Weather and nature log July 2026

Weather and nature log July 2026

Key

WW = West Wales

Mids = Midlands

Lwn = Llanwnnen

AG = Aldermans Green, Coventry

CL = Church Lawford

LL = Long Lawford

ROW = Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

Nott= Nottingham

CITE = Coton-in-the-Elms, Derbyshire

CC = Capel Curig, Snowdonia

MH = Milford Haven

Carms = Carmarthenshire

Pembs = Pembrokeshire

COL = Climatological Observers Link

PWS = Personal weather station

MO = Met Office

NRW = National Resources Wales

EA = Environment Agency

est = estimated

inc = including

cf = compared with

srb = since records began

CC = Chiffchaff
WW= Willow Warbler
ST = Song Thrush
BB = Blackbird

VW = very wet, W = wet, RW = rather wet, A = average, RD = rather dry, D = dry, VD = very dry

Bit of a mixed start, not much rain for most with some decent sunny spells, particularly Midlands:

Fri 3rd cool night which was nice, minima Llanwnnen & Swyddffynnon 5.0c (latter coolest MO in UK), other minima South Newington (N Oxon) 5.4c, Shobdon 7.1c, Coleshill 9.6c, Valley 13.7c. Nice day, plentiful sunshine and very warm parts of Mids (max Astwood Bank 26.7c, SB 26.4c, Cov 25.5c, Lwn 22.9c, Aberporth 21.9c, Aberdaron 18.5c).

Sun 5th another rather intense heatwave due this week, a few places meeting the threshold today (these being WW 25c, Marches 26c, most of Mids 27c): Maxima Pershore 28.5c, Coleshill & Hfd 27.5c, Cov 27.2c, CL 26.8c, CITE 26.2c, Lwn 24.9c, Nott 24.2c, Aberporth 18.1c.

Mon 6th more widely above heatwave levels today, maxima Pershore 30.8c, Coleshill & Cov 30.1c, M Bosworth 29.4c, Lwn 27.0c, Shawbury 26.5c, Aberporth & Whitchurch 25.2c (no Trawsgoed past few days), Swydd 24.3c, Aberdaron 16.6c.

Tue 7th sunny periods, hot much of Mids, very warm inland WW but cooler breezes coasts, maxima Pershore 31.5c, Astwood Bank & Wellesbourne 30.7c, CL 29.6c, Cov 29.3c, Usk 29.0c, CITE 28.5c, Lwn 27.0c, Watnall 26.8c, Whitechurch 25.2c, Swydd 23.2c, PS 19.8c, Aberporth 18.5c.

Wed 8th refreshingly cool night for rural inland Wales but a warm night parts of Mids, minima Lwn 8.2c, Swyddffynnon 8.8c, Shobdon & S Newington 11.7c, Valley 14.9c, Cov 16.2c, Nott 16.3c..Hot or very hot day widely, maxima Astwood Bank 33.2c, Coleshill 32.5c, CITE 32.4c, Cov 32.1c, M Bosworth & Shawbury 31.4c, Cardiff BP 31.2c, Lwn 29.9c, Whitechurch 28.8c, Swyddffynnon 27.3c, Aberdaron 20.1c; parts of Cardigan Bay affected by sea mist/ fog at times inc Llangrannog while Aberporth WS must have been above it as 14.4 hrs sun (with max 21c). Otherwise near unbroken sun, Lwn est 15.5 hrs, Valley 15.2 hrs, Shawbury 15.1 hrs, Nott 14.9c hrs. 

Thu 9th refreshingly cool overnight inland rural Wales but a warm one much of the Mids, minima Swydd 7.9c, Lwn 9.2c, S Newington (Oxon) 11.1c, Shobdon 12.8c, PS 13.8c, Nott 16.4c, Cov 17.0c. Hot to very hot again. Mist and fog first thing here at Lwn ...maxima Astwood Bank 34.7c, CITE 34.5c, Cov 33.5c, CL 33.4c, Nott & Winterbourne 33.3c, Cardiff BP 31.3c, Pennerley (Salop) 29.5c, Lwn 28.8c, Swydd 27.3c, Aberporth 17.6c (more sea mist).

Fri 10th warm night in places cooler some in rural Wales; minima Coventry 19.0c (date record), ROW & S Bonington 17.3c, Porthmadog 16.5c, Lwn 10.5c, Shobdon 12.5c, Tirabad 9.8c. Very hot widely, maxima CITE 35.2c (UK hot spot), ROW 35.1c, Usk 34.3c, CL & Pershore 34.1c, Cov & Nott 32.9c, Lwn 32.7c midday (sea breeze after 1400 so 30c most of the afternoon), Porthmadog 31.9c, Pennerley 31.7c, Swydd 30.1c, Aberporth 24.7c.

Sat 11th tropical night at Porthmadog min 20.9c, other Cardiff BP 19.6c, MH 18.0c, Swydd 17.9c, Newport (Salop) 17.4c, Cov & Winterbourne 16.0c, Lwn 12.9c, S Newington 9.8c. Hot or very hot by day, most parts near unbroken sun once more, Mids though less hot with an east breeze, maxima Cardiff BP 32.4c, ROW 32.2c, Lwn 31.9c (early afternoon), Trawsgoed 30.7c, Shobdon, Swydd & Winchcombe (Sudeley Castle) 30.5c, CL 28.4c, Cov 28.1c, Watnall 26.9c, Aberporth 20.6c.

Sun 12th parts of E Mids only scraped the heatwave threshold today with a keen E breeze...for WW still very hot and here at Lwn this was the third consecutive day above 30c (the record is 4 days from June 2018 & Aug 2022). Max today Lwn 31.4c, Cardiff BP 31.2c, Gogerddan 30.9c, Porthmadog & PS 30.7c, ROW 30.4c, Aberporth, CITE & Pershore College 29.7c, Cov 27.7c, CL 27.6c, CC 26.6c, Nott 26.4c (just below heatwave threshold past 2 days now here).

Mon 13th NE breeze giving some relief today particularly Mids where the morning was widely cloudy, still made it into the very warm, even hot categories...maxima Hawarden & Porthmadog 27.9c, Lwn 27.7c, Gogerddan 27.5c, CITE 27.2c, Pershore College, PS & Trawsgoed 26.5c, Newport (Salop) 25.9c, Coventry 25.4c (ending the 8 day heatwave over 27c), Watnall 24.6c, Mona 22.1c. Cov cloudy to past midday so just 7 hours sun (other Lwn est 15 hours unbroken, Aberdaron 15.1 hrs, Shawbury 11.5 hrs).

Tue 14th widely very warm to very hot again, although below heatwave thresholds for parts of the Mids which again had N Sea cloud much of the morning as well some coasts, maxima Lwn 29.6c, Porthmadog 29.4c, Whitechurch 28.7c, ROW 28.4c, Trawsgoed 28.3c, CITE 28.2c, Cov 26.2c, Aberdaron & MH 25.9c, Watnall 25.2c, Mona 22.9c. Near unbroken sun Marches & most of Wales, Aberdaron 15.1 hrs, Lwn est 15 hrs, Aberporth, Mona & Shawbury 14.8 hrs, Nott 11.7 hrs, ROW 9.8 hrs, Cov 8.5 hrs, 

Wed 15th  again morning cloud for much of the Mids but sun afternoon along with Wales again, very warm to hot Mids, WW hot or very hot, maxima Porthmadog 29.8c, Lwn 29.6c, PS & Whitechurch 28.8c, ROW 28.0c, CITE 27.8c, CL 27.4c, Cov 26.6c, Nott 25.3c, Mona 24.4c.

First half of July 2026 exceptionally warm/ hot; very dry and very sunny

Unprecedented temperatures mean maxima average close to 30c in places, here at Lwn close to 27c mean max and 19c mean temperatures unprecedented here! 3 or 4c above average for most.

Most places little rain, Quite a few places completely rainless and are in a drought (16 days below 0.2mm).

Some spots up to the whole July sunshine average...

Mean maxima first half: Pershore 29.3c, CL 27.9c, Llanwnnen 26.9c (6c above average).

