Although there was no strong sunshine yesterday the warm, moist southerly air pushed the thermometer to a maximum of 13.1C, a couple of degrees down on previous highs but still 3C above the average for March. The warmth was maintained overnight, peaking just after 1am but dropped a couple of degrees to give a minimum of 11.1C.
This morning we have been greeted by sunshine breaking through variable cloud that gave the warmest morning, when readings were taken at 08.00, since 8th December.
Rainfall total for March now totals 48.5C, which is 9.5mm below the average for March. However, this is offset by evaporation now totalling 37mm so all but about 11mm of precipitation this month has remained in the ground.
Author: Eric Gilbert
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Warmest morning for nearly five months
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What a difference a change in wind direction makes!
The change from the persistent north-easterlies to southerlies yesterday has made such a difference to our weather. Gone are the strong, dry winds now replaced by warmer, balmier air. The maximum yesterday was 15.6C however the thermometer dropped little overnight to a minimum of 10.2C. At 08.00 the thermometer read 10.9C, the warmest morning since 29th October. As a consequence of this warmer air, especially at night,the ground temperature at a depth of 5cm has risen to 10.1C. Gardeners can think of possible planting if the temperature at this depth maintains at least 6C. Although there were only 1.7 hours of strong sunshine yesterday it produced the highest solar energy since 9th September
There were light rain showers late evening last night that amounted to 2.7mm bringing the total for March to 48.5mm, a little below the average of 57.7mm -
Another below average month for rainfall?
Monday produced a gloomy, overcast morning with brightness developing around midday and sunshine breaking through an hour later. The reduced hours of sunshine, 5.5 hrs, which was less than half that logged on the previous two days, meant a lower maximum of 14.3C, but still well above average. This morning also started with low cloud and fog but again limited brightness developed just before midday. The minimum was 4.7C that is 3C above average.
With just 45.8mm of rainfall this month, which is 79% of the 33-year average, and little in the forecast, it looks as if March might be another below average month for precipitation. -
Sunday was even warmer and sunnier than Saturday.
Under the continuing anticyclone, Sunday was even warmer than Saturday with a maximum of 15.9C, which is 5.6C above the 34-year average. This very warm day resulted from the 11.12 hours of strong sunshine and a moderating north-easterly wind. The UV level was again at 3.3, the highest since September. Overnight the initial clear sky meant a minimum of 3.9C but during the early morning hours low cloud and mist drifted in from the North Sea giving a murky and dark start to the day.
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11 hours of strong sunshine yesterday – highest since 15th August
Yesterday felt more like a spring day with 11 hours of strong sunshine, a UV level of 3.2, highest since the end of September and a maximum of 13.8C (at 14.05), which is 3.5C above the mean. However, the feel of the atmosphere was moderated by the still brisk northeast to north wind which pegged back the temperature. The drying, brisk wind and sunshine meant that the evaporation from plants and ground was 3.4mm, the greatest one day total since 30th August last year. Last night as the skies stayed mainly clear the thermometer dropped to 2.3C just after dawn.
This morning broke with more sunshine and although the barometric pressure had dropped by 8mb from its peak, there is promise of another sunny and dry day.
N.B. Now a complete range of new graphs for temperature and rainfall.