Weather log June 2025

Weather log June 2025

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

Changeable and rather cool start to Summer 2025:

Tue 3rd here at Lwn 20.5mm overnight the wettest day since a 46mm fall mid April. Cwm Dyli Snowdonia wettest spot with 52mm, Mids generally a 3 - 8mm drop (Cov 4.2mm).

Sat 7th showery with local thunder S & E Mids later (inc Rugby area early eve). King's Newnham caught 11mm for the day.

Wed 11th nicest day of June to date, mostly sunny and warm, locally very warm, maxima Lwn 25.4c, Nott 25.2c, Shawbury & Trawsgoed 24.6c, Hereford 24.4c, CC & Pembrey Sands 23.5c, CL 22.2c, Aberdaron 19.8c.

Thu 12th heavy rain over much of Wales & SW Midlands today, isolated thunder. Over 2 inches parts of SW Wales; 24 hours to 2100 Pitton NRW on the Gower on 63mm; around an inch quite widely SW Wales today. Pembrey Sands 56.6mm wettest MO gauge in UK today.

Fri 13th rain at times Wales today while much of the Midlands dry and warm/ very warm with sunny periods. Maxima Wellesbourne 25.9c, Cov 25.3c, Market Bosworth & Nott 24.7c, Shobdon 22.9c, Lwn 20.4c, Trawsgoed 20.0c, Aberdaron 16.4c. Llysdinam (Powys) 32.8mm to 2100.

Sat 14th thundery rain or storms affected WW early hours (SW Wales as far as Newquay moving N across Lleyn and Anglesey early morning). Also an isolated storm over the Marches overnight. Nearest sferic to here was from Cwmtudu near Newquay (over 10 miles distant) but did not hear any rumbles. 21mm in the gauge this morning here at Lwn the third day over 20mm in a fortnight.

First half of June has been wet or very wet for west Wales, quite a few places already over the whole June average (which is 82mm here at Llanwnnen). Midlands variable from very dry (Nott) to rather wet (SW Mids). Temperatures average to rather warm. Sunshine rather dull west Wales & Marches, rest of Midlands average to quite sunny.

Rainfall totals June 1st to 0900 16th: 

Mona 62.4mm (very wet)

Capel Curig 122mm (very wet)

Cwm Dyli (NRW) 189mm

Trawsgoed 88.4mm (v wet)

Aberporth c 52mm (wet)

Llanwnnen 90.5mm (v wet)

Pembrey Sands 94.2mm (v wet)

Milford Haven 72.8mm (v wet)

Nottingham 13.2mm (very dry)

Shawbury c 27mm (average)

Coleshill c 19mm (dry)

Coventry 26.8mm (average)

Church Lawford 22mm (rather dry)

Pershore 32mm (rather wet)

Shobdon 36.4mm (rather wet)

Sunshine 1st to 15th June:

Aberdaron 82 hrs (rather dull)

Llanwnnen estimated 64 hours (rather dull)

Nott 109 hrs (quite sunny)

Coventry 104 hrs (quite sunny)

Shobdon 67 hrs (dull)

Mon 16th warm or very warm and sunny Midlands, WW rather warm sunny periods. maxima Astwood Bank 26.1c, Nott, CITE & Coventry 24.8c, Lwn 21.8c, Trawsgoed 20.0c, Aberdaron 16.1c.

Tue 17th warm or very warm again Mids with sunny periods, WW more cloud a little rain in places but generally quite warm and humid; maxima Pershore 25.8c, CL & Cov 24.9c, Market Bosworth & Nott 24.8c, Lwn 21.5c, Trawsgoed 21.0c, Aberdaron a dull damp max 15.6c.

Wed 18th WW warm sunny periods although some coasts cloudy or misty at times (it kept clouding over in Aberaeron then cleared driving back a few miles inland and had been a very warm 25.1c at Lwn cf c 21c on the coast. Midlands had a hot day with near unbroken sunshine, most of WW warm; other maxima Astwood Bank 28.5c, Pershore 28.4c, CITE & Coventry 27.3c, Cardiff 26.8c, Nott 25.8c, Shawbury 25.7c, Tirabad 22.8c, Trawsgoed 22.1c, Aberdaron 16.6c. Shobdon sunniest 15 .2 hrs.

Thu 19th hot even very hot above 30c in places; maxima here at Lwn 30.9c the third hottest June day (record still 31.4c in 2018) also hottest in June since 2020 (31.3c). Highest reading for this stage in summer as the higher ones were late month. Other maxima Row 31.3c, Cardiff 30.2c, Trawsgoed 30.1c, Pershore 30.0c, CITE 29.2c, Coventry 28.6c, Pembrey Sands 28.5c, Capel Curig 27.9c, Milford Haven 24.8c. Sunny everywhere (Nott 15.5 hrs, Cov 14.2 hrs, Lwn 14 hours est).

Fri 20th warm night above 15c some coasts and cities, minima Aberporth 17.9c, MH 17.8c, Cov 16.3c, Coleshill 15.0c, Lwn 13.5c, Trawsgoed 13.0c, Shobdon 12.8c. Very hot by day with sunny periods after cloud am. Maxima Lwn 30.9c again, Whitechurch (near Cardigan) 30.8c, Trawsgoed 30.1c, Wellesbourne 30.0c, Coleshill 29.9c, Nott 29.4c, CL 28.8c, PS 28.7c, Aberdaron 24.8c.

Sat 21st widely above 15c overnight, minima PS 18.8c, Trawsgoed 17.5c, Lwn 16.8c, Shawbury 15.7c, Nott 14.7c, CC 13.8c, Shobdon 12.2c. Mids hot or very hot with sunny spells, WW more cloud with some rain or thundery showers about. Thunder heard at Aberystwyth mid afternoon and back home would have had some too as sferics as close as Cribyn 3 miles north. Warm and humid WW. Maxima Pershore 31.2c, Coleshill 30.1c, Nott 29.8c,  Cov 29.7c, Usk 29.2c, Shobdon 28.9c, Trawsgoed 26.0c, Aberdaron 18.7c. Lwn ???

Sun 22nd warm night in parts, minima PS 16c, Coleshill 15c, CL & Cov 14.9c, Trawsgoed 13.5c, Lwn 12.3c. By day occasional rain or showers particularly WW, temperatures down closer to average.

Another heatwave (second of the month) for the Mids end of June, apparently they are 10 times more common in June now than during the Industrial Revolution ago the BBC man said. In contrast WW rather cloudy with some rain or drizzle though a fine warm/ very warm finale:

Sat 28th notably warm night minima widely above 16c: minima Nott 19.4c, Hereford 19.2c,Coleshill & Coventry 19.1c, Trawsgoed 18.1c, Lwn 17.1c (equalling the June record warm night), Aberdaron 15.0c.

Mon 30th very hot Mids and peak of the heatwave there; maxima Astwood Bank 32.6c, Pershore 31.9c, Coleshill & Nott 31.8c, Cov 31.5c, Cardiff 29.9c, Lwn 27.5c, Trawsgoed 25.2c, Aberporth 20.4c, Aberdaron 19.9c. At Cov the sixth hottest ever June day (record 32.4c 26th  1976).

Nature notes

Mon 2nd Newquay Dolphin within 50 metres from the jetty.

