Tuesday Forecast: Partly Cloudy; Chance of Rain Arrives Saturday

Look for partly cloudy skies Tuesday before a chance of rain returns on Saturday. Henry DiCarlo has KTLA’s forecast on Feb. 18, 2020.

Due to Climate Change, Even Norwegians Are Skiing Indoors This Winter

(Bloomberg) — On a Monday morning in February skiers glided down the run, while snowboarders nearby practiced jumps on the ramps and tired visitors rested on red picnic chairs and munched snacks as they recovered.

The scene could be that of any winter morning on any ski resort in Norway — the cradle of modern skiing — except that snow hadn’t fallen from the sky, and the view of a powder-coated Scandinavian forest was printed on a giant panel built on the side of the slope.

Norway’s Sno resort opened its doors just one month ago, during the country’s warmest January on record. The project is the brainchild of Olav Selvaag, a member of one of Norway’s richest families, known for real estate and property development. Among the owners is Norwegian billionaire Stein Erik Hagen.

They conceived the installation for locals to use during winter when bad weather hits the real resorts, and for ski addicts and tourists who might want a taste of the Scandinavian ski experience during the summer. Now, climate change and unusually warm winter weather have altered that plan.

Odin Jaeger—Bloomberg/Getty ImagesSki runs stand at the Sno indoor skiing resort in Lorenskog, Norway, on Monday, Feb. 10, 2020.

“The winters are varying a bit more than one could wish,” said Sno Managing Director Morten Dybdahl. “They have become shorter and there’s more variation, therefore there’s a market for a facility like this.”

Last month was the hottest January in the 141 years that global temperature records have been kept, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Europe’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that some areas in northeastern Europe were more than 6 degrees above the 1981-2010 January average. Some parts of Norway were 25 degrees Celsius warmer than usual.

On the ground, that has resulted in one of the worst ski seasons ever in Norway, a country where the sport has become a key part of the culture and of people’s identity. This year they aren’t alone in lamenting the weather—climate change and the lack of snow has impacted the tourism industry from the Alps in France, Switzerland and Austria to the Chilean Andes.

Ski resorts at high altitude and in northern Norway have historically registered below-zero temperatures most days in February, according to a report by the country’s meteorological institute on Monday. The situation is different in southern Norway, with ski stations posting more days of above-zero temperatures between 1990 and 2019 than between 1961 and 1990.

Earlier this month, just outside the Sno hangar, the thick Scandinavian forests were a lush green and a nearby lake was unfrozen. A floating platform for swimmers and sunbathers in summer was still in place, and thermometers marked some 5 degrees Celsius, compared to the usual sub-zero temperatures.

The installation sits on a mountain slope just 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) away from the capital Oslo and can can host 350,000 skiers a year, paying 350 kroner ($38) for an adult day pass. It features a 500 meter slope for downhill and a 1 kilometer to 1.5 kilometer cross country track.

Sivert Hoibraten, a local Lorenskog resident, hit the slopes with two friends earlier this month. “It’s the first time indoors,” Hoibraten said. “There’s not any powder snow, but it’s like real snow.”

Tourists can arrive in street clothes and rent the full equipment. Among them was Jeanette Lonborg, from Denmark, who chose Sno over Trysil, a resort about 200 kilometers north of Oslo, for an experience as part of a three-day visit. “It’s convenient, it’s fantastic and it’s very nice,” she said, adding it was her first time alpine skiing.

Rather than welcoming temperatures that are pushing skiers toward an installation conceived for bad weather days and summer tourists, Sno’s Dybdahl worries that climate change might kill Norwegian skiing altogether.

“There’s no market for a facility like this if the winter would disappear,” he said. “We have built this because we realize that the winter is shorter. But we’re dependent on that there’s winter so that people still have an interest for skiing.”

Due to Climate Change, Even Norwegians Are Skiing Indoors This Winter

(Bloomberg) — On a Monday morning in February skiers glided down the run, while snowboarders nearby practiced jumps on the ramps and tired visitors rested on red picnic chairs and munched snacks as they recovered.

The scene could be that of any winter morning on any ski resort in Norway — the cradle of modern skiing — except that snow hadn’t fallen from the sky, and the view of a powder-coated Scandinavian forest was printed on a giant panel built on the side of the slope.

Norway’s Sno resort opened its doors just one month ago, during the country’s warmest January on record. The project is the brainchild of Olav Selvaag, a member of one of Norway’s richest families, known for real estate and property development. Among the owners is Norwegian billionaire Stein Erik Hagen.

They conceived the installation for locals to use during winter when bad weather hits the real resorts, and for ski addicts and tourists who might want a taste of the Scandinavian ski experience during the summer. Now, climate change and unusually warm winter weather have altered that plan.

Odin Jaeger—Bloomberg/Getty ImagesSki runs stand at the Sno indoor skiing resort in Lorenskog, Norway, on Monday, Feb. 10, 2020.

“The winters are varying a bit more than one could wish,” said Sno Managing Director Morten Dybdahl. “They have become shorter and there’s more variation, therefore there’s a market for a facility like this.”

Last month was the hottest January in the 141 years that global temperature records have been kept, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Europe’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that some areas in northeastern Europe were more than 6 degrees above the 1981-2010 January average. Some parts of Norway were 25 degrees Celsius warmer than usual.

On the ground, that has resulted in one of the worst ski seasons ever in Norway, a country where the sport has become a key part of the culture and of people’s identity. This year they aren’t alone in lamenting the weather—climate change and the lack of snow has impacted the tourism industry from the Alps in France, Switzerland and Austria to the Chilean Andes.

