Weather log December 2020

 Weather log December 2020

WW = West Wales
Lwn = Llanwnnen
AG = Aldermans Green, Coventry
CL = Church Lawford
ROW = Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire
CC = Capel Curig, Snowdonia
MH = Milford Haven
Mids = Midlands
CITE = Coton-in-the-Elms, Derbyshire
COL = Climatological Observers Link
PWS = Personal weather station

Soon turned rather cold early in the month:

Thu 4th sleet or now for parts of wales, with accumulations for high ground such as the Brecon Beacons. here in Lwn a litttle sleet afternoon, max just 4.3c  was the second coldest day of 2020 (since 3.4c in January); other max CC 3.6c, Watnall 4.1c, Coventry 4.7c, Pershore 5.8c, Mumbles 7.4c, Pembrey Sands 8.2c.

Fri 5th further wintriness in places with snow settling parts of the East and North Midlands.

Sat 6th sharp frost locally Wales, min Lwn -5.0c, Trawsgoed -4.2c, Shobdon -0.6c, Coventry +1.1c, Watnall 2.0c, Aberporth 2.8c; foggy in places too.

Mon 8th widely the coldest so far most places max below 4c much of Midlands with persistent fog, milder some Welsh coasts, maxima CL 1.7C, Coventry 2.5c, Llanwnnen 3.1c, Hereford 4.2c, Trawsgoed 6.2c, MH 7.7c.

Turned much milder and unsettled towards mid month: particularly wet for parts of WW, here at Llanwnnen over 3 inches rain 13th to 16th brought the annual total close to 1600mm making it the wettest year recorded here srb 2006 (beating 1553.8mm in 2008).

Fri 18th a very mild, wet and windy day, much of Waales over an inch, with over 4 inches for some high ground, not much for most of Midlands though; totals to midnight Libanus, Powys 64.0mm, CC 37.0mm, Trawsgoed 33.0mm, Aberdaron 13.0mm, Hereford 11.0mm, CL 3.6mm; 24 hours to 0900 Lwn 38.8mm the second wettest December day here (after 40.2mm 07/12/05 which was a few days after we moved in here!). Maxima CC 13.9c, Pershore & Trawsgoed 13.8c, Lwn 12.7c, CL 12.0c, Aberdaron 11.8c.

Sat 19th past week has been very wet for W Wales, here a Lwn it has been one of the wettest spells recorded with c 142mm falling in the past week (13th - 19th); note c 150mm fell in just 3 days October 2018 which caused severe flooding in the area, Carmarthen was particularly badly affected by floods on this occasion but nothing like 2 years ago.

Wed 23rd heavy rain in places, the worst of it over S Wales and SW Midlands, Ceredigion in the shelter of the Cambrians (NE wind) escaped with light rain, ROW 50.6mm wettest in UK, Pershore 26.4mm, Mona 17.2mm, CL 14.2mm, Trawsgoed trace rainfall

Christmas Day (Friday) frosty night, down to -5c in places, min Tirabad -4.3, Trawsgoed -4.1c, Llanwnnen -4.0c, Pershore -3.2c, CL & Coventry -0.9c, Aberaeron 3.6c

Boxing Day (Sat) into Sun 27th Storm Bella brought gales and further heavy rain in places, gusts to 81mph Aberdaron, more generally 50 - 60mph across Wales (48mph max gust here at Lwn was rather modest)

Rather cold and in places wintry end to the year:

Mon 28th snow in places, largely restricted to above 1000 feet for Wales (none at all around here even hill tops); West Midlands affected most by the snow band with 3 to 5 inches from Worcestershire to Stoke-on-Trent

Tue 29th further wintry conditions in places, mainly NW Midlands with the Stoke area once more baring the snow brunt

Thu 31st snow shower streamer of Cardigan Bay affected Ceredigion during the morning this gave around 4cm covering over the lawns by midday with little thaw as it was the coldest day of the year max just 1.3c. This was the first and only snowfall of 2020 on the very last day! Other max Libanus, Powys +0.6c, CC 2.4c, CL 2.8c, Shobdon 5.1c, Valley 6.1c;

Nights during the final week of December have been as low as -6c in the Midlands

Nature notes

Tue 1st Lampeter Uni, Magnolia buds full as in Spring with some fresh leaves out, some Ragworts re-grown and flowered where old hockey pitch mown, a sole skater on the river (plenty still a few weeks ago) they tend to disappear end of Summer.

Wed 2nd Aberystwyth much gorse bloom along hedgerows no doubt encouraged by Autumn trimming; Plas Crug various blooms inc few Rhododendrons and Hydrangea (latter seen last year this time of year I think it was); some other flowers in bloom as were last month too; many thousands of Starling present at the Pier roost now

Sat 5th quite a few Redwing and Fieldfare going to roost forestry this afternoon; a few Blackberry flowers.

