Lakes Guides, topics |
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| weather, Cumbria | ||||
| county:- | Cumbria | |||
| also see:- |  clouds, Cumbria floods, Cumbria weather stations, Cumbria |
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| There is Rain, Sun, Snow ... |
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 BJT96.jpg |
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| Mountain country brings its own sort of weather patterns, sometimes quite different
one side of a watershed from the other. There are helm winds; there is great rainfall;
... Everywhere in England has weather, and we don't stop talking about it. |
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| Seathwaite is credited with the highest average rainfall in England. Here, Sadgill,
Longsleddale, we had one year of 141 inches; that was the year of Storm Desmond with,
for us, 10.5 inches in 38 hours continuous steady rainfall. |
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 click to enlargeHB0825.jpg Skating on Windermere Lake, 1890s |
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| evidence:- | descriptive text:- Keer 1605 (edn 1620) |
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| source data:- | Map, Westmorlandia et Comberlandia, ie Westmorland and
Cumberland now Cumbria, scale about 16 miles to 1 inch, probably
by Pieter van den Keere, or Peter Keer, about 1605, published
about 1605 to 1676. KER9Cmd1.txt first page:- "[Cumberland] ... (3) The ayre is piercing, and of a sharpe temperature, and would be more biting, were it not that those high hilles breake off the Northerne stormes, and cold falling snowes." KER9Wmd1.txt first page:- "[Westmorland] ... the Aire sharpe and piercing, purging it selfe from the trouble of grosse foggy mists and vapours, by reason of which the people of this Province are not acquainted with strange diseases or imperfections of body, but live long, and are healthfull, and attaine to the number of many yeares." KER9Wmd4.txt fourth page "... There are also neere Kendale in the River Can, two Catadupa or Waterfals, where the waters descend with such a forcible downefall, that it compels a mightie noyse to be heard, which the neighbour Inhabitants make such use of, as they stand them in as good stead as Prognostications: for when that which standeth North from them soundeth more cleare, and with a louder eccho in their eares, they certainly looke for faire weather to follow: But when that on the South do the like, they expect foggy mists and showers of raine." |
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| evidence:- | old text:- Gents Mag item:- frost; snow; temperature; storm; thunder; lightning |
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| source data:- | Magazine, The Gentleman's Magazine or Monthly Intelligencer or
Historical Chronicle, published by Edward Cave under the
pseudonym Sylvanus Urban, and by other publishers, London,
monthly from 1731 to 1922. goto source Gentleman's Magazine 1754 p.571 "Extract of a Letter from Cumberland, dated Dec. 10." "OUR weather here has been remarkable inconstant: Frosts and snow before Christmas are phenomena unknown to the plains of Cumberland, tho' no county has more of them, nor of longer duration, than the mountains. The snow covered our hills in October, and by degrees approached our plains, so that about the 30th it cover'd the surface near an inch, but immmediately dissolved, and produced great land floods. The thermometer, which never had fallen below 40, on the 29th of November fell to 30, but at noon rose to 36; on Monday, Dec. 2, it was at 40 in the morning, and 44 at noon, and has continued from 36 to 49, where it is now at noon of Dec. 10. The rains are heavy, the floods all out, and just now there is the appearance of a frost again." "In the night of Wednesday, Dec. 4, it thundered and lightened very much: We have had wet weather ever since; and last night from eleven to one in the morning, it thundered and lightened again with great violance; an accident the more remarkable, as in this county thunder and lightening, even in summer, are very rare." "Our epidemic distempers have been a swelling of the gums and jaws, inflamations of the tonsills, rigid contractions of the mastoid muscle, so as to render mastication extremely painful, and quinseys: It has no where proved fatal, but has submitted to the usual remedies for a cold." "My thermometer is within doors, in a chamber over the back parlour, where a fire is very seldom made, and the wall faces the south east; from the whole of my observations, compared with yours, I am persuaded you are always colder at London in winter than we." "I am, Sir, yours, &c." "G. SMITH." "P.S. It has lightened again all this night, with excessive rains, thunder far west; thermometer this morning at 44, an unsettled sky, wind, &c," |
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 GentsMag reports 1756 |
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| Clarke 1787 |
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| Wordsworth 1810 |
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| Martineau 1855 |
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| notes:- |
And mountain views? |
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| notes:- |
"We are now going to give a very heterodox piece of advice, but it is one that is founded
upon a long experience of Lakeland and other mountain districts. Unless you have plenty
of time to spare for seeing natural beauties - plenty of overtime that is - upon no
account waste any of it in ascending a very high mountain. The fatigue, to persons
of average strength and ordinary habits, is in much over-proportion to the advantage
in any case, while in nine cases (at least) out of ten, in this part of the country,
a day sufficiently clear for seeing any great extent of prospect does not occur. There
is, of course, some satisfaction in designating more prudent persons as 'coddles,
and 'muffs' but you can do that in a very superior manner (with a little confidence)
without having earned the right of insult by any such exertions. A much lower and
more easily attained elevation has often a prosepct nearly as extensive and infinitely
more distinct. The scene from Helvellyn, for instance, is generally all mountain-tops
and mist; while that from Nab Scar (over Rydal), one-third of its height, affords
a splendid variety of lake and river, of hill and valley, spread out around it like
a raised map. We do not speak of the danger, for we are by no means of the number
of the Cockneys who, at the close of every summer, indite epistles to The Times about
putting up a hand-rail round Scafell Pike, but the mountain-mists are really dangerous
as well as disappointing. ..." |
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| Payn 1860s-70s |
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| notes:- |
Snow |
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| Rain is an important factor of weather in The Lakes, but sometimes there is snow.
