Weather Musing...Ridge Ahead of a Depression

[simonjk]

Hi again,

Just a quickie for you. Those of you who have attended Weather School will know how I talk about ridges building ahead of Atlantic depressions due to air being piled up forward of the depression.

Well, we've a classic example of this taking place right now. Take a look at http://www.wetterzentrale.de/pics/bracka.gif to see the ridge building through the country this afternoon (the ridge is the inverted "v" shape in the isobars over the UK and Ireland, ahead of tomorrows depression (see http://www.wetterzentrale.de/pics/brack0a.gif )

If you are in a ridge the watch the winds and barometer carefully, whilst pressure rises and the winds veer, the weather will improve. As soon as the winds back, and the barometer falls, the weather will deteriorate. Cirrus clouds (the high wispy ones) give a good indication of this too, as they are the first clouds usually seen ahead of a warm front.

No doubt many will have spotted this already, but I thought it worthwhile pointing out.

Best wishes,
Simon

 

[ChrisE]

Thanks for the info, currently sitting in Cardiff watching the wispy stuff arrive after a glorious day.

Why is it that the weather is always great 9-5 and deteriorates thereafter?

 

[Moonshining]

Simon,

While you're here, any ideas as to what the weekend is likely to be like in the Solent?

 

[shmoo]

Thanks. That's another pattern to file away in the Google in the head. If it will pop back out again when the inverted 'v's present themselves is another matter... Probably will just as the weather is turning s****y.

 

[simonjk]

Weekend (Solent),:
Saturday - shallow low over southern England moves quickly east, then to a S-SW'ly F3-F4.

Sunday - SE F3, then S-SW F4-5 later.

Thins are moving quickly and could change so confidence only low-moderate.

Hope that is of help?

Simon

 

[Moonshining]

Yep, thanks!