The Apiary Forecast

John Richardson
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What does the weather actually mean for your bees? The Apiary Forecast looks at UK bee weather through a beekeeping lens, covering inspection opportunities, forage access, nectar conditions, stores pressure, swarm weather and queen mating. Practical weather guidance for beekeepers, wherever you are in the UK.

Episodes

  1. 2 days ago

    UK Bee Weather: Stores Pressure Becomes the Main Concern

    Forecast period: 6 to 10 August 2026 Welcome to the first episode of The Apiary Forecast, UK Bee Weather. John Richardson looks at what the developing UK weather pattern may mean for inspections, forage access, swarm-weather suitability and colony stores. The main contrast this week is that some beekeepers may find a workable opportunity to inspect, while bees have a much less encouraging chance of bringing useful forage home. Wind is making exposed flowers harder to work, and dry conditions are reducing the nectar reward in several regions. Visible flight at the hive entrance doesn’t necessarily mean a strong nectar flow. Bees may still be active while the amount coming home remains disappointing. In this episode Where workable inspection opportunities may appear Why wind can restrict bees even when they’re still flying How dry conditions may reduce nectar reward Why bee activity doesn’t prove useful intake Where weather could support a prepared swarm issuing How the regional picture changes later in the forecast period Why rising stores pressure matters in late summer What to look for before deciding whether feeding is needed Regional outlook Today, workable inspection opportunities appear across south-west and south-east England, East Anglia, the Midlands, Wales, central Scotland and the Highlands. Conditions are more marginal in north-west England, north-east England, Northern Ireland, south-west Scotland and north-east Scotland. Later in the period: Inspection conditions improve in north-west England, north-east England and Northern Ireland. Inspection conditions become less useful in the Highlands. The forage picture improves in north-east England. Forage weakens in south-west England, East Anglia, north-west England, north-east Scotland and the Highlands. Stores pressure rises in south-west England, East Anglia, north-west England and north-east England. Practical takeaway We’re moving into late summer, so use a suitable inspection window for a clear reason. Queenrightness, colony condition and stores are becoming increasingly important. Rising stores pressure is a prompt to check colony weight, local intake and the direction of travel. It isn’t an automatic instruction to feed every colony. About Apiary Forecast Apiary Forecast provides hyper-local weather forecasts through a beekeeping lens, with inspection, forage, stores and queen-mating guidance for your own saved apiaries. There’s a two-week free trial, and the current Founder Offer is £25 a year instead of £35. UK beekeeping associations can also contact Apiary Forecast for a member discount code. Website: https://apiaryforecast.com/ The Apiary Forecast provides general beekeeping information and decision-support. Weather and local conditions can change, and podcast content is not a substitute for direct colony observation, beekeeper judgement or appropriate professional advice. © 2026 John Richardson / Cyberspace::UK. The Apiary Forecast podcast. All rights reserved.

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About

What does the weather actually mean for your bees? The Apiary Forecast looks at UK bee weather through a beekeeping lens, covering inspection opportunities, forage access, nectar conditions, stores pressure, swarm weather and queen mating. Practical weather guidance for beekeepers, wherever you are in the UK.

Information

  • Creator
    John Richardson
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    1
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © John Richardson
  • Show Website
    The Apiary Forecast