Weather Outlook for Gower, Swansea: 27-01-2012 - 30-01-2012

In recent weeks I have commented on various issues to do with factors that influence climate, it’s variability and causes. Clearly there are two camps of thought on this matter: the man-made CO2 warmers and the scientists who advocate natural influences cause the variability of climate over time.

It will become apparent over the next couple of decades which theory is correct and who is wearing 'the emperors new clothes'. With current and next solar cycles predicted to be relatively low in magnitude, scientists will hopefully be able to determine what the actual influence of the Sun is on the Earth’s climate.

It has been a fascinating week for the Sun - a large Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) occurred on the surface of the Sun, emitting charged atomic particles and radiation into space. It was the biggest eruption on the Sun since 2005. Although the eruption took place on Monday 23rd the stream of charged particles from the eruption hit the Earth’s magnetic field a day later (24th) producing reports of Auroras (Northern lights) as far South as North Wales! The following link has further details, links and images from satellites documenting this big eruption:

http://www.spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=23&month=01&year=2012

Back to Earth! What has the weekend weather in store?

After a mild mid-week, a low-pressure system Thursday brought cool NW winds, with heavy showers in its wake. As the low-pressure moves off into the North Sea an Azores high-pressure is pushing in from the SW, with the UK positioned at the junction of the high and low pressure. The boundary where the two pressure systems meet causes an interaction between the two air masses and hence the blustery, showery weather. Ominously there is a large area of High Pressure building over Scandinavia, which tends to block out Atlantic Weather fronts and draw in cold air from Siberia, so winter may still have a bite to come.

Friday With the low-pressure system positioned in the North Sea and high pressure pushing in from the SW, Friday is likely to see the continuation of the showery weather although not a blustery as Thursday with more sunny spells. The winds will continue from a cool West / NW direction taking the edge of the temperatures, daytime temperatures will be around 6-7°C. By evening the winds will lighten and the temperatures will drop overnight to around freezing or just below.

Saturday High pressure will dominate during the day Saturday, the day will essentially be dry with variable amounts of cloud and sunny spells, after cold start temperatures will rise to around 8°C. As the day progresses cloud will thicken as a weather front approaches from the West, this will bring some overnight rain; overnight temperatures will be higher than Friday between 2-4°C.

Sunday Is likely to be a cloudy and damp affair as the weather front passes over, remaining mostly cloudy with showers throughout the day the occasional sunny spell. Winds remain light and temperatures struggling up 4-5°C this will be followed another cool night with temperatures just hovering above freezing around 2°C.

Monday After a cool start to the morning, Monday looks to be a repeat of Sunday, cloudy, cool and some showers. Temperatures will struggle up to 6°C. Winds will remain light as a ridge of high-pressure noses in from the SW. Overnight temperatures will hold up at 4-5°C. Generally speaking this weekend’s weather outlook has a cooler, cloudy damp feel too it with some cold mornings thrown in. It will be interesting to see how this large high pressure over Scandinavia behaves in the up coming week, if it moves closer to the UK it will bring more of a Siberian feel to the weather! Early suggestions indicate it might have an influence around Wednesday. Its one to keep an eye on this week on the weather forecasts!

Have a good weekend,

Chris.

Clyne Valley Community Project Helped by South Wales Police Property Fund

Clyne Valley Community Project have been issued with funding of £580 for improvements to be made to the paddock area of Ynys Newydd play area, Derwen Fawr.

Local Police Officer, PC Richard Jeavons, presented Clyne Valley Community Project events organiser Gail Mitchell with the cheque from the South Wales Police property fund on Monday 23rd January. The money will be used to pay for 3 benches and goal posts in the Paddock area near to Ynys Newydd play area.

Also on site to inspect the field and to agree where the seats and posts are sited were Tony Pain (Crime Prevention Officer, Cockett police station), Swansea City Council parks officer Adam Mason and parks maintenance officer Ceri Roberts. Also present were pupils from Bishop Gore comprehensive school who will be working in conjunction with the Clyne Valley Community Project to set up and complete the work.

Clyne Valley Community Project committee member and Bishop Gore school governor Gay Mitchell said:

"I am really pleased that the police fund has been able to give Clyne Valley Community Project’s work such a big boost.

"This is the sort of work our volunteers love doing because it makes a difference.

"It is a project that shows we want to include everyone in getting involved in the valley. And the fact that Bishop Gore students are also going to be involved is a real bonus."

The funding from South Wales Police has come from a grant from the Police Property Act and it will go some way to improving facilities in the park, not only for local residents but for youths in the area as well. Local officers will continue to maintain close links with local residents and the Clyne Valley Community Project.

PC 397 Richard Jeavons
Neighbourhood Beat Manager for West Cross, Mayals, Blackpill & Derwen Fawr, Mumbles and Gower.