Author: Eric Gilbert

The effect of the anticyclone becoming resident over the North Sea became evident on Saturday as the thermometer rose to a peak of 21.3C being 4C above the average and not experienced since 21st September. At its peak the UV level rose to 7.9 in the 9.4 hours of strong sunshine, which was ‘Very High’. The wind continued light, maximum gust fo 16mph, and from the northeast.

A cool night followed with the thermometer dropping away to 4.2C at 05.11 immediately before the sun rose in a clear sky and reversed the trend.

Sunday brought sunshine after dawn that lifted the temperature to 14.2C at 08.00 with the barometric at its highest since 17th April with a reading of 1029.0mb immediately after midnight. This was the warmest start to a day at that time since 3rd September.

Under the influence of the nearby anticyclone Friday was dry, almost, a few spots of rain were observed between 11.30 and about 11.45 from the edge of a weather system to the west of this area. The day was mainly cloudy but during the 4 hours of sunshine the the UV love rose to 5.8 being “High” and the thermometer peaked at 19.2C. This high was down 1.6C on the Thursday peak but thankfully 1.9C above the average, only the second above average this month.

Due to the persistent cloud overnight the thermometer did not drop below 11.9C giving a mild night being 5C above the 37-year average.

Saturday dawned with a totally cloudy sky and thus no sunshine. The barometric pressure reading of 1026.1mb at 08.00, was the highest pressure since 15th April. The centre of the anticyclone is now over the North Sea and as yesterday producing a very light breeze, maximum gust on Friday of just 12mph, and from the east. The temperature at 08.00 was 13.6C making it the warmest start to a day at that time since 30th October.

Thursday was the warmest day since 22nd September with the thermometer rising to a maximum of 20.8C. This was 3.5C above the average and more significant was the fact it was the first above average maximum this month. It was also the sunniest day since 22nd April and the UV level of 7.9 was rated ‘Very High’ not reached since 5th August. It was the third consecutive day without rainfall this exceptionally wet month.

The overnight minimum just create below average with a minim f 6.8C (-0.1C).

Sadly, there was no glorious sunshine after dawn as occurred on Thursday due to cloud having drifted in from the southwest, although initially there was a little brightness.

The high pressure has continued to build with a current reading at 08.00 of 10123.5mb, the highest pressure this month.

The barometric pressure continued to build on Wednesday producing a dry day and 6.6 hours of sunshine. The brisk breeze from the northwest tempered the warmth so that the thermometer tried but did not quite reach the average for May with a maximum of 17.0C (-0.3C). However, this was the warmest day since 23rd April. Now enjoyed two consecutive days without rainfall.

The clear skies overnight saw the temperature tumble to a minimum of 3.1C at 05.12 on Thursday that was 3.8C below the average.

Thursday arrived with glorious sunshine although the conditions were misty at dawn with a fog bank observed to the northeast that evaporated very quickly and cleared by 06.30.

The strong sunshine lifted the temperature to 13.8C at 08.00 making it the warmest start to a morning at that time since 8th October. The current pressure at 08.00 was 1020.1mb, the highest pressure since 2nd May, as the centre of the anticyclone is close by off the coast of Brittany. This relocation will mean the air flow on Thursday will come from the southwest, a much warmer direction than of late.

After 20 consecutive days with rainfall it was a treat to enjoy a day without shower activity. Under a minor ridge of high pressure the thermometer recovered a little to reach 15.3C but this was still 2C below the 37-year average thanks to a modest breeze from the west. During the 5.8 hours of sunshine the UV level rose to 6.4, being at the top end of ‘High”.

Thanks to a drying breeze and several hours of sunshine the daily evaporation from the ground and plant life has increased with the equivalent rainfall of 2.37mm lost to the atmosphere on Tuesday.

Under clearing skies the temperature fell away steadily to reach a minimum of 4.2C at 04.58 on Wednesday.

Variable sunshine greeted Wednesday morning that lifted the thermometer to 10.2C at 08.00.