Ski resorts at high altitude and in northern Norway have historically registered below-zero temperatures most days in February, according to a report by the country’s meteorological institute on Monday. The situation is different in southern Norway, with ski stations posting more days of above-zero temperatures between 1990 and 2019 than between 1961 and 1990.

Earlier this month, just outside the Sno hangar, the thick Scandinavian forests were a lush green and a nearby lake was unfrozen. A floating platform for swimmers and sunbathers in summer was still in place, and thermometers marked some 5 degrees Celsius, compared to the usual sub-zero temperatures.

The installation sits on a mountain slope just 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) away from the capital Oslo and can can host 350,000 skiers a year, paying 350 kroner ($38) for an adult day pass. It features a 500 meter slope for downhill and a 1 kilometer to 1.5 kilometer cross country track.

Sivert Hoibraten, a local Lorenskog resident, hit the slopes with two friends earlier this month. “It’s the first time indoors,” Hoibraten said. “There’s not any powder snow, but it’s like real snow.”

Tourists can arrive in street clothes and rent the full equipment. Among them was Jeanette Lonborg, from Denmark, who chose Sno over Trysil, a resort about 200 kilometers north of Oslo, for an experience as part of a three-day visit. “It’s convenient, it’s fantastic and it’s very nice,” she said, adding it was her first time alpine skiing.

Rather than welcoming temperatures that are pushing skiers toward an installation conceived for bad weather days and summer tourists, Sno’s Dybdahl worries that climate change might kill Norwegian skiing altogether.

“There’s no market for a facility like this if the winter would disappear,” he said. “We have built this because we realize that the winter is shorter. But we’re dependent on that there’s winter so that people still have an interest for skiing.”

Miami Weather: Mainly Dry & Warm Presidents’ Day

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A cool start with lows falling to the mid to upper 60s across South Florida.

We are mainly dry and the rain chance will be lower today.

After a weekend washout, the rain chance will be lower today. A few showers will be possible. And we’ll enjoy more sunshine with highs in the low to mid 80s.

There are no advisories for boaters, but there is a dangerously high risk of rip currents at the beach.

Swimming is not recommended and the UV index is high.

Tonight, lows will be mild along the coast with low 70s.

Inland areas will be a little cooler tonight with upper 60s. Patchy fog will likely develop overnight.

Tomorrow, as folks head back to work and school, it will be a warm afternoon with highs in the low to mid-80s once again.

The warming trend continues Wednesday. The hottest day of the week will be on Thursday with highs soaring to the upper 80s ahead of our next cold front.

By Friday morning, we’ll enjoy cooler lows in the upper 60s and highs will be in the upper 70s.

Saturday highs will struggle to reach the mid-70s and lows will tumble to the low 60s.

On Sunday we’ll enjoy seasonable weather with highs in the upper 70s.

Triple storm combo: storm Ellen to arrive in the weekend

After two consecutive storms in a row, it seems like the weather is not getting any calmer.

Storm Ellen is on the horizon and might make landfall this coming weekend.

Storm Dennis was relatively weaker than storm Ciara

Storm Dennis, which made landfall yesterday, was not as strong as Storm Ciara. Nevertheless, tiles were blown off rooftops, and in some areas, entire roofs came off. Some trains were also cancelled, and road traffic also went through difficulties, reports RTL.

How will the weather be like this week?

For today, the weather will be rainy and drizzling in some areas, with the occasional streaks of sunlight. The wind will blow with speeds of up to 80 kilometres an hour. Yellow code was announced from 11 AM everywhere except the Walden area.

Winds continue throughout the week

Unfortunately, the wind will not falter throughout the week. Martijn Dorrestein, a meteorologist from Buienradar, says that almost every day we can expect a wind force ranging from 3 to 7, coming from the southwest.

There will be a temperature drop on Wednesday, with the average being 8 degrees Celsius, with the possibility of a wee bit of sunshine. In classic Dutch fashion, Thursday and Friday remain unpredictable, with strong wind, as well as sunshine and rain.

Storm Ellen next Sunday

For the third time in a row, a storm will arrive during Sunday, bringing with it winds of up to 75 to 100 kilometres an hour. Mr Dorrestein has said that this is a special event that does not occur frequently. For now, it’s hard to pinpoint if these storms have been the result of human-induced climate change, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it did!

Do you think these storms will happen more often? Let us know in the comments.

Feature Image: pixel2013/Pixabay

 

 

 

 

The post Triple storm combo: storm Ellen to arrive in the weekend appeared first on DutchReview.

Triple storm combo: storm Ellen to arrive in the weekend

After two consecutive storms in a row, it seems like the weather is not getting any calmer.

Storm Ellen is on the horizon and might make landfall this coming weekend.

Storm Dennis was relatively weaker than storm Ciara

Storm Dennis, which made landfall yesterday, was not as strong as Storm Ciara. Nevertheless, tiles were blown off rooftops, and in some areas, entire roofs came off. Some trains were also cancelled, and road traffic also went through difficulties, reports RTL.

How will the weather be like this week?

For today, the weather will be rainy and drizzling in some areas, with the occasional streaks of sunlight. The wind will blow with speeds of up to 80 kilometres an hour. Yellow code was announced from 11 AM everywhere except the Walden area.

Winds continue throughout the week

Unfortunately, the wind will not falter throughout the week. Martijn Dorrestein, a meteorologist from Buienradar, says that almost every day we can expect a wind force ranging from 3 to 7, coming from the southwest.

