Anyone see the pictures of Pitsford Reservoir on the BBC 6 o'clock news this
evening? Pretty dire with the water that low. The reporter said that it
should be at least 6 feet higher than it is. What he didn't mention was that
it is only that high because Anglian Water are pumping water from the River
Nene as fast as they are allowed to before the extraction licence runs out
at the end of the month. Current level = 65%, an increase of 25% a month
ago. No records are being broken around here though. 12.3mm yesterday,
82.5mm for the month.

Since the hose pipe ban in the area came into force on the 5th April, it has
rained for 18 days out of the 21. And a new record flashed up on Cumulus
this evening, since I started using it a couple of years ago. Longest wet
spell = 9 days.

I have to assume Pitsford Weather Station has a problem. It is showing
yesterday's rain as 0.01mm. Surely persistent rain like we had today can't
be THAT localised (3 miles). I'm showing 186mm for the year so far. Their
figure 157mm. A couple of weeks ago I was within a couple of millimetres of
them.

jim, Northampton

"jbm" wrote in message ...
I have to assume Pitsford Weather Station has a problem. It is showing
yesterday's rain as 0.01mm. Surely persistent rain like we had today can't
be THAT localised (3 miles). I'm showing 186mm for the year so far. Their
figure 157mm. A couple of weeks ago I was within a couple of millimetres
of them.


Sheesh that's low for the year, I'm already up to 160mm *this month*.

http://www.lyneside.demon.co.uk/Hayt...antage_Pro.htm
Will Hand (Haytor, Devon, 1017 feet asl)
---------------------------------------------

"jbm" wrote in message ...
Anyone see the pictures of Pitsford Reservoir on the BBC 6 o'clock news
this evening? Pretty dire with the water that low. The reporter said that
it should be at least 6 feet higher than it is. What he didn't mention was
that it is only that high because Anglian Water are pumping water from the
River Nene as fast as they are allowed to before the extraction licence
runs out at the end of the month. Current level = 65%, an increase of 25%
a month ago. No records are being broken around here though. 12.3mm
yesterday, 82.5mm for the month.

Since the hose pipe ban in the area came into force on the 5th April, it
has rained for 18 days out of the 21. And a new record flashed up on
Cumulus this evening, since I started using it a couple of years ago.
Longest wet spell = 9 days.

I have to assume Pitsford Weather Station has a problem. It is showing
yesterday's rain as 0.01mm. Surely persistent rain like we had today can't
be THAT localised (3 miles). I'm showing 186mm for the year so far. Their
figure 157mm. A couple of weeks ago I was within a couple of millimetres
of them.

jim, Northampton


Sounds as though their water guage is blocked. It might be worth reporting
that to them. I believe Martin Rowley noticed a similar anomaly with the
Hurn rain guage, and reported it.

Cheers, Alastair.

I saw that too ,if you project that estimated height the reporter showed
their 'normal' 'level would cover all the surrounding trees and the road
seen behind him !..funny.

RonB
"jbm" wrote in message ...
Anyone see the pictures of Pitsford Reservoir on the BBC 6 o'clock news
this evening? Pretty dire with the water that low. The reporter said that
it should be at least 6 feet higher than it is. What he didn't mention was
that it is only that high because Anglian Water are pumping water from the
River Nene as fast as they are allowed to before the extraction licence
runs out at the end of the month. Current level = 65%, an increase of 25%
a month ago. No records are being broken around here though. 12.3mm
yesterday, 82.5mm for the month.

Since the hose pipe ban in the area came into force on the 5th April, it
has rained for 18 days out of the 21. And a new record flashed up on
Cumulus this evening, since I started using it a couple of years ago.
Longest wet spell = 9 days.

I have to assume Pitsford Weather Station has a problem. It is showing
yesterday's rain as 0.01mm. Surely persistent rain like we had today can't
be THAT localised (3 miles). I'm showing 186mm for the year so far. Their
figure 157mm. A couple of weeks ago I was within a couple of millimetres
of them.

jim, Northampton

"ronbutton" wrote in message ...

I saw that too ,if you project that estimated height the reporter showed
their 'normal' 'level would cover all the surrounding trees and the road
seen behind him !..funny.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The "road" behind him is the old road, which has been replaced by a new
causeway that splits the reservoir in two, one half for recreation
(yachting) and the other a nature reserve. Part of the nature reserve can be
fished. What's left of the old road is now used as a launch ramp for
fishing boats. When 100% full, the water reaches into the trees!

jim, Northampton

"Alastair McDonald" wrote in message ...

Sounds as though their water guage is blocked. It might be worth reporting
that to them. I believe Martin Rowley noticed a similar anomaly with the
Hurn rain guage, and reported it.

Cheers, Alastair.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Did that. Got this reply earlier.

"I am afraid the deluge of rain on Sunday afternoon caused the rainfall
sensor to become 'locked up'. It is now working normally, and the rainfall
total shown on the AWS page will be updated from the climatological record
tomorrow."

I keeping mum. The "deluge of rain on Sunday afternoon" produced 1.2mm here
in about 15 minutes. God help them if they ever get a thunderstorm.

jim, Northampton

"Dartmoor Will" wrote in message ...

Sheesh that's low for the year, I'm already up to 160mm *this month*.

---------------------------------------------

Well, over here we 'are' the elder statesmen in the country for drought
experience!!! And you are about 90 miles closer to the source of the rain
that we aren't getting!!!

6.0mm today. And most of that manifested itself while I was out with the
dog, AGAIN!!!

jim, Northampton

On 27/04/2012 00:18, jbm wrote:
"Dartmoor Will" wrote in message ...

Sheesh that's low for the year, I'm already up to 160mm *this month*.

---------------------------------------------
Well, over here we 'are' the elder statesmen in the country for drought
experience!!! And you are about 90 miles closer to the source of the
rain that we aren't getting!!!

6.0mm today. And most of that manifested itself while I was out with the
dog, AGAIN!!!

jim, Northampton


Sorry for the dark humour Jim, the answer is, you need to walk your dog
24/7.

Joe Egginton
Wolverhampton.

"Joe Egginton" wrote in message ...

Sorry for the dark humour Jim, the answer is, you need to walk your dog
24/7.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks Joe. It'll still take months to repair the damage and shortage round
here. And to be honest, regardless of much we need rain, I do not think I am
prepared to stand outside all day just so it'll rain a bit. :-)

Any Native Americans out there prepared to start a rain dance club?

jim, Northampton

On Fri, 27 Apr 2012 at 23:37:19, jbm wrote in
uk.sci.weather :

"Joe Egginton" wrote in message ...

Sorry for the dark humour Jim, the answer is, you need to walk your dog
24/7.


------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------

Thanks Joe. It'll still take months to repair the damage and shortage
round here. And to be honest, regardless of much we need rain, I do not
think I am prepared to stand outside all day just so it'll rain a bit.
:-)

Just hang some washing on the line - works every time.
--
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)