Sunday 16th August
Saturday was the first day when the temperature did not reach the heatwave threshold, but only just, with a peak of 26.8C at 16.33 as the heat intensified during the afternoon. The breeze from the north, combined with the lower temperature, made it feel more comfortable. The past night was the coolest for five days that saw the thermometer drop away to a low of 13.8C at 04.24. The radar showed a large bank cloud drifting across from the north around 01.00 that limited any further drop in temperature.
What a contrast to recent days with the arrival of Sunday under total, thick cloud cover and no sunshine whilst the air movement is low but is still arriving from the north. As the day progresses the wind will back into the west, the cloud will break up and sunshine return, probably early afternoon, signifying a change to an Atlantic weather pattern, thus less hot although maxima for a day or two will still be quite high before dropping to around the August average by Wednesday.
The minor ridge of high pressure will sustain dry weather for the next two days although by Wednesday a low pressure system in mid-Atlantic will be closing in on the UK. This will signify a major change in our weather with variable cloud and sunny intervals and a possible weather front crossing on Wednesday. Currently the probability of any precipitation is rated very low for Tuesday and Wednesday at around 30% to 40%, but as a gardener I prefer the Met Office probability of up to 60% for Thursday. There will be a noticeable change in temperature by Wednesday, and for the remainder of the week, as maximum temperatures will be around or possibly be below average, that will make it feel very cool after the numerous heatwave days.
With more cloudy days ahead I thought a change to colourful images of dahlias, that I have struggled to keep alive, might add colour to days this week.
Two weeks ago I made reference to the local Thames Water groundwater situation with all classed as ‘Normal’ and only one with a ‘Falling’ trend. An updated version today still maintains that the state of all boreholes is ‘Normal’ while four are now ‘Falling’ and the remaining four classed as ‘Steady’.
I thought the recently published article supported that report.
The UK’s groundwater levels are in “remarkable’ health despite this summers’ prolonged dry weather and widespread drought conditions, according to scientists.
Groundwater flows through tiny cracks in layers of rock and sand underground, known as aquifers, which feed into streams and rives, helping to maintain water levels.
Researchers from the British Geological Survey have found that groundwater levels across the country remain robust, and some cases higher than normal, despite two-thirds of England and Wales currently in drought.