Remarkably few signs of spring anywhere in the South East at the moment. I was in Oxford yesterday at the same spot I remember walking in 1998 at the exact same time of year surrounded by flowering daffodils. Yesterday, scarcely even many shoots, and few crocuses.

Next week will be a shock to the system. I've long had an informal rule on when spring starts, which is 3 days in a row with sunshine, light winds and max temps of 13C or more (has to be all 3 otherwise it's just a crisp winter spell or an ultra mild Atlantic incursion). We just get that in parts of England in the next 7 days.

you mention southeast as if you speak for the region? Also Oxfordshire is to be fair more south Midlands.

 

Anyway the UV index has now moved off the bottom with an index of 2 being forecasted for Monday down here ☀️

It feels much more like spring than expected today. The wind has lightened a bit and it's up to 8°C in completely clear skies. Not bad!

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Just seen the first shirt-less chav walk past by my house. It may be nice out there, but it's not THAT warm yet! Still, I am appreciating the near unbroken sunshine so far today, not to mention the lengthening daylight becoming more notable (especially in the morning).

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It was getting light when I got up this morning. The one sure sign of spring that never fails to appear.

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The daffs are showing a shoot this morning I noticed when I walked own the driveway. Certainly feels a lot warmer today after weeks of cold.

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It was getting light when I got up this morning. The one sure sign of spring that never fails to appear.

And what do we do as we go into March? We put the clocks forward thus making mornings darker again for a time. What's all that about?

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A bit of life coming back to my garden now:

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Not very springlike here. Overcast and 7.5C

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Signs of Spring:
Still broad daylight now
Snow drops are out
Daffodil stalks are 2 to 3 inches long.
Otherwise it is still very much winter

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And what do we do as we go into March? We put the clocks forward thus making mornings darker again for a time. What's all that about?

I much prefer light evenings to light mornings. At least you can use light evenings for getting outside after work (walking, cycling, gardening etc.) In fact I think the clocks should go forward about 2 weeks earlier than they do in March  - when you look at the sunrise/sunset times at that time of the year across the UK.

Unfortunately, in this country, when the clocks go forward it usually just means you can see the rain falling for longer into the evening. 

 

 

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Roads sides and alike are carpeted in yellows & purples now.

Over half the daffodil stems are now developing buds.

Birds have begun nesting.

Some wild plums are beginning to bloom.

Another few more weeks and I'll be on swallow watch. 🙂

Skylarks in full song near Petworth today

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The big 3 of early spring bulbs- snowdrop, crocus and daffodil- all in full bloom. Blackbird song has begun- this is the fourth melodic passerine to get going; next week we may get 15C here- a sign from the synoptics; and the UV reached 1.7 yesterday. It's on its way.

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Yes, today was much milder than yesterday - that nagging Ely has finally gone. Almost as if God suddenly moved a switch to take us from "Winter" to "Spring". Trouble us he's 2 weeks too early.

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Overnight lows of 8-10c is what we get in Malta during the winter and that is where we are at now  

Still waiting for spring.

Signs of winter? Fog... of the brain variety.

Signs of spring here? When the risk of bloody mold begins to subside.

 

 

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It is quite possible to have a 10c temperature at night almost anywhere in UK when a mild sector moves through but to get a 24 hour min of above 10c is quite rare in these parts.
E.g this winter season only happened once in November and once in December.

Yesterday was almost spring like here. 9.7c max with sunshine. Still waiting for 10c to be breached , last time was Xmas day.

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They can and do happen at any time of year here.

Today's max was 10.5C with some sunshine and fleeting light showers. All in all a pretty pleasant day.

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There were signs of spring back in the middle of December when Daff's stated shouting above the flower bed at my parents.

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