Saw on Facebook about a farm in Pembrokeshire (Maenclochog) that has on it 44 House Martin nests!

Sun 8th several pieces of Swift egg shell on the ground at the hall and so so the first have hatched.

Mon 9th Swifts rather quiet of late with the cool and sometimes damp weather. After dusk 4 to 6 appeared with a bit of screaming around the church, within 5 minutes they were gone into the fading light.

Tue 10th quite a few Swift, lots of H Martins and Swallows over Lampeter late afternoon. About 7 or 8 completed nests now by the square/ car park, noticed part of a nest on the ground beneath and one egg there which was slightly cracked, had a look there was an unhatched chick inside so hopefully it died straight away. First Swallow young airborne. 

Wed 11th Llangrannog: plenty of Chiffchaffs singing still. Half dozen H Martin over the village and cliffs, evidence of them trying to build a nest in the apex above the toilet block and several inc one completed on a sea front property.

Thu 12th after dusk Swifts seen to enter rear (East) side each close to above insides of furthest two windows (N end). Other side (front/ west) droppings stain and pile between two closest (S end) windows.

Sun 15th 7 or 8 Swifts in a screaming party after sunset about the churchyard, one of the best displays so far this season. A lot of House Martins and Swallows over the village this year.

Tue 17th village lanes walk, plenty of CC, WW, BB & ST singing; back at the church after sunset 6 or 7 screaming swifts until after 10pm in near dark.

Wed 18th Aberaeron: Lots of House Martins, located around 10 active nests. Unfortunately a disaster had beset one nest overlooking the harbour, half of it had fallen down with 2 chicks just a few days old perished on the pavement beneath. Gull feathers? On the same property a few metres away an intact nest. The damaged nest attracting a great deal of attention with 5 or 6 adults prospecting it. Pair of Swift seen at various points above the town.

Back home dusk 10 Swift the most so far.

Thu 19th after a very hot day (max 31c) a sultry evening at Llanybydder: Half dozen screaming Swifts car park area, one seen to enter former warehouse another exit former station building.

Aberduar chapel: a dozen screaming Swifts here (most so far this season anywhere). They enter an exit effortlessly presumably having to negotiate the new plastic soffit up to the original sloping wooden one? Dropping stains on the wall beneath suggests half dozen active nests (presuming all this years)? Only a single piece of dropping made it to the floor beneath suggesting they are indeed still nesting in the sloping wooden soffit as were they in any gap between old and new soffit there would be much more evidence and more egg shells. Just one piece of shell evident on the ground.

Rhydybont chapel loads of H Martins, 6 new nests north end and 4 west side. About 10 screaming Swift came very close. Seen to enter and exit various points, one right of drain pipe west side into a gap I think between sloping wall top and soffit, another North side a metre up towards apex left side into a wooden box like feature of the timberwork (see video).

Onto the forestry by sunset: no Cuckoos, no Nightjars, no Grasshopper Warbler. Cuckoos most likely left us by now. The former Njar zones now have stands well over 10 years old and no longer suitable (my sightings here have decreased past few years). However would have expected them to colonise the big larch fell zone above the main road but all I heard was a possible short call back at the main gate. Tried the southern forestry over the main road it was almost 11, could faintly hear a distant Njar probably over half mile away, still much suitable habitat up the top of the hill but too late for that!

Late June: Swallows in the church tower issues perhaps new louvres. They were n't so bothered. Saw 4 exit Sunday afternoon (looked like adults).

S Forestry: Njars above western stream hillside and where come down steep to main track (several years regrowth areas)

Aberporth many HM and nests chapel area which may have some Swift nests (plenty of Sparrows in holes and prospecting screaming Swifts (3 or 4).

Summary June 2025

Very warm; variable rain and sun 

Much of WW above average rain, much of Mids below.

Sun: WW rather dull, Mids average to sunny

Coventry warmest June on record (beating) Frighteningly that's 6 of the warmest 8 Junes have been this century. Previous record just 2 years ago (17.5c). Mids mean temperatures almost 3c above average.

Rainfall totals June 2025

Mona, Anglesey 81mm (wet)

Capel Curig, Snowdonia 193mm (rather wet)

Aberdaron 78mm (r wet)

Trawsgoed, Ceredigion 110mm (wet)

Aberporth, near Llangrannog c 45mm (rather dry)

Llanwnnen 110.1mm (162% Falc/ 134% Lwn)

Pembrey Sands, Carms 113mm (wet)

Milford Haven, Pembs 89mm(rather wet)

Nottingham 17mm (very dry)

Shawbury, Salop c 36mm (dry)

Coleshill c 23mm (v dry)

Coventry, Bablake School 30.0mm (54%)

CL, Warks 24.0mm (44%)

Pershore, Worc 26mm (dry)

Hereford c 33mm (r dry)

King's Newnham EA gauge (near Rugby) 32.6mm

National Resources Wales (NRW) rain gauges June 2025

Llyn Cefni, Ynys Mon 93mm (wet)

Bethesda Quarry (Gwynedd) 127mm (wet)

Cwm Dyli (Snowdonia) 305mm (wet)

Abersoch (Llyn Peninsular) 64mm (ave)

Corris (near Machynlleth) 191mm (W)

Bow Street (near Aberystwyth) 70mm (A)

Pontrhydfendigaid (near Tregaron, Ceredigion) 109mm (RW)

Rhos Ymryson (near Gorscoch and 5 miles NW of Lwn) 103mm (RW)

Cellan (2 miles NE of Lampeter) 93mm (RW)

Pencader (Carms) 121mm (RW)

Abergorlech (Brechfa Forest, Carms) 133mm (W)

Rhydargaeau (Carms) 129mm (RW)

Garnswllt (near Ammanford, Carms) 133mm (W)

Felinfoel (near Llanelli, Carms) 131mm (W)

Southgate, Gower 84mm (A)

Ferwig (near Cardigan) 88mm (RW)

Maenclochog (near Preselis, Pembs) 118mm (RW)

Tenby (Pembs) 101mm (VW)

Bolton Hill (near Haverfordwest, Pembs) 47mm? dubious? (Clarbeston nearest one 89mm)

COL stations rainfall June 2025

Llansadwrn 125mm (169%)

Ludlow, Salop 46.5mm (68%)

Alvechurch, Worc 34.8mm (49%)

Warstock, Brum 39.2mm (53%)

Alcester (Great Alne) 43.4mm (83%)

Cosby, Leic 19.9mm (30%)

Hinckley 17.4mm (28%)

Towcester, Northants 21.1mm (37%)

Sunshine totals June 2025

Valley 168 hrs (r dull)

Aberdaron 151 hrs (dull)

Llanwnnen estimated  141 hrs (87%)

Nottingham 234 hours (sunny)

Coventry, Bablake School 231 hours (121%)

Shobdon, Herefordshire 180 hrs (near average)

COL stations sun:

Ludlow 202 hrs (116%)

Alvechurch 226 hrs (135%)

Cosby 236 hrs (131%)

Towcester 264 hrs

Weather log May 2025

Weather log May 2025

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

Thu 1st after the exceptional April warmth yesterday (max 26.8c Lwn) a cool night to begin May (min 3.1c here at Lwn) so close to a grass frost, other minima showed a wide range, Aberporth 13.5c, Aberdaron 13.0c, Cov 9.2c, Nott 8.5c, Pembrey Sands 6.3c, Shobdon 5.0c, Tirabad 4.2c. This was the warmest recorded start to May for England & Wales, highs of 29.3c at Kew Gardens and 27.6c at Cardiff Bute Park. Other maxima ROW 27.6c, Pershore 27.0c, CITE & Coleshill 26.9c, Lwn 26.7c, Coventry 26.5c, Pembrey Sands 26.2c, Pennerley 23.8c, Aberporth 21.1c (we were at nearby Llangrannog where it was much cooler than inland but very nice). Near unbroken sun in places again (Nott 13 hours). Thundery showers broke out mid afternoon onwards with an inch very locally according to the radar; Pennerley 14.4mm wettest MO station and Bettws-y-Crwyn 21.2mm an EA gauge just inside England (Salop) wettest of any official site. Most places escaped dry however. Lightning from a storm near Leicester was visible from Coventry during the evening.

