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%

Weather log April 2026

Weather log April 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

Mixed start to the month:

Good Friday (3rd) rather cloudy and breezy, some drizzle, max Lwn 13.3c. Rather warm parts of Mids (Coleshill 17.3c warmest in UK), Cov 16.7c.

Sat 4th named storm Dave brought strong winds for N & W, CC gusts to 93mph, est gusts to 50mpoh here at Lwn. Rain amounts small (below 10mm). Power outages parts of Wales.

Easter Sun 5th rather cool with sunny periods, Lwn max 10.9c. 

Easter Mon 6th rather warm with sunny periods after a widespread slight frost. Minima Shobdon -2.0c, Lwn -1.5c. Maxima Gogerddan 17.2c (warmest in UK), Lwn 16.9c, Trawsgoed 16.6c, Cov 15.2c.

Tue 7th exceptionally warm for early April for WW in particular, Lwn maxima 23.8c the highest reading this early in Spring (nothing above 22c in later March or early April before). cf 26.8c 30/4/25 and 25.2c 10/4/20. Other maxima Mona 24.8c (warmest in UK), Porthmadog 24.0c, Gogerddan 23.0c, ROW 22.7c, Aberporth 22.4c, Trawsgoed 22.1c, Pershore 21.3c, CITE 20.2c, CL 19.5c, MH 18.0c..unofficially Llanfairfechan PWS 26c. Sunniest Watnall & Wellesbourne 12.1 hrs, Lwn est 10 hrs.

Wed 8th sunny and very warm again for early April inland, a less warm day for coasts; maxima Cardiff BP 24.2c, Coventry 23.9c (warmest in Mids), Lwn 22.7c, CL 22.6c, Nott 22.4c, Trawsgoed 20.7c, Aberporth & PS 17.2c, PS 15.3c. Kew Gardens a remarkable 26.6c. Sunshine near unbroken 12 hrs Shobdon & Watnall, Lwn est 11.5 hrs.

Sat 11th showers with hail and thunder in places. Was in the Coop in Lampeter at 1805 poer cut briefly when at the till then immediately lightning flash and loud thunder. Back home had also had a brief cut as evidenced by the boiler settings being lost although not the time.

Sun 12th over an inch parts of Wales 24 hours to this morning, Lwn 24.2mm following the showers and longer spells of rain and hail. 

Wed 15th showery pm, a line with much thunder crossed W Mids late afternoon. Overhead short-lived  thunderstorm and hail for Coventry 1720 - 1730

 

First half of April 2026 mild with variable rainfall (very dry to wet); average sun to quite sunny.

Much of the Midlands below average rain thus far, while many WW gauges above.

Rainfall totals 1st to 15th April: Mona 27mm (ave), CC 190mm (ave), Trawsgoed 31mm (rather dry), Llanwnnen 55mm (wet), PS 30mm (ave), MH 37mm (rather wet); Coventry 14mm (very dry), CL 9.4mm (v dry), KN (EA) 6mm, Pershore 15mm (dry), Shobdon 25mm (ave).

Sunshine 1st to 15th:  Llanwnnen est 68 hrs (average), Coventry 76 hrs (quite sunny), Shobdon 72 hrs (ave).

Sun 19th start of a fine sunny spell and became very warm in the west. Aberporth 13.2 hours sun the sunniest place in UK (also ROW 11 hours). We were in the Midlands for the week, on returning home the webcam showed mist and fog this morning til 10am after which 9 hours sun.

Wed 22nd sunny periods, cool wind Mids but pleasant in the sun, warmer for parts of WW, maxima PS & Whitechurch 18.4c, Pershore 17.9c, Lwn 17.8c, CL 16c; Wellesbourne 12 hours sun.

Thu 23rd very warm unbroken sun for WW, maxima Whitechurch 21.3c, Lwn 20.8c, PS 20.2c, ROW 19.3c, Aberporth 19.2c, Warwickshire 16 to 17c again. Lwn est 13 hours sun.

