On Mon, 1 Jan 2007 08:20:22 +0000, Malcolm
wrote:


In article , Paul C
writes
On Sun, 31 Dec 2006 22:04:16 +0000, Jonathan Stott
wrote:

Jack ) wrote:
One aspect doesn't ever seem to get a mention. Nowadays,
"authorities" (whoever they might be) believe weather forecasters.
I recently drew attention to the positive decisions that were made
during the airport fogs - the forecasters then were spot on. On New
Year's Eve, equally positive decisions have been made. The time was
- and not all that many years go - when no-one really paid any
attention to weather forecasters. I for one am pleased that
forecasters are at long last being trusted.

They were still planning to go ahead at Edinburgh until 3 hours before
midnight, despite dire weather forecasts for that part of the country...


I drove from Edinburgh to Ayrshire, leaving around 7 pm and conditions
on the M8 were amongst the worst driving conditions I have ever
experienced - a cross between a monsoon and a hurricane.

And then into Lanrkshire where there was thunder/lightning.

Once I got into Ayrshire there were trees down, many flattened road
signs and then to cap it all my road home was blocked by a fallen
tree.

77 mph gust at Prestwick, I see.

Is that all?? 87 mph gust on Islay between 1800 and 1900 hrs! My
metal-framed greenhouse is a crumpled heap on the ground while the
(fortunately plastic) panes are scattered far and wide. The last time I
had to replace it was after the Boxing Day storm of 1998.


I've just looked out the window and virtually every house has roof
tiles and ridge tiles dislodged and missing. I haven't ventured out to
inspect my own roof yet.

It brings back memories of the Boxing Day storm you mention when the
following day every roof appeared to have a man atop it!