Smoking chimney

It has now been raining for twenty four hours, not heavily but steadily. It is another 'Mediterranean Episode' but we fortunately seem only to be on the edge of it. This is a weather phenomenon that can result in particularly intense storm systems in southern France, eastern Spain or northwestern Italy. Strong Mediterranean Episodes are associated with rainfall exceeding a threshold of 200 mm in 24 hours. Normally, these episodes occur around 3 to 6 times a year and mostly during the autumn months, when the sea is still warm enough for water to evaporate and cause high levels of moist, warm air. When a low-pressure system is in place over Western Europe, a mass of moist, warm air can be pulled from the Mediterranean Sea northwards, hitting mountain ranges and resulting in deluges, flooding and damage. 

Our usual Wednesday walk was cancelled so I have occupied my day working on the painting I started on Monday, making bread and doing some admin.