From Terry S update:
'...however temperatures may continue to be disappointing for the time of year with further quite cool intervals expected, as the proximity of a weak solar maximum is enhanced further by a relatively quiet sun at the moment.'
Happy to be called picky, but is 'proximity' the right word here? Surely the sun remains roughly the same distance throught the year, give or take a few % for the Earth's elliptical orbit?
What is correct is the reference to activity. The solar disk is incredibly quiet considering we are approaching a solar max. The association between global circulation and temperatures and solar activity is very well researched and published, so this could well have a measurable impact on the NH winter this year.
Neil
Fareham, Hampshire 28m ASL (near estuary)
Stormchaser, Member TORRO