Shifting Seasons.

One feature that’s been apparent about the British climate over the past few years has been the increasing incidence and strength of summer winds. We often get wind in the summer nowadays that used to be associated almost exclusively with spring and autumn. Somebody else remarked on the same thing to me recently, and today is a good example. Although not quite gale force, the wind is enough to take the edge off the warm June sunshine. We also had an early start to the growing season this year, with unusually warm weather in March and April.

I saw the effects of both today when I went for a walk. Half way along Church Lane a mixed copse borders the roadside and the surface was littered with arboreal debris, including a large number of horse chestnut seeds prematurely dispatched long before they were big enough to have the potential to germinate. There will be a dearth of conkers for the kids to collect this year. The blowing leaves sounded old, too, making the sort of sibilant sound normally associated with late summer when they’re turning dry and ready to fall. And there were two sycamores nearby that had brown leaves on them, a most unusual sight in late June.

It occurs to me to wonder whether the seasons are not merely changing, but shifting backwards. I’m reminded of how early the severe winter started in late November last year, and how spring began early in February. I wonder whether this is the beginning of a new pattern, or whether it’s merely one of those oddities of climate that happen now and then. Time will tell, I suppose.