There will be a temperature drop on Wednesday, with the average being 8 degrees Celsius, with the possibility of a wee bit of sunshine. In classic Dutch fashion, Thursday and Friday remain unpredictable, with strong wind, as well as sunshine and rain.

Storm Ellen next Sunday

For the third time in a row, a storm will arrive during Sunday, bringing with it winds of up to 75 to 100 kilometres an hour. Mr Dorrestein has said that this is a special event that does not occur frequently. For now, it’s hard to pinpoint if these storms have been the result of human-induced climate change, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it did!

Do you think these storms will happen more often? Let us know in the comments.

Feature Image: pixel2013/Pixabay

 

 

 

 

The post Triple storm combo: storm Ellen to arrive in the weekend appeared first on DutchReview.

Record temperatures last weekend: Spring has arrived in the Netherlands

After Storm Dennis this weekend, the Netherlands is experiencing uncommonly warm weather for February: so much so that we’re getting spring temperatures, even though the astronomical spring only begins on 20 March.

First spring temperature recorded on Sunday in De Bilt

For the first time this year, the thermometer in De Bilt hit 15 degrees on Sunday. 15 degrees is used as the official measure of spring weather. But this temperature, already very mild, was not the hottest recorded in the Netherlands over the weekend.

Yesterday, in the Limburg Arcen, 18.3 degrees was measured. This broke the temperature record for 16 February by a whole degree. The record for the same date in De Bilt, 13.3 degrees, was already broken the night before.

Not unusual for February to be warmer than average

It’s not completely unusual for February to be warmer than average- this often happens if there is a storm, according to weatherman Gerrit Hiemstra in an interview with NOS. And we’ve seen our fair share of storms over the past two weeks, with Storm Ciara last week, and Storm Dennis this weekend.

… but we’re hitting spring temperatures a whole month early this year

However, this February will be four degrees warmer than usual as a whole, and we should not expect colder weather for the next two weeks at least. The average date for the first spring temperature is 16 March- which, as you can see, we’re hitting a whole month early this year.

The aftermath of Storm Dennis

Storm Dennis hit the Netherlands this weekend, but generally left behind only light damage. In Middelburg the Koorkerk and a building near the monumental Stadsschuur were damaged and on Texel the facade of a house in Den Burg collapsed during the storm. Some flights into Schiphol were cancelled, mostly coming out of the UK.

These temperatures are not good news

Although you might feel tempted to celebrate this warm weather- after all, any improvement on Dutch weather is worth celebrating- it’s worth bearing in mind the elephant in the room, climate change. A warmer climate means, among other things, rising sea levels, which is bad news for this flat country.

What was your experience of Storm Dennis? Let us know in the comments below. 

Feature Image: Hans/Pixabay

The post Record temperatures last weekend: Spring has arrived in the Netherlands appeared first on DutchReview.

Record temperatures last weekend: Spring has arrived in the Netherlands

After Storm Dennis this weekend, the Netherlands is experiencing uncommonly warm weather for February: so much so that we’re getting spring temperatures, even though the astronomical spring only begins on 20 March.

First spring temperature recorded on Sunday in De Bilt

For the first time this year, the thermometer in De Bilt hit 15 degrees on Sunday. 15 degrees is used as the official measure of spring weather. But this temperature, already very mild, was not the hottest recorded in the Netherlands over the weekend.

Yesterday, in the Limburg Arcen, 18.3 degrees was measured. This broke the temperature record for 16 February by a whole degree. The record for the same date in De Bilt, 13.3 degrees, was already broken the night before.

Not unusual for February to be warmer than average

It’s not completely unusual for February to be warmer than average- this often happens if there is a storm, according to weatherman Gerrit Hiemstra in an interview with NOS. And we’ve seen our fair share of storms over the past two weeks, with Storm Ciara last week, and Storm Dennis this weekend.

… but we’re hitting spring temperatures a whole month early this year

However, this February will be four degrees warmer than usual as a whole, and we should not expect colder weather for the next two weeks at least. The average date for the first spring temperature is 16 March- which, as you can see, we’re hitting a whole month early this year.

The aftermath of Storm Dennis

Storm Dennis hit the Netherlands this weekend, but generally left behind only light damage. In Middelburg the Koorkerk and a building near the monumental Stadsschuur were damaged and on Texel the facade of a house in Den Burg collapsed during the storm. Some flights into Schiphol were cancelled, mostly coming out of the UK.

These temperatures are not good news

Although you might feel tempted to celebrate this warm weather- after all, any improvement on Dutch weather is worth celebrating- it’s worth bearing in mind the elephant in the room, climate change. A warmer climate means, among other things, rising sea levels, which is bad news for this flat country.

What was your experience of Storm Dennis? Let us know in the comments below. 

Feature Image: Hans/Pixabay

The post Record temperatures last weekend: Spring has arrived in the Netherlands appeared first on DutchReview.

Here We Blow Again

Oh, the inconvenience; first Ciara, now Dennis, putting paid to any plans we had to tend our allotment or work in the garden this weekend. We could have braved the elements, but it would have been no fun at all and terrible for the earth. Nothing for it other than to stay indoors and wait for calmer conditions. Could February’s weather be any more inconsiderate? Must it only be windy on Saturdays and Sundays? How long will it be before Storm Ellen whistles down our chimneys, saturates our soil and rocks our roses?

