Monday saw the residual warmth of the heat wave as the thermometer eventually rose to a maximum of 23.6C at 15.28 that was moderated by a brisk wind from the southwest gusting at its peak to 20mph. This high was 0.9C above average but the coolest day since the 7th. The minimum overnight of 11.5C was just below average logged at 03.07 early Tuesday. During the day occasional spots of light drizzle were observed with very brief, light rain at 16.35 and a much heavier and intense rainfall at 21.00 that amounted to 4.1mm. This was the wettest day since 12th June, from a late passing shower, that topped up two water buts, which will be useful with a hosepipe ban in place from the 22nd. The temperature dropped almost 5C during the shower at 16.35.
Tuesday brought weak sunshine to start the new day but just after 07.30 cloud began to blot out any sunshine. Today will be the first of the unsettled days this week with a cloudy day ahead and possible showers from a warm weather front crossing the UK associated with a depression just off the coast of Northern Ireland. This low pressure system will slowly migrate eastwards across central England with possible more rain for Southern England later in the day.
There is an anticyclone lurking down to the southwest that will moderate our weather as the week progresses with the temperature recovering back well above average, but no heatwave. The week will also see the wind from a westerly or southwesterly direction under the influence of the Atlantic.
The butterfly is a Meadow Brown on an Oxeye Daisy flower.