Author: Eric Gilbert

We have to look back in the records to find that the maximum temperature yesterday, of 26.2C, was the warmest day since August 24th 2016. It was almost 10C above the May average, reached just after 3pm. All this fine weather due to a plume of continental air.

The strong sunshine amounted to 9.62 hours, the second highest total this month, which pushed the UV level into the ‘Very High’ category again.

The dry, warm spell has meant that the rate of evaporation from ground sources and plant life now exceeds 4mm/day with the total for May of 68.1mm exceeding the above average rainfall total of 67.3mm.

Overnight the thermometer fell slowly to a minimum of 11.8C at 05.25 but picked up quickly to reach 16.8C at 08.00, when readings are taken.

This morning the sun was strong as soon as it rose above the horizon with the promise of another fine day. However, the barometric pressure is falling so this will probably be the last of the days with high sunshine and UV readings.

With 7.78 hours of strong sunshine and the UV level into the ‘Very High’ category, yesterday was a glorious day, The continental air lifted the temperature to a maximum of 24.9C at 15.51, making it not only the warmest day this month but the warmest day since 15th September 2016.

Overnight the temperature dropped steadily away to a minimum of 9.4C at 05.31, a little lower than previous nights. This lower temperature caused fog to form with visibility down to 1,100m, which quickly dispersed as the sun grew stronger after dawn so that by 07.00, only misty conditions prevailed.

By 08.00 the strong sunshine had quickly boosted the temperature to 18.1C, which is 1.5C above the May maximum, making it the warmest morning since 6th September.

The soil temperature at a depth of 5cm has been warming significantly so that at 08.00 this morning was reading 17.2C.

Monday was a glorious day with 9.77 hours of strong sunshine, the total would have been higher but for some thin cloud reducing the strength of the sun from time to time. The maximum of 23.7C (7C above average) was reached at 15.58 being the warmest day since 15th September. The UV level was again in the ‘High’ category.

The wind veered from its southerly direction over the past few days to a westerly air flow just before 7pm. Some broken cloud followed, which as the sun set a couple of hours later gave magnificent sunsets, as illustrated below.

Overnight the temperature slowly drifted down to a minimum of 10.3C (3.4C above average) just after 4am, that had recovered to 13.4C at 08.00

More strong sunshine yesterday afternoon with 5.90 hours following a cloudy morning after the fog had cleared.

Maximum temperature reached at 16.23 with 18.5C, which is +2C above average

Minimum temperature reached at 05.24 today with 9.1C, which is +2.2C

UV at top end of ‘High’ level

No rain

This morning dawned with high cloud allowing just milky sunshine to percolate through. The thermometer at 08.00 had risen to 12.3C.