Beware the Blackthorn Winter

[spudulike]

Bugger, it is the second ice age

[Billhook]

33 minutes ago, spudulike said:

Bugger, it is the second ice age

Not sure if you are just winding me up but here today it has been bitterly cold in the Westerly breeze and the Blackthorn is only just coming out.

[Paul in the woods]

We had warm sun yesterday but the wind was cold. First swallows arrived on Saturday. Some blackthorn still in bud and some almost over.

[Billhook]

Now today is a classic example of what I understand a Blackthorn Winter to be.   We had a balmy warm day on Wednesday and as I said I walked the farm in a T shirt.

Today I set off for my morning bike ride with gloves,  a thick pullover and wax jacket and yellow vest and helmet.  A biting North West wind made me wish I had put my balaclava on and I was frozen after four miles.

In the yard processing wood in the shelter of the open front shed which is protected from the North West it was pleasant in the sun but as soon as you moved into the open it was bitter.

I do not think it means that there has to be snow, although that can happen.  It is a sudden change that happens when the blackthorn flowers which usually corresponds with the equinox but whether that has any influence I know not.

[sandspider]

Black thorn in flower earlier this week, and a slight frost round our way this morning.

[Stubby]

On 21/03/2019 at 16:26, Peasgood said:

No frost in the 16 day forecast, no reason to think there’s going to be a Blackthorn winter this year.

It can’t happen every year or they would never fruit.

We have just had 3 days of 12-14 degrees C in the day and minus 2 at night . Sharp frost this morning but shirt sleeves in the day . Black thorn , Haw thorn and Magnolia in full flower .  West Sussex , South Downs National Park .

[Peasgood]

On 26/03/2019 at 19:36, Stubby said:

We have just had 3 days of 12-14 degrees C in the day and minus 2 at night . Sharp frost this morning but shirt sleeves in the day . Black thorn , Haw thorn and Magnolia in full flower .  West Sussex , South Downs National Park .

Had a good ground frost yesterday morning but air temp was only down to 0°C. Those temps are only that low just at daybreak.

Same as you in the day, glorious weather.

 

Put your order in now if you want to secure a sloe supply from me.

[Peasgood]

p.s. a blackthorn winter is a lot more than a few radiation frosts. 

[Billhook]

Now we have the Blackthorn out in full flower here in the East Midlands and here is the local forecast with talk of snow

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2637224

[difflock]

Really just noticed the Blackthorn in full flower yesterday, and viola! snow floating down past the bedroom window this morning.