Category: Commentary

The low pressure system that currently fills most of the Atlantic to the west of the UK has brought cloud with rain in the early hours of Thursday.

Although the wind continued from the east on Wednesday, gusting ti 29mph, it was a warm day with the maximum 17.9C being 3.3C above the average.

Rain triggered the automatic rain gauge just after 06.00 on Thursday as a large area of rain arrived from the southwest with wind veering into that direction to start the new day. Just 1.3mm had fallen in the 5″copper Meteorological Office standard rain gauge by 08.00. All my rain data is from that accurate rain gauge, placed away from buildings and other items that would produce an inaccurate reading.

The temperature dropped away to 11.9C just after midnight but then began to rise as the cloud thickened from the weather front arriving.By 08.00 the thermometer read 14.1C.

The weather front is quite extensive and will produce rain for a few more hours, being forecast to last until after midday.

The air on Tuesday came from an easterly direction, a direction not seen for almost two months. The cooler air meant less warmth, after the fog eventually cleared, with a maximum of 16.9C, still 2.3C above the 38-year average.

The cloud cover meant a mild night with a minimum of 11.6C being 4.3C above the average.

The rainfall total of 21.8mm is now overtaken by the equivalent loss of rainfall through evaporation from the ground and plant life, that so far totals 23mm. The monthly total is 24% of the long-term average. Is this going to be another below average rainfall month being over half way through October?

Monday was a very warm day that saw the thermometer climb to 18.4C being 3.9C above the average and the second warmest day in October.

Overnight was the opposite as under clear skies the temperature dropped to 3.3C at 08.02 on Tuesday. This low temperature was 3.9C below the 38-year average and caused fog to form in the early hours as the moisture from the previous day’s rain condensed.

Tuesday at first light brought variable fog and mist that varied from 400 metres to 800 metres. However, as sunrise approached the fog thickened to limit visibility to 200m. The barometric pressure has risen so we are currently under a ridge of high pressure with a reading of 1027.8mb at 08.00, a rise of 15mb since this time on Monday.

Sunday gave us many hours of warm sunshine that lifted the temperature to 16.5C being 1.9C above average. In fact, only one day this month brought a below average maximum, which was the 14th.

The first rain drops were observed at 17.40, Sunday evening, but did not become heavy until 18.15. Once again a major rain band moved up from the southwest but as it approached our area began to break up with the bulk of the intense rain diverting around our area. Sporadic bursts followed for three hours and amounted to 7.1mm making it the wettest day this month and since 30th September (8.9mm).

It was a mild night with the thermometer not sinking below 13.1C, which was 5.8C above the average.

Monday began with total cloud cover but by 08.00 weak sunshine struggled to breakthrough the hang-back of cloud from the weather front easing eastwards.

The sun returned on Saturday lifting the temperature to 15.8C, just 1.2C above the 38-year average. The breeze was brisk gusting to 23mph and from the south.

The past night was cool under clearing skies that saw the thermometer drop to 6.7C at 07.55 on Sunday, being 0.5C below the average.

Sunday arrived with welcome sunshine after dawn to warm us all up. The barometric pressure has recovered somewhat to read 1010.2mb at 08.00