Fri 2nd less warm but still mainly dry bright day, maxima inland 18 - 22c (ROW 22.2c) cooler coasts 13 or 14c (Aberdaron max 12.8c).

Sat 3rd almost unbroken 14 hours here at Lwn, sunny WW, more cloud Mids at times, a cooler breezy day, Lwn max 15.6c,  Aberporth 14 hours sunniest in UK but max 12.2c coolest place in Wales today.

Very little rain showing in the models for the next 10 days or so.

Sun 4th close to zero with grass frost overnight at Lwn (min +0.2c) also Capel Curig 1.6c.

Mon 5th widespread ground frost and for much of Wales air frosts, minima Bala -2.0c,  Lwn -1.7c, Trawsgoed -0.8c, Pershore +0.3c, CITE 2.0c, Cov 3.2c, Nott 4.0c, Valley 5.6c. Fine day temperatures near average or rather cool (13 - 15c generally).

Tue 6th cold night widespread grass frost and air frosts in places, minima Tirabad -2.1c, Lwn -2.0c, CITE -0.4c, Newport (Salop) -0.1c, Trawsgoed 0.0c, Pershore & Shobdon +0.1c, Aberdaron 6.1c.   Nice sunny day, more cloud E Mids; Porthmadog 18.7c warmest in UK. Other max Lwn 16.1c, CITE 15.9c, Cov 14.4c, Nott 14.1c, Aberporth 12.2c (sea breeze, cool sea). Valley 13.7 hours sun, Llanwnnen est 12.5 hrs, Shawbury 12 hrs, Nott 6.1 hrs.

Wed 7th another chill night ground frost in places, minima Lwn +0.7c, Pershore 1.8c, Trawsgoed 2.8c, Cov 3.7c, Aberdaron 7.2c.

Thu 8th many places have now been dry for around a fortnight (Church Lawford 15 days). Cool and mainly cloudy much of the Midlands, sunny intervals and less cool Marches while WW saw plentiful sunshine and temperatures average or rather warm; maxima Lwn 18.0c, Porthmadog 17.4c, Trawsgoed 16.5c, ROW 15.8c, Valley 15.1c (with 14.3 hours unbroken sun most in UK), CITE 14.0c, Tirabad 12.7c, CL & Nott 12.4c.

Fri 9th widespread ground frost and local air frost, minima Lwn -1.1c, CITE -0.3c, Tirabad -0.2c, Shobdon -0.1c, Trawsgoed +0.5c, Cov 4.3c (grass min -2.3c), Aberdaron 8.5c. Warm sunny periods for many, maxima CITE 20.9c, Lwn 20.8c, ROW 20.6c, Whitechurch 20.3c, Cov 18.6c, Aberporth 14.1c. 10 to 13 hours sun widely.

Sat 10th grass frost in places, Lwn & Shobdon min +0.4c.Warm or very warm sunny periods, maxima Coleshill 23.0c, Lwn 22.8c, Nott 22.6c, Shobdon & Trawsgoed 21.5c, Aberporth 16.6c. Sun: Valley 14.4 hrs, Cov 13.3 hrs, Lwn est 10.5 hours.

1st - 10th May remarkably sunny for west Wales, 127 hours at Valley and so a daily average of 12.7 hours, not much short of the maximum possible for the time of year (or about 90% of it). Other sun totals May to date: Aberdaron 115 hrs, Lwn est 101 hours, Shobdon 80 hours, Cov 76 hrs, Nott 74 hrs. Here at Llanwnnen days have averaged very warm (18.9c) but nights cold (ave 1.6c) thus far into May.

Sun 11th very warm sunshine again but clouded over west Wales pm with some rain or showers in places. 0.2mm rain sufficient to end the 15 day 'absolute drought' here at Lwn and the same amount at Church Lawford ended the 18 day run there. Maxima CITE 24.9c, Lwn & Winterbourne 24.6c, Nott 24.4c, CL 23.9c, Hereford & Trawsgoed 23.2c, Aberporth 16.9c. Thundery showers parts of SW Mids evening. Scolton Country Park (Pembs) 11mm wettest in UK.

Frost risk now receded with a warmer airmass towards mid month, still largely dry and sunny:

Mon 12th warm; thundery showers and storms pm, a couple of storms tracked by north of here late afternoon, much thunder, the first one affected Llanfair Clydogau then Cribyn (from where the closest sheet lightning 3 miles north was), second one moved across Tregaron & Llanddewi Brefi more distant than the first 7 to 10 miles off) with rolling thunder but no lightning seen. It then affected Aberaeron as seen on the webcam there. Just a few spots here when some nearby areas would have caught over an inch. Aberystwyth also had a little storm the same time. According to the radar accumulation Cribyn had an inch of rain from the first storm although the PWS there had only 10mm. The radar also suggested perhaps 2 inches fell this afternoon west of Bridgnorth. Thunder and lightning observed from Coventry & Rugby although not much rain fell. Warwick Racecourse (EA) caught 12.2mm in an hour mid afternoon. Very warm central & E Midlands, Marches & much of Wales warm; maxima CITE 26.8c, Winterbourne 26.0c, Nott 25.9c, CL 25.1c, Llanwnnen 23.6c, CC 22.8c, Trawsgoed 22.3c, Pennerley 21.7c, Aberporth 17.2c.

Tue 13th milder night, minima Aberdaron 13.2c, Pembrey Sands 11.5c, Cov 10.4c, Trawsgoed 7.8c, Shobdon 7.3c, Lwn 5.9c. Warm/ very warm day again with plentiful sunshine, showers and thunderstorms broke out from mid afternoon affecting south and SW Wales as far N as Cardigan. Missed them here again as did the Midlands. Maxima Porthmadog 25.6c (warmest in UK), Lwn 24.8c, Trawsgoed 23.9c, Hereford 23.8c,  Aberdaron, Nott 22.2c, Aberporth 20.9c, MH 20.5c.. According to the radar an area north of Whitland (Carms) may have received 2 inches today, this corroborated by a PWS in that area having 41mm. Scolton Country Park (Pembs) 9.6mm wettest MO gauge in UK).