Don’t misunderstand me, I have dozens of pressing indoor jobs that need doing, but I am looking for any excuse not to do them. I’ve ordered seeds and summer bulbs (both have arrived and are awaiting planting time) and I’ve tidied the workshop; I’ve even read a few books, but what I really want to do is go outside and get my hands dirty.

Each winter the number of plants in the garden room increases. They seem happy grouped closely together.

On wet, wild weekends like these I have to entertain myself by tending to our houseplants. Since moving to The Watch House permanently almost three years ago their number has burgeoned. There must be over one hundred and fifty now, scattered over windowsills, shelves and floors across four storeys. They range from ferns to cacti and include several large specimens that came from Cornwall with The Beau last summer. Two new plants joined their ranks this weekend – Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’, the African milk tree, a Valentine’s gift from The Beau, and Aporocactus flagelliformis ‘Melanie’, the rat tail cactus, an indulgent gift to myself.

Indoors is our final frontier. The last piece of real estate that’s not already packed to the gunwales with plants. Good news is that there’s room for a few more.

The bathroom on the first floor is both light and warm. Hanging from the ceiling is my new rat tail cactus, Aporocactus flagelliformis ‘Melanie’.

At least once a fortnight I like to go around the house checking my houseplants for dead leaves, mould, pests and diseases. It’s easy to forget about them in the winter months, especially when it’s dark when one goes to work and comes home at night. In a centrally-heated house, pests such as scale insect, whitefly, greenfly and red spider mite can get out of hand incredibly quickly, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for tell-tale signs of trouble. In most cases pests can be wiped off with a damp cloth rather than using nasty chemicals. Plants that prefer a humid atmosphere – ferns, bromeliads and aroids – require regular misting to prevent them from dehydrating. Standing pots on trays of gravel also helps.

Plants that prefer humidity, such as Tillandsia usneoides (Spanish moss), will appreciate the mist created by a hot shower. Underfloor heating reminds Cyperus papyrus (Egyptian papyrus) of its home on the banks of the Nile.

I find the main cause of house plants looking sickly at this time of year is simply lack of light. When days are short and sunless, even those that would normally curl up and die on a bright windowsill need considerably more light to stay healthy. I know the feeling! I will start feeding towards the end of March to give them a boost before summer.

Draughts are the other winter menace, imperceptible at armchair level, but if I sit on the library floor or on the stairs I can feel them extending their icy sinews around the house. Plants such as calathea detest drafts and will quickly develop crisp-edged leaves unless moved out of harm’s way.

Dieffenbachia ‘Reflector’ is an excellent plant for this cool, west-facing bedroom populated by an army of plush toys. It requires minimal attention and always looks fabulous.

As with outdoor plants, I learn what works indoors through trial and error. Plants are easily moved if they start to look unhappy. I steer clear of most flowering plants, apart from the odd abutilon, streptocarpus or orchid, as these tend to be a lot more demanding than foliage plants. (Primulas are my nemesis – I love them, but they always die within days of coming indoors.)

A tall mirror helps to reflect light within another spare bedroom.

The Beau is in charge of watering. During the winter this is a once-a-week, hour-long task, except the garden room where a weekend refresh is appreciated by some of the pot-bound residents. Airplants are misted daily if we remember and succulents are kept on the dry side. As a rule under-watering is far easier to remedy than over-watering: during the winter a soggy potful can take an age to dry out, by which time the poor plant may have started to rot. We keep our spare bedrooms cool but not cold so that plants are not encouraged to grow too quickly towards the light and become ‘drawn’.

We try hard to harvest enough rainwater to keep lime-sensitive plants such as tillandsia and stag’s horn fern healthy: they detest our chalky tap water here in Thanet. If Dennis lives up to his reputation the washing-up bowls we put outside to catch the rain will be full by morning. As I write the wind is building and the woodburner is drawing beautifully. The dogs are prostrated before it, glad to be home after a wet walk. Time to down tools and pour myself a gin and tonic. I recommend you do the same. TFG.

Sparmannia africana ‘Flore Pleno’ is a beautiful, large-leaved house plant which can be placed outside during the summer months.

Storm Dennis to hit the Netherlands by storm (sorry!) with high temperatures (17 C!)

If you thought storm Ciara was the last of it, think again. Brace yourselves, my friends, for Dennis will take the Netherlands by storm (ha!) this weekend. But there’s good news. Storm Dennis brings with it warmer weather. 

You can expect heavy gusts of wind, but also very thankfully, higher temperatures. Not sure if that’s a good thing, as spring officially begins in March and an increase in temperature just means that climate change is taking its toll on the world. But after a week of wind, rain and frigid air, warmer weather is definitely welcome.

Temperatures to rise

The storm will be at its heaviest on Sunday, but temperatures in the provinces of Noord-Brabant and Limburg can rise to 16-17 degrees, and elsewhere in the Netherlands temperatures will increase to an average of 14-15 degrees, according to nu.nl. Hello spring.

Meanwhile, wind speed could reach to up to 90 kilometers per hour on the coast, and between 100 and 110 kmph in the northwest of the country.

Dennis is expected to hit hard between Scotland and Iceland, also affecting Ireland and Northern England. So in a way we’re lucky here in the Netherlands.

Would you rather: Storm and warm weather or sun and cold weather? Let us know in the comments!

Image: tpsdave/Pixabay 

The post Storm Dennis to hit the Netherlands by storm (sorry!) with high temperatures (17 C!) appeared first on DutchReview.

Storm Dennis to hit the Netherlands by storm (sorry!) with high temperatures (17 C!)

