Category: Commentary

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.

Although we have moved into August the changeable weather continues.

Tuesday gave us 4.47 hours of strong sunshine but showers arrived late morning and an especially heavy one just after 1pm, which produced 4.5mm of rainfall.

It was a warmer day with the maximum of 20.7C equal to the August average. As on previous nights the cloud meant a mild night, minimum of 13.4C, which was 2C above the August average.

This morning has dawned grey and breezy as the thick cloud from the approaching depression obliterates any sunshine.

Summary for July 2017

July 2017 was not a month to remember as a summer month as we had little glorious sunshine or recurring high temperatures.

The very changeable month, after the first week, was due to a succession of depressions passing over or near the UK. The barometric pressure was 2mb below the long-term average.

Although the mean temperature was just above the 33-year average (+0.27C) this figure masks the fact that the average daytime temperature was 0.2C below the long-term average. The many cloudy nights gave a contrasting picture as the average minimum was above the long-term average (+0.6C). During such nights the cloud acts as a blanket to stop heat radiating back into the atmosphere.

The month started with several very warm days, the peak being reached on the 6th with a maximum of 29.9C but from the 11th onwards the temperatures fell away during the daytime. There were two days when the thermometer only reached 17.3C (22nd and 23rd), which was a significant 5C below the 33-year average.

Low-pressure systems bring cloud that mask the sun and bring precipitation. There were many days when bands of showers, some heavy, transited the area. There were 9 dry days before the 11th, but only 6 after that date.

The wettest day occurred on the 11th when a considerable rainfall total was recorded of 26.2mm. There were two additional days, 21st and 29th, when rainfall totals were in double figures, 23.5mm and 14.8mm respectively.

The rainfall total for July came to 97.4mm, making it the wettest July since 2009. This total was 163% of the 33-year average or plus 37.6mm. It is interesting to note that the five wettest July months have occurred since 2002 (my records go back to 1984). In July 2007 I recorded a total of 127.2mm and 2009 amounted to 113.0mm.

I recorded 117 hours of strong sunshine, slightly better than the past two years since this instrument was installed. However, global sunshine, which includes reflected strong light, was 11 hours down on the average for the past 11 years.

During the periods of strong sunshine, including latter days when there were only brief bursts, the UV levels rose into the ‘Very High’ category on 19 days. The peak reading was on the 16th that was almost into the ‘Extreme’ category.

Meteorologists keep diurnal temperature records. These figures note the daily range of temperature from the maximum to the minimum. As humans we have to adapt to these ever-changing conditions. A good example occurred this month. On the 2nd, the diurnal temperature range was 23.4C (24.2C to 1.0C) and in contrast the 19th had a range of just 3.0C (19.4C to 16.4C).

With the barometric pressure rising a little on monday it was a much better day with just one short shower amounting to 0.2mm and 5.47 hours of strong sunshine.

The increase in sunshine hours boosted the temperature, the warmest day for a week with a maximum of 19.8C, but still 3C below the 33-year average.

A cool night followed with a minimum of 11.6C, this was exactly average for July.

Today has dawned with a little intermittent sunshine but predominantly cloudy.

Summary for July 2017

July 2017 was not a month to remember as a summer month as it did not produce much glorious sunshine and recurring high temperatures.

The very changeable month, after the first week, was due to a succession of depressions passing over or near the UK. The barometric pressure was 2mb below the long-term average.

Although the mean temperature was just above the 33-year average (+0.27C) this figure masks the fact that the average daytime temperature was 0.2C below the long-term average. The many cloudy nights gave a contrasting picture as the average minimum was above the long-term average (+0.6C). During such nights the cloud acts as a blanket to stop heat radiating back into the atmosphere.

The month started with several very warm days, the peak being reached on the 6th with a maximum of 29.9C but from the 11th onwards the temperatures fell away during the daytime. There were two days when the thermometer only reached 17.3C (22nd and 23rd), which was a significant 5C below the 33-year average.

Low-pressure systems bring cloud that mask the sun and bring precipitation. There were many days when bands of showers, some heavy, transited the area. There were 9 dry days before the 11th, but only 6 after that date.

The wettest day occurred on the 11th when a considerable rainfall total was recorded of 26.2mm. There were two additional days, 21st and 29th, when rainfall totals were in double figures, 23.5mm and 14.8mm respectively.

The rainfall total for July came to 97.4mm, making it the wettest July since 2009. This total was 163% of the 33-year average or plus 37.6mm. It is interesting to note that the five wettest July months have occurred since 2002 (my records go back to 1984). In July 2007 I recorded a total of 127.2mm and 2009 amounted to 113.0mm.

I recorded 117 hours of strong sunshine, slightly better than the past two years since this instrument was installed. However, global sunshine, which includes reflected strong light, was 11 hours down on the average for the past 11 years.

During the periods of strong sunshine, including latter days when there were only brief bursts, the UV levels rose into the ‘Very High’ category on 19 days. The peak reading was on the 16th that was almost into the ‘Extreme’ category.

Meteorologists keep diurnal temperature records. These figures note the daily range of temperature from the maximum to the minimum. As humans we have to adapt to these ever-changing conditions. A good example occurred this month. On the 2nd, the diurnal temperature range was 23.4C (24.2C to 1.0C) and in contrast the 19th had a range of just 3.0C (19.4C to 16.4C).