Mid month fantastic spell especially for WW where many days warm with unbroken sun, low cloud off the N Sea affected the Midlands at times:

Wed 14th warm/ very warm and sunny, maxima Lwn 25.0c, Porthmadog 23.6c, ROW 23.0c, Trawsgoed 21.8c, Aberporth & CITE 21.5c, Coleshill 20.2c, Nott 18.2c; widely 14 or 15 hours virtually unbroken sun (Lwn est 14.5 hrs, Aberporth 14.4 hrs).

Thu 15th contrast large today: warm and sunny Wales & Marches, mainly cloudy and cooler Mids; maxima Porthmadog 22.2c, Lwn 20.5c, Newport (Salop) 20.1c, Trawsgoed 19.5c, CITE 16.0c, Aberporth 14.8c, CL & Cov 14.6c; Aberporth 14.6 hrs sun,  Lwn est 14 hours, Coventry 0 hours.

Fri 16th Clear cool night local grass frost (minima Lwn 1.6c) so a probable grass frost; widely 14 or 15 hours sun and warm, maxima  Porthmadog 23.3c, Pershore 22.6c, CITE 22.2c, Pembrey Sands 20.8c, Lwn 19.5c, Trawsgoed 19.3c, Aberporth 14.0c (sea breeze no doubt). Sunshine wise Valley 15 hours, Lwn est 14.5 hrs.

First half of May exceptionally sunny West Wales, very dry and warm

Valley close to 200 hours in 16 days, Midlands very sunny. Some places  having almost already attained the average for the whole month.

All areas very dry, the odd spot catching a storm but these missed the official gauge networks. Some places on 0mm.

Days have been very warm but nights with the largely clear skies cold, here at Lwn mean maxima averaging above 20c but nights just 2c.

Rainfall 1st - 0900 16th May:

Valley 5.4mm, Capel Curig 9.4mm, Aberdaron 1.2mm, Trawsgoed 2.6mm, Aberporth 1.4mm, Llanwnnen 0.3mm, Pembrey Sands 0.0mm; Nottingham 6.8mm, Coleshill 0.6mm, Coventry 1.2mm, King's Newnham (EA) 0mm, Church Lawford 0.2mm, Pershore 5.4mm, Shobdon 5.6mm.

Sunshine May 1st - 16th: Valley 198 hours, Aberdaron 184 hrs, Llanwnnen 164 hrs (estimated), Nott 140 hrs, Coventry 138 hrs, Shobdon 149 hrs.

Sat 17th clear with grass frost in places WW, minima Bala +0.9c, Lwn 1.2c, Trawsgoed 2.3c, Tirabad 3.2c, more cloud Mids, Shawbury 4.3c, Cov 9.0c, Aberdaron 9.8c. Sunny WW again, N Sea cloud affected the Mids am breaking up afternoon; maxima Porthmadog 21.5c, Lwn 21.2c, Nott 20.1c, Cov 17.7c, Hereford 15.8c (cloud stuck longest thereabouts),  Aberporth 14.9c. Sun Lwn est 14.5rs unbroken again, Aberdaron 15.0 hours, Shobdon 4.9 hrs.

Sun 18th another ground frost here at Lwn (min +0.5c) followed by unbroken sun and warmth yet again!

Mon 19th rather warm sunny spells the odd isolated shower about.

Tue 20th rather warm again with sunny spells. showers or thunderstorms in places particularly W Mids whereas much of the E Mids & WW stayed dry. Monksmoor EA gauge in Shrewsbury caught 19.8mm today and a nearby PWS 25mm (most in one hour late afternoon), the wettest MO gauge in our regions being Newport (Salop) 6.6mm.

Wed 21st again thundery showers in places, most over the SW Mids. Most places again escaped dry.

Thu 22nd: King's Newnham (Rugby) no rain at all since April 23rd (a month of drought) while here at Llanwnnen just 0.5mm May to date and under 6mm since April 23rd, and so a month long 'partial drought' (15 or more days averaging below 0.2mm) This the last widely dry day as we approach a more unsettled finale to the month.

Fri 23rd some spots caught slight air frost overnight with more widespread grass frosts, minima Capel Curig -0.8c, Lwn -0.2c, CITE +1.0c, Wellesbourne 1.5c, Shobdon +1.9c, CL 2.0c, Mona 2.3c, Trawsgoed 2.6c, Coventry 5.5c (grass min -0.6c), Aberdaron 8.2c. Quite a late one here at Lwn although we have had a few well into June.

Sat 24th just spots of rain here at Lwn yesterday evening only a trace and so the 31st day of partial drought. More significant rain for the Mids overnight, 10mm in places ending the drought at King's Newnham (a dubiously low 2mm out of sync with neighbouring gauges).

Mon 26th first appreciable rain in well over month here at Lwn (13.2mm). A changeable and breezy end to Spring 2025:

Kings Newnham gauge faulty often 0mm so reported to EA (seems fixed 28th?).

Sat 31st warm finale to May for the Midlands with sunny periods; WW more cloud and a little rain in places; Pershore College 23.0c, Cov 22.9c, Nott 22.2c, Trawsgoed 19.8c, Lwn 19.2c, Pennerley 18.3c, CC 14.6c.

Nature notes

Thu 1st driving to Llangrannog a couple of Laburnums starting to flower which is very early (typically starts mid month). Whitethroat on the  cliff of the second cove (Cefn Sidan). First Foxgloves on the steep south facing slope.

Sat 3rd forestry: Cuckoo calling on arrival (layby) there is one here each year. Plentiful Chiffchaffs & Willow Warblers. Nearing the car Cuckoo fairly loud then a good view as it was being chased by a Pipit (?) at 50 metres or so and more perching and calling.

Sun 4th 3 Swift feeding above the gardens with screaming at times. Starlings in next doors ready to go, hoping the cats don't get them!

Tue 6th Tregaron Bog: 2 possibly 3 Hobby putting on a fine display near south end boardwalk, Cuckoo heard not seen, 2 or 3 Winchat - heard birds in same location near hide several years could not ID, a man today from Liverpool knew what they were, also I had binoculars for a change. Also Garden Warbler heard, several Blackcap, plentiful Willow Warbler & Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, 3 Heron.

Had a look around Tregaron early evening: lots of Sparrows and numerous building with cavities. No Swifts seen. Then driving back a couple of screaming Swift Llanddewi Brefi. Final stop Lampeter towards dusk, 3 Swift.

Wed 7th half dozen Swifts afternoon the most so far.

Grass pollen in production from early in the month with the earliest ever hay fever experienced for some.

Sun 11th Starlings next door flew I think this evening.

Mon 12th southern forestry around dusk: Laburnum by entrance in full show, early this year. Lots of birdlife this evening, Whitethroat singing in the scrub by the entrance, Wood Warblers, Willow Warblers, a few Chiffchaff, Stonechats, a family of robins. Cuckoo started up after sunset (2100) for 10 minutes over the western stream valley then flew over to be quite close but could not see it. 

Tue 13th 5 or 6 screaming Swift Lampeter Uni this afternoon.

Mid month: most trees bar Ash now in full leaf. Bluebells generally going over in the countryside now. Great Cow Parsley display along the hedges.

Thu 15th Weston super Mare: several Swift obviously using a sea front property (Warwick?) that was up for sale however, House Sparrows and Starlings also using it's gaps. Later 10 swift near the Marine Lake. 