If you thought storm Ciara was the last of it, think again. Brace yourselves, my friends, for Dennis will take the Netherlands by storm (ha!) this weekend. But there’s good news. Storm Dennis brings with it warmer weather. 

You can expect heavy gusts of wind, but also very thankfully, higher temperatures. Not sure if that’s a good thing, as spring officially begins in March and an increase in temperature just means that climate change is taking its toll on the world. But after a week of wind, rain and frigid air, warmer weather is definitely welcome.

Temperatures to rise

The storm will be at its heaviest on Sunday, but temperatures in the provinces of Noord-Brabant and Limburg can rise to 16-17 degrees, and elsewhere in the Netherlands temperatures will increase to an average of 14-15 degrees, according to nu.nl. Hello spring.

Meanwhile, wind speed could reach to up to 90 kilometers per hour on the coast, and between 100 and 110 kmph in the northwest of the country.

Dennis is expected to hit hard between Scotland and Iceland, also affecting Ireland and Northern England. So in a way we’re lucky here in the Netherlands.

Would you rather: Storm and warm weather or sun and cold weather? Let us know in the comments!

Image: tpsdave/Pixabay 

The post Storm Dennis to hit the Netherlands by storm (sorry!) with high temperatures (17 C!) appeared first on DutchReview.

A storm after another: storm Dennis on the horizon

Storm Ciara has mostly passed now, but it seems our streak of high winds and rain have not quite passed.

It seems we will have to wait some more for some calm spring weather, as new storm might emerge by Sunday, Buienradar reports.

Nameless storm last night

Last night, another storm occurred, yet it was nameless, unlike the recent Ciara. It was also significantly weaker, reaching only 98 kilometres, compared to the heavier Ciara which had winds of up to 129 kilometres. According to Buienradar, a storm is given a name in the Netherlands, Ireland and the United kingdom only if it reaches code orange. As such, last night’s storm will not be registered.

Windy and rainy for the rest of the week

Unfortunately, the weather does not seem to significantly improve in the following week. Expect your typical mix of hail, the occasional sunshine peaking long enough only for you to miss it when it is gone, as well as potential wet snow in some places. The wind force will also remain substantial at the coasts, reaching level 8, while being level 5 inland. Fun!

Storm Dennis knocking on the weekend

While it is not yet completely clear as of now, it seems we will have another named windy visitor next weekend. The weather will tease us by becoming somewhat better on Friday, but don’t worry, there is no calm after the storm, just more storm. As such, on Sunday we might see Storm Dennis coming on our doorway. We might also get 15 degrees Celsius in some areas in the south next weekend, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see what happens.

What is your weather forecast for this week: first days of spring or last days of winter? Let us know in the comments.

Feature Image: tpsdave/Pixabay

 

The post A storm after another: storm Dennis on the horizon appeared first on DutchReview.

The day after storm Ciara: crappy weather, strong winds and cancelled flights in the Netherlands

If you were preparing a week of doom given storm Ciara’s grand entrance yesterday, you can take a breath. The worst has already passed.

Congratulations, we’ve made it through storm Ciara. It wasn’t that bad right? Or maybe it was and you’re now sitting in a shelter because the roof is gone (#neverforget then). In any case, let’s have a look at the aftermath of storm Ciara in the Netherlands.

Windy conditions continue

Strong wind will continue throughout the week, and Code Orange will be replaced with a milder Code Yellow for today. The weather forecast also rain for the remainder of the week.

Traffic and other transportation issues

This morning, the worst bit of rush hour has passed- but traffic continues through out the Netherlands – you can keep track of it here.

Of course, the storm has also had its impact on trains- with the high-speed trains diverted temporarily. This won’t cause major issues, but rather minor delays.

Cancellations at Schiphol

According to NH News, over 200 flights from Schiphol Airport were cancelled yesterday, and cancellations will continue today and likely for the rest of the week.

This flight wasn’t able to land at Schiphol at had to return to Madrid:

Grote paniek aan boord van dit vliegtuig dat wilde landen op Schiphol vanavond. Door de storm lukte dat tot vijf keer toe niet. Het toestel keerde daarom terug naar Madrid. https://t.co/N2jIujC2sR pic.twitter.com/1etiiIIJSB

— RTL Nieuws (@RTLnieuws) February 9, 2020

Interestingly (on the bright side maybe), many of flights in countries that that did make it up in the air hit record times due to windspeed. A KLM flight from New York to Amsterdam reached an hour and a half earlier than expected, according to NOS.

Has Ciara affected you? Let us know in the comments!

The post The day after storm Ciara: crappy weather, strong winds and cancelled flights in the Netherlands appeared first on DutchReview.

Thanks to the storm planes crossed the Atlantic in under 5 hours!

Fast trans-Atlantic travel was only possible if one could take a Concorde aircraft, which would get you over the Ocean in 3 and a half hours. The Concorde has long been decommissioned, but it seems that for a brief moment super speedy passage over the Atlantic ocean was possible again. Thanks to Storm Ciara herself!

Flights over the Atlantic can last between 7 and 8 hours, depending on the weather conditions and the speed of the aircraft. Some planes were in luck, however, as they benefited from the stormy wind given by Storm Ciara, as NOS reports.

Record-breaking flight over the Atlantic

A flight from the British Airways managed yesterday to break a record of speed on the route between New York and London, . It managed to make the normally long flight in just 4 hours and 56 minutes.

Met storm Ciara in de rug kon je vannacht in minder dan 5 uur van New York naar Londen vliegen. Doe je normaal 7/8 uur over! pic.twitter.com/ftVmDVEmzR

— Tim de Wit (@timdewit) February 9, 2020

Another British flight, on the route between Boston and London, managed to finish the flight in only 4 hours and 47 minutes, a record-breaker for that route also.

