not happen.

We also used to get snow that snow ploughs would get stuck in and drifts were 4ft high. I remember that growing up in the 90’s. We’ve not had snow like that for years and years.
 
Not round here, they haven't. They were actually really early. I started picking them at the beginning of July. There are a lot of them, though. Still seem to be the final ones ripening, but a lot have gone over. The last lot I picked two weeks ago were all wormy 🤢, so I stopped picking them at that point.
Same here. I noted the blackberries were early this year.
My tomatoes are chugging along, taking their time to ripen.
 
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