Early month first Bluebell spikes emerging under shelter of the apple tree at the top of the garden.

Sun 6th sharp hoar frost, min -5.0c zapped much of November regrowth foliage in our garden.

Mon 7th AG Coventry wild rose and various other flower blooms inc Primrose also fresh shrubbery regrowth with grass rather long (last cut October?).

Tue 8th Bedworth Miners Welfare Park, snatch of Song Thrush late afternoon.

Wed 9th pesky Parakeet in tree adjacent to AG garden these birds are so invasive and noisy and unwanted!

Fri 11th Long Lawford Great Tits calling as though Spring.

Sat 12th more Parakeets by Wyken Slough, Coventry. 

Thu 17th very mild Hedgehog active on the lawn, not a fully grown one but hopefully big enough to survive coming out of hibernation and hopefully it found some worms as there are now no slugs.

Mid month Mistle Thrush heard one day mid month briefly

Tue 22nd Blackbird singing from rooftop adjacent Tesco car park, Aberystwyth just after dark.

Wed 23rd Ragwort in bloom Lampeter University

Sun 27th first Snowdrop Lampeter University near former tennis court, hardly ever seen them before January! Also many daisies with nothing below -5c locally as yet this Winter.

Tue 29th Great Tit "teacher" calling; plentiful Primroses in  bloom month end

Very few Holly berries this Winter, perhaps the late Spring frosts affected them?

December 2020 summary

Wet or very wet; rather mild/ average temperatures; dull to average sunshine:

Rainfall totals:

Valley 150.6mm (166%)

CC 394.6mm (128%)

Aberdaron 177.2mm (216%)

Trawsgoed c 245mm

Aberporth 190.6mm (200%)

Llanwnnen 283.7mm (197%)

Pembrey Sands 233.4mm (201%)

Mumbles c 165mm 

Nottingham 110.4mm 

Shawbury 112.2mm (180%)

Shobdon 137.2mm (164%)

Coleshill 92.2mm

Coventry 97.8mm (159%)

Church Lawford 85.8mm (151%)

COL stations (amateur)

Ludlow 147.0mm

Warstock 129.2mm (175%)

Alvechurch 142.2mm (204%)

Cosby, Leic 76.8mm (122%)

Towcester, Northants 114.5mm (183%)

Sunshine Dec 2020

Aberdaron 35.8 hrs

Aberporth 25.3 hrs (49%)

Lwn 35 hours estimated (96%)

Watnall, Notts 52.1 hrs 

Shawbury 39.0 hrs (92%)

Coventry 56.2 hrs (101%)

Shobdon 38.4 hrs

2020 annual summary

Wet, locally very wet; average to rather mild temperatures; average to quite sunny

Lwn 1737.0mm (132%) the wettest year recorded here by almost 180mm and seems to have been the wettest locally since 1974 when 1784mm fell at nearby Llanybydder. All areas were wetter than average this year.

Coventry, Bablake School 756.4mm (109%).

Church Lawford 741.0mm (110%)

Sunshine

Llanwnnen estimated 1322 hrs (98%)

Coventry, Bablake School 1698.2 hrs (111%)

Weather log November 2020

 

Weather log November 2020

WW = West Wales
Lwn = Llanwnnen
AG = Aldermans Green, Coventry
CL = Church Lawford
ROW = Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire
CC = Capel Curig, Snowdonia
MH = Milford Haven
Mids = Midlands
CITE = Coton-in-the-Elms, Derbyshire
COL = Climatological Observers Link
PWS = Personal weather station

Unsettled initially but then fine dry interlude with some frost and fog:

Sun 1st very mild especially Midlands where above 17c widely..max during the evening Hereford 17.8c, Coventry 17.3c, CL 16.7c, Trawsgoed 16.1c, Lwn 15.c, Aberdaron 14.1c.

Wed 4th first fairly widespread air frost of Autumn, min Shobdon -2.8c, Tirabad -2.1c, Pembrey & Trawsgoed -1.0c, Lwn -0.8c, CL & Coventry -0.1c, Nottingham 1.7c, Aberporth 6.0c.

Fri 6th nice sunny day for many (unbroken sunshine much of WW), more cloud East Midlands (sun total Aberdaron 8.6 hrs, Lwn est 8.5 hrs, Shobdon 7.5 hrs, Coventry 5.3 hrs, Watnall 3.7 hrs.

