The UK saw only 18 minutes of sunshine in 11 days, sparking “doomsday panic” among the public – International Observation – Beko

A-
A
A+

Britain saw only 18 minutes of sunshine in 11 days, triggering “doomsday panic” among people

Source: backchina.com

Since October 28, the British sky seems to have been covered with a gray veil that will never dissipate! It’s like a scene from the horror movie “The Fog.”

A shocking statistic has sent people into panic: in the past 11 days, residents of the Odiham area in Hampshire, England, have only seen 18 minutes of sunshine!

　　

The well-informed ITV weather presenter Becky Manting also had to describe this weather anomaly as an “astonishing lack of sunshine”, especially in Wales where there is only an average of 12 minutes of sunshine, Northern Ireland has 48 minutes, and England has The south is just slightly higher, at 54 minutes.

This weird weather, called “anticyclonic haze” by meteorologists, is plunging the entire British Isles into an unprecedented “grey”. Even since November, the region has experienced extreme weather with zero sunshine. , residents complained one after another: They felt bad all over!

　　

From late October, much of England and Wales is shrouded in fog, thick fog and low clouds every day.

Alex Deakin, a meteorologist at the British Met Office, used four words that also start with “D” to describe the abnormal weather: “dreary, gloomy, bleak and disappointing”. Altrincham in Greater Manchester has only enjoyed 24 minutes of sunshine in the past 11 days, while Belfast has fared slightly better? There is one hour of sunshine…

　　

This rare weather phenomenon is vividly called “dunkelflaute” by the Germans. Although there is no accurate English translation, it can be roughly understood as “dark downturn” or “dark windless period”.

The famous travel writer Bill Bryson once described it vividly: “It’s like living in a Tupperware box.” “Sometimes it rains, but most of the time it’s just dark, and there are no shadows on this land.” This is the moment. The living conditions of the British.

Under this kind of weather, everyone feels suffocated, as if the “doomsday” is coming. The cause of this phenomenon is a huge high-pressure system.

　　

Meteorological experts explained that high air pressure traps moisture near the surface. Due to weak sunlight and low winds, water vapor cannot rise and dissipate, forming low clouds, mist and fog. To make matters worse, as high air pressure remains stationary, low clouds thicken again at night as temperatures drop, which also causes urban air quality to deteriorate and pollutants to accumulate.

Compared with the same period in previous years, the weather this year is abnormal. Data show that after entering November, rainfall in the UK was only 2% of the monthly average, far lower than the 23% that should be expected during this period. Although there was rainfall in northern Scotland last weekend, there has been no significant rainfall in England and Wales since October 28 except for sporadic drizzle.

　　

The last generally sunny day across the country was on October 27, although some weather stations recorded a few hours of light on Halloween.

Significant differences were also seen in temperature. Under the influence of this pressure system, temperatures in various regions of the UK behave very differently. Bridsley Wood in northern Northumberland only reached a maximum temperature of 8.7C, while Kinlochvey in the Scottish Highlands recorded a high of 18.9C, nearly 10 degrees above the November average.

　　

This abnormal temperature difference is mainly caused by the “foehn effect”, which is a phenomenon in which air is forced over a mountain range and then drops and heats up on the other side.

This unusual weather also brings bad news to the UK’s energy supply! Due to weak winds, wind farms were able to meet only 3-4% of the UK’s electricity demand during the morning and evening peak periods on Tuesday. In order to make up for the energy gap, gas-fired power plants had to operate at full capacity and assumed about 60% of the power supply task, increasing the pressure on energy supply.

　　

BBC weather presenter Elizabeth Rizzini told BBC Radio 4’s “Today” program: “The hazy weather will continue. I am afraid that there will be no obvious weather changes until Sunday.” Meteorological experts predict that with the new low pressure The weather will change significantly as the system approaches. A cold front will bring brighter skies to Northern Ireland and Scotland, although southern and eastern parts of the country may continue to suffer from gloom for some time.

The good news is that Armistice Day may bring some sunshine. Meteorological Bureau expert Ellie Glasier said: “After the haze in early November, the sunshine is finally coming as the high pressure system develops again.” However, she also reminded that the northern areas may have severe weather under clear skies. You’ll experience cold weather with temperatures dropping into the single digits, and even frost in some places.

　　

This unique climate phenomenon makes people marvel at the magic and power of nature. Extreme weather events occur frequently around the world. The strange weather in the UK with no wind, rain and sunshine has unlocked a “new experience” for us – climate change brings not only extreme weather such as typhoons and floods, but also extreme weather events such as typhoons and floods. This abnormal phenomenon of “anticyclonic haze” occurs.

For British people who are accustomed to continuous rain, this experience may be truly unforgettable. One netizen lamented on social media: “It’s good that there is no wind and rain, but the gloomy sky that lasts for a week is really depressing. The feeling of not being able to see the sky is simply suffocating.” Another netizen also said: “I never realized It can be so claustrophobic to not see the sky for so long.”

　　

This kind of collective experience, which is almost claustrophobic, will make people cherish every ray of sunshine in the future even more…