Fri 24th frost in places, South Newington min -3.1c, Tirabad -1.1c, CL 1.7c, Trawsgoed 2.1c,  MH 9.7c. Again very warm unbroken sun WW, warm and sunny Mids, maxima Lwn 22.6c, Whitechurch 22.5c (warmest in UK), ROW 20.6c, Trawsgoed 20.5c, Valley 20.2c, CITE 19.8c, Nott 18.8c, MH 17.4c, CL & Coventry 17.8c; Aberdaron 14.0 hrs (sunniest in UK), Lwn est 13.5  hrs.

Sat 25th fairly widespread frost, minima South Newington (near Banbury) -3.3c, Tirabad -1.6c,  Lwn -1.1c, CITE & Wellesbourne -0.6c, Cov 2.4c, Nott 2.8c, Aberporth 8.0c. Warm or very warm and sunny once more, maxima Lwn 22.8c, Astwood Bank & Whitechurch 22.5c (warmest in UK), ROW 22.0c, Trawsgoed 21.7c, Pershore 21.6c, CITE 21.4c, Cov & Nott 21.1c, CL 20.6c, Aberporth 17.0c.

Mon 27th largely fine and warm spell continues, plentiful sunshine, showers and thunderstorms tracked across the central Mids from the NNW early evening. One of these hit the Rugby area with very loud thunder, lightning and pouring rain at LL. This completely bypassed Cov where thunder not even heard. Radar suggested 20mm over Little Lawford and Bilton although KN only received 6mm. There are over half dozen PWS in the Bilton & Dunchurch areas most of which 8 to 14mm in an hour. A warm day away from Cardigan Bay, maxima Pershore 21.8c, PS 20.6c, Cov 19.9c, Market Bosworth 19.7c, Lwn 17.7c and 12 hours sun, Shawbury 17.5c, Aberporth 13.3c.

Thu 30th a very warm and sunny final day to April, maxima Valley 24.3c (warmest in UK), Lwn 23.9c (warmest of the month), Whitechurch 23.8c, Porthmadog 23.7c, ROW 23.3c, Pershore 23.0c, Aberporth & Trawsgoed 22.9c, Hereford 22.2c, CC & CL 20.8c, MH 18.8c. Wellesbourne 13.8 hrs sun, Lwn est 13 hours.

Nature notes

Sat 4th first few Apple blossom end of garden.

Mon 6th first Holly Blue garden.

Forestry utterly devastated now and still they fell more areas. Few Chiffchaff.

Tue 7th walking back from garage half dozen or so Chiffchaff, snatch of Willow Warbler I think heard from Alltyblaca chapel, 1 Blackcap.

Blackcap singing close by end of garden.

Wed 8th first Swallow heard then seen from back garden above the house (not especially early).

Neuadd lane Jack in the Hedge

Garden Bluebells seem to already be peaking in just the second week of April while country ones are just coming out.

Thu 9th Sand Martin above end of gardens.

Fri 10th 2 Blackcap have been singing, one from the tall holly the other right at the end of the garden.

Sun 12th Swallow seen driving past Alltyblaca then another in Llanybydder, then Willow Warbler heard towards the chapel.

Southern forestry: 3 Swallow, Willow Warbler, Wood Warbler and Whitethroat all not far from the main gate. Totals 4 0r 5 WW (1 seen close up), 3 Chiffchaff singing, Skylark.

Mid month: garden Bluebells at peak. The white ones seem to be taking over under the Apple tree only a few BBs there this year, mass of white. Beech leafing, first May blossom. Impressive Ash flowering ongoing.

Thu 16th Aberaeron lots of trees in leaf cf only a few still inland. Wood Anemone going over a bit. Perhaps 10 Swallow (7 or 8 of which near the camp site farm where they nest in a barn). 

Fri 17th several Swallow above the gardens, some of which were Sandys.

In Rugby Sat 18th to Fri 24th: Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Whitethroats, Swallows, Yaffle heard Newbold. More trees in leaf cf back home inc Horse Chestnut, some Oak, Willow, Birch. Countryside Bluebells showing well. Hedgerows fully out with some May blossom. Some butterflies inc Holly Blue, Orange Tip.