Mon 9th very mild/ warm for November especially parts of WW where into the low 60's f, max Lwn 16.6c highest in November for 5 years (since the astoundingly warm max 19.9c 01/11/15)..other max Gogerddan, Ceredigion 19.0c warmest in UK, Trawsgoed 17.7c, Pershore 16.2c, CC 14.2c, Watnall 12.8c.

Often mild to last week although min -2.9c 23^rd:

Rather dry and bright end to month with some frost and fog.

Nature notes

Sun 8th forestry few Redwing and Fieldfare (latter heard only); some Bats still driving back at dusk.

Mild first half to November, modest fresh grass growth, some fresh leafing to hedges and shrubs, a few flowers inc Primroses in back garden.

Mid month a few Buttercup in flower on the lawn and plenty of daises.

Sat 21^st a wasp about the Holly tree, still no proper frost.

Late month still rather mild although had a -3c; fresh growth quite prolific grass, mosses, ferns, shrubs, Hazel buds swelling; various flowering especially some garden shrubbery and roses even.

Psilocybe Semilanceata mushrooms (few) front lawn late month not seen these for a few years in this location.

Sun 29th nice and sunny, walked along Neuadd lane where prolific fresh foliage, inc ferns, Foxgloves and Celandines, while some grasses have attained full height and seeds for second time this year; a few fresh Oak leaves, some Hazel leaves have come out anew also a few Blackthorn leaves, while where the hedges were trimmed (may be a month or so back) Wild Roses have sprouted a foot or more above the hedgelines; even one Blackberry in flower adjacent to some fresh berries by the farm! Red Campion flowers and a few of various other flower spp; nettles having fresh green leaves - all in all rare to see this level of re-growth at the very end of November and such a contrast to the damaging May frosts along this lane 6 months ago. Plentiful swarms of gnats and small flies too.

Mon 30th Daffodil spikes up just along road in the spot where always early and were out Christmas 2015!

November summary
Generally very mild and rather dry, locally up to average rainfall with just half the average for parts of the Midlands; sunshine generally rather dull, but up to average in places.

Nov 2020 rainfall totals

Valley 84.2mm (82%)
Mona 106.8mm
Aberdaron 83.0mm (71%)

Trawsgoed 99.6mm (71%)
Aberporth 72.4mm (67%)
Llanwnnen 132.1mm (89%)
MH 82.6mm
Pembrey Sands 75.6mm (62%)
Mumbles 74.4mm (66%)

Shawbury 36.2mm (59%)
Coleshill 37.2mm (54%)
Coventry, Bablake school 38.6mm (62%)
CL 37.8mm (63%)
Pershore, Worc 34.8mm (61%)
Hereford 45.6mm (71%)

PWS rainfall Nov 2020

Cosby, Leic 30.5mm (47%)
Warstock 50.2mm (60.8%)

Towcester, Northants 48.7mm (70%)
Alvechurch 48.7mm (62%)

Ludlow, Salop. 50.7mm

November 2020 sunshine

Valley 44.3 hrs (74%)
Aberporth 55.6 hrs
Llanwnnen est 60 hrs (95%)

Nottingham 54.2 hrs
Shawbury 49.1 hrs (78%)
Coventry, Bablake school 69.4 hrs (105%)
Wellesbourne, Warks 71 hrs
Shobdon 58.8 hrs
ROW 55.4 hrs

Autumn 2020 summary

Average to rather mild temperature- wise; rainfall average to quite wet; sunshine near average generally

Autumn 2020 rainfall

Valley 263.2mm
Trawsgoed c 408mm
Aberporth 275.4mm
Llanwnnen 453.5mm (112%)
Mumbles 278.4mm

Shawbury 173.0mm
Coleshill 166.0mm
Coventry 174.8mm (92%)
CL 182.8mm (95%)
Pershore 159.6mm

Autumn 2020 sunshine

Aberporth 237.3 hrs
Llanwnnen est 251 hrs (96%)
Nottingham 272.2 hrs
Coventry 311.2 hrs (101%)

Weather log Oct 2020

Weather log Oct 2020

WW = West Wales
Lwn = Llanwnnen
AG = Aldermans Green, Coventry
CL = Church Lawford
ROW = Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire
CC = Capel Curig, Snowdonia
MH = Milford Haven
Mids = Midlands
CITE = Coton-in-the-Elms, Derbyshire  


COL = Climatological Observers Link
PWS = Personal weather station

Cool unsettled start to the month with copious rainfall:

Sat 3rd/ Sun 4th widely over two inches rainfall during these two days, locally over 4 inches hilly areas of Wales; -Llanwnnen 40.8mm in the 24 hours to 0900 4th; Coventry 38.0mm had its wettest October day since 1949 (38.3mm). 24 hour totals to 1200 4th: Trawsgoed 45.0mm, CL 42mm, Hereford 33mm, Nottingham 20mm, Pembrey 10.6mm. Swyddfynnon, Ceredigion officially the wettest place in the UK for the 24 hours to 2100 4th with 48.3mm. Needless to say there was severe flooding in places, particularly parts of Snowdonia..

