cold weather headed our way

[Roola]

well as I said last week, the coming week is going to be very very cold. The cold air will hit the east coast of Anglia later on Sunday and will spread across the country overnight and into Monday. People in East Anglia could see some snow flurries starting overnight on Sunday and these will pep up during monday and could start to work more inland. Tuesday will see more of the country getting some snow showers and heavier bursts of snow which in local areas could see some larger accumulations. This continues into Wednesday. Thursday and Friday at the moment has the 'potential' to be a severe event for the South of the UK. There could be epic blizzards with significant accumulations although this is subject to change and could effect maybe just the SW or more of the South.

The certainty for next week from Sunday through to Friday though is the cold... Areas with laying snow will have some very low overnight temperatures and ice days too.

 

[sean-a]

My bees have been bringing in very small amounts of pollen.
Should I give them Candipollen to tide them over for the next week?
I have some 1/2 kg packets.

 

[Erichalfbee]

My bees have been bringing in very small amounts of pollen.
Should I give them Candipollen to tide them over for the next week?
I have some 1/2 kg packets.

Are they short of stores?
If they are then yes if not no

 

[enrico]

My bees have been bringing in very small amounts of pollen.
Should I give them Candipollen to tide them over for the next week?
I have some 1/2 kg packets.

They will last a fortnight.....
I wouldn't feed pollen.
E

 

[Finman]

.
Candipollen has perhaps 0,5% protein. It has no meaning as pollen substitute.

 

[Roola]

I shove a few chicken thighs under the crown board for protein.

 

[Jafer2]

update on the weather.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Da6Vc4a2DQ

5 day forecast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BceIZFsujM

and

met office

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdNjKon7WLc

 

[MartinL]

I'm an Arctic trained ex Royal Marine, I also spent a year down the Antarctic as part of the Royal Marines detachment on HMS Endurance - cold, what cold? cold is a state of mind.
..

Yes of course, and "skin is waterproof".

However, any fool can be uncomfortable?

I love it when the UK gets a little bit of winter and all the idiots can't function.

Nothing on the supermarket shelves,
Kids at work complaining "you didn't pay me on the days it snowed",

That's because we only pay those that get in to work! ?


They are now all equipped with smart phone to show how the snow has frozen their car to the spot. Unfortunately the same device also shows that the exact spot is less than an hour's walk away!

 

[Gilberdyke John]

If it gets worse I might have to wear my big coat. AND a scarf.

 

[Quevy]

Continent a little ahead of UK and snappy cold here. North east wind, sunny but freezing.

Have insulated the hive on the outside against the wind. Hive is protected from West Wind (predominant rain direction) but open towards the East.

Hence a bit of extra protection.

Would be too stupid to loose the ladies during (hopefully) last cold snap of this winter

 

[madasafish]

-7.5C was overnight low here. -5C as I write.

Where are the TV cameras ? And the reporters? Oh London has -2C.

The snowflake city is getting a few snowflakes...

 

[Finman]

.
- 25C here

.

 

[maddydog]

.
- 25C here

.

Perfect wintering weather - the bees die and are resurrected by the warm May sun and the scent of willow pollen, with all their stores intact...... Finski you're very fortunate.

 

[Poly Hive]

Yes.... identical climates as he never fails to inform us.

PH

 

[Finman]

Perfect wintering weather - the bees die and are resurrected by the warm May sun and the scent of willow pollen, with all their stores intact...... Finski you're very fortunate.

What makes dangerous these weathers is the lenght of cold period. 1.5 month would be bad. Cluster must reorganize and move onto the new food place.

To small nucs (4 frames) this weather is too much, and 100% may die. That is why heaters are good.

No idea, when this cold will be over.

 

[Finman]

Yes.... identical climates as he never fails to inform us.

PH

yes, it is a miracle. .. In Edinburgh next 5 days snow rain.

 

[maddydog]

What makes dangerous these weathers is the lenght of cold period. 1.5 month would be bad. Cluster must reorganize and move onto the new food place.

To small nucs (4 frames) this weather is too much, and 100% may die. That is why heaters are good.

No idea, when this cold will be over.

In the UK it wouldn't surprise me if a large number of the bigger colonies starve this year. In my own colonies warm November weather promoted late brooding and they blew away alot of the sugar I fed them. Normally I'm removing frames of stores in the spring, this year I'm feeding fondant to nearly all.

 

[drex]

My hives have been exactly the same. Loads of their own stores. All now on fondant.

 

[Poly Hive]

Sorry but to say "in the UK" is painting with a huge brush.

There are massive differences in this country, for instance Hivemaker is some 3 to 4 weeks ahead of me and as for Angus in Shetland I hate to think of the time differences between Hivemaker and him as there is some 800 miles of Northing there.

PH

 

[enrico]

I looked in my hive that seemed to have drones. No drone brood but nearly whole super of food left.
So different on the Shropshire hills
E