How to use the online alarm clock
Preparing now for a 10:15 pm river check means you can set out a torch, waterproofs and anything needed to note the level before the reminder is due. The alarm marks the moment to look again after the evening downpour, while conditions are still fresh in mind. That leaves a clear window before 11:00 pm to make the observation without letting it drift into the rest of the night.
A river inspection may call for a softer tone indoors, especially if other people have settled down, but the sound still needs enough persistence to interrupt whatever you are doing. Choose a gentle alert when the phone will be beside you; use a firmer one if it may be across the room. If the browser page is closed or the phone falls asleep, no sound will play and the river level could go unchecked, so the alarm needs an active screen and open page until 10:15 pm.
Because the river check comes late in the evening, a light snack beforehand is less distracting than preparing a full meal just as the alarm sounds. Water or a warm drink can be ready before you go out, particularly after rain has cooled the air. A large meal is easier to leave until the reading is finished, keeping your hands free for a torch and your attention on wet paths near the bank.
Common questions
Will it still be right when the clocks change?
Yes. It reads your device's local clock, so the move between GMT and BST at the end of March and October is picked up automatically, as long as the computer's date, time and time zone are set correctly.
Can I use this on a phone?
It works in a mobile browser, but phones lock the screen and suspend background tabs far more readily than a laptop does, which can stop the alarm sounding. For anything important, a desktop or a plugged-in laptop is the steadier option.
Does the alarm still work if I close the tab?
No. Everything runs inside this page, so closing the tab — or quitting the browser altogether — ends the countdown there and then. Leaving it open in the background is all it asks, and switching to another tab makes no difference.
What happens if my laptop goes to sleep before 10:15 pm?
The tab sleeps along with it and the alarm will not sound on time, if at all. If you are relying on it, change the power settings so the machine stays awake, or keep a phone alarm running as well.
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