Mean temperatures: ROW 22.0c, Pershore 21.5c, Cov 21.4c, Llanwnnen & MH 19.3c.

Mean minima generally 13 to 15c (Lwn 11.9c).

Rainfall totals 1st to 0900 16th: Mona 1.2mm, CC 17mm, Aberporth 0mm, Llanwnnen 2.1mm, PS 0.6mm, MH 1.2mm; Nott 0.6mm, Coleshill 0mm, Cov 0.4mm, CL 0mm, Pershore 0.2mm, Hereford 0.8mm.

Sunshine totals 1st to 15th: Aberdaron 155 hrs, Aberporth 168 hrs, Llanwnnen est 168 hours, Nott 154 hrs, Shawbury 161 hrs, Coventry 145 hrs, Shobdon 162 hrs.

Thu 16th at least a cooler night for most inland, warm for coasts though as SSTs so high (4c above average Cardigan Bay) minima CC 9.0c, Shobdon 9.1c, Lwn 11.1c, Pershore, SB & Wellesbourne 13.9c, MH 17.3c, Aberdaron 17.6c. Generally hot or very hot, max Llanwnnen 30.8c making it the ninth day over 30c this year (contrast just one day in 9 years 2007 - 2025)! Other ROW 29.8c, Cardiff BP 29.6c, Gogerddan, Pershore & Trawsgoed 29.2c, CITE 28.8c, Cov 27.8c, M Bosworth 27.0c, Aberporth 22.8c.

Fri 17th nice cool night some rural areas, min Bala & Llanwnnen 8.1c, S Newington 8.2c, Swydd 9.7c, Shobdon 10.3c, Cov, Newport (Salop), Nott & SB 13.0c, MH 15.5c. Very warm/ hot once more with plentiful sunshine, maxima ROW 31.3c (UK hot spot), Usk 30.8c, PS 28.1c, Lwn 26.7c (max midday then N breeze), Cov 25.6c (so no heatwave this week with just 1 day over 27c since 12th ), Swydd & Trawsgoed 25.3c, Nott 24.9c, Gogerddan & M Bosworth 24.7c, Aberporth 19.5c. We were in Aberystwyth from mid afternoon where it felt very warm (24c perhaps) although catching a nice sea breeze sometimes.

Heatwave over for most but stayed mainly dry rest of the month:

Sat 18th refreshing night for many, minima Lwn 7c, CC 7.4c, Swydd & Trawsgoed 7.8c, Shawbury 9.2c, Cov 12.0c, Aberporth 15.0c. End of the 12 day heatwave here at Lwn, max today just 22.3c, also the end of the 13 day run of somewhere in the UK attaining 30c. Warmest place in the UK today being Exeter 27.4c.

Mon 20th very cool night widely, minima S Newington 3.6c, Tirabad 5.2c, Lwn 5.4c, CL 6.5c, Trawsgoed 7.5c, Cov 8.2c, Astwood Bank 10.4c, Aberdaron & MH 13.0c. Drought set to last most of this week, today unbroken sun WW while some cloudy spells Mids; back up to heatwave levels parts of Mids, maxima Pershore 28.6c (hottest in UK), ROW 27.9c, CITE 27.5c, Cov & Usk 26.6c, M Bosworth 25.7c, Shawbury 24.9c, MH & PS 23.8c, Lwn 22.9c,  Aberdaron just 18.0c. Llanwnnen est 15 hours being slightly above the UK sunniest today (Glasgow 14.7 hrs, Aberporth 14.6 hrs, Nott 6.6 hrs).

Tue 21st sunny til mid afternoon here at Lwn then an unaccustomed rather cloudy spell and under 10 hours first day since July 4th. The 16 days of July 5th - 20th saw an astounding 217 hours sun! 

ROW 28.2c hot spot today for UK, Hereford & Pershore 27.8c, CITE 27.7c (this one often seems a degree or so higher than nearest neighbours) Cardiff 27.4c, CL & Shawbury 26.4c, Watnall 25.8c, PS 24.3c, Lwn 22.7c,  Trawsgoed 21.7c, Aberporth 16.8c.

Wed 22nd Usk, Monmouthshire on day 17 of the latest heatwave there (threshold 26c).

Thu 23rd Ross on Wye max 29.0c UK hot spot, also Pershore & Usk 28.2c, Cov 26.2c, Nott 25.6c, PS 24.6c, Shawbury 23.8c, Lwn 22.9c, Aberdaron 19.0c.

Fri 24th cool night, particularly on Anglesey (Mona min 7.1c), also Swydd & Trawsgoed 8.2c, Lwn 8.5c, Shobdon 9.9c, Valley 10.5c, Coleshill & Winterbourne 13.7c, SB 14.1c, MH 14.3c, Aberporth 14.9c. Warm sunny spells WW, warm to quite hot Mids again, maxima Astwood Bank 27.9c, ROW 27.7c, Usk 27.5c, Cov & Pershore College 27.2c, Shobdon 24.5c, PS 24.1c, Nott 23.4c, Lwn 22.7c, Aberporth & Valley 19.2c, CC 19.0c.

Sat 25th nice cool night some rural areas again, minima Tirabad 6.8c, Lwn 7.2c, S Newington 7.8c, Shobdon 8.6c, CL 9.9c, Cov 11.1c, Nott 12.8c, MH 14.6c.

Sun 26th just a little rain in places as weak fronts came down from the NW during the day, most places under 2mm, quite a few spots no measurable rain. The drought ended in the Coventry area with CL & Bablake both 0.6mm, also ended at Llanwnnen, just 0.3mm ending the 14 day dry spell. At King's Newnham 0.4mm ended a 32 day absolute drought, while for Cov and CL a mere 23 and 24 days respectively. The partial drought (an outdated  [?] MO definition that few now are aware of) here at Llanwnnen is now 40 days (since June 17th just 9.4mm; 41 days in 2018 the record). A cooler day all locations under 26c. Maxima S Newington 25.5c, Wellesbourne 24.9c, Usk 23.4c, Cov 22.8c, MH 22.4c, Shawbury 21.9c, Watnall 21.1c, Lwn 20.7c, Aberporth 18.8c, and CC 17.0c (and 6mm rain). 

Last week when the heatwave looked on for towards month end not just in England the 300 hr mark looked inevitable here at Lwn, however days of grey skies, spitting rain/ drizzle and just 20 - 22c maxima has made that much less likely unless the final 2 days are largely sunny (a possibility):

Tue 28th hot parts of Mids in spite of not being very sunny (sunny intervals), maxima Coningsby (Lincs) 31.0c (UK hot spot), S Bonington 28.7c, Cov 28.5c (unusually the W Mids hot spot), CITE 27.6c, Usk 27.1c, CL 26.9c, Shawbury & Winterbourne 26.7c, Trawsgoed 23.8c, Swydd 22.8c (unusually warmer than the Lwn 21.2c), Aberporth 22.0c, CC 18.0c.

Wed 29th warm night for some, minima Porthmadog 17.9c, MH 16.9c, Cov & Nott 16.2c, Trawsgoed & Tirabad 13.8c, Lwn 12.9c, Shobdon 12.3c, S Newington 10.5c. Hot/ very hot central & E Mids with plentiful sunshine, yet again much cloud SW Wales with the odd spot of rain....although brightened up later. Maxima Astwood Bank 30.5c, Cov 30.2c, Hfd 28.6c, Usk 27.3c, Shawbury 26.2c, Lwn 24.3c, Whitechurch 24.1c, Trawsgoed 23.5c, CC 19.6c. Nationally hot spot Writtle, Essex 35.2c.

Thu 30th a little rain and drizzle Wales am became more localised over the Mids pm. Cooler/ less warm, some rain in places, though most of Mids escaped dry. Caught 2mm here at Lwn. Maxima Hereford 25c, CITE 24.4c, CL 24.1c, Coleshill, Newport (Salop) & Winterbourne 23.6c, PS 22.7c, Shawbury 22.6c, Lwn 20.7c (it was sunny WW pm), Aberporth 17.8c.