Some KLM flights were lucky to ride with the storm too. KLM Flight 644 managed to get from New York to Amsterdam one and a half hours before its scheduled arrival.

Breaking: @KLM flight 644 reached an incredible ground speed of 819 mph — faster than the speed of sound — over Newfoundland on Friday night.

The Boeing 747 was flying in an extremely strong 260 mph jet stream! Thanks to Captains Bakker and Best! pic.twitter.com/Rs9ggzP5cK

— Matthew Cappucci (@MatthewCappucci) February 8, 2020

Jet stream aiding the fast flights

The main reason why these planes have managed to cross the Atlantic so fast is because of a weather phenomenon known as the jet stream. They are fast-flowing and narrow air currents located high in the atmosphere, and they are often taken into consideration by airlines. If a plane follows a jet stream, not only does it get to its destination faster, it also cuts down on fuel costs. Of course, as you might have noticed, all these flights were going from west to east. If a plane would now try to fly towards New York from Amsterdam, it wouldn’t be a surprise if it took 12 hours.

Excited for the storm to come? Send us any footage you find on DutchReview.

Feature Image: ThePixelman/Pixabay

The post Thanks to the storm planes crossed the Atlantic in under 5 hours! appeared first on DutchReview.

Storm Ciara hits the Netherlands: what’s happening today?

Welcome to the big stormy day! Storm Ciara has just entered the Netherlands and you might be wondering what’s going on and if the Dutchies are keeping their cool. Let’s have a look at how the Netherlands is reacting to Ciara.

Writing this after lunch, things may very well change quickly (storms be stormy after all), we’ll try to do our best to update you.

Orange Code already in force on Wadden and in North Holland

The KNMI has already declared code orange earlier. The warning is especially valid for the Wadden-islands and Noord-Holland and soon for other regions as well. Code Red is next, let’s see if we get that today. Look here at the KNMI site for the current status of Ciara in the Netherlands.

It looks like the worst/stormiest is yet to come:

Windverloop volgens GFS (Amerikaans model). Hieraan kun je goed zien hoe het windveld zich dezer dagen ontwikkelt!#StormCiara
Bron @meteociel pic.twitter.com/sog4wwXWtn

— Helga van Leur (@helgavanleur) February 8, 2020

Flights cancelled at Schiphol

132 flights have already been cancelled at Schiphol. Yesterday, as a precaution, KLM decided to keep forty planes on the ground, and another twelve were added this morning. Easyjet, Lufthansa, Eurowings, British Airways and Flybe will also partly keep their planes on the ground. Schiphol advises travellers to keep an eye on their flight information and to stay in contact with airlines. Passengers may postpone their flights free of charge at some airlines, including KLM.

Whether more flights will be cancelled today due to Ciara, a spokesperson for the airport could not yet say. “We look at that from moment to moment.” reported the NOS.
Schiphol advises travellers to check the current flight information or to contact the airline where they have booked their flights.

Flights between Rotterdam and London cancelled

Rotterdam The Hague Airport has cancelled four flights. It concerns flights to and from London, which either were to arrive or to depart the airport.

No more ferries to and from Texel

The ferry service between Den Helder and Texel is blocked since noon. The ferries to Terschelling and Vlieland are also not going out this afternoon, as announced by shipping company Doeksen.

Probably not a bad idea:

Goedemorgen vanop de Noordzee#stormciara #Ciarastorm #Ciarastorm pic.twitter.com/vcZsskMij1

— TheFane (@TheFane3) February 9, 2020

If you’re thinking about just staying at home and watching football all day long (well, I was). Bad news; all Dutch football games have been cancelled.

We’ll keep you posted about Storm Ciara in the Netherlands. In the meantime, if you spot or shoot some awesome stormy video’s or pics. Send them to DutchReview!

Feat pic: CC0/piqsels

The post Storm Ciara hits the Netherlands: what’s happening today? appeared first on DutchReview.

Here Comes Ciara! – How To Protect Your Garden From Stormy Weather

Winter thus far has consisted of a handful of slightly chilly nights with a lot of benign, mild, wet weather in between. The garden is bursting with signs of spring, some of which I have captured to illustrate this post. Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’ is already blooming, at least 2 months earlier than usual. Legions of tulips are emerging from the ground and we are enjoying generous pots of bright blue Iris reticulata and shocking-pink Cyclamen coum.

Here at The Watch House we haven’t suffered any frost, despite cars on the street outside being smothered in rime on several occasions. The walls, trees and buildings that surround the house create a unique and favourable microclimate. Right now, only the most cold-sensitive plants are showing any sign of distress, but there’s a threat equal to frost on the way across the Atlantic – a storm named Ciara.

Batten down the hatches, Ciara’s coming!

Needless to say, the media are beside themselves with glee at the prospect of major travel disruption, danger to life, widespread power cuts and coastal flooding. A violent storm is a gift for journalists because they can feel gratified if the forecast is correct and blame the Met Office if their predictions don’t come to pass. And we all recall what understatement did for Michael Fish’s reputation in 1987 ….

The Great Storm of 1987 caused substantial damage over much of England, felling an estimated 15 million trees.

Before Storm Ciara makes landfall, here are some sensible precautions that all gardeners can take when strong winds are predicted.