Dusk Strowlands lane, Rooks Bridge (Somerset): Reed Warbler singing loud and near from bushes by a dyke along the lovely lane. The hotel grounds are good for birds with much trees and shrubs surrounded by thick out grown farmland hedgerows; Chiffchaffs, Song Thrush, Blackbirds, Blackcap. Eco said she saw a deer from the window. Elder in flower hereabouts it is not yet back home.

Fri 16th Bedminster, Bristol quite a few properties with Sparrows in the area and a few Starlings. Dusk Strowlands: Reed Warbler again and possible Cetti's?

Fantastic show of Ox Eye Daisies along the roads and motorways, millions and millions a site to behold. Likewise it has been a fantastic show of Cow Parsley this month.

Sun 18th Starling family around (2 + 4 chicks) and seem well, adults checking in the nest hole still.  Willow Warblers heard along a village lane, 10 House Martin and similar Swallows this evening. Still Bluebells in shady parts.

Tue 20th Forestry around Mynydd Pencader 5 mile walk along lanes and tracks: 3 Cuckoo heard and 3 sightings (of  2 or 3 birds) at 3 locations. One up by the TV mast on the telegraph wires chaperoned by 2 small birds, another nearing back at the forestry being chased off by a Blackbird at close quarters (40 metres). Cuckoos seem to be doing well up here. Much devastation from Decembers storm Darragh along the lanes, dozens of grand old beeches of 150 to 200 years downed, also many pines of a century or so. Notable that even lines of trees in what appear sheltered areas from the NW suffered perhaps greater damage than in some more exposed locations. Perhaps this due to eddying about or over the hills or funnelling around valleys? Worsts zones of destruction being the 'Laburnum' lane and towards the mast. Laburnums excepting a few specimens avoided this storm and those that were toppled remain connected to earth and nutrition hence still blooming. Other sightings Pipits, Skylarks, WW's and CC's, Redstart, Reed Warbler (many heard unseen).

Fri 23rd Lampeter: plenty of hirundines and Swifts screaming about. 7 Martin nests completed/ almost completed in the usual row of houses by the car park (St Thomas St) with a few more possibly starting construction. A couple of young rooks. One of them was trying to climb up a tree trunk and then did fly a short distance, the other was hardly moving on the ground alive but seemingly unable to fly yet so I picked it up and put up on a branch above it hoping the parents would attend, also found one dead one nearby. 

Lots of dead chicks at the Church hall since returned from Somerset. What looked like a baby Wren, then noticed nearby on the ground a feathered Sparrow chick and then 5 recently hatched ones. While we were away a metal commemorative bench was installed in front of the hall which had been concreted into the ground, the dead birds close to this bench and the telegraph pole. Never had dead so many all at once before, do get the occasional perished Swift chick but not every year. Perhaps they had been turfed out by the Swifts and the bench installation a mere coincidence?

Tue 27th I found 2 dead Rooks in the shrubs where I had put the youngster above last week so it must have perished. There was another that had maggots nearby and looked like it had been there longer than a week. Overall the Rookery seems to have had a successful Spring with around 30 nests and chicks still now in late May.

Wed 28th southern forestry: Cuckoo calling regularly across a mile long area about the western valley, seen twice at close quarters. lots of Willow Warblers, also Wood Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Blackcap, Whitethroat heard. Still fresh Bluebells out up here. Laburnums are going over, usually late May would be their peak up here.

Llanybydder: thought I heard a Cuckoo from the car park, not sure though.

Month end Bluebells mostly over.

Chiffchaff that last year sung its heart out from the end of the garden all Spring into Summer gone quiet early this year by mid May (or gone completely).

May 2025 summary

Very sunny and warm; dry/ very dry for most.

All locations above 200 hours sun.

All locations below average rain.

Here at Llanwnnen days averaged a very warm 19.6c, nights a rather cool 4.7c.

Rainfall totals May 2025

Mona, Anglesey 36mm (dry)

Capel Curig, Snowdonia 119mm (rather dry)

Aberdaron, Llyn Peninsular c 29mm (dry)

Trawsgoed, Ceredigion 27mm (very dry)

Aberporth, near Llangrannog c 20mm (very dry)

Llanwnnen 27.5mm (36%)

Pembrey Sands, Carms 29.6mm (dry)

Milford Haven, Pembs 27mm (dry)

Nottingham 48mm (near average)

Coleshill 25.4mm (dry)

Coventry, Bablake School 19.6mm (35%)

CL, Warks 20.6mm (36%)

Pershore, Worc 17mm (v dry)

Hereford c 11mm (v dry)

Shobdon 17mm (v dry)

King's Newnham EA gauge (near Rugby) 20mm approx. (gauge faulty towards month end).

National Resources Wales (NRW) rain gauges 

Llyn Cefni, Ynys Mon 39.6mm (dry)

Bethesda Quarry (Gwynedd) 59mm (rather dry)

Cwm Dyli (Snowdonia) 175mm (average)

Abersoch (Llyn Peninsular)39.6mm (dry)

Corris (near Machynlleth) 99mm (r dry)

Bow Street (near Aberystwyth) 27mm (v dry)

Pontrhydfendigaid (near Tregaron, Ceredigion) 36.6mm (v dry)

Rhos Ymryson (near Gorscoch and 5 miles NW of Lwn) 35mm (v dry)

Cellan (2 miles NE of Lampeter) 22.8mm (v dry)

Pencader (Carms) 37mm (v dry)

Abergorllech (Brechfa Forest, Carms) 39.6mm (v dry)

Rhydargaeau (Carms) 66mm (r dry)

Garnswllt (near Ammanford, Carms) 44.6mm (v dry)

Felinfoel (near Llanelli, Carms) 43.4mm (dry)

Southgate, Gower 34mm (v dry)

Ferwig (near Cardigan) 25mm (v dry)

Maenclochog (near Preselis, Pembs) 64.6mm (dry)

Tenby (Pembs) 40.4mm (r dry)

Bolton Hill (near Haverfordwest, Pembs) 18.2mm ( very dry)

COL stations rainfall 

Llansadwrn 55mm (81%)

Ludlow, Salop 24mm (38%)

Alvechurch, Worc 30mm (45%)

Warstock, Brum 30mm (45%)

Alcester (Great Alne) 33.5mm (61%)

Cosby, Leic 31mm (54%)

Hinckley 26.8mm (47%)

Towcester, Northants 15mm (25%)

Sunshine totals May 2025

Aberdaron c 290 hours

Llanwnnen estimated 254 hrs (139%)

Nottingham 232 hrs

Coventry, Bablake School 222.6 hrs (114%)

Shobdon, Herefordshire 230 hrs

COL stations sun May 2025

Pentraeth (Anglesey) 292 hours

Ludlow 254 hrs (140%)

Alvechurch 218 hrs (129%)

Cosby 228 hrs (123%)

Towcester 240 hrs)

Spring 2025

Very sunny, dry and warm

It was the sunniest Spring on record for England. 

Derek Brockway said Wales has had it's warmest and sunniest Spring on record!

Here at Llanwnnen also the sunniest beating 2020 (607 hours est). Note Spring 2025 is now the sunniest season in the short (12 year) record here although the sunniest 3 months is still the truly exceptional May to July 2018 (689 hours).