Fri 31st 42nd day of our 'partial drought' since June 20th (just 7.3mm or 0.17mm ave per day). Cold late Summer night many rural areas, close to a grass frost here at Lwn (grass min +1.2c); air minima Lwn 3.6c, Swydd 3.9c, Tirabad 4.0c, Shobdon 5.2c, Shawbury 5.3c, Cov 10.8c, Aberporth 11.1c, Aberdaron 12.6c.

Nature notes

Not much bird song start of the month.

Thu 2nd Newquay, quite a few Chiffchaffs singing through the woodland path up from the car park to Maen y Groes chapel (never knew of this path). A few Swifts evening near the harbour then a pair at the gable apex corner of chimney (as first noticed about 5 years back). 

Sat 4th 10 to 12 screaming Swift a decent display.

Sun 5th S Forestry evening Chiffchaffs and ST singing, 20 plus Swallow back at main gate dusk.

Rhyd y Bont: 20 plus screaming Swift as drove past slowly.

Bidder dusk: 30 to 40 screaming Swift easily the most this season; much banging at warehouse and forming discreet parties of 20-25 repeatedly.

Mon 6th Aberaeron evening c 8 screaming Swift harbour.

Ciliau Aeron driving back dusk c 8 Swift village central by school.

Tue 7th 15/ 20 screaming Swift hall dusk

Wed 8th 40 to 50 screaming Swift over Lampeter this evening (perhaps a few hirundines inc).

Lots of Butterflies using the garden this month so far inc Whites, Red Admiral, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Speckled wood, Blues, Tortoiseshells.

Thu 10th Rhyd y Bont chapel 15 to 20 screaming Swift, dozen or so HM very active about their dozen nests.

S Forestry upper gate Darragh zone rough but at least dried out tracks: Tree Pipits and Stonechats. Nightjar 2150 close as approached the main track traversing the rough felled area as close as 30 metres and went along the track calling a lot and swooping but just one wing clap heard, then after it disappeared distant churring but briefly.  This is potentially a good site as the trees (many saplings from the Darragh trees) grow.

Sat 11th church tower noticed for the first time this season as definite that Swallows were getting in and out despite the new louvres! They were seen and filmed to enter the south side and exit the west side. Perhaps the extra light afforded by the July heatwave and near unbroken sun permits them to see inside the belfry whereas earlier on it was too dark with the more cloudy skies? Most likely these are feeding a second brood by now (or first if they only just started going in and out again?) on several occasions I had earlier on thought they may have gone in or out as I have been paying special attention since the new louvres but could not be sure (back to May).

Mon 13th Swallow seen to enter tower just past sunset in fading light.

Blackbird has been feeding off the raspberries during this months heatwave, unfortunately the raspberries were doing well until the heatwave but are now shrinking and shrivelling up with few ripe ones left (normally going strong mid July still). Today a Thrush and a Blackbird feeding off small unripe blackberries clos to the extension, they must be getting desperate, there wont be many worms, slugs and snails now as the lawns are drying up. I have put plenty of containers of water out as well as the usual topping up the extension gutter that the Sparrows and sometimes Starlings use to bathe and drink (filling it up daily late afternoon as the shade comes over). Also have seen the Blue Tits in there quite often.

Mid month: chicks audible from only one place now in the hall (front near the bench) there should still be more at this stage as few would have fledged by mid July so suspecting high mortality due to the prolonged heatwave (maxima above 27c since early month) however would have expected to see dead ones that fell out were this the case so a bit of a mystery? 

Hay fever all but over thankfully as everywhere dried out excepting some of the outgrown refugia in the garden. Grasshoppers all over the lawns seem to love the heatwave, still lots of butterflies inc Gatekeepers, Speckled Wood, Painted Lady (?) or Large Tortoiseshell (?), Holly Blue, Red Admirals, Meadow Browns, Ringlet.

Thu 15th Aberduar good screaming party this evening, 12 - 15 birds with several entries to nest sites. Wall staining/ poo piles suggests 4 or 5 nests, could be more as newer soffit may be retaining some?

4 Swallow chicks perhaps a week or so old in porch would be the second brood as they had one in June.

S Forestry not much bird song now, the odd Chiffchaff and Tree Pipit.

Fri 17th driving to Aberystwyth many brown fields and hillsides getting a bit like 1995. Many trees showing 'Autumn' colours 2 or 3 months early and also shedding leaves, a few may have succumbed. 

Thu 23rd S Forestry: green still holding sway up here thankfully still water in places, the bit down by the main road has plenty of shade now as the trees grown around it but is turning boggy. 10 Swallow feeding, Stonechat family alarmed.

Rhyd y Bont driving past slowly 20 - 25 frenzied Swift dusk. Then car park about 20 of the same with entries seen to old station and warehouse, nests evidenced by poo on the ground below.

Fri 24th Newquay lots of HM counted almost two dozen nests, a dozen of which along Ivy Place (6 on one house alone see video). Solitary Swift early evening, droppings beneath the apex nest by car park.

Late month: Swifts much less evident now, no more chicks in hall I think, Fri 25th 3 arrived at dusk but none the following dusk.

Tue 28th handed out Swift awareness folders to meeting at church this evening. Awaiting approval for leasing the hall still, the church had its final service on Sunday and will soon be made redundant. I mentioned potential community & biodiversity grants from 'local places for nature'.

Lots of Swallows over the church dusk, no Swifts.

Wed 29th no Swifts Lampeter this evening, very quiet.

Thu 30th much Swallow activity church it was the fledglings from the tower. About 4 of them, the adults constantly going in and out of the tower but the chicks not yet getting the hang of it, fluttering around the louvre openings and congregating on the stonework framework of the openings. Watched and filmed them for near half hour, I am thinking they were not yet skilful enough in flight (this perhaps their first day outside) or that it was lack of light as to me it appears very dark going into the tower. Perhaps they are going to have to risk it roosting outside tonight (it was a cold night down below 4c)?

Also 2/3 Swift around, also could here some moving around within the nest sites (one west side and one from within the east side (N end). Pretty sure there are no chicks this past week or so.

Fri 31st Llangrannog: Plenty of HMs and their nests (as noted earlier in the Summer), 4 close to fledging chicks precariously sat in their nest above the former Tafell Pizza building, the nest has started to fall away with a large opening and looks far from safe. As no adults paid them a visit in the half hour we observed them most likely they are ready to go anyway! Filmed these.

Llanwnnen Swifts again audible from within the hall.

Swallows not attempting to enter the tower this evening (presuming the same ones), 10 of them had gathered on a wire over the junction opposite the Grannell by dusk (hopefully safe?).

Summary July 2026

Exceptionally warm, very dry and very sunny.

Some places had their warmest month on record such as here at Llanwnnen, mean temp 17.9c narrowly beating 17.7c from 2006. For others it was second warmest after  2006. At Coventry equal with 2026 (mean temp 20.5c (+3.1c). Mean temps generally 2 or 3c above averages.

From the Met Office:

Temperatures: Wales records its joint warmest July on record    

The dry conditions have been accompanied by exceptional warmth across much of the UK. Provisional statistics show: 

• Wales has recorded its joint warmest July for mean temperature on record, joining 2006 and 1983 with a mean temperature of 17.8°C  
• The UK has seen its second warmest July for mean temperature on record. 
• England has seen its second warmest July for mean temperature on record. 

Nationally both England & Wales had the driest July on record, the average for Wales being 9.3mm.

Driest month on record here at Llanwnnen) total 4.5mm  (beating 8.9mm May 2020). Only 2 drier months in the very long Coventry record (both previous months had 0.8mm)

Partial drought 42 days both June 17th - July 29th (9.5mm in that period) and again June 20th - July 31st (just 7.3mm averaging 0.17mm/ day). This may last a few more days into August before the expected showers next week?

No doubt a few spots had a 0mm month? Well not quite in our regions (driest Shobdon & Shawbury both 0.2mm), but Little Rissington (Cotswolds) 0mm. Also Tenbury Wells (Worc) a COL site 0.0mm.

