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Posted: 13-07-2013 15:03 Post subject:

Sunblock needed for roasting pigs at Newquay Zoo Cool

Friday, July 12, 2013
Jo_Wood

Peppa and George, The Saddleback pigs at Newquay Zoo, avoid a roasting in rising temperatures as dedicated Keepers apply factor 50 sun block.

This domesticated breed of pigs are vulnerable to sunburn in the current heatwave as they have just a sparse covering of hair on their bodies, and while the areas of black pigmentation provide some protection, their pink bits [are] vulnerable to the scorching rays.

Despite being a domestic breed, Newquay Zoo's 20kg pigs are one of the most popular animals in the Zoo due to their distinctive faces and social behaviour

Read more: http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Sunblock-needed-roasting-pigs-Newquay-Zoo/story-19513300-detail/story.html#ixzz2YvyQMTc2

Posted: 13-07-2013 17:01 Post subject:

Baaaacccoooonnnn..... Cool

Posted: 14-07-2013 08:45 Post subject:

The beeb adds a few details to the Aquarium story:

Brewery beer chillers save 'boiling' lobster

Beer coolers from a Cornish brewery have helped save a "boiling" hot lobster and a "roasted" red gurnard.
Falmouth Aquarium's marine biologist Chloe Kingston said they were "in real danger" as the tank water temperatures climbed on Friday.

St Austell Brewery responded to the aquarium's call for help by fitting beer chillers to the affected tanks.
"The water temperature started falling and they perked up almost immediately," Ms Kingston said.

The lobster and gurnard are two local species housed in the aquarium's Cornish tanks which are fitted with commercial aquarium chillers.
The marine biologist said although the highest sea temperature recorded locally was 16C (61F), ideally the temperature of the water in the Cornish tanks should be 12C (54F).

"The tank chillers just weren't coping with this really hot weather and the temperature crept up to 19C (66C).
"Gary the lobster was really suffering and the poor gurnard was looking really sorry for itself lying on its side and hardly moving - it was really quite frightening."

Ms Kingston said as a small charity, the aquarium could not afford to buy new aquarium chillers which cost about £500 each, which is why she put out an "SOS" to the brewery.
"I'd seen it done once many years ago when there was a hot spell, so when the brewery offered to donate the beer chillers I was so, so pleased," she said. Very Happy

Andrew Ferguson, St Austell's technical services manager, said it is the second time the brewery had stepped in to save a lobster.
"We used draft beer chillers at the lobster hatchery in Padstow about 10 years ago, so I was confident it would work," he said.
"It's been one of our busiest days for chillers breaking down, so it was a bit of a scramble getting the aquarium sorted, but I'm glad we were able to help."

Ms Kingston said as soon as the chiller was fitted to the lobster's tank, it immediately swam over and positioned itself under the outflow pipe.

"On a more serious note, for me this has highlighted the concern at rising sea temperatures because I've seen first hand how even a small rise of 3C can have such a significant effect.
"As a charity concerned about conservation, I think this is a good way to get that message across."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-23289797

PS: The Falmouth forecast for today (Sunday) is temps up to 27 C! (And that's with light NW winds, normally a cool direction.) Let's hope the beer chillers keep working, or it could be Lobster Thermidor today...

Posted: 14-07-2013 10:37 Post subject:

Some Heatwave snippets:

Heatwave to last until August
As Britain basks in sunshine forecasters predict that the heatwave will continue into next month.
By Hayley Dixon
9:25AM BST 14 Jul 2013

After the hottest day of the year so far, with a high of 31.4C at Heathrow yesterday, it is expected that the unseasonably high temperatures will linger until at least Wednesday, bringing a welcome start to the school summer break.
And while the mercury may drop by a degree or two after that, the warm weather will remain until the start of August, Met Office forecasters said.

...

But the merciless heat prompted warnings from health authorities urging the public to take care in the potentially "dangerous" conditions.
The Met Office has issues a level three Heat Health Alert for the South West today, requiring social and healthcare services to target specific action for high-risk groups.
Much of the rest of the country remains on a level two warning – urging people to be alert to the dangers and ready to act.

...

Britain's bookmakers fear their liabilities on the mercury hitting the 100F mark (37.7C) could soon reach £1 million, as punters continue to place their bets. Twisted Evil

Enjoying the sunshine is not without its dangers, and emergency services warned against swimming in open waters and quarries after three people died in the West Midlands in the last week.

