Thursday turned out to be the coolest day for three days under variable cloud, limited sunshine and a brisk northeasterly wind. The maximum of 14.4C at 16.24 was 2.9C below average. The minimum overnight was also below average with a low of 2.7C logged at 05.41 just after sunrise having coincided with the cloud arriving. This low was a significant 4.3C below average.

Cloud began to drift across from the North Sea on the northeasterly breeze just before 06.00 on Friday that initially blocked out any sunshine but shortly after 07.30 the cloud thinned and began to break allowing the sun to break through and lift the temperature to 7.7C by 08.00. There is the prospect of a warmer day today with the wind backing into the east cutting off the flow of very cool air from the North Sea.

The disturbance over Iberia, that is developing into a low pressure system, is likely to slowly move northwards tomorrow into the Bay of Biscay and get very close to the UK on Sunday with likely more cloud. However, by Monday, as the recent high pressure eventually relinquishes control the low-pressure system is likely to elbow itself across the Channel to southern England with the prospect of showers, its movement north and east is not certain at this time.

The Government’s national drought group convened with a minister this week as England recorded its driest March to April period since 1956. Drought in the UK is characterised by a prolonged period of unusually low rainfall, leading to water shortages. Specifically, a drought is defined as a period of at least 15 consecutive day with less than 0.2nn of rainfall. We have just had sixteen consecutive dry days with no precipitation.

The rainfall during the March and April period for England was 43% and 56% respectively. Marlborough had far, far less with 9% and 20% respectively. I read that the ground water levels are good at this time.