1. Batten Down the Hatches

Ensure anything loose or moveable is weighted down or brought inside. Serious damage can be caused by objects that were not designed to fly through the air, including garden tools, hose reels, dustbins, play equipment and garden furniture. Put vulnerable items in a shed or garage if you can, otherwise move them to a sheltered spot. Barbecue and furniture covers can be ripped off and deposited some distance away, so secure these with bungee cords or remove them temporarily. Trampolines can cause significant disruption if blown onto roads or railway lines.

A wayward trampoline blocking the main London line at Bickley, Kent

Similarly, cloches, fleece and other forms of winter plant protection can be torn from the plants they were there to protect, so pin or tie these down as best you can.

Make sure larger pots are well watered and moved away from windows. Smaller pots and delicate plants should be relocated to a place of shelter.

High winds can topple pots of any size, so bunch these together and ensure they are well-watered before the storm hits. Move anything that might topple away from glass windows and doors, including greenhouses and conservatories. Window boxes and hanging baskets should be removed and placed on the ground where they cannot fall on anyone. If in doubt, move it: the aggravation and distress caused by broken glass or smashed terracotta is not worth the gamble.

If you have a pond, cover it with netting or chicken wire to prevent detritus from blowing in. During the winter months organic material does not break down as fast as in summer, resulting in a build up of toxic ammonia and making the pond water too acidic. Heavy rain will go some way to diluting any toxins, but the problem is best avoided in the first place.

Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’ is flowering now, but this rambler is no great lover of strong winds or cold weather. The whole plant could be stripped of leaves by Storm Ciara

2. Make Good and Mend

Check your shed roof for for missing felt and patch up where possible. If your garden fence has any loose panels, secure these immediately with screws or nails: there’s nothing worse than having a whole border annihilated by 6ft square of treated softwood. Make sure shed doors and greenhouse windows are firmly closed.

The tree on the left, Lyonothamnus floribundus subsp. aspleniifolius, was sadly toppled by a gale last March. This is one of the hazards of gardening by the coast.
(photograph: Marianne Majerus)

3. Keep Thin and Flexible

It has been a long time since these two words were applied to my good self, but they are wise to observe when it comes to one’s garden. During the winter months many trees have open canopies where foliage has fallen. Evergreens are most susceptible to winter storm damage, so thin crowns if at all possible and remove any branches that are touching property – when flailing about in a storm they can easily break glass, rip off a gutter or crush a car. Shrubs and trees in exposed locations should be staked temporarily using ties which have a degree of flexibility. Don’t secure a trunk so firmly that it cannot bend slightly in the wind – there is a possibility it will simply snap.

If you have not pruned roses, buddleja, abutilons or lavateras yet, do so tomorrow. Wind rock can be extremely damaging to these plants as well as any trees and shrubs you’ve planted in the last few months. The less material above ground the safer these plants will be.

Geranium maderense prefers shelter, but is more tolerant of wind than of cold.

4. Safety First

Last but not least, once Ciara or any other storm has set in, do not attempt to rescue a situation unless it is 100% safe to do so. Your neighbours may not be as diligent as you, meaning airborne debris could come at you from any angle, including above. On more than one occasion I have chosen to attempt saving a precious tree from falling and can attest to the invincible force of strong wind hitting a dense canopy. Unless you are Giant Haystacks it’s not worth taking the risk.

If you are determined to venture out this Sunday or Monday, keep in mind that many gardens, parks and arboreta usually open to the public will remain closed if there is danger of injury through falling trees or branches. My advice is to stay indoors, snuggle up on the sofa and enjoy a good book or blockbuster film until Ciara has blown herself out. TFG.

The emerging shoots of Dracunculus vulgaris, the dragon arum, should be fairly safe in a storm, provided nothing falls on them.

Here Comes Ciara! – How To Protect Your Garden From Stormy Weather

Winter thus far has consisted of a handful of slightly chilly nights with a lot of benign, mild, wet weather in between. The garden is bursting with signs of spring, some of which I have captured to illustrate this post. Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’ is already blooming, at least 2 months earlier than usual. Legions of tulips are emerging from the ground and we are enjoying generous pots of bright blue Iris reticulata and shocking-pink Cyclamen coum.

Here at The Watch House we haven’t suffered any frost, despite cars on the street outside being smothered in rime on several occasions. The walls, trees and buildings that surround the house create a unique and favourable microclimate. Right now, only the most cold-sensitive plants are showing any sign of distress, but there’s a threat equal to frost on the way across the Atlantic – a storm named Ciara.

Batten down the hatches, Ciara’s coming!

Needless to say, the media are beside themselves with glee at the prospect of major travel disruption, danger to life, widespread power cuts and coastal flooding. A violent storm is a gift for journalists because they can feel gratified if the forecast is correct and blame the Met Office if their predictions don’t come to pass. And we all recall what understatement did for Michael Fish’s reputation in 1987 ….

The Great Storm of 1987 caused substantial damage over much of England, felling an estimated 15 million trees.

Before Storm Ciara makes landfall, here are some sensible precautions that all gardeners can take when strong winds are predicted.

1. Batten Down the Hatches

Ensure anything loose or moveable is weighted down or brought inside. Serious damage can be caused by objects that were not designed to fly through the air, including garden tools, hose reels, dustbins, play equipment and garden furniture. Put vulnerable items in a shed or garage if you can, otherwise move them to a sheltered spot. Barbecue and furniture covers can be ripped off and deposited some distance away, so secure these with bungee cords or remove them temporarily. Trampolines can cause significant disruption if blown onto roads or railway lines.

