Friday 8th May
With a modest southerly component on Thursday the maximum temperature crept a little higher but with a peak of 16.3C, however, this was still below average at -1.0C. The overnight minimum at least was just above average, after the previous very cold night, with a low of 7.4C, being +0.4C. The dry period continued with not even a shower, although some passed to the west and east of Marlborough just after 06.00 on Friday.
Friday began dull but just after 08.00 the sun broke through a gap in the clouds, but only briefly. Today we will be under a breeze from the southeast that will produce variable sunshine between variable cloud with little prospect of any rain.
We are currently between two high pressure systems, one to the west and one to the east, whilst low pressure systems are to the north and south. As they slowly reposition the weather ahead is mixed with little chance of rain, although there might be the odd shower, and the wind will vary in direction but mainly from an easterly quadrant for the next few days.
The Met Office say that “Pollen levels are expected to remain low across all UK regions over the next five days, offering welcome relief for many people affected by seasonal allergies.
Recent weather conditions have played a key role in keeping counts suppressed. Cooler temperatures have limited plant growth and delayed the release of pollen, while spells of rain have helped wash pollen out of the air, reducing the amount available to circulate. Higher humidity and occasional breezier conditions have also prevented pollen from building locally.
Weather has a strong influence on every stage of the pollen cycle, from production and release to disperse. Warm, dry and sunny conditions typically encourage plants to release pollen easily, leading to higher counts, whereas cooler, wetter weather tends to hold pollen back. Overnight chiller temperatures and increased moisture in the air can also cause pollen grains to settle closer to the ground rather than remain airborne.
We are stilling in the oak pollen season, but with levels generally lower than last year, these are not reaching Moderate levels, while grass is starting to emerge with some early season grass pollen being released.”
This article does not accurately reflect the local position in Marlborough as we have not had any rain for four days to wash pollen out of the atmosphere, although it has been cooler with lighter winds.