22nd/23rd April 2012... Blame it on the Jet stream !

The last two nights have been as follows:- Awful !
22nd
1 x Double-striped Pug
1 x Shuttle-shaped Dart
1 x Angle Shades
23rd
No traps... total washout

The appalling weather we are experiencing throughout April is down to the position of the Jet Stream.
For some reason it is crossing the Atlantic, then dipping well below the UK, before heading northwards again across Europe towards Scandinavia.
The result is low pressure in the dip of the Jet Stream, which is slap dab over the UK.
If there is no shift in the Jet Stream we will be stuck with cold, wet and probably windy conditions for quite some time, making it the wettest drought in history !
Below is a map of the current position of the Jet Stream, as can be seen, the warm air has given us a wide berth before sneaking into Europe via Portugal, Spain and southern/central France.

Current position of the Jet Stream...Why us ?

Last April, the Jet Stream was right over the UK and was the reason for the fabulous weather we enjoyed throughout the month, although it shifted again enough to cool down our summer, but returned to warm up autumn.
For comparison, here are my trap results for the corresponding two days in 2011...
April 22nd:-
16 x Shuttle-shaped Dart
  8 x Brimstone Moth
  3 x Double-striped Pug
  3 x Nut-tree Tussock
  2 x Hebrew Character
  2 x Grey Dagger agg
  2 x Common Quaker
  2 x Red Twin-spot Carpet
  2 x Powdered Quaker
  2 x Currant Pug
  2 x Brindled Pug
Clouded Drab
Ruby Tiger
Garden Carpet
Pebble Hook-tip
Puss Moth
Least Black Arches
Mullein
Sallow Kitten
V-pug
Knot Grass
Plus 10 species of micro moths

23rd April
24 Shuttle-shaped Dart
  2 x Brimstone Moth
  2 x Grey Dagger agg
  2 x Knot Grass
  2 x Scalloped Hazel
Scorched Carpet
Flame Shoulder
Pale Tussock
Early Grey
Common Quaker
Powdered Quaker
Nut-tree Tussock
Ruby Tiger
Lime Hawk-moth
Waved Umber
Pale Oak Beauty f. humperti
Nutmeg
Muslin Moth
Plus 13 species of micro moth..... Happy Days !