Bablake 1.0mm = there have been just two drier months in Coventry (driest still July 1885 0.8mm and September 1959 0.8mm). As for Rugby area the driest month is??

Sunniest month in my estimations too here with 298 hours  beating 278 hrs from July 2013 (which was the first month of webcam estimations). Coventry 280 hours looks like only a couple of sunnier months in the city (record May 2020 288.5 hours). Much of southern England (and parts of Wales) over 300 hours.

Of note is that as of July 31st 2026 this year has had an estimated 1017 hours sunshine here at Lwn which is more than during the whole of 2024 (est 1011 hours).

Rainfall totals July 2026

Mona, Anglesey12mm (v dry)

Capel Curig, Snowdonia 33mm (v dry)

Aberdaron, Llyn Peninsular 5.4mm (v dry)

Trawsgoed, Ceredigion NA incomplete data

Aberporth, near Llangrannog 3.6mm (ex dry)

Llanwnnen 4.5mm (5%)

Pembrey Sands, Carms 1.0mm (under 2%)

Milford Haven, Pembs 1.8mm (2%)

Nottingham 0.6mm (1%)

Shawbury, Salop 0.2mm

Coleshill 2.6mm (ex dry)

Coventry, Bablake School 1.0mm (2%)

CL, Warks 0.6mm (1%)

Pershore, Worc 1.0mm (2%)

Hereford 1.0mm (2%)

Shobdon 0.2mm

King's Newnham EA gauge (near Rugby) 0.4mm

National Resources Wales (NRW) rain gauges July 2026

Llyn Cefni, Ynys Mon 11.4mm (v dry)

Bethesda Quarry (Gwynedd) 24mm (v dry)

Cwm Dyli (Snowdonia) 33mm (v dry)

Abersoch (Llyn Peninsular) 4.4mm (ex dry)

Corris (near Machynlleth) 35mm (v dry)

Bow Street (near Aberystwyth) 5.6mm (v dry)

Pontrhydfendigaid (near Tregaron, Ceredigion) 9mm (VD)

Rhos Ymryson (near Gorscoch and 5 miles NW of Lwn) 7mm (v dry)

Cellan (2 miles NE of Lampeter) 4.8mm (ex dry)

Pencader (Carms) 6.2mm (ex dry)

Abergorlech (Brechfa Forest, Carms) 5.8mm (ex dry)

Rhydargaeau (Carms) 5.6mm (ex dry)

Garnswllt (near Ammanford, Carms) 5.8mm (ex dry)

Felinfoel (near Llanelli, Carms) 4.8mm (ex dry)

Southgate, Gower 1.8mm (3%)

Ferwig (near Cardigan) 4mm (ex dry)

Maenclochog (near Preselis, Pembs) 8mm (ex dry)

Tenby (Pembs) 1.8mm (3%)

Bolton Hill (near Haverfordwest, Pembs) 2.4mm (4%)

COL stations rainfall July 2026

Llansadwrn 18mm (23%)

Ludlow, Salop 1.3mm (2%)

Alvechurch, Worc 1.8mm (3%)

Warstock, Brum 2.4mm (4%)

Tenbury Wells 0.0mm (0%)

Hinckley

Towcester, Northants 0.8mm (1%)

Sunshine totals July 2026

Aberdaron 301 hrs

Aberporth 293 hrs

Llanwnnen estimated  298 hours (166%) = record

Nottingham 284 hrs

Shawbury 284 hrs

Coventry, Bablake School 280 hours (142%)

Wellesbourne 301 hrs

Shobdon, Herefordshire 312 hrs

ROW 308 hrs

Hurn (Dorset) 383 hours (UK highest)

COL stations sun

Ludlow 313 hrs (170%)

Alvechurch 269 hrs (158%)

Towcester 345 hrs (176%)

Weather log June 2026

Weather log June 2026

Key

WW = West Wales

Mids = Midlands

Lwn = Llanwnnen

AG = Aldermans Green, Coventry

CL = Church Lawford

LL = Long Lawford

ROW = Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

Nott= Nottingham

CITE = Coton-in-the-Elms, Derbyshire

CC = Capel Curig, Snowdonia

MH = Milford Haven

MB = Market Bosworth 

Porth = Porthmadog

Swydd = Swyddffynnon 

Carms = Carmarthenshire

Pembs = Pembrokeshire

COL = Climatological Observers Link

stn = station

WS = weather station

PWS = Personal weather station

MO = Met Office

NRW = National Resources Wales

EA = Environment Agency

est = estimated

inc = including

cf = compared with

srb = since records began

CC = Chiffchaff
WW= Willow Warbler
ST = Song Thrush
BB = Blackbird

VW = very wet, W = wet, RW = rather wet, A = average, RD = rather dry, D = dry, VD = very dry

Cooler and unsettled start to Summer 2026 after the extreme end of May heatwave:

Mon 1st useful rainfall at last, widely over an inch WW and locally Mids. NRW Rhydargaeau 44mm, Bontgoch 36mm, Abergorlech, 34mm, Rhos Ymryson 33mm. Llanwnnen 27mm the wettest day since January.

Tue 2nd showery, thunder widespread Mids pm, Cov saw a spectacular storm late afternoon as did many other parts of Mids. Radar suggested above 30mm close to SW Cov today (inc overnight frontal rain). Bablake caught just 2mm from the thundery showers this afternoon which tracked just to the south with Finham (EA) 7mm 17 - 1800.

Tue 9th showery, thunder in places, others missed it all: Here at Lwn dodged the showers after early morning, heavy showers passed close by to S late afternoon, drive to Lampeter 1620, got back and checked the radar there were sferics just 4 miles SSW at 1630 which must have been while I was driving as nothing heard. 2345 heard a long distant rumble, then a few minutes later one flash then heavy showers but no more TL. 2 nearby sferics showed, one near Newquay then one at Aberaeron so they were a good 10 miles distant but one audible.

Wed 10th another days of scattered showers, local thunder at Cov sferic and FB reports 1300.

Weather picked up a bit towards mid month:

Mon 15th nice warm day much of WW & Marches although it cooled down later in the day. Maxima ROW 23.8c (warmest in UK), Lwn 23.8c, Cardiff BP & Trawsgoed 23.5c, Hfd 23.1c, Aberporth 21.2c, CITE 20.4c, CL 19.2c, MH 17.2c.

First half of June generally wet or very wet, around average temps, dull

Rainfall 1st - 15th June:

Mona 44mm (VW), CC 94mm (rather wet), Trawsgoed 67mm (VW), Aberporth 43mm (wet), Lwn 69.7mm (just above Falcondale whole month average), PS 45mm (RW), MH 46mm (wet); Nott 48mm (v wet), Coleshill 48mm (VW), Cov 49.4mm (v wet), CL 47.2mm (v wet), Pershore 48mm (VW), Hereford 27mm (ave).

Sun 1st - 15th: Valley 84 hrs, Aberporth 89 hrs, Lwn 61 hours (dull), Nott 56 hrs, Shawbury 49 hrs, Cov 57 hrs (v dull), Shobdon 71 hrs (r dull).

Thu  18th Mids warm sunny spells, (Wellesbourne max 26.1c), WW mainly cloudy with NW Wales quite wet (Mona 23mm wettest in UK), Lwn a trace, Aberdaron poor max 15.5c.

Fri 19th warm or very warm sunny periods Mids, WW rather cloudy with some rain and drizzle, maxima Wellesbourne & Nott 26.5c, CL 26.3c, Market Bosworth 25.2c, Trawsgoed 20.6c, Aberporth 18.8c, Lwn 18.4c, Aberdaron 15.6c.

As of June 19th mean temperature 14.6c here at Lwn (about average) with mean max 18,7c and mean min 10.4c) this is going to rise abruptly now on as did the end of May with another extreme heatwave imminent:

Sat 20th Mids a bit less warm max 22 to 25c, rather cool for some coasts (Aberporth max 16.6c).

