they (metoffice) have always had a range up to UV 8, and last year it was frequently forecasted down here (South).. 

I think last year they had a change in attitude to how they would show the UV.. indexes into the 8 range have never been that uncommon down here but rarely forecasted. I presume in the past it's always based on mid afternoon average rather then ultimate peak possible.  

The great thing about Spring is it's an effect almost independent of temperature. Even with cold temperatures the humidity is lower so things start to dry out, and there is more light.

No matter how atrocious the weather the days keep getting longer and lighter, and the dew point keeps dropping. Even wet weather isn't humid as it is in November.

I have a personal threshold for when Spring starts: 13C+ maxes for 3 days in a row under calm winds and sunshine.

Light levels yesterday were wonderfully spring-like.

After a few days absence, the UV2 shot is back again (admittedly it's S Coast but that threshold will just keep moving N now).

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gbypzdmp7#?fcTime=1455753600

However it's not the UV that exclusively makes the sun feel warm, I think it's mainly infra red😉

Also in theory the Suns UV could potentially be as high as 3 in late February if it wasn't for the high ozone levels that have built up over the winter. You can still achieve a UV of 3 in early October.

In March down here in the far south UV of 4 do occasionally happen towards the later end of the month. 

Local weather station I use for UV maxed out yesterday @ UV index of 1.4 yesterday afternoon in the sunshine 🙂 This years highest.

 and

No, but it does make a difference to the look of the light.

Solar incidence on the 21st February roughly aligns with that on 21st October and the best I'll get here that late in the month is a 2; in fact the rate of reduction seems massive through September and October, whereas in March and April it seems more gradual- just perception of course; I wonder if anyone can throw any light on it.

you don't see or feel UV though.. Indexes of 15 are found at times in the Antarctic summer thanks to the ozone hole, these are the same kinds of values found in Kenya or Sri Lanka during their summers... 😊☀️

But you can certainly feel and see the effects of UV- even yesterday in the sunshine, my face felt prickly. And you know that intense light you get in a Mediterranean summer- much more dazzling than here even with dark surfaces around. There's definitely a changing appearance of light on surfaces. Even in September the light can take on a yellowy appearance, and in March it seems purer. Is there a time early in the year, do you think, that the residual winter ozone you mentioned quite regularly starts to reduce? Would it be about February/ March? I bet there's an average ozone table somewhere for this part of Europe.

the light is down the angle of the sun in the sky, the heat is mostly infrared...

http://www.herschel-infrared.com/heater-fundamentals/how-it-works/

Thanks, Pix-R-me

Without seeing her bottom clearly I can't be sure [I expect they all say that!] but looking at the stripes and the hint of a white tail, plus the balance of probabilities,  I would say Bombus leucorum.

See simple answer, then the more complex answer:

http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/white-tailed-bumblebee

http://www.bwars.com/index.php?q=content/bombus-lucorum

Roger

Glad to know it's thoroughly thawing out up there Rod! How are those geese?

Lilies are showing growing signs..  Shall  have to bury them deeper.. 

i think you might have identified it rightly😊 

Lots of them around just now - gobbling up the winter fodder for the sheep.  

Shooting going on so lots of goose available at selected outlets on the islands.  Rather delicious.

Magnolia flowers in plenty on the park trees this morning - sure sign of a frost or two to come!

Some alder in the lane are well in to new leaves. Fruit trees  in pots on patio are coming into life. Seen Buzzards soaring around. 

Do I win a prize?

Back in the real world ...

Bluebells in flower in a copse near here (East Ashling for those who know the area), here and there, probably a couple of dozen stems, not just one rogue specimen.

I've never seen bluebells in February before. Indeed, living in the south-east for the last 40+ years, I've come to regard the last week of March as early for the first bluebells.

That's amazing Dave; referring to Lionel's post earlier, we do keep diaries of 'first' dates for various things although we're not as persistent with it as we might be. However, looking back through all my sad tattered bits of paper from the 1980s on, I've only got 3 bluebell records: I don't know why, when, like you, we're fairly blessed with them around here.

One is a comment referring to perceived & unproven averages (3rd week April) in 1984; one is from 1986 (no buds April 16); one is from 1990 (blue showing in buds March 31st). I'm sure there have been earlier ones here but as you say..February? Then again, the daffs were in full flower nearby before old November was out. Despite recent cold, it seems the florosphere  has early momentum that hasn't been checked by February's little cold splashes. Soil temps maybe??

I've only kept records since retiring to Chichester, and not systematically (i.e., just wherever I happened to be); First bluebells as follows. The 'amazingly early' comment is rather contradicted by dates in subsequent years. A warm decade? or sssssh - you know what!

26/3/07 Forest of Bere  (Portsmouth) recorded as 'amazingly early'

26/3/08 Billingshurst

20/4/10 Whitchurch

29/3/11 Bolney (in bud, blue but not open)

14/3/12 Chichester (a bit of a cheat, one in a garden)

24/4/13 Duncton (Petworth)

7/4/15 Hamble