At Coventry 655 hours made it the second sunniest Spring (2020 688 hrs)), also equal warmest with 2011 & 2024. It was Coventry's driest Spring since 2011 (52.8mm). Most of the Midlands less than half the average Spring rain.

Spring 2025 rainfall

Mona 135mm (rather dry)

Capel Curig 237mm (very dry)

Trawsgoed 93mm (v dry)

Aberporth 127mm (dry)

Llanwnnen 150.2mm (60%)

Pembrey Sands 139mm (v dry)

Nottingham 74mm (v dry)

Coleshill 50mm (v dry)

Coventry 54.6mm (35%)

Church Lawford 69.4mm (46%)

Pershore 55mm (v dry)

Hereford 52mm (v dry)

King's Newnham (EA) c 62mm

Spring 2025 sunshine

Aberdaron 658 hrs

Llanwnnen est 613 hrs (144%)

Nott 672 hrs

Coventry 655 hours (136%)

Shobdon 620 hrs

Weather log April 2025

Weather log April 2025

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

Fine, dry and sunny weather early in April:

Tue 1st unbroken sun some areas and warm, less so Mids with a cool east breeze; maxima Mona 18.8c, ROW 18.2c, Valley 17.7c, Lwn 16.7c, CITE & Pershore 16.2c, Trawsgoed 15.5c, Nott 14.6c, Aberdaron 13.2c; sunshine Shawbury 12.2 hrs, Lwn est 12 hours, Nott 10.3 hrs.

Wed 2nd rare occasion for whole of UK to see near unbroken sun, no station below 10 hours, and widely around 12 hours (Coventry & Shawbury 12.1 hrs, Lwn est 12 hrs). Warm for early April again, generally max 15 to 18c (Lwn 17.5c, ROW 17.4c, CITE & Cov 15.8c, CC 14.5c).

Thu 4th sun not unbroken as some cloud spread up pm, maxima Pembrey Sands 20.1c, ROW 19.3c, Lwn 19.1c, CITE & Coleshill 18.5c, Trawsgoed 18.3c, Nott 17.2c, Aberdaron & Mona 16.2c.

Fri 5th a little rain over much of Wales overnight not amounting to more than a few mm. Sun came out pm with a warmer airmass, max  Lwn 21.4c was one of the highest readings so early on cf 21.4c end of March 2021 (but with 26c mid April 2007). Other maxima Pembrey Sands 22.3c, Pershore College 21.5c, MH 20.2c, Market Bosworth 19.6c, Aberporth 19.5c (we were at a lovely warm Llangrannog nearby), Nott 18.3c, Mona 17.3c.

Sat 6th local frosts to start (Shobdon min -0.7c) and widespread grass frosts Mids; unbroken sun WW, sunny Mids, Lwn 12.5 hrs, other sun Aberporth 12.4 hrs, Shobdon 11 hrs, Cov 10 hrs. Rather warm generally with cool NE breezes though, sheltered SW Wales very warm; maxima Pembrey Sands 20.6c, Lwn 19.4c, ROW 18.3c, Aberporth 18.2c,Trawsgoed 17.7c, CITE 15.8c, CC 15.6c, CL 15.2, Mona 14.9c, Nott 14.2c.

Sun 6th again local frosts followed by plentiful sunshine.. North Sea breeze meant much of the Mids not so much above average cf SW Wales which was well above once more. Lwn max 19.1c, other Whitechurch 18.8c, Trawsgoed 17.6c, ROW 17.4c, CITE 16.1c, Coventry 15.2c, Nott 14.5c. Unbroken sun Lwn 12.5 hrs again also Aberporth & Shobdon 12.5 hrs, Nott & Valley 12.3 hrs, Cov 12.1 hrs.

Mon 7th widespread slight frosts, Tirabad -2.2c, CC -1.8c, CL -1.4c, Lwn +0.4c, Aberdaron 7.8c. Another very sunny day and again warmest for WW, nearer average Mids. Llanwnnen max 18.9c with unbroken sun for the third day in a row and now the sunniest April week (77 hours) here. Other max temps Trawsgoed 17.9c, cooler on the coast Aberporth 13.0c; ROW 16.7c, CITE 16.0c, CL 14.4c, Cov & Nott 14.1c. 

First week: Llanwnnen averaging 19c by day for the first week (some 7c above normal). 

Tue 8th widespread slight frosts, minima Tirabad -2.7c, Lwn -2.5c, CITE -1.3c, Shobdon -1.0c, Trawsgoed -0.2c, Cov +1.4c (grass frost). Sunny periods, warm WW, nearer average Much of the Mids (NE breeze still), maxima Lwn 17.8c, ROW 17.1c, CITE & Trawsgoed 16.3c, Pembrey Sands 14.3c, Coventry 13.8c (coolest spot in the Midlands today).

Wed 9th another widespread slight frost, minima Lwn & Tirabad -2.3c, Pershore -1.0c, Aberdaron 7.2c; sunny again, thick haze here this morning presumably from the fires in the north of the county, the air did smell slightly smoky too. Widely near unbroken sun again, temperatures ranging from average much of Mids to warm much of WW & Herefordshire; maxima Porthmadog 18.3c, Lwn 17.8c, Trawsgoed 17.6c, ROW 16.3c, Sutton Bonington 13.6c, Nott 13.3c, Cov 13.2c, Aberporth 12.4c; sun Shobdon 12.5 hrs, Aberporth & Coventry12.3 hrs, Lwn 11.5 hrs, Nott 9.3 hrs (early N Sea low cloud E Mids).

Thu 10th widespread slight frosts yet again, minima Pershore -1.2c, Lwn -0.6c, Cov 3.6c; near unbroken sun widely yet again (11 to 13 hours), Valley 12.6 hrs, Shobdon 12.3 hrs, Lwn est 12 hours, Nott 10.8 hrs, Midlands warmer as the N Sea flow was cut off, WW a cooler day with sea breezes, maxima Winterbourne (Brum) 18.2c, Coleshill & Nott 17.8c, Capel Curig 17.4c, Pershore College 16.2c, Lwn 14.9c,  Trawsgoed 13.9c, Pembrey Sands 11.7c & Aberporth 11.2c chilly (note well inland mid Wales was warm Llysdinam in Powys max 19.4c). 

10 day sunshine totals (1st - 10th): Aberporth, Coventry & Nottingham all 111 hours , Shobdon & Valley 109 hrs, Lwn 108 hours.

Much of the UK bone dry so far this month. Milford Haven one of the wettest spots has had just 4mm to date (Lwn 2.2mm, whole of the Midlands 0mm).

Fri 11th last day of the fine dry spell across much of Wales: Llanwnnen max 22.1c one of the highest by this point in April (although note as above max 26c mid April 2007); other max Nott 22.6c, Astwood Bank (Worc) 22.4c, Cov 22.0c, Aberporth 17.5c, Porthmadog 16.9c; Aberporth 12.8 hrs sunniest in UK, many places above 12 hours once more (here at Lwn a foggy start so just 10.5 hrs).

Sat 12th last day of this prolonged early Spring dry and exceptionally sunny spell for the Midlands too. The next week or so looking decidedly unsettled and at times cool. Rather cloudy with some rain today WW but still warm inland (rather cool Pembs), very warm sunny periods Mids; max  Coleshill 22.2c, Nott 21.0c, Cov 20.9c, Lwn 18.8c, Shawbury & Trawsgoed 18.6c, Shobdon 17.9c, MH 11.9c.