Tue 6th plentiful showers with thunder in places (inc Bedworth, Warks 1630)...one shower after the other here in Ceredigion for much of the day!

A very wet start to the month, some places already above the whole October average by the end of the first week.

A change to some pleasant settled Autumn conditions mid month:

Wed 14th pleasant sunny spells especially WW with temperatures in places getting rather above average (unusual for this far cool October), maxima Pembrey Sands 15.7c, Lwn 15.6c, Trawsgoed 15.5c, Newport, Salop 15.4c, Shawbury & Shobdon 14.7c, CL 13.1c, CC 12.2c

Thu 15th frost in places, mainly restricted to ground frosts mid Wales, but here at Lwn min -0.3c was the first air frost of the season, there was also fog to start the day which saw sunny periods especially WW; other min Trawsgoed +0.4c, Pembrey 2.4c, Pershore 2.9c, Nottingham 5.9c, Mumbles 7.5c

Fri 16th another local frost Wales, min Lwn -1.1c, Tirabad 1.8c, Pembrey 2.9c, Shobdon 3.1c, Hereford 6.6c (note large local variation!), Mumbles 7.4c

Unsetted again from 20th with rain at times and variable temperatures:

Fri 30th warm sector much rain for Wales (over 100mm parts of Snowdonia); a very mild night widely staying above 12c; minima Hereford 13.9c, Trawsgoed 13.7c, Coventry 13.7c, Shobdon 13.2c, Lwn 12.8c, CC 12.3c

Nature notes

Fri 9th 4 or 5 Swallow feeding above gardens for a few minutes at dusk of a cool day just after a hail shower. First for almost a fortnight and likely the last of the year..

Wed 14th Aberystwyth, dozens of Pied Wagtails roosting in trees along a back road early evening; first of the Pier Starlings but hundreds rather than thousands there at this stage..

Sat 17th quite a few bats Aberaeron at dusk in the woods and along the river

Redwings heard often throughout the month but none seen, this was either late afternoon when they were in the forestry or flying over during the evenings, they have a faint whistling call and are Winter visitors along with the Fieldfare, another Thrush.

Sat 31st several (larger) bats dusk driving back from forestry.

The odd red Holly berry during October, not sure if new or old ones!

A few Hazel catkin appeared during the month

October 2020 summary

Dull, wet and rather cool

All areas had above average rain with locally twice the average (mainly in the South Midlands this); all areas had a dull month, just half the average for parts of Cardigan Bay; temperatures cool to average for October

Rainfall totals October 2020

Valley 117.2mm (116%)

Capel Curig 376.6mm (126%)

Aberdaron 120.2mm (113%)

Trawsgoed 192.0mm (132%)

Aberporth 132.2mm (118%)

Llanwnnen 240.3mm (168%)

Pembrey Sands c 155mm

Milford Haven 143.0mm

Mumbles 157.8mm (128%)

Nottingham 92.6mm

Shawbury c 95mm

Coleshill 104.2mm (143%)

Coventry, Bablake School 114.4mm (169%)

Church Lawford 118.6mm (177%)

Pershore 110.2mm (183%)

Hereford 118.4mm (151%)

COL/ PWS rainfall

Cosby, Leic 88.3mm (128%)

Warstock, Bham 122.7mm (154%)

Alvechurch, Worc 125.5mm (139%)

Towcester, Northants 142.2mm (189%)

Sunshine totals Oct 2020

Aberporth 49.0 hrs (48%)

Llanwnnen 54 hrs (62%)

Nottingham 52.5 hrs

Weather log September 2020

Weather log September 2020

WW = West Wales

Lwn = Llanwnnen

AG = Aldermans Green, Coventry

CL = Church Lawford

ROW = Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

CC = Capel Curig, Snowdonia

MH = Milford Haven

Mids = Midlands

CITE = Coton-in-the-Elms, Derbyshire

COL = Climatological Observers Link

PWS = Personal weather station

A mediocre start to the month, generally quite cool and cloudy, mostly dry though for the Midlands...

Tue 8th a humid day; WW mostly cloudy with some drizzle, Midlands though warm, sunny spells, max Winterbourne, B'ham 24.6c, Market Bosworth 24.2c, Coventry 23.8c, Shobdon 23.0c, Aberporth 21.0c (sunny intervals helped on this part of Cardigan Bay), Lwn 19.4c, Aberdaron 16.1c

Very warm mid month for a while setting up a prolonged fine, dry and warm spell, a late taste of Summer!

