Author: Eric Gilbert

The unsettled weather continued on Sunday with frequent showers and sunny intervals. The limited sunshine totalled 5.9 hours, combined with periods of thick cloud and rain meant a cooler day when the thermometer did not rise above 19.7C being 3.1C below average. We have only enjoyed seven days in July when the daily maximum rose above average.

Once again the thick cloud overnight meant a duvet of cloud stopped much warmth escaping into the atmosphere producing a very mild night with a minimum of 14.4C, being 2.5C above average.

The next, extensive rain band arrived in the early hours of Monday with heavy bursts of rain starting just after 04.30 that by 08.00 had brought the daily total to 6.9mm and the monthly total to 50.7mm, still 9mm below the July average.

A clap of thunder greeted the stillness at 07.25 on Monday as yet another wave of heavy rain crossed the area. The wind had mace a subtle shift in direction in the early hours from southwest to south.

With the depression so close to the UK and the barometric pressure at a low point it was no surprising to see rain bands crossing the country. The first very wide rain band from 13.00-16.30 brought 14.3mm and the second much briefer but heavy rain either side of 19.00 brought another 3.4mm bringing the daily total to 17.7mm, which was the wettest day since 18th June (33.8mm). The monthly rainfall total now stands at 43.8mm still 16mm below the 36-year average. During the rain squalls the wind from the south west gusted to 19mph, the strongest gust for over a week.

Due to the cloud and minimal sunshine, just 1.7 hours, the maximum of 21.1C was 1.7C below average followed by a mild night with a minimum of 12.4C being 0.5C above average.

Sunday arrived with a mostly cloudy sky but occasional glimpses of brightness.

Friday saw the barometric pressure continue to decline with a consequent change in our weather. The maximum temperature was very similar to Thursday’s peak at 23.2C but sunshine hours were down with 7.6.

Overnight cloud increased with a light shower justifier 05.00 amounting to 0.9mm.

Saturday was initially cloudy with the thick cloud from the hang back of the weather front easing away to the east. However, just after 07.30 there were occasionally breaks in the cloud allowing the sun to break through. The minimum overnight was 16.2C making it the warmest night since 26th June and 4.3C above average.

The thermometer did not rise quite as far on Thursday as on Wednesday with a maximum of 23.2C, down 1.2C, but still 0.4C above the 36-year average. It was dry, although in the evening shower clouds passed close to our area.

Rainfall still stands at 25.2mm but evaporation continues to rise with a monthly total to date of 66mm therefore a deficit of 38mm to the land.

Friday saw variable cloud after dawn following what was a misty start to the day. The thermometer by 08.00 had risen to 17.4C after a minimum of 14.3C at 01.34.

With 11.1 hours of strong sunshine and the UV level at the top end of Very High on Wednesday it was not surprising to see the thermmter reach 24.4C being the hottest day in July.

The past night was less cool than previous nights due to the high cloud that slowed the loss of warmth into the atmosphere such that a minimum of 10.4C was recorded at 03.58 on Thursday.

Thursday morning saw a mostly cloudy sky with brief glimpses of sunshine in the early morning that lifted the temperature to 14.7C at 08.00. The cloud is associated with another weather front and depression moving in from the Atlantic principally affecting the north of the country at the moment.

The rainfall total for July still stands at 25.mm after another dry day but the daily evaporation rate has been in excess of 4mm during the last three days such that the ground and plant life have lost the equivalent rainfall of 66mm during July.