Sun 21st some places at heatwave levels today, maxima Astwood Bank 28.9c, Usk 28.2c, CL 27.4c, Gogerddan 26.8c, Lwn & Whitechurch 26.6c, CITE 26.5c, Cov 25.9c, Trawsgoed 24.6c, Aberporth 19.7c. Near unbroken 15.3 hrs sun Aberdaron & Shobdon 14.8 hrs with Lwn est 12.5 hrs (most so far this month).

Mon 22nd start of the heatwave proper widely above 27c, some topping 30c. Maxima Cardiff BP & ROW 30.8c, Lwn 30.2c, Porthmadog 30.0c, Gogerddan 29.9c, Whitechurch 29.7c, Pershore 29.5c, Trawsgoed 28.7c, Aberporth 28.6c, CL & Winterbourne 28.3c, CITE 28.2c, Market Bosworth 26.4c (dubiously low this), MH 25.9c.

Tue 23rd warm night, most above 15c, Aberporth min 20.1c (tropical night), ROW 19.6c, Trawsgoed 16.7c, Cov 16.3c,  Lwn 16.1c, Tirabad 15.5c, MB 14.7c. Very hot/ exceptionally hot by day, much of the Mids broke June records, as at Cov max 33.2c (beating 32.4c from 1976). Here at Lwn peak 30.8c just after midday after which the sea breeze dropped it some 4c.  Other max Astwood Bank 34.0c, Pershore 33.4c, CITE & Coleshill 33.0c, Cardiff BP & CL 32.2c, Shobdon 31.6c, Lwn 30.8c, Trawsgoed 29.9c, Aberporth 26.4c (max mid morning morning thereafter sea breeze lowered it to 21/22c),Valley 25.1c. Coventry at 2230 still on 31.1c!

Wed 24th pleasant enough overnight here at Lwn (min 14.0c) it had felt nice and cool in the garden at midnight, meanwhile for parts of the Mids a tropical night (CL min 20.1c). Coventry had its warmest June night on record and second warmest night of any month (warmest 21.1c July 2014).  Other minima Nott 21.3c, Cov 20.8c, Coleshill & ROW 20.3c, PS 17.7c, Shawbury 17.6c, Swydd 13.1c. Exceptionally hot Mids and parts of Wales. The UK June record fell today, max 36.1c at Gosport (Hants) this beating 35.6c from 1976. Maxima Pershore 34.3c, Cardiff BP & CITE 33.3c, CL 32.7c, PS 30.1c, Lwn 29.4c (max midday then gentle sea breeze 27 to 29c all afternoon), Trawsgoed 28.3c, Mona 22.6c.

Thu 25th tropical night for some again, here at Lwn not quite although min 19.3c was the warmest June night (smashing 17.1c from 2023) and second warmest of any night (Aug 2024 19.6c). The 'low' occurred late evening after which it was 21 -23c all night! Cardiff Bute Park min 23.5c made it Wales's warmest June night too. Other minima MH & Porthmadog 22.6c, Swydd 22.4c, Aberporth 21.1c, Cov & Winterbourne (Brum) 19.3c, CITE 15.6c, CC 15.0c. A scorcher widely today, above 80f by 0900 here at Lwn and 31c  by 1115...and so getting close to the June record here (31.4c 2018).

Exceptionally hot day across Wales in particular, here at Llanwnnen max 35.2c a new record (beating 34.8c July 2022). Other max Yeovilton 36.8c (new UK June record), Cardiff BP 35.9c (Wales June record), ROW 35.6c, Gogerddan & PS 34.9c, Aberporth 34.7c, Hereford & Wellesbourne 34.6c, Valley 33.9c, CL 33.4c, Cov & Trawsgoed 33.3c, CC & Sutton Bonington 31.2c, Nott 30.5c. After a sunny day some thunderstorms/ showers tracked NW across SW Wales mid to late evening. Much vivid lightning seen from the forestry then back home out to the south and then west (much of it over Pembs). Some rumbles heard too closest about 15 miles. Rainfall totals were not great from these (half inch one PWS). Temperatures at Llanwnnen 30c at 2030 and 25.5c at midnight. Also the inside temperature topped 30c today another record!

Fri 26th widely a 'tropical night'. Here at Lwn our hottest day followed by the warmest of any night in the record, min 20.7c (beating 19.6c Aug 2024). Coventry another of no doubt many spots to break records min 21.9c (beating 21.1c July 2014). Other min Pershore 22.6c, ROW 22.5c, Swyddffynnon 22.0c, Aberporth 21.4c, Trawsgoed 20.8c, Hereford 20.7c, Shobdon 20.1c, Nott 18.5c, MH 17.9c (dropped mid morning there as cooler air arrived). TL in a few places overnight but little rain.

After a very warm and sunny start (up to 26.9c by 10am) cooler, fresher air arrived across WW this morning and it was down to 21c at Lwn by midday a great relief! Coventry on the other hand up to 32c by 1100. Highest temperatures of the spell occurred across East Anglia today topping 37c (hottest Santon Downham in Norfolk 37.3c). Coventry increased its June record once more with max 34.1c. Other maxima Hawarden (NE Wales) 35.1c, Nott & SB 34.8c, Wellesbourne 34.3c, Market Bosworth 33.6c, Shobdon 31.1c, Gogerddan 29.0c, Mona 28.7c, Trawsgoed 28.0c, Llanwnnen 26.9c, Aberporth 24.5c (mid morning), Scolton CP 20.0c.

Sat 27th although a less warm night still a date record at Cov (min 17.2c); other Nott 17.5c, MH 16.7c, Trawsgoed 14.3c, Lwn 14.1c, Tirabad 13.6c, Shobdon 12.6c. Expected our heatwave to end here at Lwn however very warm and muggy today and got above the criteria (25c) for the seventh successive day. A few other spots in WW above 25c too, and much of the Mids above 27c (its criteria) for what should prove the last day. Maxima Cov, Hawarden & Wellesbourne 29.4c, Nott 29.0c, Market Bosworth 28.2c, Hereford 27.9c, Gogerddan 26.2c, Trawsgoed 25.9c, Lwn 25.3c, Aberdaron 20.6c. The heatwave in Cov lasted 6 days (above 27c).

Nature notes

Sat 6th Laburnum walk on a very cool (12c) wet misty evening. They are past peak but still showing quite well (they were early out this year). Did n't hear a Cuckoo but weather terrible. Wood Warbler, WWs, Reed Bunting, Stonechats heard.

Early month: after already reducing from mid May it seemed, bird song has lessened further into June (weather poor). Only seeing small numbers of Swifts still they must be feeding at distant due to the poor weather this month although they have chicks as attested by a few broken egg shells on the ground.

Mon 8th S forestry: still Laburnum bloom although seeding. Redstart, Tree Pipits, many WWs, Wood Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaffs, Swallows.

Thu 11th 5/6 Swift over the church although not vocal. No screaming parties so far this month (had them during the late May heatwave of course).

Towards mid month the cool unsettled weather of late has slowed things down somewhat with plenty of blooms ongoing and bird song perhaps picked up a bit cf start of the month.

Sat 13th 40 Jackdaws in commotion this evening as there was a BOP among them white rumped so a probable  Hen Harrier.

 9 or 10 screaming  Swifts  dusk church most this year so far.

Mon 15th S Forestry tea time  lots of birds and song, plenty  WW and Wood Warbler, CCs, Blackcap, Tree Pipits, Swallows, Wrens, STs, Mistle Thrush, heard Crossbills, Linnets I think, Chaffinches heard, Ravens, Pied Wagtails, Blackbirds, Pigeons, Bullfinches. 

Thu 18th hall has at least 3 Swift nests front side, one big poo pile, chicks audible from at least 2.

Sun 21st Neuadd circular evening: plentiful bird song still, BBs, STs, CCs, WW, Blackcap, Wren. Perhaps a dozen Swift and similar no of hirundines near Fish & Anchor then 8 to 10 Swift over the church (likely many same birds just flew half mile).

Mon 22nd Swift evening: large numbers (Bangers inc?).