Mon 14th max 26.9c Llanwnnen equalled the September record (also 26.9c same date in 2016). Other max Gogerdan 27.5c, Pershore & Trawsgoed 27.4c, CL & Coventry 26.5c, Aberporth 26.2c, Shobdon 25.4c, Aberdaron & MH 22.4c; almost unbroken sunshine much of Midlands (Watnall 11.5 hrs, Wellesbourne 11.4 hrs)

Tue 15th warm night for Welsh coasts, just mild generally elsewhere; min Aberdaron 17.4c, Aberporth 17.1c, Coventry 13.3c, Lwn 11.9c, CC 11.2c, Shobdon 8.9c. Warm/ very warm with sunny intervals WW, very warm or hot Midlands, at Coventry, max 28.8c was the hottest September day since 1949 (28.9c); other max CL 29.4c, CITE 27.9c, Shawbury 25.6c, Lwn 24.5c, Mona 23.4c, Aberdaron 20.9c

Wed 16th warm/ very warm quite widely, cooler and more cloudy N Mids and for some of the misty coasts; maxima Llanwnnen 26.1c (third warmest Sept day on record here), ROW 25.4c, Trawsgoed 24.5c, Coventry 21.3c, Watnall 17.4c, Aberporth 16.3c

Mon 21st last of the warm and sunny days for WW, a fantastic September spell of 9 consecutive days above max 20c here at Lwn. Very warm for late September locally today, most places well above their averages of 16 - 18c; max Coleshill 24.4c, Llanwnnen 23.8c, Tirabad, Powys 23.3c, Trawsgoed 22.3c, Watnall 21.8c, Aberdaron 17.8c; virtually unbroken sunshine too for may parts of WW, Lwn est 11 hours (with 3 of the last 4 days above 11 hours here), Valley 10.9 hrs, Watnall 10.8 hrs, Shawbury 8.3 hrs. 

One more warm day with sunny spells for the Midlands before Autumn conditions set in on cue with the Equinox:

Tue 22nd Coventry 24.1c a date record; other max CL 23.9c, Shobdon 20.7c; Mumbles 18.3c, Lwn 16.8c, Aberdaron 14.9c

Thu 24th very cool and showery, hail and thunder in places such as Rugby (one rumble here at Lwn 1400); maxima Mumbles 14.6c, Nottingham 14.4c, Coventry 12.8c, Lwn 12.7c, Capel Curig 10.5c

Fri 25th local ground overnight frost (it was frosty on the grass when I let the dog out at midnight), minima  Tirabad, Powys +0.2c, Lwn 0.9c, Trawsgoed 2.8c, Coleshill 3.5c, Nottingham 6.9c, Aberporth 8.4c. Plenty of shower again WW with hail, some quite large hailstones here at Lwn (up to 1cm diameter late afternoon). another very cool/ cool day, although most of the Midlands escaped dry

Sat 26th local air frost mid Wales, minima Tirabad -0.7c, Trawsgoed 1.2c, Pershore 1.5c, Lwn 3.8c, CL 5.1c, Aberdaron 8.9c; Better day with most places dry and bright though still that cool north breeze..

Mon 28th widespread inland grass frost with touches of air frost more locally, min Pershore -0.6c, Lwn 0.0c, Tirabad +0.3c, CITE +0.9c, Nottingham 3.6c, MH 8.9c

Wed 30th a rather wet end to a generally rather dry month, widely around an inch for WW from heavy rain then showers, half inch for parts of the Midlands, Llanwnnen 23.2mm to 0900; 06-0600 totals Trawsgoed 31.2mm,  CL 11.2mm, Hereford 2.6mm

Nature notes

Plenty of hirundines above our village early in the month, most days to about 10th saw 40 -50 mix of H Martin and Swallow feeding above the gardens, so nice what with the Swifts long gone and little bird song now.

Thu 10th Chiffchaff singing Longwood, heard one briefly last week as well.

Sat 12th Llwyndrissi foresty, quite a few Swallow and a few H martin feeding, lovely watching a group of swallow over the hill slope (Nightjar one) when a falcon disturbed them (probably a Hobby but very quick), some of them returned within a few minutes..

Mon 14th again Chiffchaff singing Longwood on a glorious warm Autumn afternoon (max 26.9c record).

Wed 16th Chiffchaff again Lampeter University close to the Old Building; another singing well late afternoon at the forestry.

Most of the Swallows and Martins departed towards month end with the cool  north winds of late..

