Atlantic Depression 'Emily' 19.12.13

I have always been interested in Meteorology and weather photography, partly because of the thrill and the inspiration a 'storm' gives.

This post is about the Frontal storm dubbed "Emily" which developed along a nasty weather system, with a wet/mild warm front moving in from the west and a thin yet nasty coldfront-low just behind. Both fronts had gained strength over the Atlantic ocean on the 17th December but the coldfront now had potential to turn into a Thin Lewp (line echo wave pattern) type storm.

During the 18th as the system drew ever closer wind speeds gradually picked up throughout the day, heading north towards the centre low. At this point the system was upgraded into an Atlantic Depression.

Towards the early evening the depression hit Ireland causing some localised flash flooding along some of its west coast. Here is a radar grab at around 17:30 with the warm front being the more obvious of the two, many forecasters didn't expect anything serious to happen.

Radar grab-18:30// 1hour later it travelled east into wales and caused Hundreds of homes to lose power when 70mph gusts disabled a large grid switching centre in Cheshire. At this point the storm suddenly increased strength and precipitation rates reached 70mm/hr.

Radar grab - 19:00// The warm front began to move north, and the coldfront had rapidly strengthened into a LineEchoWavePattern with the capability to produce misocyclone's and tornado's up to an F1.

By 19:30 The Warmfront had arrived the Hampshire county, Bringing moderate to heavy rain associated with strong southerly winds and violent gusts. To feel the full effect of the wind on the waves, I headed down to the overflowing Canoe lake in Southsea, Portsmouth.

 

Canoe Lake used to be connected to the sea as a Wetland known as the Great Morass until 1886 when it was blocked off by concrete embankments, today all that connects the sea to the Lake is a Tide suppressing Water Pipe. Wildlife here is restricted with small bait fish and shrimps making the majority of life in Canoe lake, also Shore crabs and More Recently Moon jellyfish populations have been discovered.

 

This was a rare occasion as Canoe lake is only marginally affected by the tide and precipitation runoff usually has little impact on the water volume here.

 Nasty 50mph gusts Rocked the ancient large Oak tree's surrounding canoe lake.

With the Warmfront clearing off to the east, this left a 10minute gap inbetween the two fronts and taking the risk I headed to the derelict Old Portsmouth District to view the waves in full glory.

 Photography is very tricky while being blasted by shingle, sea spray and 60mph winds!  

 Large Swell Waves Battered the sea defences even as it was Low Tide!

 Brittany Ferries Mv Armorique Braves the odds on a rare winter service to st Marlo, France, Replacing the inadequate Mv Bretagne.

 At this point the Cold front suddenly Arrived and wind speeds quickly picked up again, the sky's opened up to freezing cold rain which slowly forced me to retreat to shelter. Gusts of 64mph were recorded at this point as all hell broke lose.

I left Old Portsmouth shortly after (20:00), concerned for my safety and returned home.

Here Is a pressure chart, courtesy of the Met office taken at midnight.

The storm left flooding in the Bristol channel and several large rivers along the South coast. The gales killed two people in the north of the uk and cut power lines leaving thousands without electricity. The LEWP Spawned a Possible tornado over Whitehaven, Cumbria. And more severe weather has been forecasted in the weeks to come. 

 

 

Browndown Beach + The River Alver 08/12/13

As Part of a Geographic study I visited Browndown beach and the lower stage of the River Alver.
The weather Correctly forecasted Strong South Westerly winds and sunny intervals, Deciding not to miss an opportunity I arrived at The location just after midday. This Trip comes days after a violent storm surge swept through from the north sea sparking mass evacuations on the East coast near London and localised flooding here on the south*.

Browndown beach + Park Is a Rarely used Military Training ground owned by the MOD and used by the territorial army and Marine's For occasional Training exercises and Training. On the other hand its a great haven for migrant birds arriving late in the winter.

The River Alver originates from a very small catchment in the Gosport Borough with its source In Speedfields Park, Collingwood (10m high). As it heads south an leaves its upper course it is joined by several Tributary's Near the settlement of Rowner, Here the wildlife is said to flourish with sea trout and various other species of fish living here.



The Mouth of The river Alver Was removed to prevent Tidal flooding and replaced by a tunnel.

 The tunnel remerges again 20 yards north, The digger in the background was reinforcing the embankment flood defences here in preparation for The North_Sea_flood_of_2013*.

Looking upstream, Its here were the first tributary Branches off.

That Tributary soon eases into a small Mudlake, Note: strong erosion in the background.



Two Partnered Resident Mute swans search the River Alver for sustainable food, despite the tall embankments Fauna and Flora Continue to grow here steadily. 

The view north as the River Alver heads into its middle course (5 meters above sea level) 

I then decide to explore the rest of Browndown Park

 The Military fortifications in the distance

Among the Birdlife was Rooks, greenfinches, great tits and reports say a locally Rare Dartford Warbler (Dartford_Warbler) was also on site at the time.

Rosehips, Gorse and Thistles were Just some of the Diverse plant life living in Browndown reserve 

 The Main shingle beach on site doesn't share as much life as the reserve, seen here looking 'abandoned'

I Conclude my trip at the Main Military Compound (Former Gun battery).

 First built here in 1842 the gun batteries were designed to protect Southampton from attack by enemy warships, it was highly criticised by Sir James Fergusson And over the years kept needing upgrading until 1905 when it was disarmed.