Bidder: Car park 20+ screaming, Aberduar 20, Rhyd y Bont 15 - 20. 14 HM nests latter location counted looked intact a few still occupied (perhaps 10 seen around) and a few Swallows. Saw a couple by the hall/ gym, stopped and had a look around the back where full of holes in stonework cf recently renovated front building (demise of much of the HS colony).

Forestry: Grasshopper Warbler close by main gate 10pm arrival fading light. Gwylfa wastelands too barren awaiting a replant while the former Njar zone back along main track slopes, trees too grown now as 15 years old. No Njars heard.

Tue 23rd attended a meeting at the church regards future of the hall and playing field. The church is to close potentially could be a house in the future. As for the hall were enough concern raised and interest then a lease would be sought from the church for the next 25 years of the hall. They need to raise funds as it is unfit for people to use and obviously require much renovation/ modernisation. I brought up about the Swift inhabitants and that often they can be incorporated, etc, and that perhaps they would tick ecological boxes in a grant application but the response was that 'they could also untick boxes'. A committee the 'Grannell Group' was formed of about 10 members of which I am one due to Swift interests. Meanwhile the screaming Swifts above the attendees heads elicited little interest.

Wed 24th another very hot day, the Starling family have been around a lot during the heatwave (2 or 3 chicks left I think). One landed a few metres from me on a branch gaping, I thought due to thirst, however then the adult came and fed it with food from next doors feeders.

Uni 3 Swallow chicks lined up waited to be fed on the side wall of the Arts centre besides the stream. There are quite a few active nests too as with previous years.

Thu 25th S Forestry after the hottest day on record (max 35.2c Lwn) a very warm, sultry evening. Fairly quiet just a WW, CC, Blackcap singing and a Thrush. Njar called just after 2200 then some brief churring with distant thunder and lightning in the background. Made our way back down the rocky slope in fading light and to not get caught in a storm (which did n't arrive).

Fri 26th Llangrannog quite a few HM nests, several Chiffchaff singing. 

Summary June 2026

Very warm; rainfall between rather dry and wet; sunshine rather dull to average

This was the warmest June on record for England (however note the June CET has twice been warmer going back further in 1846 (18.2c) and 1676 (18.0c rounded). CET June 2026 17.4c.

Coventry mean temp 18.2c and the warmest June on record (beating 2025 18.0c)

Lwn rainfall rather wet wrt historical average but close to the modern average here...

Rainfall totals June 2026

Mona, Anglesey 74mm (r wet)

Capel Curig, Snowdonia 140mm (ave)

Aberdaron, Llyn Peninsular 50mm (ave)

Trawsgoed, Ceredigion 82mm (ave)

Aberporth, near Llangrannog 57mm (ave)

Llanwnnen 89.6mm (132% Falc/ 108% Lwn)

Pembrey Sands, Carms 65mm (89%)

Milford Haven, Pembs 80mm (r wet)

Nottingham 53mm (r dry)

Shawbury, Salop 50mm (ave)

Coleshill 55mm (ave)

Coventry, Bablake School Total: 55.4mm (94%)

CL, Warks 56.2mm (100%)

Pershore, Worc 52mm (ave)

Hereford 32mm (r dry)

Shobdon 65mm (ave)

King's Newnham EA gauge (near Rugby) 59.2mm

National Resources Wales (NRW) rain gauges June 2026

Llyn Cefni, Ynys Mon 90mm (wet)

Bethesda Quarry (Gwynedd) 88mm (ave)

Cwm Dyli (Snowdonia) 234mm (r wet)

Abersoch (Llyn Peninsular) 59mm (ave)

Corris (near Machynlleth) 166mm (wet)

Bow Street (near Aberystwyth) 80mm (r wet)

Pontrhydfendigaid (near Tregaron, Ceredigion) 91mm (ave)

Rhos Ymryson (near Gorscoch and 5 miles NW of Lwn) 113mm (r wet)

Cellan (2 miles NE of Lampeter) 78mm (ave)

Pencader (Carms)  118mm (r wet)

Abergorlech (Brechfa Forest, Carms) 119mm (r wet)

Rhydargaeau (Carms) 140mm (r wet)

Garnswllt (near Ammanford, Carms) 134mm (wet)

Felinfoel (near Llanelli, Carms) 117mm (r wet)

Southgate, Gower 84mm (ave)

Ferwig (near Cardigan) 56mm (r dry)

Maenclochog (near Preselis, Pembs) 151mm (wet)

Tenby (Pembs) 99mm (wet)

Bolton Hill (near Haverfordwest, Pembs) 83mm (r wet)

COL stations rainfall June 2026

Llansadwrn 77mm (104%)

Ludlow, Salop 63mm (93%)

Alvechurch, Worc 62.5mm (89%)

Warstock, Brum 61.1mm (84%) 

Hinckley 59.4mm (95%)

Towcester, Northants 54mm (95%)

Sunshine totals June 2026

Valley 199 hrs (94%)

Aberdaron 215 hrs (97%)

Aberporth 208 hrs (102%)

Llanwnnen estimated 152 hrs (93%)

Nottingham 165 hrs (97%)

Shawbury 154 hrs (86%)

Coventry, Bablake School 169 hrs (88%)

Wellesbourne 187 hrs (102%)

Shobdon, Herefordshire 194 hrs (99%)

ROW 181 hrs (92%)

COL stations sun June 2026

Ludlow 195 hrs (113%)

Alvechurch 164 hrs (98%)

Towcester 211 hrs 

Weather log May 2026

Weather log May 2026

Key

WW = West Wales

Mids = Midlands

Lwn = Llanwnnen

AG = Aldermans Green, Coventry

CL = Church Lawford

LL = Long Lawford

ROW = Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

Nott= Nottingham

CITE = Coton-in-the-Elms, Derbyshire

CC = Capel Curig, Snowdonia

Swydd = Swyddffynnon 

MH = Milford Haven

Carms = Carmarthenshire

Pembs = Pembrokeshire

COL = Climatological Observers Link

PWS = Personal weather station

MO = Met Office

NRW = National Resources Wales

EA = Environment Agency

est = estimated

inc = including

poss = possible

cf = compared with

srb = since records began

CC = Chiffchaff
WW= Willow Warbler
ST = Song Thrush
BB = Blackbird

BBs = Bluebells

VW = very wet, W = wet, RW = rather wet, A = average, RD = rather dry, D = dry, VD = very dry

Mixed start to May:

Fri 1st very warm and sunny much of Mids, more cloud Marches & Wales: maxima Wellesbourne 25.0c, Cov & Nott 24.7c, Shobdon 17.1c, Lwn 16.8c, Trawsgoed 14.2c, CC 12.8c.

Second week scattering of showers but many missing the worst:

Fri 8th scattered showers, isolated thunder Marches evening.

Sat 9th again scattered showers with isolated thunder. Llanelli/ Pembrey areas affected afternoon these giving over an inch in under 2 hours very locally according to radar estimates. However the Pembrey Sands gauge narrowly missed then with just 0.4mm while a mile or 2 south was getting near an inch. Out of the region Llangurig NRW caught 30mm today (most in one hour). Very little rain here of late at Lwn as we dodged the showers.

Mon 11th frost in places, minima Lwn -1.1c, Trawsgoed +0.1c. Shobdon 0.5c, Cov 3.4c, MH 6.3c. First air frost of the month here at Lwn (chance of another this week).

Cool and showery mid month, some frosts, hail and thunder in places: 

Tue 12th widespread frost, minima South Newington (near Banbury) -2.7c, Lwn -1.9c, Wellesbourne -1.4c, Swydd -1.0c, CL -0.1c, Nott 2.8c, MH 6.4c.

Wed 13th cool and showery, hail and thunder in places.

Thu 14th widespread Cb's and showers, hail and thunder in places, Mids especially. In spite of the rash of showers today totals were modest generally under 5mm, with some spots bone dry, CC wettest just 12mm.  CL only 0.2mm to 0900 15th. LL caught some heavy hail showers with radar suggesting 5mm there (KN just 1mm). Lwn max 11.2c the coolest for mid/ late May since 2021 (max 9.5c 21st). Cool for all most places 12 to 14c, maxima CC 9.7c, Aberporth 10.9c, MH 13.3c, Pershore 15.5c, CITE 15.6c.

