Category: Commentary

Much more sunshine returned on Sunday with 9.7 hours, which combined with a southerly air flow, lifted the temperature to a maximum of 22.1C. This high was 2C above average and the warmest day since 2nd June.

There was a very brief shower at 12.20 that produced just 0.2mm of rainfall otherwise a dry day.

Overnight was much cooler as the thermometer fell away to 8.7C at 05.33. The below average temperature (-1.3C) combined with recent rainfall and the total absence of wind, meant fog formed in the early hours. The visibility was down to 150m at its thickest but by 07.30 the sun had got to work and within 15 minutes had almost entirely lifted except for small lingering patches in the River Og Valley that had evaporated by 08.00.

Sadly, thick cloud drifted in from the south on Monday after 07.45 that obliterated the sun but by 08.00 the thermometer had recovered to 14.4C. The air is currently totally still under the influence of very slack air pressure with a very slow drift from the south. The air is warm and moist originating from the Continent.

Saturday brought us 7.7 hours of sunshine and combined with the wind coming from a warmer direction bringing air from the Continent, the thermometer rose to 21.7C. This was 1.6C above average and the warmest day since the beginning of the month.

There was a brief thunderstorm with thunder heard at 1852 and again at 1854 that produced just 0.9m of rainfall.

Overnight the temperature remained above average, just, with the thermometer not sinking below 10.2 (+0.2).

Sunday brought occasional glimpses of sunshine with broken cloud in the early morning, the thermometer having recovered to 15.3C at 08.00. This was the warmest start to the day this month and equal to that recorded on the 3rd.

Throughout Friday the low-pressure system over the Bay of Biscay continued to generate showers and strong winds as it circulated anticlockwise, veering late afternoon from east into southeast. There was useful rainfall for gardeners of 4.1mm bringing the monthly total 14.8mm when the average is 53.6mm. It was another day of strong winds with a peak gust of 30mph.

The strong, easterly wind meant that temperatures were depressed by day with another below average maximum (-1.0C), this time 19.2C, which was up 3C on the cool Thursday peak.

The milder air, coming from nearer the Continent, meant a milder night as the thermometer dud not fall belwo 11.5C, which as 1.5C above average.

Saturday brought bright intervals at the start of the day in misty conditions and variable cloud, brought on the south easterly wind, a direction that has not been evident for almost a month.

As the depression moved sluggishly southwards on Thursday the wind moved into the north east and was very strong all day with a peak gust of 30mph at 18.28. There were a few short showers in the afternoon amounting to 4.3mm, a useful refreshment for the garden but more is still needed to percolate down further to provide a good drink for plants.

The rainfall this month now totals 10.7mm with the average at 53.6mm. However, the sunshine at the beginning of the month and strong drying winds have meant that evaporation far exceeds rainfall with currently 33mm of equivalent rainfall lost into the atmosphere.

The temperature by day was again below average (-4.0C) with a peak of 16.1C. Overnight was quite different being very mild as the temperature only dropped to 11.8C at 01.48 on Friday morning being 1.8C above average.

The wind moderated overnight but freshened considerably around 08.00 on Friday as the sun began to break through the cloud cover raising the temperature to 14.6C at 08.00.

During the course of Wednesday morning steady, light rain fell for a period generating 3.9mm of welcome rainfall, which made it the wettest twenty-four hour period since 1st May. Due to the lingering thick cloud and lack of sunshine, just 1.9 hours, the thermometer struggled to reach 14.4C making it the coolest day in June, 5.7C below average and identical to that reached on the 4th and 6th.

Although a large area of heavy rain moved ever closer late evening it eventually got no closer than 10 miles west of this area before moving back westwards so no additional, much needed rain. Although we are in mid June the UV level only rated ‘Moderate’ at its highest.

The overnight temperature was close to the average with a minimum 10.2C.

In addition to the overcast sky with thick cloud to greet Thursday, the wind had once again changed direction to come from the cool north east and quite brisk. The current rain radar (08.10) indicates two clumps of rain bearing cloud advancing from the south east so hopefully we might get some more precipitation to refresh the very dry gardens.

Due to the recent cool days and nights also reduced sunshine during the past two days the temperature of the ground at a depth of 5cm has dropped to its lowest since 16th May with a current reading of 13.2C.