14th September - Today's News: Record Heat and Storms Hit Britain

Yesterday saw the highest temperature recorded this year (although there are some questions over the veracity of the Gravesend reading as it peak quite a bit higher than the hourly synop readings) and some big thunderstorms affecting some parts of England as millions suffer a sticky night in the South East after the hottest day of the year and a (probable) tornado touches down in Yorkshire as storms rage across region.   In the West Midlands, lightning and heavy rain bring travel misery as storm hits region whilst down in the SW, Cornwall hit by flash flooding after storms and this morning a bizarre lightning storm blasts Plymouth in early hours.  There were a few rumbles of thunder around Evesham and just enough rain to dampen the ground.   But I have yet to see an lightning or experience an overhead storm this year. 

Wild storms continue to batter Australia with homes flooded, children trapped at school as SA floods and in Victoria 'uncertain' times ahead for towns on swelling rivers.  But on a lighter note, floods arrive in Tarrington months after record-breaking rain dance attempt (though I don't think its connected!)

Taiwan and China brace for biggest storm of 2016 

Greenland sets record temperatures, ice melts early

Yacht sails through low-ice Arctic sea routes

Boring weather? Westerly winds have blown across central Asia for at least 42 million years

Islam takes on deforestation: Forest-burning is a sin, says Indonesian fatwa

A warning that Japan's Sakurajima volcano due for major eruption within 30 years, say scientists

The world's second-largest meteorite 'Gancedo' discovered in Argentina

And in the MWIS controversy, we're told the Government 'committed' to mountain weather forecasts - which of course no-one was questioning.  It's who will provide them that's the issue.  And I suspect the plan all along has been for the Met Office to take over as sole provider.