Monday 9th November
The fog on Sunday was very reluctant to clear, in fact it hung around all day as thick mist with the visibility dropping down again late afternoon. The wind was light and variable, however, the thermometer struggled to reach a maximum of 7.8C at 14.44, which was 2.5C below average. The thermometer only dropped a few degrees overnight, under the persistent foggy conditions, with a low of 4.1C at 04.41 early Monday, which was exactly average for November.
The start to the new day on Monday revealed a significant change in the weather, the wind had not dropped out overnight as on previous nights, although the fog again limited visibility, 200m at 08.00, indicating a change in the weather pattern, a significant change. This is likely to be the last foggy morning for a while.
The breeze is the result of the depression to the southwest of the UK edging closer as the high pressure gives way, resulting in a modest pressure gradient. The barometric pressure has dropped 20mb since it’s high a week ago with a current reading of 1017.3mb. The air stream today and tomorrow will come from the east. A weather front will transit the country on Tuesday producing light rain that could be heavy overnight into Wednesday morning, by which time the wind will have backed into the northeast.
As the centre of the low-pressure, now over the Bay of Biscay, slowly reorientates, the wind will come from the north on Friday, aided and abetted by a high pressure system near Iceland trying to get in on the act, that will also see the wind pick up in strength. The Arctic air stream will result in temperatures falling lower, several degrees below the November average, with the possibility of the first air frost of the season.
The idea for a site to house the National Arboretum was conceived in 1988 by Commander Childs who wished to establish a natural focus for ‘Remembrance’ to those who died after giving to their community or country.
The project began with no money, land, staff or trees, just an idea which was yet to exist in reality. The National Lottery granted 40% of the funds needed and this was matched by thousands of donations from a wide variety of organisations, both military and civilian.
More details and another new picture tomorrow.