A wayward trampoline blocking the main London line at Bickley, Kent

Similarly, cloches, fleece and other forms of winter plant protection can be torn from the plants they were there to protect, so pin or tie these down as best you can.

Make sure larger pots are well watered and moved away from windows. Smaller pots and delicate plants should be relocated to a place of shelter.

High winds can topple pots of any size, so bunch these together and ensure they are well-watered before the storm hits. Move anything that might topple away from glass windows and doors, including greenhouses and conservatories. Window boxes and hanging baskets should be removed and placed on the ground where they cannot fall on anyone. If in doubt, move it: the aggravation and distress caused by broken glass or smashed terracotta is not worth the gamble.

If you have a pond, cover it with netting or chicken wire to prevent detritus from blowing in. During the winter months organic material does not break down as fast as in summer, resulting in a build up of toxic ammonia and making the pond water too acidic. Heavy rain will go some way to diluting any toxins, but the problem is best avoided in the first place.

Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’ is flowering now, but this rambler is no great lover of strong winds or cold weather. The whole plant could be stripped of leaves by Storm Ciara

2. Make Good and Mend

Check your shed roof for for missing felt and patch up where possible. If your garden fence has any loose panels, secure these immediately with screws or nails: there’s nothing worse than having a whole border annihilated by 6ft square of treated softwood. Make sure shed doors and greenhouse windows are firmly closed.

The tree on the left, Lyonothamnus floribundus subsp. aspleniifolius, was sadly toppled by a gale last March. This is one of the hazards of gardening by the coast.
(photograph: Marianne Majerus)

3. Keep Thin and Flexible

It has been a long time since these two words were applied to my good self, but they are wise to observe when it comes to one’s garden. During the winter months many trees have open canopies where foliage has fallen. Evergreens are most susceptible to winter storm damage, so thin crowns if at all possible and remove any branches that are touching property – when flailing about in a storm they can easily break glass, rip off a gutter or crush a car. Shrubs and trees in exposed locations should be staked temporarily using ties which have a degree of flexibility. Don’t secure a trunk so firmly that it cannot bend slightly in the wind – there is a possibility it will simply snap.

If you have not pruned roses, buddleja, abutilons or lavateras yet, do so tomorrow. Wind rock can be extremely damaging to these plants as well as any trees and shrubs you’ve planted in the last few months. The less material above ground the safer these plants will be.

Geranium maderense prefers shelter, but is more tolerant of wind than of cold.

4. Safety First

Last but not least, once Ciara or any other storm has set in, do not attempt to rescue a situation unless it is 100% safe to do so. Your neighbours may not be as diligent as you, meaning airborne debris could come at you from any angle, including above. On more than one occasion I have chosen to attempt saving a precious tree from falling and can attest to the invincible force of strong wind hitting a dense canopy. Unless you are Giant Haystacks it’s not worth taking the risk.

If you are determined to venture out this Sunday or Monday, keep in mind that many gardens, parks and arboreta usually open to the public will remain closed if there is danger of injury through falling trees or branches. My advice is to stay indoors, snuggle up on the sofa and enjoy a good book or blockbuster film until Ciara has blown herself out. TFG.

The emerging shoots of Dracunculus vulgaris, the dragon arum, should be fairly safe in a storm, provided nothing falls on them.

Storm Ciara: hurricane-like winds, wet and wild weather, and possible code red

Whew, we’re in for some wet and wild weather in the Netherlands this weekend! The KNMI weather bureau is forecasting wind gusts of up to 140 kilometres per hour this Sunday (lordy be!).

If we were a doctor, we’d be prescribing a hot cup of tea and a fluffy blanket (you can take our advice anyway). Those winds are hurricane-class, so stay indoors if you can. The worst part will be at the end of the afternoon or early in the evening, says KNMI.

“In the course of the morning, the wind increases. At the end of the morning, there is probably already a storm in the northwestern coastal area. After that, the rest of Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland and Zeeland will also have to deal with a heavy storm with possible wind force 10. In the interior, there is wind force 7 to 8,” meteorologist Diana Woei of Weerplaza told NU.nl.

That means areas on the coast are going to be worst-affected, but those in the interior will still experience heavy wind gusts of up to 120 kilometres per hour. It’s expected the KNMI will announce a code orange on Sunday, with a possibility of a code red.

But, Ciara is not actually coming to the Netherlands

Technically, the storm Ciara isn’t actually coming to the Netherlands – just wreaking havoc on her journey nearby. On Scotland, Ciara is expected to be over Scotland and then continue toward Norway’s fjords.

De laatste uitvoer van de verschillende modellen laat voor zondag geen ander beeld zien. Kortom, onstuimig en nat. Vooral in de middag veel wind en zeer zware windstoten. Ook boven land. Meer: https://t.co/hpayx0MNoS #storm #ciara #StormCiara pic.twitter.com/kLGLbA4LRJ

— Weerplaza.nl (@Weerplaza) February 6, 2020

But, she will be causing a large difference in air pressure above the north and south of the country, gifting us these wild winds – thanks Ciara! (But really, we could go without, thanks anyway).

After Sunday, we get a reprieve! Just kidding. It’ll still be windy, and the coast will be stormy. This could even continue into Tuesday but should ease up by Wednesday. Dutch weather, am I right?

Are you dreading the storm, or waiting impatiently to snuggle down in a gezellig environment and listen to it batter the windows? Let us know in the comments below!

Feature Image: Josh Sorenson/Pexels

The post Storm Ciara: hurricane-like winds, wet and wild weather, and possible code red appeared first on DutchReview.