Sat 26th still perhaps half dozen H Martins Lampeter; forestry - fair second bloom of Foxgloves underway (these may last to November provided no hard frosts); evening half dozen Swallow village

Mon 28th Chiffchaff singing in Carmarthen town centre this morning near the library

September 2020 weather summary

Generally rather dry and quite sunny; temperatures close to average

WW generally rather dry, some places attaining the monthly average, most of the Midlands more decidedly dry; most places above average sunshine. At Coventry it was the sunniest Sept since 2003 (174.9 hrs) and driest since 2014 (4.8mm).


Rainfall totals Sept 2020

Nottingham 18.0mm
Shawbury 41.8mm (73%)
Coleshill 24.6mm (40%)

Coventry 21.8mm (38%)

CL 24.6mm (40%)

Pershore 14.6mm (28%)

Shobdon 39.4mm (64%)

Valley 61.8mm (86%)

CC 114.6mm (55%)

Trawsgoed c 84mm

Aberporth 70.6mm (100%)

Llawnnen 81.1mm (71%)

MH 73.0mm

Mumbles 46.2mm (60%)

PWS/ COL stations 

Cosby, Leic 29.3mm (50%)

Warstock, Bham 27.9mm (42%)

Towcester 31.6mm (50%)

Alvechurch, Worc 24.4mm (45%)

Ludlow, Salop 31.7mm

Sunshine

Nottingham 165.5 hrs

Shawbury 156.4 hrs (133%)

Coventry 174.4 hrs (127%)

Shobdon 157.5 hrs 

Valley 158.8 hrs (121%)

Aberporth 132.7 hrs (93%)

Llanwnnen est 136 hrs (109%)

Weather log August 2020

Weather log August 2020

WW = West Wales

Lwn = Llanwnnen

AG = Aldermans Green, Coventry

CL = Church Lawford

ROW = Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

CC = Capel Curig, Snowdonia

MH = Milford Haven

Mids = Midlands

CITE = Coton-in-the-Elms, Derbyshire

COL = Climatological Observers Link

PWS = Personal weather station

Unremarkable start to August although rather dull WW but then the second week had a remarkable August heatwave and many thunderstorms:

Fri 7th past few nights very mild/ warm, widely above 15c as a prelude to the impending heatwave that is due for much of England in the coming week. Min last night 17.4c here at Lwn is an August record (beating 17.4c 18/08/12) and equal third warmest night on record (17.8c 18/07/14)). Other min Peembrey Sands 17.6c, Shawbury 17.0c, Mona 14.0c, Shobdon 12.7c. Min higher much of Midlands yesterday (CL 17.0c). Hot sunny spells Midlands for the second successive Friday, WW generally warm but more cloud; maxima Hereford 31.0c, CL 30.9c, Shawbury 29.5c, Lwn 26.0c, Trawsgoed 24.3c, Aberdaron 17.1c

Sat 8th hot much of Midlands, more pleasant sea breezes WW, maxima ROW 30.7c, Usk 30.1c, Pershore 29.8c, CITE & CL 28.6c, Mumbles 26.3c, Shawbury 25.5c, Lwn 23.7c, Aberporth 19.0c

Sun 10th quite hot Midands, Wellesbourne max 27.6c, Pershore 27.5c

Mon 10th Thunderstorms affected parts of Wales; Llanwnnen must have had a severe storm 1400 as over 26mm rain fell in half hour, up to a record rain rate of 245mm/ hour for the station, a short power outage, with lightning detectors going crazy over the region! Total rain for the day 33.6mm at Lwn made it the wettest August day recorded here (beating 28.5mm 15/08/13) - note probably nearer 40mm fell as I apportion daily rain amounts from the electronic WS figures when we return after being away and unusually this was well below the manual gauge catch for the week, and so suspected that the Davis suffered significant splash out from the intense rain (and hail?). Meanwhile we were in the hot, humid Midlands, thunderstorms locally later (much thunder heard Coventry early evening from storm near Warwick). Max Wellesbourne 31.6c, Pershore 30.7c, CL 30.6c, Hereford 27.1c; Pembrey Sands 23.6c, Lwn 21.4c, Aberdaron 19.1c.

Tue 11th hot or very hot and humid with thunderstorms in places such as Rugby and Coventry; maxima Wellesbourne 33.6c, Pershore 32.9c, Tirabad, Powys 28.5c, Lwn 27.9c, CC 25.0c, Aberporth just 17.5c with the sea mist (seen on Llangrannog webcam nearby)

Wed 12th exceptional heat for the Midlands in particular; at Coventry, min 19.7c was the warmest August night on record (over 100 years); maxima ROW 35.0c, Pershore 34.5c, CL 34.2c, Coventry, Bablake School 32.9c, Shawbury 30.6c; Usk, Monmouthshire 33.6c, Mumbles 29.5c, Aberporth 21.5c (likely cloudy/ misty on Cardigan Bay again); max 29.3c at Llanwnnen being an August record (beating 28.3c from 2018); spectacular lightning display from Coventry during the evening, flashes at least every second for a couple of hours from a storm again centred on the Warwick area