So. how much snow makes an inch of rain? I have found either no or only uncertain
answers. One more confident source said that the specific gravity of snow varied from
0.05 to 0.85, though usually within the range 0.1 to 0.6. Thatb translates to 1 inch
of rain being equivalent to 20 to 1.2 inches of snow, or more usually between 10 and
17 inches of snow. |
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| notes:- |
Sunshine |
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| Sunshine is recorded by the Campbell Stokes sunshine recorder. The glass sphere focuses
the sun on a paper strip, burning a track, when it shines. |
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 BZG14.jpg courtesy of Lancaster Museums |
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| This instrument was used at Morecambe from 1952 to 2011. |
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| BVN60.jpg |  |
Hardknott Pass, Eskdale, NY23150146 -- Rainbow. (photo 7.10.2011) | ||
| BQO42.jpg |  |
Sadgill, Longsleddale, NY48260570 -- Rainbow. (photo 26.5.2009) | ||
| CBI07.jpg |  |
St Mark, Natland, SD52118920 -- Stained glass; St Michael, St Gabriel, Keith Aidan Sinker d.1937, angels, by G E R Smith, and by A K Nicholson, 1939. (photo 15.8.2012) | ||
| BJT96.jpg |  |
Low Sadgill, Longsleddale, NY48230564 -- Rainbow. (photo 25.8.2005) | ||
| BOR99.jpg |  |
Birker Fell, Eskdale, SD173975 -- Gravestone, just outside the door to St John's Church, Ulpha:- (photo 27.2.2008) | ||
| BNC86.jpg |  |
Distressed Sailor, Hensingham, Whitehaven, NX98581623 -- Innsign, sailors in a storm. (photo 2.1.2007) | ||
| BNK75.jpg |  |
Kirkstile Community Hall, Dean, NY07132538 -- Weathervane. (photo 24.3.2007) | ||
| BQY13.jpg |  |
Longsleddale, NY50080289 -- Sheep in the shade, near Kilnstones. (photo 29.6.2009) | ||
| BPB12.jpg |  |
Stripes, Waitby, NY74940947 -- Poem by Robert Owen, on an old water tank. (photo 18.4.2008) | ||
| BPB13.jpg |  |
Stripes, Waitby, NY74940947 -- Poem by Robert Owen, on an old water tank. (photo 18.4.2008) | ||
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| BMW46.jpg |  |
Grasmere lake, NY33900652 -- Grasmere in winter. | ||
| BRZ97.jpg |  |
Great Wygill, NY8707 -- Under the snow, at Geat Wygill Bridge, (photo 22.1.2010) | ||
| BRZ97.jpg | |
Great Wygill Bridge, Kaber, NY88370808 -- Under the snow, at Geat Wygill Bridge, (photo 22.1.2010) | ||
| BJM27.jpg |  |
Kentmere, NY45760407 -- Moonset over Kentmere valley from Shipman Knotts, about 9.00am. (photo 26.12.2004) | ||
| BJM28.jpg |  |
Kentmere, NY45760407 -- Sunrise glow over Kentmere valley from Shipman Knotts, about 9.00am. (photo 26.12.2004) | ||
| CCG11.jpg |  |
Kentmere, NY45760407 -- Upper valley, snow. (photo 22.1.2015) | ||
| CEM46.jpg |  |
Kentmere, NY45760407 -- Upper valley, snow. (photo 20.1.2016) | ||
| BSL70.jpg |  |
Little Sca Fell, Ireby, Uldale Fells, NY290342 -- (photo 4.4.2010) | ||
| BRZ99.jpg |  |
Little Wygill, NY8707 -- At Little Wygill Bridge, (photo 22.1.2010) | ||
| BRZ99.jpg | |
Little Wygill Bridge, Kaber, NY88350811 -- At Little Wygill Bridge, (photo 22.1.2010) | ||
| BYE40.jpg |  |
Loadpot Hole, Askham, Loadpot Hill, NY45881864 -- (photo 10.4.2013) | ||