John Woodhall, a water rescue specialist with West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "How many more people need to die before someone takes notice of our warnings of the dangers of swimming in open waters?
"Quarries are not like swimming pools. The water is much colder. You go from 28C outside to 10C (50F) in the water. You can get muscle cramps and stitches.
"The bottom is uneven, there are no depth markings. Even strong swimmers can slip underwater and you may not make it back up again."

Veteran meteorologist Michael Fish, who famously reassured television viewers there was no hurricane on the way just hours before 1987's Great Storm, has predicted rain for St Swithin's Day tomorrow. Shocked

Legend has it that if it rains on the day, it will rain for 40 days and 40 nights.
Britain's most famous forecaster made the prediction for Virgin Trains which will be giving umbrellas away to commuters in London and Glasgow tomorrow.

However, the Met Office predict that rain is unlikely, other than isolated showers in northern and western Scotland.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/10178383/Heatwave-to-last-until-August.html

Posted: 15-07-2013 12:32 Post subject:

Posted: 16-07-2013 08:11 Post subject:

What's weird is that it only took the Met Office to hold a meeting about our cold wet summers and pronounce that we could expect another 10 years of them to trigger a long hot spell for the first time since 2006.

Could we rent them to , say, Egypt and they could forecast 'continuing great heat?' - maybe we could make the deserts fertile again in the ensuing rainstorms.

Posted: 17-07-2013 07:38 Post subject:

This doesn't mention the weather, but I'm guessing it's related. (If not, I may have to repost somewhere else..)

Two men found dead in quarry lake

The bodies of two men have been recovered from a water-filled quarry at a popular beauty spot, Norfolk Constabulary has said.
Emergency services were called to Bawsey Pits near King's Lynn at 16:30 BST, amid reports a man had got into difficulties while in the water.
They were then informed that a second man was missing.

Swimming is banned at the pits - said to be deep and with undergrowth - but many ignore warning signs.

Police officers, firefighters, paramedics and RAF search and rescue were involved in the search. A police helicopter was also involved.
Officers later confirmed the discovery of the two men's bodies. They have not yet been identified.
A police spokesman said: "Both bodies were discovered within the water and inquiries continue into the circumstances surrounding their deaths."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-23338340

Posted: 17-07-2013 08:05 Post subject:

If you want an 'idiots removing themselves from the gene-pool while inadvisedly swimming/diving in quarries' thread I can supply copious material from round here, Nantlle Vale in particular.

Posted: 17-07-2013 09:04 Post subject:

Longest heatwave since 2006 - and no sign of a cool off
Britain is set to record its longest spell of high temperatures since 2006 today as the heatwave continues into a fifth day.
By Rosa Silverman, and Nick Collins
8:09AM BST 17 Jul 2013

The mercury is expected to break the 30C mark again, marking the most prolonged period of temperatures over 30C since the 14-day stretch seen seven years.
In 2009, the country basked in a four-day spell of 30C-plus temperatures.

The last two heat waves were associated with hundreds of extra deaths, and officials have warned of the dangers to vulnerable people posed by the hot weather.
The first “level three” heat wave alert of the season is expected to be issued later today, which will prompt direct action aimed at reducing casualties among high-risk groups.

Nor is there any sign of the heat abating, with forecasters predicting it will continue into the beginning of next week.
Beaches are likely to be packed with sunbathers again this weekend, although temperatures will be slightly lower than last weekend, resting around the mid-20s.
Temperatures of around 26C are forecast in London and the South East – still six degrees above average for this time of year – and are set to rise again on Monday.

Gemma Plumb, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: "There is no proper definition of 'heatwave' in the UK, but we are undoubtedly in the midst of one now.
"It is the longest period of hot weather since 2006, with prolonged temperatures above the average for the time of year.

"Normally we can expect it to reach 20-22C (68-71.6F) in England and Wales.
“Today, parts of the Midlands, East Anglia, the south coast and London could see 30C-plus."

...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/10184392/Longest-heatwave-since-2006-and-no-sign-of-a-cool-off.html

Posted: 17-07-2013 10:57 Post subject:

I know English folk are not used to these temperatures, and I know there are serious health risks for the very young and the elderly, but when I see temps around 30 referred to as "heat wave" I just can't help chuckling. Sorry.

Posted: 17-07-2013 11:44 Post subject:

Posted: 17-07-2013 18:29 Post subject:

Well, that escalated quickly.

Posted: 17-07-2013 18:40 Post subject:

A tad uncalled for.

Posted: 17-07-2013 18:43 Post subject:

Bit mean, Rynner. Tsk. Smile

Posted: 17-07-2013 19:19 Post subject:

Round these parts we damn near put on a sweater when its 30C.