Wed 22nd reports of the first Swifts Ceredigion.

Fri 24th took a wrong turn ended up in Usk which is very nice and probably has Swift colonies, plenty of HS about. First Swift early evening over the town. Earliest was April 21st last year from the garden.

Sat 25th Holly flowering with Bees enjoying. Some BBs going over. 3 Swift early afternoon made a silent arrival amongst the plentiful Swallows. One of the earliest sightings here should think.

Late month: some May blossom locally, Holly in flower, Ash & Oak leafing (Oak a little ahead), holly Blues, Speckled Woods and Orange Tips seen even at the same time. Many Damsel fly wild garden one warm afternoon. 

Mon 27th a couple of House Martin and a Swift over the garden this morning. Thought a heard a snatch of HM yesterday but these were the first definite.

Carmarthen a Swift seen once and heard twice first near the church then Merlin's Walk (so maybe 2).

Tue 28th Starlings chicks heard next door could be a week old and so will fledge mid May.

S Forestry first Cuckoo heard not seen about 100 m, plenty of WW and a Bullfinch.

Wed 29th Carmarthen HMs at Merlin's Walk going up to nest sites one of which still intact from last year. Many Swallows en route.

Back home several HM late afternoon.

Thu 30th 5 screaming Swift this morning.

Month end many of the garden Bluebells going over (they have became an April feature here). Wild Bluebells close to peaking. Cow Parsleys the earliest, tallest (some over 5 feet) and most vibrant ever seen

Summary April 2026

Warm or very warm and sunny; rainfall between very dry and average

Most of Mids and S Wales very dry, most of Wales below average.

Rainfall totals April 2026

Mona, Anglesey 32mm ( dry)

Capel Curig, Snowdonia 127mm (r dry)

Trawsgoed, Ceredigion 36mm (v dry)

Llanwnnen 58.0mm (85%)

Pembrey Sands, Carms 32mm (v dry)

Milford Haven, Pembs 40mm (dry)

Coventry, Bablake School 16.4mm (32%)

CL, Warks 14.4mm (29%)

Pershore, Worc 16mm (34%)

Shobdon 27mm (47%)

King's Newnham EA gauge (near Rugby) 14.6mm 

National Resources Wales (NRW) rain gauges April 2026

Llyn Cefni, Ynys Mon 41mm (dry)

Bethesda Quarry (Gwynedd) 83mm (r dry)

Cwm Dyli (Snowdonia) 132mm (dry)

Abersoch (Llyn Peninsular) 30mm (v dry)

Corris (near Machynlleth) 104mm (ave)

Bow Street (near Aberystwyth) 20mm (v dry)

Pontrhydfendigaid (near Tregaron, Ceredigion) 47mm (v dry)

Rhos Ymryson (near Gorscoch and 5 miles NW of Lwn) 59mm (dry)

Cellan (2 miles NE of Lampeter) 55mm (dry)

Pencader (Carms) 84mm (ave)

Abergorlech (Brechfa Forest, Carms) 89mm (ave)

Rhydargaeau (Carms) 73mm (r dry)

Garnswllt (near Ammanford, Carms) 48mm (v dry)

Felinfoel (near Llanelli, Carms) 42mm (v dry)

Southgate, Gower 23mm (v dry)

Ferwig (near Cardigan) 31mm (v dry)

Maenclochog (near Preselis, Pembs) 82mm (r dry)

Tenby (Pembs) 38mm (dry)

Bolton Hill (near Haverfordwest, Pembs) 42mm (dry)

COL stations rainfall 

Llansadwrn 

Ludlow, Salop 32mm (54%)

Alvechurch, Worc 22mm (36%)

Warstock, Brum 21mm (37%)

Hinckley 24mm (49%)

Towcester, Northants 8.5mm (16%)

Sunshine totals April 2026

Llanwnnen estimated  196 hrs (131%)

Coventry, Bablake School 203 hrs (128%)

Shobdon, Herefordshire 182 hrs (110%)

COL stations sun April 2026

Ludlow 187 hrs (25%)

Alvechurch 190 hrs (137%)

Towcester 240 hrs