Author: Eric Gilbert

The Jet Stream earlier this month was positioned south of the UK and this brought the unsettled weather, with cloud and rain, from the Atlantic. The Jet Stream is now to the northwest of the UK and is forecast to stay in that approximate position for several days. This will mean the Azores High will continue to bring settled weather with variable sunshine and warmer air although the breeze from the north or northeast is likely to still be from that direction.

The thermometer on Monday registered a peak of 20.8C, which was 3.7C above the 39-year average and the second warmest day this month, the 18th peaked at 21.4C. Overnight was just below average -0.4C, with a minimum of 6.4C at 05.35.

Tuesday morning revealed a mixture of intermittent sunshine between the variable cloud. However, the thermometer had recovered to 12.6C at 08.00. The breeze is a little lighter today having veered a few degrees from north to north-northeast.

The northeasterly breeze continued on Sunday that moderated the temperature with a peak of 18.9C, although that was 1.8C above the 39-year average. We have now had a week of consecutive dry days with the equivalent loss of rainfall through evaporation, from ground sources and plant life, of 4mm per day on Saturday and almost the same on Sunday. The brisk breeze and hours of sunshine are drying out the soil rapidly.

The jet stream forecast is for the Azores High pressure system to become resident for the next week so the breeze from the northeast and north will persist for several days. This will mean settled weather for several days with sunshine dependent on variable cloud cover but warmer as the week progresses.

The overnight minimum of 7.1C was just above average for late May.

Monday revealed extensive cloud cover that had drifted in overnight. The wind has backed a few degrees to currently come from the north. The humidity level at 08.00 was 80%, much lower than earlier this month.

The breeze from the north east persisted all day being much stronger, gusting at its peak to 20mph. This cooler airstream took the edge off the daytime temperature limiting the rise to 19.1C although this was 2.0C abject the average. It was the sixth consecutive day without measurable rainfall and the UV level again rated as ‘High’.

The past night was cool with a low of 5.9C being 0.9C below the average.

Sunday arrived with strong sunshine and blue skies that lifted the temperature to 12.3C at 08.00. The breeze continues front the northeast as the high pressure still dominates although losing 6mb in pressure since its peak four days ago.

The modest breeze from the northeast meant Friday was a cooler than on Thursday but a maximum of 18.3C was still 1.2C above the average during the many hours of sunshine. During the afternoon variable cloud drifted down from the north that produced a few spots of rain at 13.25, 15.20 and 16.30 but not measurable, not even to completely cover the surface. Intense rain fell to the east and west of our area.

A low of 5.9C in the early hours of Saturday was 0.9C below the average.

Saturday arrived with blue sky and strong sunshine, however, the continuing breeze from the northeast had strengthened after falling calm overnight.

The strong sunshine, particularly in the afternoon, boosted the temperature to reach a maximum of 21.4C at 16.05. This was 4.0C above the 39-year average and the warmest day since 21st September. The peak UV level of 6.7 was similar to that on Wednesday and again at the top end of ‘High’.

The last night has been very mild with a low of 10.6C being 3.8C above the average and the warmest day in two weeks.

Friday revealed a cloudy start to the day with very weak brightness, couldn’t be called sunshine, with the thermometer reading 13.2C at 08.00. The airstream has changed direction, as the anticyclone begins to move away, and will come from the northeast rather than west on Thursday. Mid-afternoon a cold front will cross the country with the possibility of some rain.