Sat 2nd contrasts, Midlands dry, mild and bright (Wellesbourne 15.8c), WW mostly cloudy and in places wet (Whitechurch 33.8mm).
Sat 9th rather surprised to wake to wet snow falling here at Llanwnnen, snow is though far from unusual in April, and has even fallen as late as early June to low levels in southern UK in 1975 for example
Sun 10th frost in many places (Shobdon -3.0c)
Tue 12th mild for many, quite sunny parts of Wales and Marches (Llanwnnen 15.6c, Hereford 15.5c, Aberporth 9.9 hrs)
Wed 13th rather warm for many, especially Midlands, a few downpours about (Winterbourne 17.2c)
Thu 14th mild with sunny spells, scattering of showers some with hail and thunder; Thunderstorms locally affected Northants, Brum, Worc. & Cotswolds pm (Pembrey 16.4c, Shobdon 15.2c, Pershore College 29.4mm most of which in just a few hours)
Sat 16th sleet and snow in places overnight into the morning, slight accumulations to low levels in a few places with several inches lying over parts of the Cotswolds first thing
Sun 17th widespread frost (Tirabad, Powys min -4.3c, Pershore -2.5c) then a dry rather sunny if chilly day (Pershore managed 13.2c though)
Tue 19th most places became sunny and mild, almost unbroken sunshine North Midlands (Nottingham 12.5 hrs, Astwood Bank 15.6c, Llanwnnen & Milford Haven 14.7c)
Wed 20th frosty start in places (Capel Curig -0.8c) but a rather warm, sunny day, especially West Wales (Porthmadog 19.2c, Pembrey 18.7c). Sunshine was virtually unbroken in most areas (Shawbury 13.5 hrs, Llanwnnen est 13hrs) while relative humidity was very low, approaching record levels over parts of Wales (Pembrey 21%).
Thu 21st quite warm in most places, generally more cloud, but fairly sunny North Midlands and North Wales (Porthmadog 20.3c, Newport, Salop 17.3c)
Tue 26th cool and windy with scattered wintry showers, quite a few places seeing some falling snow, a few having thunder (Pershore 12.2c, Capel Curig 7.4c), many places did not attain 10c.
Wed 27th very cool with wintry showers, again wet snow and thunder in places (Aberporth max 7.5c, Shawbury 7.7c)
Thu 28th frosty night, quite low temps for end of April (Pembrey -3.3c, Llanwnnen -3.2c, Pershore -3.0c). Showery, hail and thunder in places (latter especially Midlands late on)
Sat 30th some places remained dry and bright while others caught downpours with thunder, typical 'April showers'
Tue 19th most places became sunny and mild, almost unbroken sunshine North Midlands (Nottingham 12.5 hrs, Astwood Bank 15.6c, Llanwnnen & Milford Haven 14.7c)
Wed 20th frosty start in places (Capel Curig -0.8c) but a rather warm, sunny day, especially West Wales (Porthmadog 19.2c, Pembrey 18.7c). Sunshine was virtually unbroken in most areas (Shawbury 13.5 hrs, Llanwnnen est 13hrs) while relative humidity was very low, approaching record levels over parts of Wales (Pembrey 21%).
Thu 21st quite warm in most places, generally more cloud, but fairly sunny North Midlands and North Wales (Porthmadog 20.3c, Newport, Salop 17.3c)
Tue 26th cool and windy with scattered wintry showers, quite a few places seeing some falling snow, a few having thunder (Pershore 12.2c, Capel Curig 7.4c), many places did not attain 10c.
Wed 27th very cool with wintry showers, again wet snow and thunder in places (Aberporth max 7.5c, Shawbury 7.7c)
Thu 28th frosty night, quite low temps for end of April (Pembrey -3.3c, Llanwnnen -3.2c, Pershore -3.0c). Showery, hail and thunder in places (latter especially Midlands late on)
Sat 30th some places remained dry and bright while others caught downpours with thunder, typical 'April showers'
April summary
Both March and April have now been cooler than last December which is a rare occurrence (remember though how truly remarkably mild was December!). Rainfall variable from rather dry to decidedly wet, sunshine also quite variable, some places rather dull, some having quite a sunny month
Rainfall totals:
Capel Curig 197.4mm 130%
Llanwnnen 68.6mm 89%
Aberporth 50.8mm 96%
Coventry, Bablake School 62.6mm 130%
Long Lawford 50.0mm 110%
Church Lawford 56.0mm 113%
Hereford 44.8mm 87%
Pershore 69.2mm 145%
Rainfall totals:
Capel Curig 197.4mm 130%
Llanwnnen 68.6mm 89%
Aberporth 50.8mm 96%
Coventry, Bablake School 62.6mm 130%
Long Lawford 50.0mm 110%
Church Lawford 56.0mm 113%
Hereford 44.8mm 87%
Pershore 69.2mm 145%
Nature notes
Sun 3rd first couple of Swallow this morning. Plenty of Chiffchaff song now. First few wild Bluebell, not sure I have seen so early before, and there are plenty out in our sheltered garden. Stitchwort in flower. Still a few Snowdrop in flower, Daffs are generally on the wane. First Horse Chestnut seen in leaf burst.
Thu 7th first few Willow Warbler Teifi valley, quite a few Sand Martin and Swallow as well
Sat 16th Red Campion in flower, a few Beech in leaf burst, plenty of Willow Warbler now, a few Blackcap singing during past week
Tue 19th first solitary House Martin near Llanwnnen, about 5 more Fri 22nd prospecting a house Capel y Groes also near Llanwnnen
Month end and trees are reluctant to come into leaf, Ash still asleep, Oak just stirring, some Beech slowly greening over, Horse Chestnut in leaf. Only a few Butterfly seen during April chiefly Small tortoisesell. Still a few Daffs in flower, still some Celandine in flower (both blooms having been observed since December!). Bluebell carpets now impressive.
Tue 19th first solitary House Martin near Llanwnnen, about 5 more Fri 22nd prospecting a house Capel y Groes also near Llanwnnen
Month end and trees are reluctant to come into leaf, Ash still asleep, Oak just stirring, some Beech slowly greening over, Horse Chestnut in leaf. Only a few Butterfly seen during April chiefly Small tortoisesell. Still a few Daffs in flower, still some Celandine in flower (both blooms having been observed since December!). Bluebell carpets now impressive.
