Although we enjoyed an increase in sunshine on Saturday, a total of 10.54 hours, the temperature was down 2C from the Friday peak with a maximum of 26.9C, still 6C above the 34-year average.
Saturday was another dry day. The average rainfall for August is greater than that for July with 66.4mm and already this month another 12mm of moisture has evaporated into the atmosphere.
Saturday into Sunday was a cooler night than the previous night with the thermometer dropping to 11.5C, which was almost exactly the 34-year average for August.
Sunday arrived with the sun up bright and early triggering the sunshine recorder (greater than 100w/sq.m) at 06.43 that quickly raised the thermometer to 18.6C at 08.00. With a clear sky there is promise of another sunny and hot day under the highest barometric pressure for a month with a reading of 1024.4mb at 08.00.
Another morning when overnight spider’s gossamer threads floating in the air tied up my highest anemometer, 4 metres above ridge height, necessitating clearing with a long pole. From previous experience I have found it takes an unexpectedly strong gust of wind to allow the rotating cups to break free.
Update at 12.40: already temperature up to 26.9C. It is going to be hot!
13.30: temperature of 27.4C
15.00: temperature of 28.3C
16.05: temperature of 28.7C
16.30: temperature of 29.1C – hottest since 26th July
17.02: maximum temperature of 29.3C, which was 8.6C above average.
20.00: thermometer currently reading 25.7C so another warm night.
22.00: current temperature of 21.3C, which is still 1C above daytime average maximum.