Sun 13th just a few showers so still hardly any rain (2.5mm here at Lwn) temperatures around average to mild (Lwn 13c, Cov 15.7c, Pershore 16.9c); still plentiful sun for some areas (Valley 10.4 hrs sunniest in UK).

Mon 14th rain at times WW with a slow moving band from Pembs through Cardigan Bay and the Lleyn to Anglesey giving over an inch in places (MH 26.4mm wettest in UK). Meanwhile parts of the Mids still on 0mm for the month (inc Coventry).

Tue 15th copious rain for SW Wales today, many parts of 'Dyfed' over an inch, locally 2 inches by midnight. Totals modest for the rest of Wales where generally under 10mm; Whitechurch 50.2mm wettest place in the UK (to 2100). A few showers for the Mids but yet again some spots stayed dry such as Coleshill. A very cool day for Wales under the rain, parts of Mids just above average in contrast; max 8.2c here at Lwn the coolest day since mid March; other max Aberporth 7.6c, MH 8.6c, Trawsgoed 10.4c, Shobdon 12.5c, CITE & Pershore College 15.9c.

First half of April  very sunny and mild/ very mild; rainfall variable; SW Wales heavy rains 14th and 15th making places here already over the whole April average, while the Mids & Snowdonia missed these rains and very dry still, a few Midlands spots 0mm still. Here at Lwn days have been very mild (thus far averaging 17c, nights near average (mean 2.5c).

Rainfall totals 1st - 15th: Capel Curig 18mm (very dry) Aberdaron 59mm (very wet), Trawsgoed 24mm (rather dry), Aberporth 60mm (very wet), Lwn 58.5mm (rather wet),  MH 88m (very wet); Nott 2.0mm, Coleshill 0mm, Coventry 0.2mm, CL 0.4mm, Pershore 1.2mm, Hereford 3.4mm (very dry).

Sunshine 1st - 15th: Aberdaron 125 hours, Aberporth 133 hrs, Lwn 128 hrs; Nott 140 hrs, Cov 143 hrs, Shobdon 132 hrs.

Wed 16th 24 hour total 0900 here at Lwn 45.9mmm making it the wettest April day (beating 30.5mm from last year) this being more rain than during the preceding 7 weeks. Other 24 hour totals to 0900 this morning (after a night of further heavy falls over Pembrokeshire and W Ceredigion): NRW gauges (selected, rounded up) Maenclochog (Preselis) 71mm, Llechryd (Cardigan) 59mm, Rhydargaeau (near Carmarthen) 48mm, Tenby 46mm, Cellan (near Lampeter) 43mm, Bow Street (Aberystwyth) 10mm, Corris (mid Wales) 3mm, Coleshill 0mm. A little snow fell covering the tops of the Preselis this morning. Whitechurch 35.8c, official wettest place in Wales for the second successive day making 86mm in 48 hours at this location. Very cool much of mid & N Wales & the Marches maxima Pennerley (Stiperstones, Salop) 6.4c, Trawsgoed 7.6c, Lwn 8.5c, MH & Shobdon 10.0c, Mona 12.5c, Nott 12.8c, Wellesbourne 14.2c (average). Lake Vyrnwy in Gwynedd max just 5.6c (higher up area).

Rather unsettled then for a time, although some nice dry days mixed in: 

Easter Sunday (20th): after the wet week across Wales (over 4 inches parts of Pembrokeshire) a lovely sunny warm day WW. Note still little rain this month Midlands (Church Lawford just 1.2mm and shown on Countryfile weather as the driest spot in the UK). Llanwnnen max 19.2c (warmest in UK unofficially), other Whitechurch 17.9c (official warmest),Trawsgoed 17.6c, ROW 17.5c, Gogerddan 17c, CC 17.1c, CITE 16.5c, Pershore 16.0c, Cov 14.8c, Aberporth 12.9c.

Wed 23rd significant rain across the Midlands during last night, KN 18.8mm, CL 17.2mm, Cov 15.6mm, many places 10mm inc Wales.

Thu 24th warm and sunny parts of WW & Shropshire, we were in Carmarthen where it was mostly sunny, it clouded over back home but max 18c (Trawsgoed also 18c today), much of Mids more cloud, cooler, other max ROW 16.5c, Pembrey Sands 16.3c, Nott 14.6c, CL &  Cov 13.5c; Valley 11 hrs sun, Aberporth 9.5 hrs, Lwn 5 hrs estimated.

April ended fine, dry and warm/ very warm:

Sun 27th start of the fine warm spell, Coventry 13.3 hours sunniest in UK. Above 20c much of the Midlands (Hereford 20.8c, Nott 20.6c, Cov 20.3c).

Mon 28th widely warm/ very warm and sunny, maxima Astwood Bank (Worc) 22.5c, Nott 22.3c, CL & Lwn 21.7c, Trawsgoed 20.4c, Aberporth 16.2c, Valley 15.2c. It was very warm in our garden early afternoon but rather cool by the sea at Aberaeron a little later. Bala 22.0c warmest spot in Wales. Again near unbroken 13 hour sun some places (inc Cov).

Tue 29th very warm and sunny; Llanwnnen max 25.7c highest in April since 2007 (26c), other max ROW & Trawsgoed 24.9c (official UK highest), Pembrey Sands 23.6c, Coleshill, Nott & Pershore 23.3c, Cov 22.8c, Aberporth 21.4c, MH 20.7c; unbroken 13 hours sun Cov & Nott (Lwn 12 hrs est).

Wed 30th Minimum at Aberdaron 14.1c almost a Wales record warm April night apparently (record Hawarden 14.5c (1994). Note chilly inland overnight, min Lwn & Shobdon just 4.0c. April record warmth here at Lwn, max 26.8c beating 26c of April 2007. This was also the earliest 80f (previous being May 25th 2017). Officially Trawsgoed 25.8c warmest in Wales (pegged back by a mid afternoon sea breeze otherwise?) and so the Wales April warmth record remains Gogerddan 26.2c in 2003. Other maxima Astwood Bank 25.4c, CITE 25.2c, Pembrey Sands 24.3c, CC 24.2c, CL 24.1c, Pennerley 22.1c, Aberporth 21.8c. Widely unbroken sun, Nottingham 14 hours the maximum possible at the end of April (also Aberporth & Valley 13.8 hrs, Coventry 13.7 hrs, Lwn est 13.5 hrs, Shawbury & Shobdon 13.5 hrs).

Exceptional warmth April 30th west Wales

Nature notes

Wed 2nd Aberystwyth several Blackcap and Chiffchaff singing by Morrisons. Various trees leafing by the river, Daffs going over in Aberystwyth area.

Early April Ash flowering which is early, Ash before Oak perhaps which hardly ever occurs? Magnolias peaking, Hedgerows widely in leaf. Blackthorn in blossom from the start of the month. More and more butterflies especially Whites, Speckled Woods and an Orange Tip. More and more insects, flies and bees.

Fri 4th 10 Chiffchaffs counted singing along the final mile approaching Llangrannog, several audible from the village along with my first Willow Warbler.