Fri 15th frost in places, Tirabad -0.1c, Swydd, Trawsgoed and Winchcombe (Cotswolds) +1.1c, Lwn 2.3c (poss GF), Pershore 2.7c, Sutton Bonington 5.8c, Aberdaron 7.8c. 

First half of May 2026: average or rather cool temperatures; most dry or very dry; sunshine dull to average.

Just up to average very locally where isolated downpours occurred...

Rainfall totals 1st to 0900 16th: Trawsgoed 25mm (dry), Lwn 19mm (very dry), PS 19mm (v dry), MH 14mm (v dry), Cov 13mm (very dry), Pershore 14mm (v dry)

Sunshine totals 1st to 15th: Llanwnnen est 67 hours Rather dull), Cov 81 hrs (near ave), Shobdon 64 hrs (dull).

Cool spell abated after mid month with a heatwave  final week:

Fri 22nd sunny periods and warm to hot, maxima Wellesbourne 28.2c, Astwood Bank, Nott & Sutton Bonington 28.0c, Cov 27.7c, Lwn & Trawsgoed 1.9c, Aberdaron 15.5c (as some coasts cooler).

Sat 23rd less warm generally, maxima Coleshill 25.2c, Cov 24.8c, Lwn 21.8c, cool some coasts, Aberdaron max just 13.9c. It was appreciably cooler at Tregaron Bog this afternoon cf our garden (Swyddffynnon max 18.7c). Midlands saw near unbroken sun (Nott 14 hrs, Cov 13.2 hrs), WW sunny spells (Lwn est 7.5 hrs).

Sun 24th thick fog overnight and early morning here at Lwn. Very warm or hot day with sunny periods. Max here 28.4c a new May record (beating 28.2c from 2017). Other max Kew Gardens (UK hot spot) 32.4c, Astwood Bank 29.4c, SB 28.4c, Cov 28.3c, Llysdinam (Powys) 27.6c, Cardiff BP 27.5c (official Wales hot spot), Nott 26.8c, Whitechurch 26.1c, Trawsgoed 24.5c, Valley 18.8c. Unbroken sun widely (Shawbury 15.3 hrs, Nott 15 hrs, Lwn 13 hours after the foggy start).

Mon 25th last night minimum 19.4c at Kenley airfield near London a new May record warm night. Hot from the off  reached 27c by 10am here at Lwn then broke the May record from yesterday an hour later (up to 28.6c and rising). Trawsgoed on 29.2c at 1100 BST. Llanwnnen then topped 30c by midday and Trawsgoed an hour later. Close to all time Wales May record (30.6 Newport 29/5/1944)...Lwn above that by 1300. Exceptional day max 31.6c over 3 degrees above yesterday's record and a touch above the June record (31.4c in 2018). Most of England & Wales saw a May record today. Other Max Kew Gardens 34.8c, Wellesbourne 33.3c, Nott 32.3c, Hawarden airfield 32.2c, Cov 31.9c, CL 31.8c, Trawsgoed 31.6c, Gogerddan 30.7c, Shobdon 30.5c,  Aberporth 29.4c, CC 28.5c, MH 25.9c. Unbroken est 15 hours sun here at Lwn (also Valley 14.8 hrs).

Tue 26th Tropical night in a few spots...Kenley airfield 21.4c, Pennerley (Stiperstones) 19.7c, Aberdaron 19.4c, Astwood Bank 19.0c, MB 17.5c, Cov 16.6c, Shobdon 12.7c, Trawsgoed 11.8c, Lwn & South Newington 10.8c.

After the warmest May night on record (min 16.6c) Coventry broke its date record before 1100 already up to  28.6c. Llanwnnen up to 27.7c by 10am and Trawsgoed on 27.1c so will challenge yesterdays records. Lwn peaked at 31.1c  1245 today with a bit of a sea breeze thereafter pegging it back to around 28c. Aberporth was at 22c during the early hours then attained max today at 0800 thereafter 23c during afternoon. Exceptionally hot widely again with most of the Mids over 31c scattering of lively thunderstorms broke out late afternoon for N and E Mids in particular. Maxima Kew Gardens 35.1c, Heathrow 35.0c, Wellesbourne 34.1c,Cardiff BP 32.9c, Cov & Pershore 32.7c, CITE 32.6c, CL 32.1c, Shawbury & Shobdon 31.2c,  Swyddffynnon 29.5c, Trawsgoed 29.1c, MH 28.5c, Pennerley 28.4c, Aberporth 25.6c. Valley 25.0.

Distant inter-cloud lightning from a Cb east of Montgomery some 50 miles NE of here at dusk. Lightning also visible from Coventry from storms over the E Mids & Beds this evening. Thorpe Satchville (EA) south of Melton Mowbray caught 53mm today.

Wed 27th tropical night parts of the SW, minimum 21.4c at Cambourne (Cornwall). Models were having it cooler for today but very hot again if not exceptionally so. Isolated slow moving thunderstorms persisted many hour over Beds with the massive Cb visible on the Cov webcams. However Mids was less hot today, CL a mere 23c by 1100 BST with an E breeze (this giving us a Foehn effect in the lee of the Cambrians. Maxima Whitchurch 31.8c (hottest in UK), Almondsbury (near Bristol) 30.3c, PS 29.3c, Aberporth 29.5c, Lwn 29.4c, ROW 29c, Hereford & Pershore 27.4c, CL 25.3c, CITE 25c,  Nott 22c.

 Large cluster of active storms moved N over Pembs mid afternoon. Driving to Somerset we set off mid afternoon as the Pembrokeshire storms edged toward Newcastle Emlyn, stopped a couple of times but no definite audible thunder (LAS workers banging). Stopped again at Morrisons where new storms tracking just west with several rumbles and flashes. Thundery showers and storms widespread across WW during the evening. Very spectacular storm and Cb observed 2230 from Strowlands to the NW with lightning  every second or 2, this storm was over 40 miles away above the Swansea area. Got back to the hotel and the radar showed lots of active storms over Wales these passing Llanwnnen quite closely (nearest sferics at 4 miles). Radar suggested 2 inches locally although some of this rain was evaporating before reaching the ground as most stations under 10mm. Lwn caught just 3mm late evening.

Thu 28th spectacular thunderstorms affected the Mids during the early hours inc Coventry. Corley (EA) caught 26mm, Bablake 9mm, it missed Rugby (CL nil). Whitestone PWS near Nuneaton 48mm corroberated by other ones nearby around 40mm.  Criccieth NRW 33mm. Coleshill wettest MO stn today with 27mm. Hot day for England but WW cooler though still warm. Maxima Heathrow & Wellesbourne  30c making an unprecedented May run of 6 days above this, Almondsbury, Cardiff BP, Cov & Pershore 29c, Trawsgoed 25.5c, Lwn 24.7c, Aberdaron 18.6c.

Fri 29th thunder heard Cov & parts of Warks this morning, there were sferics on the Oxon/ Warks border mid morning as a weak cold front edged east. Still warm for many, maxima ROW 24.6c,  Pershore 24.3c, Cov 24c, Almondsbury 22c, Lwn 21.8c, Trawsgoed 19.5c, CC 16.3c.

Nature notes

Sat 2nd Forestry (remnants) Cuckoo on arrival at layby usual fields, WWs and CCs, 2 Stonechat.

Sun 3rd early evening 20 + HM and 3 or 4 Swift feeding on insects washed down by the rain over the gardens.

Mon 4th S Forestry: Plenty of WW especially shrubby area by the gate, several Tree Pipit and Stonechat and I think Whinchats? Lots of Ticks!

Wed 6th 2 Swift dusk, very few arrivals still. Neuadd BBs at peak. First hay fever proper after hints of it during late April. Never used to get it until June.

First week local country BBs at peak.

Sun 10th 3 screaming Swift recent days, with the bulk yet to arrive.

Thu 14th next door Starlings fledged (most seen was 3 sticking out yesterday). Last year they left 11th.

