The thermometer climbed higher again on Wednesday peaking at 17.8C logged at 16.03 in strong sunshine. This maximum made it the warmest day since the 3rd, however, it was only just above average being +0.5C, but going in the right direction. It was the fifteenth consecutive dry day with the UV level climbing into the ‘High’ category, as on the two previous days. The past night was again chilly, although the highest for five days, with a minimum of 5.4C logged at 03.10, however this low was 1.6C below the long-term average.
Thursday after first light revealed a cloudy sky that had been dragged in from the cool North Sea collecting moisture on its travels. The wind persists from the northeast and will again tomorrow.
The recent dominant anticyclone is slowly showing signs of filling and easing towards the Continent, a drop of 4mb over the past two days with a reading of 1021.4mb at 08.00 today. By Saturday, as the high relocates, the wind is likely to veer from the northeast to east pulling in slightly warmer air from the Continent rather than from the cooler north. The temperatures are forecast to slowly rise over the next few days and likely to be a few degrees above the long-term average. A watch needs to be kept on a low pressure system that is forming over Iberia. There is the possibility of this depression moving a little further north over the next few days and could impact our weather, possibly on Sunday or Monday.
Drones or Meteodrones
Drones have been around for a number of years and used for a variety of purposes, both for business and private use. A new era of drones is being developed by a firm in Switzerland called Meteodrones. These are being used to monitor the air mass above ground level for meteorological purposes. They rise up to a height of 6km and measure, like radiosondes, the temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure but in addition to the Radiosondes, wind speed and direction. They have a capability to fly repeatedly both by day and night that allows the collection of significantly more data than traditional methods.
These Meteodrones can be operated directly by a person or remotely located many miles away from the base. Currently there are 15 bases in Switzerland, 30 in Norway with 1 each in France, Italy and Romania. When back at base they are recharged automatically. The propellers are heated to stop icing when at high altitude also being waterproof and snowproof.