The Great St Jude's Day Storm

Nigel, Sorry to hear that you're getting hammered by bad weather. According to the news over the last few days, the authorities have been preparing for this for about a week, so hopefully damage is minimized. According to the news this morning, the storm has now rolled over the U.K. and is now affecting France and Germany, but with less severe winds. The intensity in the Hamburg area is predicted at 60 kmH. Of all the locations in England, Blackpool seemed to take the brunt of the storm. To answer your last question, "No", not at the moment. We've been suffering through intense fog for the last week to 10 days, which has resulted in numerous flight cancellations and MVI's (some severe due to black ice). You can get some idea of how bad the weather can be in this area by watching some clips of Highway Thru Hell on YouTube. Here's one example: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyyINDKeRJ0 Today is the first day of sunshine in awhile (which I'm really enjoying!). It is a bit "breezy" and chilly though. There was frost on the car this morning. I suppose I can't complain as I believe Calgary and Edmonton are getting snow. That's probably a good reminder for me to get the studded Ice & Snow tires on the car. Good luck!

Nah. Just because the roads are washed out all over Ayrshire, Galloway, Dumfries, etc, and you have to detour for three hours to get around a twelve mile stretch is just normal tourist crap.

12 miles? 3 hours? Just sounds like a normal stroll in the woods for you. You're not talking about driving are you? BTW, many trees down up there?

Some down on the river verges from root washing. Mostly limbs in the roads. Send expresso. Well out of range and getting desperate. Absent that, advise location of nearest twelve step program. Firth of Clyde was lumpy yesterday. Better to stand out in the rain than slip and slide on the interior puke.

Sounds like you're enjoying your visit Ed!

Sounds like you have power and interweb down your way, Maggie?

Yes, everything is as normal Thanks Nigel. Having visited the beach this morning, I now have a surprising new hairstyle and a free sandblasted facial.

Windy as all get out here in Frankfurt. Rain here and there, but nothing even close to what the UK is getting hit with. Good thing Ed is there to keep control of the situation. Stay put Nigel and everyone else too, (Ed included) and keep yourselves dry and safe.

Nothing here in north central Idaho except a little wind, just enough to knowck the autumn leaves off the trees.

It is a bit windy here on I-40/Route 66 in New Mexico, but not a cloud in the sky. Just Another Beautiful Day! Thanks for asking ;-) I hope all gets back to normal soon in your neck of the woods...

Wishing you all well, sympathies as needed... Super Storm Sandy hit eastern US just about one year ago, many areas are still not rebuilt; hope you all fare better that we did.

So sorry to hear about the bad weather. Here's hoping that all will be back to normal soon. Or as my Grandmother used to say "All will be well and very well". I've been through tornadoes and Hurricane Hugo, so I understand a bit.
Prayers for all - no injuries, no major damage. Bless you all.

Well, the weather in England is certainly unfortunate. Having been in Northern France the same time last year I am really glad I have had two weeks of beautiful weather here in the south of Europe. Only 1 day of rain and the rest of the time about 75.

A sympathetic storm from the land of The Red Green Show hit here last night. Severe winds left 1,000 customers without power until at least this morn. Temperatures plunged as well with 12F at the summit of Big Mountain and just last Thursday I was rambling about the peak in a light shirt. Where are the snow shovels?

Storm Christian has carved a path through the UK, Northern France, Belgium, Netherlands, Northern Germany and Denmark so far. Somewhat unusually it continued to gather speed for some time as it crossed the UK. Nine deaths attributed to it so far, trees still being in full leaf having greatly increased the damage compared with a later winter storm.

We were (pleasantly) surprised that our flight from Gatwick to Naples left on time this morning at 8am. Earlier flights had also taken off. A couple of hours earlier a gust of wind had bent our seventh floor airport hotel window pane inwards, was a bit disconcerting!

The BBC this morning is noting that the Storm strengthened considerably as it left the UK, reaching 119 mph gusts in Denmark. They are also reflecting on Sandy and how much worse that was. My thoughts today are on those still suffering from Sandy. Thanks for the messages yesterday. I was able to reach London about 6 hours late, as the train line here reopened; some lines have yet to reopen at all including the Stansted Express. Had a nice dinner with another contributor to the Helpline, it was well worth the time and difficulty.

I am in SW London. We had a lot of wind but not the rain we were expecting. Very limited train service and the busses were not regular but I had a great walk about on Wimbledon Common. My dog was pretty happy about that!

OMG Have not thought of the Red Green Show in years. What a hoot. You'll have to explain it to the UK membership. :)