Author: Eric Gilbert

Sunday produced 7.5 hours of strong sunshine and the highest solar energy for almost a fortnight.

Sadly, the very brisk south-westerly wind, gusting to 20mph, kept the temperature down with a maximum of 20.3C at 14.42, which was 0.4C below the 33-year average but up a degree on the Friday peak. The strong sun also meat the the UV level just crept into the ‘Vey High’ category again.

An initially mainly clear sky overnight meant that the thermometer dropped to its lowest at 02.08 this morning with a minimum of 12.3C, just above average, but some 4C higher than the very cool night previously. At this time increasing cloud from the west stopped the temperature from falling further in advance of another weather front.

Today dawned with thick, low cloud and the threat of rain.

The 5.6 hours of strong sunshine on saturday was very welcome but did nothing for the temperatures as the maximum was 1.3C below the August average of 19.4C. The modest breeze from a westerly direction and the build up of cloud meant the peak was again just after midday at 13.50.

There were several sharp showers during the daytime amounting to 1.5mm, which brings the August total to 21.1mm with the August 33-year average being 66.6mm.

The barometric pressure is still rising. At 08.00 this morning the reading was 1022.5mb thanks to a ridge of high pressure, which meant that the sky stayed mainly cloud free overnight allowing any warmth to radiate into the atmosphere and giving us the coolest night, at 8.2C, since 21st May.

The barometric pressure, which has been rising for the past forty-eight hours, gave us a another respite day from the frequent showers. The reading at 0800 was 1015.2mb, the highest for ten days.

The eight hours of strong sunshine raised the thermometer to a maximum reading of 20.7C at 13.53 before clouds increased. However, due to the westerly breeze this was an average temperature for August. The second dry day this month.

The notable feature yesterday was the UV reading of 8.6, which was in the ‘Very High’ category being the highest for nine days.

Overnight the thermometer fell away to a minimum of 11.1C at 06.10 before rising to 15.0C at 08.00, the time readings are taken.

There was some welcome sunshine after dawn but by 07.15, much cloud had drifted across on the westerly air movement, little wind at this time.

After the soaking on Wednesday it was a relief to see the sun again with almost 2 hours of strong sunshine and no rain showers.

The intermittent sunshine raised the temperature to a maximum of 19.8C, although this was 1C below the 33-year average its was 2C up on the Wednesday peak. It was a very breezy day with winds gusting all day and a maximum of 30mph.

Another mild night followed with a minimum of 13.1C, which was 1.6C above the 33-year average.

This morning has arrived with intermittent strong sunshine that picked the temperature up to 15.4C at 08.00. The wind has backed into a more westerly direction that combined with the higher barometric pressure has meant a much drier air with a reading of 85% at 08.00, the driest for over two weeks.

Wednesday was an appalling day as the rain set in just after 8am and lasted for 14 hours. Obviously there was no sun and a depressed maximum of 17.7C, which was 3C below the August average.

Yet another mild night due to the blanket of cloud with a minimum of 14.3C, which was almost 3C above the 33-year average.

Overnight it did begin to dry up but just before 7am this morning the heavens opened again.