Embracing Britain's Endless Rain: A Defence of Our Damp Winters
Driving rain and high winds batter Garth pier in Bangor, Wales, a scene captured by photographer Christopher Furlong. While Britain's constant downpours might dampen spirits for many, one columnist insists she would choose them over the bone-chilling winters of New York every time.
Emma Brockes acknowledges that people are rightly complaining about the records being set for extreme rainfall across the UK. However, she finds the experience oddly rewarding, a sentiment rooted in her childhood memories.
A Personal Connection to Rain
Brockes recalls her mother, who hailed from the southern hemisphere where water was scarce, dragging heavy indoor plants outside during rain showers so they could "enjoy a drink." This quirky habit highlighted a lifelong appreciation for precipitation, despite her mother's disdain for English winters.
Now, in February, after more than a month of what the Met Office terms an "unusually southerly jet stream," the rain seems relentless. Shakespeare's line "for the rain it raineth every day" feels all too apt, and many are wondering if it will ever stop.
As an Englishwoman, Brockes notes that discussing rain occupies a significant part of her personality. Yet, even she admits that most have reached a breaking point. Weather stations report that 26 locations in the UK set new records for the highest-ever January rainfall last month, with Aberdeen reportedly not seeing the sun since ancient times.
An Alternative Perspective on Gloom
While the unremitting gloom might foster a sense that everything is bad and worsening, Brockes offers a counterargument. She concedes that during a brighter February, it can be challenging to advocate for the superiority of the British winter. Most people would prefer sunny and freezing conditions over mild and grey skies.
Having spent 17 years in New York, luxuriating in its bright blue winter skies, Brockes once thought herself clever for escaping Britain. But now, in her second winter back, she is determined to persuade others that dank and gloomy is the better option, insisting we do not realise how lucky we are.
Comparing Climates: Britain vs. New York
This perspective is bolstered by the extreme conditions affecting bright and cold northern climates this winter. The eastern seaboard of the US has experienced record-breaking low temperatures since the new year, leading to ice floes in the Hudson River, "feel-like" temperatures as low as -29°C in New York, and piles of snow-covered rubbish left uncleared for weeks.
Brockes recalls the arduous preparation required for a short walk in such weather, describing the sharp pain of stepping outside as akin to having her face plunged into cold water. In contrast, in Britain's damp climate, one of her children recently went to school in shorts, and the other has not worn a coat since a cold snap in early January.
Finding Reward in the Rain
Literature such as Katherine May's Wintering and various Scandinavian hygge-themed self-help books promote the idea of embracing gloomy winters through cosy indoor activities like wearing big jumpers and playing board games. This hibernation technique makes a virtue of staying inside and powering down.
While this makes sense, Brockes has been surprised to find being outside in the rain extremely rewarding this year. She cautions against drifting into the territory of midlife advocates for angry cold-water swimming but suggests that we are conditioned to moan about wet, grey days unnecessarily.
For Brockes, the endless rainy school runs this month have been weirdly lovely. She appreciates not having to wear a heavy, expensive coat designed for extreme cold, the luxury of going out bare-necked in February without fear of frostbite, and moving through air that is just cold enough to be brisk but not painful.
At the back of her mind, she always thinks, "Mmm, so good for my plants," even though the largest plant she owns is the size of a cereal packet and has never been outside. Her point is clear: she believes British winters are very nice indeed, though she eagerly anticipates spring.
Emma Brockes is a Guardian columnist who explores themes of extreme weather, offering a unique take on the UK's climate challenges.
