Author: Eric Gilbert

The thermometer soared to 23.5C on Sunday making it the warmest day since 10th September and a significant 8.8C above the 39-year average. These maximum are close to the August average. Sunday night into Monday was also mild with a low of 12.1C being 4.8C above the average.

The first week of October has seen every maximum and minimum above average, in some cases well above.

The high pressure is once again producing a ‘slack; air movement with the maximum air moment on Sunday of just 12mph but many hours late evening and early morning saw the anemometer stationary.

The nearby anticyclone meant a sunny and very warm day for October on Saturday. The thermometer rose to 22.8C, which was a significant 6.8C above the average and the warmest day since 11th September (22.9C). The overnight minimum of 10.1C was 2.9C above average.

Radiation fog formed in the valleys of the River Og and Kennet that thickened and spread by 07.15 but by 07.30 on Sunday there was a noticeable thinning but it had not totally evaporated until just after 08.00 as the sun rose. This fog formed over areas of water that means the air becomes saturated as the temperature falls. The anticyclone over France is still strong so another dry, warm and sunny day is in prospect.

Friday was the second warmest day this month with a peak of 20.0C being 5.3C above the long-term average and just 0.4C below the warmest day on the 1st. The past night was very mild with a low f 13.6C, which was a significant 6.3C above the 39-year average and the second warmest night this month after 16.1C on the 2nd.

It was a dry day with the UV level creeping back up into the Moderate level, the highest since the 25th September.

Saturday began bright with hazy sunshine but shortly after 08.15 cloud began to obscure the sun. However, the barometric pressure is still high so a dry and bright day is ahead.

Thursday was a dry day with limited sunshine but the thermometer did get above the 39-year average again with a maximum of 17.1C (+2.4C). Likewise it has been a mild night with a low of 12.3C being a whole 5C above the average.

Friday began bright with the promise of sunshine, if weak, after 08.15. The anticyclone is still large in area over the continent and keeping the rain bands to the north of our area. The barometric pressure reading at 08.00 was 1024.0mb

The warm weather continued on Wednesday with both the maximum of 17.3C and the minimum of 11.8C well above average with +2.6C and +4.5C respectively. It was the first dry day in October with the UV level now rated as Low.

Thursday began with total cloud cover but with the barometric pressure still high it should be a dry day with hopefully some sunshine later. The centre of the anticyclone is still over France that means the wind will continue from a southwesterly direction.