| CEM47.jpg |  |
Longsleddale, NY50080289 -- Upper valley, snow. (photo 25.1.2016) | ||
| BTU90.jpg |  |
Low Sadgill, Longsleddale, NY48230564 -- Barn in snow (photo 5.12.2010) | ||
| BTU98.jpg |  |
Low Sadgill, Longsleddale, NY48230564 -- A little snow (photo 5.12.2010) | ||
| BRZ92.jpg |  |
Megsonbrow Bridge, Kaber, NY88830798 -- View of river. (photo 22.1.2010) | ||
| BRZ82.jpg |  |
Molds Hill, Stainmore, NY87610860 -- Toll gate site, top of Molds Hill. (photo 22.1.2010) | ||
| BRZ92.jpg | |
Rea Gill, NY8807 -- View of river. (photo 22.1.2010) | ||
| BTU99.jpg |  |
road, Garnett Bridge to Sadgill, SD59 -- (photo 5.12.2010) | ||
| BTV08.jpg |  |
road, Garnett Bridge to Sadgill, SD59 -- (photo 5.12.2010) | ||
| BTV09.jpg |  |
road, Garnett Bridge to Sadgill, SD59 -- (photo 5.12.2010) | ||
| BVU72.jpg |  |
St Mary, Mallerstang, Outhgill, NY78190144 -- Kneeler: feeding sheep in snow. (photo 13.1.2012) | ||
| BXX50.jpg |  |
stone wall, Middleton, Weather Ling Hill, SD67368690 -- (photo 18.2.2013) | ||
| BXX52.jpg |  |
stone wall, Middleton, Weather Ling Hill, SD67368690 -- (photo 18.2.2013) | ||
| BXX51.jpg |  |
stone wall, Middleton, Weather Ling Hill, SD67368690 -- (photo 18.2.2013) | ||
| BTU94.jpg |  |
track, Sadgill to Gatescarth, NY40 -- Stone wall by track; snow. (photo 5.12.2010) | ||
| BTU96.jpg |  |
track, Sadgill to Gatescarth, NY40 -- Boots and crampons in the snow. (photo 5.12.2010) | ||
| BTU97.jpg |  |
track, Sadgill to Gatescarth, NY40 -- Boots and crampons in the snow. (photo 5.12.2010) | ||
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| BSF74.jpg |  |
Alcock Tarn, Lakes, NY34910789 -- (photo 2.3.2010) | ||
| BSF73.jpg |  |
Alcock Tarn, Lakes, NY34910789 -- (photo 2.3.2010) | ||
| BSF75.jpg |  |
Alcock Tarn, Lakes, NY34910789 -- (photo 2.3.2010) | ||
| BTX59.jpg |  |
Brantwood Jetty, Coniston Water, SD31119579 -- Icotherms? (photo 21.1.2011) | ||
| BTX60.jpg |  |
Brantwood Jetty, Coniston Water, SD31119579 -- Icotherms? (photo 21.1.2011) | ||
| BPX11.jpg |  |
Dee, River, SD7186 -- Frozen waterfall. (photo 9.1.2009) | ||
| BPX12.jpg |  |
Dee, River, SD7186 -- Frozen waterfall; still and moving water. (photo 9.1.2009) | ||
| BPW40.jpg |  |
Fall Beck, SD5586 -- At the bridge. (photo 2.1.2009) | ||
| BJI63.jpg |  |
Low Sadgill, Longsleddale, NY48230564 -- Frozen splashes in the garden. (photo 2.2005) | ||
| BJI64.jpg |  |
Low Sadgill, Longsleddale, NY48230564 -- Frozen splashes in the garden. (photo 2.2005) | ||
| BTV81.jpg |  |
Mint, River, SD5596 -- At Laverock Bridge, in the cold. (photo 24.12.2010) | ||
| BTV83.jpg |  |
Mint, River, SD5596 -- At Laverock Bridge, in the cold. (photo 24.12.2010) | ||
| CGI62.jpg |  |
Mint, River, SD5596 -- At Rossil Bridge, (photo 10.8.2017) | ||
| BTV82.jpg |  |
Mint, River, SD5596 -- At Laverock Bridge, in the cold. (photo 24.12.2010) | ||
| BTV84.jpg |  |
Mint, River, SD5596 -- At Laverock Bridge, in the cold. (photo 24.12.2010) | ||
| BQB04.jpg |  |
New Mill Aqueduct, Lancaster Canal, SD52367731 -- Weed and ice, just N of the aqueduct. (photo 6.2.2009) | ||
| BQB05.jpg |  |
New Mill Aqueduct, Lancaster Canal, SD52367731 -- Weed and ice, just N of the aqueduct. (photo 6.2.2009) | ||
