Categories: weather
Date: 18 May 2009 21:10:35
A couple of weeks ago a weather forecaster said that the UK was going to experience " a barbecue summer" this year. I wasn't sure if that was supposed to be a positive prediction - i.e. that the weather would be so wonderful that we would be able to have lots of barbecues, or negative - i.e. that every time you thought you might risk a barbecue you'd be at the mercy of the rain gods.
Given the precipitation we've had over the last week I think he may have meant the latter definition. It reminded me of a poem I came across once when on a walking holiday in the Lake District (where any day without rain is considered to be the onset of severe climate change and a hosepipe ban is likely to be imposed.)
It rained and it rained and rained and rained
The average fall was well maintained
And when the tracks were simply bogs
It started raining cats and dogs
After a drought of half an hour
We had a most refreshing shower
And then the most curious thing of all...
A gentle rain began to fall.
Next day was also fairly dry
Save for the deluge from the sky
Which wetted the party to the skin
And after that the rain set in.
Anon.
After an untypical dry and sunny April it really is quite noteworthy - even for the Wet West - how much rain we've been having.... What's it been like in your neck of the woods?