Sat 5th heard a Sand Martin flying over the garden.

Sun 6th cycling the local lanes, Willow Warbler singing Neuadd lane by the track junction, fair few Chiffchaffs, Bluebells coming out, plenty of Stitchwort, Horse Chestnut tree in leaf near the farm. Many Daffs are now over. Blackthorn blossom out.

Mon 7th Cellan: quite a few Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler singing. 

Longwood: Warbler count (audible) Chiffchaff 25 (plenty also seen), Willow Warbler 15 (a few seen), Blackcap 6 (a couple seen), Garden Warbler 1.

Distant smoke NE various forest and moorland fires over the Cambrians, notably Cwm Rheidol and near Strata Florida, these have been burning for several days now.

Wed 9th first Swallow twittering above the gardens.

Fri 11th Chiffchaffs rather absent in the gardens so far this month, although they are numerous in other areas, until today when 2 singing from within 100 metres which is typical of their territories.

GSW drumming just on occasion and some days unheard now, he has been coming onto the nuts to feed then flying back to the castle earthwork trees and drumming.

Sat 12th single Swallow again twittering above the gardens.

Tue 15th birds singing their hearts out in spite of the incessant rain!

Mid month: Beech and Oak leafing, 'May' blossom starting. First Cuckoo reports from the county.

Thu 17th 3 Swallow Lampeter Uni. Always look around for perished baby Rooks beneath the Uni Rookery trees, thought they were doing well this year until came across 4 dead babies no more than a few days old, reckon the nest had fallen down as twigs strewn about them. There have not been any bad winds so far this Spring.

Sun 20th 4 Swallow above the gardens this afternoon.

Mon 21st first Swift = my earliest ever. Feeding above the earthwork trees this morning, I had looked up at the Swallows and could not believe my eyes! Checking on the Ceredigion Bird Blog Tony in Bow Street beat me as had one yesterday evening (equalling his earliest ever April 20th 2015). Other very early sightings gleaned from the blog being (all April) 16th 2015 Llanrhystud, 17th 2014 Glandwr, 19th 2013 Pencarreg lake, 20th 2018 Cwrtnewydd.

Late month: Holly flowering, Apple blossom, garden Bluebells peaking, Daffs virtually all over. Quite a few Butterflies, Orange Tips, Whites, Holly Blue, Horse Chestnut 'candelabras'.

Sat 26th & Sun 27th a Swift perhaps 2 of them screaming from their nest sites in the church hall, no emergence seen.

Mon 28th heard the first House Martin above the gardens.

Mon 28th Aberaeron several House Martin and Swallows, the former building 2 nests opposite Hive by the harbour (endless supply of mud in the drained Pwll Cam inner portion while the sea defences continue to be done). A massive old Beech has been cut down near the allotments perhaps it had suffered storm damage and was deemed unsafe?

Tue 29th sole Swift heard and seen from garden this afternoon

Wed 30th southern forestry on a remarkably warm April late afternoon. First Cuckoo calling (however they were first heard in the county a fortnight back). Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Wood Warblers, Tree Pipits, Stonechats. Hint of flower on a Laburnum by the gate.

Llanybydder old school (gym): Under renovations since last year, concerned as a large piece of cloth covering one end up to guttering. Stopped and observed, Sparrows entering holes especially the opposite end and chattering away, none seen trying to get under the cloth so all seems well. I did mention to the lady via Facebook last year if they would consider the nesting birds she replied 'the funding was not enough for that'!

Llanybydder car park: also under renovations: 4 or 5 screaming Swift, several House & Sand Martin, half dozen Swallow. 

Month end, plentiful swallows, some of the garden Bluebells over already.

Summary April 2025

Very mild and sunny/ very sunny; rainfall variable from very dry to very wet

Wales had highly variable rainfall totals this month: Many places around average or rather wet, Snowdonia and mid Wales dry or very dry, SW Wales wet or very wet. Capel Curig one of several places to only receive half the average while parts of Pembrokeshire had twice average.

All locations over 200 hours sun. Coventry and indeed England as a whole has just had the sunniest March followed by sunniest April on record. 

Temperatures boosted by unseasonable warmth in the first fortnight and the final few days. Parts of West Wales had record April warmth right at the end.

Rainfall totals April 2025

Mona, Anglesey 79.2mm (rather wet)

Capel Curig, Snowdonia 63.6mm (very dry)

Aberdaron, Llyn Peninsular 112.4mm (very wet)

Trawsgoed, Ceredigion 45.6mm (dry)

Aberporth, near Llangrannog c 90mm (wet)

Llanwnnen 95.4mm (147%, but just 124% of historical Lampeter)

Pembrey Sands, Carms 90mm (rather wet)

Milford Haven, Pembs 147.8mm (over twice average)

Nottingham 12.4mm (quarter average)

Shawbury, Salop c 21mm (very dry)

Coleshill 14.0mm (very dry)

Coventry, Bablake School 23.4mm (45%)

CL, Warks 23.8mm (48%)

Pershore, Worc 23.4mm (v dry)

Hereford c 26mm (v dry)

King's Newnham EA gauge (near Rugby) 25.0mm

National Resources Wales (NRW) rain gauges April 2025

Llyn Cefni, Ynys Mon 76.6mm (average)

Bethesda Quarry (Gwynedd) 95mm (ave)

Cwm Dyli (Snowdonia) 102mm (dry)

Abersoch (Llyn Peninsular) 92mm (average)

Corris (near Machynlleth) 71.4mm (dry)

Bow Street (near Aberystwyth) 31.8mm (half average)

Pontrhydfendigaid (near Tregaron, Ceredigion) 43.8mm (half average)

Rhos Ymryson (near Gorscoch and 5 miles NW of Lwn) 86.6mm (ave)

Cellan (2 miles NE of Lampeter) 93.6mm (ave)

Pencader (Carms)  102.6mm (ave)

Abergorlech (Brechfa Forest, Carms) 104mm (ave)

Rhydargaeau (Carms) 122mm (rather wet)

Garnswllt (near Ammanford, Carms) 110mm (rather wet)

Felinfoel (near Llanelli, Carms) 99mm (r wet)

Southgate, Gower 87mm (r wet)

Ferwig (near Cardigan) 110mm (very wet)

Maenclochog (near Preselis, Pembs) 166mm (very wet)

Tenby (Pembs) 133mm (over twice average)

Bolton Hill (near Haverfordwest, Pembs) 118mm (very wet)

COL stations rainfall 

Llansadwrn 41.3mm (63%)

Ludlow, Salop 29.6mm (51%)

Alvechurch, Worc 28.5mm (48%)

Warstock, Brum 26.3mm (45%)

Alcester (Great Alne) 24.6mm (52%)

Cosby, Leic 22.7mm (46%)

Hinckley 23.9mm (49%)

Towcester, Northants 27.4mm (52%)

Sunshine totals

Aberdaron 205 hrs

Llanwnnen estimated 212 hrs

Nottingham 243 hrs

Coventry, Bablake School 247 hrs (148%)

Shobdon, Herefordshire 216 hrs

COL stations sun:

Ludlow 228 hrs (153%)

Alvechurch 243 hrs (176%)

Cosby 250 hrs

Towcester 255 hrs