| CGI62.jpg | |
Rossil Bridge, Whinfell, SD55339968 -- At Rossil Bridge, (photo 10.8.2017) | ||
| BPX15.jpg |  |
Scow Force, Dent, SD77468522 -- (photo 9.1.2009) | ||
| BPX16.jpg |  |
Scow Force, Dent, SD77468522 -- (photo 9.1.2009) | ||
| BIL20.jpg |  |
Stockdale Beck, NY4805 -- Icicles. (photo 26.2.2004) | ||
| BIL21.jpg |  |
Stockdale Beck, NY4805 -- Ice. (photo 26.2.2004) | ||
| BIL22.jpg |  |
Stockdale Beck, NY4805 -- Ice. (photo 26.2.2004) | ||
| BIL24.jpg |  |
Stockdale Beck, NY4805 -- Ice. (photo 26.2.2004) | ||
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| references:- | An adhoc list of books found in books on our shelves and elsewhere; which isn't very
much. |
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| : 1939 (3rd edn): Weather Map, The: Air Ministry, Meteorological Office &HMSO : 1969 (3rd edn): Observers' Handbook: Meteorological Office &HMSO (London) Abdill, David: 1842: New Theory of the Weather Berry, F A & Bollay, E & Beers, Norman R: 1945: Handbook of Meteorology: McGraw Hill (United States) Bohun, Ralph: 1671: Discourse Concerning the Origine and Properties of Wind: (Oxford, Oxfordshire) Dalton, John: 1793: Meteorological Essays DeBlieu, Jan: 1998: Wind: (Boston, United States) Fitzroy:: Weather Book, The Giles, Bill: 1990: Story of Weather, The: HMSO:: ISBN 0 11 400355 6 Hamblyn, Richard: 2001: Invention of Clouds: Picador (London) Halford, Pauline: 2004: Storm Warning &Origins of the Weather Forecast: Sutton Publishing (Stroud, Gloucestershire):: ISBN 0 7509 3247 3 Holford, Ingrid: 1976: British Weather Disasters: David and Charles (Newton Abbot, Devon):: ISBN 0 7153 7276 9 Huler, Scott: 2004: Defining the Wind; the Beaufort Scale and How a Nineteenth Century Admiral Turned Science into Poetry: Crown Publishers (New York, United States):: ISBN 1 4000 4884 2 Lamb, H H: : English Climate Lester, Reginald M: 1948: Everybody's Weather Book: Sampson Low, Marston and Co (London) Lester, Reginald M: 1955: Observer's Book of Weather: Warne, Frederick and Co (London) Lloyd, Julie: 2007: Concise Guide to Weather: Parragon (Bath, Somerset):: ISBN 978 1 4054 8802 0 Manley, Gordon: 1960=1969 (?): Enjoy Cumbria's Weather: Cumbria Tourist Board (Carlisle, Cumberland):: ISBN 0 904310 00 0 Manley, Gordon: 1952: Climate and the British Scene: Collins (London) Miller, Denning: 1952: Wind, Storm and Rain: (New York, United States) Miller, John Fletcher: 1846=1847: Report on the Fall of Rain in the Lake Districts of Cumberland and Westmorland: Irwin, G (Whitehaven, Cumberland) Pedgley, David: 1979: Mountain Weather: Cicerone Press (Milnthorpe, Cumbria):: ISBN 0 902363 22 0 (?) Roth, Gunther D &Yates, E M (trans): 1981: Collins Guide to Weather: Collins (London):: ISBN 0 00 219010 9 Utley, David: 1998: Anatomy of the Helm Wind: Bookcase (Carlisle, Cumbria):: ISBN 0 95199 210 2 Watson, Lyall: 1984: Heaven's Breath: Morrow (New York, United States) Woodard, Antony & Penn, Robert: 2007: Wrong Kind of Snow & Complete Daily Companion ot the British Weather: Hodder and Stoughton (London):: ISBN 978 0 340 93787 7 |
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