Mid month most trees (inc Ash) in full leaf. Laburnums starting to bloom by the forestry. Cool spell of late slowed down the Spring flowers thankfully so still plenty of BBs. Laburnum out Drefach farm lane.

Thu 21st getting late in the month and the recent cool damp weather has prolonged blooms of Bluebells, Stitchwort, Cow Parsley and Red Campion (especially where shaded). Poor month though for insects and butterflies due to poor weather mid month. As of 21st still few Swifts about (most seen 5 in one go).

S Forestry: Cuckoo(s) heard briefly twice. Dozen or more WW, Wood Warbler, Tree Pipits, Stonechats, Swallows, CCs, Blackcap.

Llanybydder car park after sunset: c 15 screaming Swift 2 entries to far end of warehouse seen from beneath. Fresh influx with start of the good weather!

Sat 23rd Tregaron Bog distant Cuckoo heard twice. Over a dozen WW, CCs, Blackcaps, Garden Warbler, Stonechats, Reed Buntings, Great White Egret from hide. 2 ladies had been photographing Green Hairstreaks at the further point (near WS) but we did not see any, another lady told us of her studies here for her Masters on the Large Heath (neither did we see any of these). 

Tregaron evening, several Swift at least heard, Swallow very low flying and sometimes settling on the road by the car park entrance.

Drive back (the back way): good show of BBs still (considering late on) especially between Llanddewi and Llanfair. Also much Campion and Stitchwort.

Lampeter: 8 or 10 screaming Swift over the town and Uni.

Some fields had a hay cut other side of the Grannell.

Sun 24th Hornet flew over end of garden checking out the Apple trees.

Mon 25th Starling family been about past week (ours?). This evening heard them close by so looked out and they were in the gutter attempting to drink and bathe but it may have dried up, there were 3 chicks and one adult they all flew off looking very healthy. .

Mon 25th Aberduar chapel half dozen screaming Swifts, then Rhyd y Bont another half dozen or so, with some prospecting a loose fascia. Also plenty of HM (dozen plus) with about 10 near or completed nests. Swallow nest side porch as last few years

S Forestry: on top the rough track through the felled areas, one of which was the Darragh's work that was cleared in the Winter. 2145 Njar churring close by soon followed by a Cuckoo. Cuckoo called for 10 minutes at 200 metres, Nightjars very active with much churring, bubbling ang wing clapping at very close quarters until 2210. They were silent as we moved away towards the upper gate and lane. Down the lane a spectacle of Laburnums by flashlight! They have suddenly bloomed after barely being out a week ago. Back at the bottom gate another Njar churring quite close by in near darkness at 2230.

Tue 26th female Sparrowhawk alighted from the holly when I was walking past.

Visit to Somerset end of May (Days, Sedgemoor again): 

Thu 28th WSM plenty of Swifts particularly in the Quantock Rd/ Royal Sands (fine building) area (dozen screaming) then about 4 in a dilapidated apex just past the Grand hotel (?) (entries made here).  Walking some nice streets from the station along Jubilee abundance of Sparrows chirping away and many properties with holes in.

Fri 29th Cettis Strowlands evening.

Sat 30th Burnham on  Sea walked about 6 miles from Highbridge railway station through Apex lakes where several Cettis and Reed Warbler, also some Swallows. Then all along the front and around the town and back to Highbridge.

Sun 31st a few broken egg shells hall (hatched chicks?).

Summary May 2026

Very warm; rainfall ranging from very dry to average; sunshine average or quite sunny.

After a mediocre first 3 weeks (barely above average at that point) the unprecedented heatwave turned it into a very warm May (some 2c above average).

Coventry ended up second warmest May, (the mean temp of 14.3c equal with 1992).

Rainfall totals May 2026

Mona, Anglesey 38.4mm (rather dry)

Capel Curig, Snowdonia 120mm (ave)

Aberdaron, Llyn Peninsular  30mm (dry)

Trawsgoed, Ceredigion 37mm (dry)

Swyddffynnon 69mm (85%)

Aberporth 26mm (45%)

Aberporth, near Llangrannog 25mm (v dry)

Llanwnnen 47.4mm (62% both Falc and 06-26)

Pembrey Sands, Carms 42mm (61%)

Milford Haven, Pembs 46mm (73%)

Nottingham 55mm (ave)

Shawbury, Salop 45mm (r dry)

Coleshill 52mm (ave)

Coventry, Bablake School 30.8mm (55%)

CL, Warks 24.8mm (44%)

Wellesbourne 33mm (62%)

Pershore, Worc 37mm (69%)

Hereford 22mm (v dry)

Shobdon 30mm (dry)

ROW 49mm (85%)

King's Newnham EA gauge (near Rugby) 24.4mm

National Resources Wales (NRW) rain gauges May 2026

Llyn Cefni, Ynys Mon 41mm (rather dry)

Bethesda Quarry (Gwynedd) 76mm (ave)

Cwm Dyli (Snowdonia) 135mm (r dry)

Abersoch (Llyn Peninsular) 40mm (near ave)

Corris (near Machynlleth) 116mm (ave)

Bow Street (near Aberystwyth) 35mm (dry)

Pontrhydfendigaid (near Tregaron, Ceredigion) 82mm (ave)

Rhos Ymryson (near Gorscoch and 5 miles NW of Lwn) 50mm (dry)

Cellan (2 miles NE of Lampeter) 49mm (dry)

Pencader (Carms)  72mm (dry)

Abergorlech (Brechfa Forest, Carms) 84mm (ave)

Rhydargaeau (Carms) 73mm (RD)

Garnswllt (near Ammanford, Carms) 72mm (RD)

Felinfoel (near Llanelli, Carms) 71mm (ave)

Southgate, Gower 70mm (ave)

Ferwig (near Cardigan) 32mm (VD)

Maenclochog (near Preselis, Pembs) 63mm (r dry)

Tenby (Pembs) 43mm (RD)

Bolton Hill (near Haverfordwest, Pembs) 47mm (RD)

COL stations rainfall May 2026

Llansadwrn 63mm (92%)

Ludlow, Salop 43mm (67%)

Alvechurch, Worc 47mm (71%)

Warstock, Brum 46mm (70%)

Hinckley 51mm (89%)

Towcester, Northants 39mm (64%)

Sunshine totals May 2026

Valley 223 hrs (101%)

Aberdaron 241 hrs (94%)

Aberporth 209 hrs (99%)

Llanwnnen estimated  180 hrs (98%)

Nottingham 220 hrs (129%)

Shawbury 179 hrs (99%)

Coventry, Bablake School 206 hrs (105%)

Wellesbourne 216 hrs (119%)

Shobdon, Herefordshire 188 hrs (92%)

ROW 192 hrs (101%)

COL stations sun May 2026

Ludlow 184 hrs (102%)

Alvechurch 

Towcester 230 hrs

Spring 2026 summary

Very warm; rainfall very dry to rather dry; sun average to sunny

Coventry has had its warmest Spring on record, mean temp 11.1c beating 10.8c (2011, 2024, 2025).

Llanwnnen has had its warmest Spring on record, mean temp 10.3c beating 10.1c (2011).

Rainfall Spring 2026

Mona 130mm (r dry)

CC 462mm (r dry)

Gogerddan 145mm (71%)

Swyddffynnon 206 mm (81%)

Aberporth 96mm (56%)

Llanwnnen 194.5mm (82% Falc/ 78% Lwn)

PS 110mm (dry)

MH 141mm (r dry)

Coventry 77.6mm (50%)

CL 67.6mm (44%)

Wellesbourne 58mm (42%)

Pershore 77mm (dry)

Shobdon 86mm (dry)

ROW 110mm (70%)

Sun Spring 2026

Valley 610 hrs (116%)

Aberdaron 640 hrs (108%)

Aberporth 558 hrs (110%)

Llanwnnen 539 hrs (112%)

Nott 574 hrs (149%)

Coventry 539 hrs (112%)

Wellesbourne 565 hrs (129%)

Shobdon 520 hrs (103%