Friday brought evidence that the sun is getting stronger as the UV level peaked at 0.7, the highest since 3rd December. In addition, during the many hours of sunshine, the global sunshine total of 4.8 (100W/m2) was the highest since 17th November. This instrument registers at that setting in sun and thin cloud.
The maximum of 5.7C on Friday at 14.10 was the highest for five days but still 1.3C below the average. The thermometer reached zero in the evening at 19.35 before rising for just over an hour to +1.5C due to bands of cloud drifting across from the east. After that time the thermometer fell steadily downwards to reach a minimum of -3.3C at 05.51 on Saturday, which was 4.6C below the 38-year average.
The minimal air movement over the past two days has also been a feature with peak gusts of 8mph and 11mph respectively.
Saturday dawned with thick fog with visibility restricted to 150m. The ridge of high pressure has intensified again with a barometric pressure of 1033.2mb at 08.00, which was the highest since 8th July.