[tizaala]

http://bbc.in/1blYrjG

[Beeducked]

Oh goody.


Will look forward to that!

[in the hills]

Email from our insurance company yesterday with list of precautions to take in readiness for flood in light of this forecast.

[tizaala]

Parts of the UK face being battered by hurricane-speed winds which threaten to rip down trees, cause transport chaos, and cut power supplies, forecasters have warned.
The risk of a severe storm has been highlighted by the Met Office, which it said could see gusts of more than 80mph, especially on exposed coasts in the South.
A storm is classed as a hurricane when it has sustained winds of 74mph or higher.
Unsettled weather is expected to continue into the weekend with further spells of heavy rain and strong winds.
But moving into Sunday night and Monday morning, the Met Office warn there is a risk of a 'significant' storm developing.
Based on current predictions, some areas could see some of their strongest winds for a number of years it says.
A strong jet stream and warm air close to the UK, are both contributing to the development and strength of the storm.
Eddie Carroll, Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, said: "There is still a chance this storm may take a more southerly track and miss the UK, bringing impacts elsewhere in northern Europe, but people should be aware there is a risk of severe weather and significant disruption."
Chris England, meteorologist at the Sky News weather centre, said: "There’s the potential for some exceptionally strong winds late Sunday through Monday morning, particularly over the southern half of the UK, with potentially damaging gusts of 80-90mph in exposed parts.
"But we are really talking about something that doesn’t exist yet, so the forecast of the track, the timing, and the intensity are still open to change.
"It’s really a warning of potential at the moment and something to keep an eye on."
Normally Atlantic storms of this type develop much further to the west of the UK and are waning in strength by the time they reach the UK and Ireland.
This storm is more unusual, developing much closer to the UK and potentially moving across the country while still in its most powerful phase.

[Bionic]

Sounds lovely doesn't it 

[Bramblecot]

Guess who has not yet finished digging in the new polytunnel  - which looks out over the South Coast.  My neighbours might have an early Christmas present The previous owners of this property had a greenhouse blow away across the fields.  M Poppins.

[Marches Farmer]

We're on a hilltop exposed to the north, west and east and braced for high winds all year.  This is some of what we do when anything over Force 8 is forecast.  OK, so move henhouses into shelter - ours have ring bolts through the frame and are chained to a fence.  Put everything that can get blown about under cover, chock the wheels of trailers, take lids off compost and dustbins or tie them down, tie down tarpaulins through every securing site or, even better, take them down completely.  If you have a barn with doors on the windward side open them and let the wind go through, put feeders and drinkers inside the coop so the stock doesn't have to venture forth.  Stock up on matches, logs, firelighters and candles.  Work out what you're going to do if you have an incubator or heat lamps running.  Make sure the emergency generator is in working order. Move vehicles and so on away from trees.  Make sure your chainsaw is in working order.  Sit tight!

[happygolucky]

So, something else nice to look forward to , at least you get an hour extra sleep or should do.....Hope no one has any damage, I suppose it will be our turn next up here in Scotland, to get some odd weather!!

[muddyhill]

Thanks for the tips Marches.

I'm trying to decide whether to leave the sheep in the field or bring them in?  What does everyone else do?

We have ridiculous numbers of trees, (previous owner was growing himself an arboretum) quite a lots of large ones and our tree surgeons are booked in for the end of next week  which is less than helpful timing so lots of  here.

[Backinwellies]

Don't think I would worry about the sheep. My dad had 35 cows in a wooded area in hurricane of the 80's .... all just walked out of what was left of wood the following morning!

[mojocafa]

So, something else nice to look forward to , at least you get an hour extra sleep or should do.....Hope no one has any damage, I suppose it will be our turn next up here in Scotland, to get some odd weather!!

Do the clocks go back tonight?

[tizaala]

Yes the clocks go back tonight.


RED WARNING

[Bramblecot]

I've just checked my sheep - they are all tucked right into the base of the hedge in a line, not so daft . 

[Beeducked]

Well the rain and wind has started here.


The ducks and geese are away for the night, sheep seem happy in the files and I have strapped up the bee hives so if the worst happens and the hive gets blown over the bees have a slight chance of surviving. Not much else I can do. Fingers crossed everyone will be OK.

[devonlad]

I suspect my sheep are far safer tucked in under the hedge than in the barn on top of the hill. hope its another example of the over the top predictions of doom we get regularly about life - but not looking forward to it- my terrier HATES strong wind and howls all night.