Thu 13th min 17.6c Llanwnnen was the warmest August night recorded here (beating 17.4c the week before), it was also the second warmest night recorded here (after 17.8c July 2014 see above); thundery showers and storms about once more inc Coventry at my Aunts funeral midday; still quite hot parts of WW but generally a much cooler and cloudier day, max down some 12c or so across the Midlands (max Porthmadog 29.8c, Lwn 27.1c, Mumbles 22.2c; Hereford 24.3c, Coventry 21.3c, Astwood Bank, Worc 20.9c; Hereford 44mm rain, Newport, Salop 38.8mm.

A very warm month to date, mean maxima are at 25 - 26c for much of the Midlands, and 21 - 23c for inland Wales; all areas having warm nights, generally averaging 13 - 15c:

Sun 16th humid and warm for most with thundery downpours widespread pm; thundery downpours affected Rugby and probably Llanwnnen for example (14mm in the hour here just before we arrived home in the evening).

Mon 17th widespread thundery downpours once more, inc Llanwnnen, Coventry and Rugby, rainfall very localised over 30mm for Hatton, Warwick PWS, 23.2mm CL (fourth wettest spot in UK today) but not much Bablake on the west side of Coventry. Llanwnnen it was once more the wettest August day recorded with 34.2mm (see above notes 10th). Wettest place in UK Aberporth 50.6mm (24 hours to 0600 18th), Valley 30.2mm, CL 23.2mm, Trawsgoed 22.0mm, Watnall 0.2mm

Sixth day of thunder out of the last 8 (since Mon 10th) at Coventry, 4 days this month so far here at Llanwnnen equals the monthly record (May 2008) for a thundery month. 

Fri 21st more torrential downpours with thunder for WW overnight, fifth day with thunder here at Lwn is a monthly record (beating 4 days May 2008)..a further inch of rain here so that the August 2020 rainfall total has equalled the wettest August recorded here (166.1mm in Aug 2008)...the wettest of any Summer month (218.3mm in June 2012) will be under threat with 10 days of the month remaining. Strong to gale force winds also today, unusually so for August courtesy of this named storm (Ellen) with gusts to 68mph Mumbles, Llanwnnen 45mph, Coventry 39mph, brought a few trees down even Midlands

Tue 25th another named storm (Francis) the second in a week, more unseasonable weather with heavy rain and strong winds, widely over an inch of rain, severe flooding for parts of Snowdonia as over 100mm fell. Here at Lwn 30.1mm to 0900GMT was remarkably the third occasion that the previous long- standing August daily rainfall has been beaten this month (see above notes)..other totals (24 hours to 1800) Mona 35mm, Pembrey 32mm, MH 31.6mm, Watnall 26mm, Shawbury & Trawsgoed 24mm, CL 22mm, Hereford 15mm

Wed 26th first decent day since we came back from Coventry over a week ago, dry and bright and fairly warm with little wind!

Nicer end to the month with sunny spells WW still cool and mostly cloudy Midlands though..

Nature notes

Sat 1st watching the Swifts at the church at dusk. We were there half hour in the churchyard, there seems to be 2/ 3 nests on that (the east) side. There are still chicks in the corner of the church (SE). Each visit I check for chicks that may have perished and there was one, it was fairly well developed (probably about a fortnight off fledging) and appeared in an advanced state of decomposition (been there at least one week), not noticed before as in Coventry last week. Then around the front of the hall dismayed to see a freshly killed adult in the middle of the road, as I did not notice this less than 30 minutes previously it must have happenend while I was in the churchyard. Unfortunately I have seen them often low over the road sometimes going along it, and this one had made a misjudgment (there was very little traffic and they should be slow-moving here within 30 metres of the junction). It is now likely one of its chicks will perish unless they are within a few days of fledging (quite possible as its now August) and perhaps if only 1/2 chicks the remaining adult will cope with feeding.

Still 1 or 2 Holly berries remaining on the tree survived since last Winter!

Mon 3rd 6- 8 screaming Swift church hall dusk, still young in some nests audible

Fri 7th screaming Swifts over village early afternoon (sounded like half dozen or so); Llanybydder, no Swifts over car park; 3 Swift Aberduar; no Swift but H Martins Rhydybont on a sultry, warm evening

Sat 8th 2 Swift Lampeter Uni teatime; 3 Swift Llanwnnen dusk with perhaps a parting scream :(

Sun 9th from memory a few Swift Abergavenny on way to Midlands late afternoon

Mon 10th 1 Swift above Sainsbury, Coventry 1930 beneath the anvil of a big thunder cloud

Wed 12th 8 - 10 Swift evening on the edge of a spectacular thunderstorm Aldermans Green, Coventry

Tue 18th Chiffchaff singing from a tree by the stream passing Lampeter student union building.

