The thaw gained impetus on Sunday as the temperature rose steadily to a maximum of 9.2C at 13.15, being just 1.3C below the average. Much of the snow melted away except the numerous drifted ares that shrank during the day but have not totally disappeared on Monday morning. It was the warmest day since 19th February.
Due to the drifting snow in the strong winds of recent days, little snow fell into the rain gauge. On such occasions the ‘core’ method of estimating precipitation was used. The rain gauge is inverted and inserted into three areas of snow that have not drifted nor where the wind has left the surface virtually bare. The snow core is then captured in the gauge by putting a slim flat surface under the gauge but at ground level. The snow that is collected in the gauge is placed in a receptacle that is gently melted in a bowl of warm water with the total precipitation divide by three to get an average reading.
There were a few rain bands traversing the area in the past twenty-four hours, the longest and heaviest between 15.00 and 1615, with a daily total of 3.9mm.
The temperature dipped away during the afternoon and evening to a minimum of 2.6C at 04.13 this morning, being just above the early March average.
The new day has dawned with a mainly cloudy sky although a few breaks are allowing early sunshine to brighten the morning.
Monday update at 15.00: temperature fallen from maximum of 8.6C at 13.00 to 6.9C as cloud and rain arrives 14.25, heavy from 15.00.
