The southerly air stream and intense sunshine on Friday pushed the temperature steadily upwards to reach a peak of 26.2C late in the afternoon at 16.18. This high was a significant 5.6C above my long-term average making it the warmest day this month also since 12th August 2024. Once again major rain bearing areas travelled up the west and east of central England, so no rainfall. The UV level was at the top end of ‘High’.

Often in the winter we get a wind chill factor making it feel colder outside than indicated on a thermometer, the THW Index. Yesterday was the opposite when not only temperature, wind strength and humidity was taken into account but also the strong sunshine, the THSW Index. At the peak temperature of 26.2C it felt more like 32.0C outside on the skin.

Due to the very warm day and warm air stream also a cloudy night the thermometer did not drop below 16.2C, logged at 02.25, which made it the warmest night since 3rd September 2024.

The new day on Saturday dawned dull and misty with low cloud draping the Marlborough Downs and Savernake Forest. These conditions were as a result of a band of thick cloud drifting northwards that at 07.00 produced a little drizzle. The wind will continue to come from a mainly southwesterly direction.

Today we are under a complex area of low pressure that is producing another weather front that will cross the UK today. By tomorrow this weather system will begin to drift into the North Sea as an area of high pressure edges in from the west. The outlook into next week is for a return of very warm and dry weather as the anticyclone establishes itself over and around the UK.

Skomer Island: Skomer Island together with Skokholm Island form the largest breeding Puffin colony in Southern Britain.