Mon 24th Longwood snatch of Chiffchaff song.

There have been large gatherings of Swallows and Martins over the village most days this month, typically 30 -40 birds excitedly feeding over the gardens

August 2020 summary

Very wet in many areas but with local variation due to storms with some spots having three times the average August rainfall; at Llanwnnen this was the wettest August (records began 2006) and with only one wetter Summer month (June 2012 218.3mm); a very thundery month, some places such as Coventry having thunder on 6 days while here at Llanwnne the 5 days was a new monthly record (beating 4 days in May 2008);  all areas dull, particularly WW; rather warm/warm in spite of the cool ending, in many areas it was the warmest August since 2003 or 2004 (August has been generally rather poor since then!)

August 2020 rainfall:

Valley 118.4mm (170%)

Aberdaron 138.8mm (193%)

Trawsgoed 124.4mm (144%)

Aberporth 161.6mm (236%)

Llanwnnen 214.4mm (197%)

MH 112.2mm 

Watnall, Notts 89.4mm

Shawbury, Salop 134.8mm (227%)

Coleshill c 78mm

Coventry, Bablake School 94.4mm (150%)

Church Lawford, Warks 103.0mm (167%)

Pershore, Worc 103.6mm (188%)

Hereford 138.8mm (290%)

PWS

Cosby, Leic 89.2mm

Warstock, Bham 125.3mm (184%)

Alvechurch, Worc 127.7mm (245%)

Ludlow 128.3mm

August 2020 sunshine:

Aberdaron 142.9 hrs 

Llanwnnen 85 hours estimated (56%)

Watnall, Notts 146.9 hrs

Shawbury, Salop 112.9 hrs (70%)

Coventry 147.0 hrs (79%)

Wellesbourne, Warks 127.6 hrs

Shobdon, Herefordshire 123.9 hrs

Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire 119.7 hrs

Summer 2020 summary

Overall the Summer was mediocre and wet, however it contained record breaking heat on the last day of July for the Midlands (over 35c in places) and also a remarkable hot and thundery spell second week of August; sunshine below average for all areas, a very dull Summer for much of Wales

Summer 2020 rainfall

Aberdaron 306.4mm

Aberporth 361.4mm

Llanwnnen 435.5mm (162%)

Watnall, Notts c 235mm

Shawbury 276.6mm

Coleshill c 227mm

Coventry, Bablake School 236.2mm (130%

CL 236.6mm (133%)

Hereford 233.0mm

Summer 2020 sunshine

Llanwnnen est sun 334 hrs (66%)

Watnall 432.7 hrs

Shawbury 374.2 hrs

Coventry, Bablake 494.9 hrs (86%)

Weather log July 2020

Weather log July 2020

Key:

WW = West Wales

Lwn = Llanwnnen

AG = Aldermans Green, Coventry

CL = Church Lawford

ROW = Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

CC = Capel Curig, Snowdonia

MH = Milford Haven

Mids = Midlands

CITE = Coton-in-the-Elms, Derbyshire

COL = Climatological Observers Link

PWS = Personal weather station

Poor start to the month particularly for WW where it was often cool and dull with spells of rain:

Fri 3rd very cool Wales, here at Lwn max 14.6c not until late evening, the coolest July day since 06/07/2012 (max 13.7c)

Tue 7th cloudy with rain at times, very cool  max Aberdaron 13.1c, Aberporth 13.9c, Lwn 14.9c, Pershore 17.5c, Wellesbourne 17.6c, Pembrey & Watnall 15.5c; Gogerddan 21.6mm wettest in UK

Wed 8th rather cool and wet for many, an inch of rain fell over parts of WW 

Mean max temperature here at Lwn to 10th just 17.3c and represents the coolest July spell recorded here..maxima- wise a very cool early July almost nationwide (SW MIdlands not so poor); 1st-11th July mean max Capel Curig 14.9c, Aberporth 15.5c, Nottingham 17.0c, Pembrey Sands 17.2c, CL 18.3c, Hereford 19.6c, 

Fine interlude at last Fri 10th to Sun 12th

Sun 12th one of the coolest July nights recorded here, min 1.6c, the lowest here being +0.7c in July 2015. Tirabad had min 1.3c, Shobdon 2.8c; maxima in low-mid 20's c for many with sunny periods although WW clouded over, max Hereford 23.2c, Coventry 22.3c, Sutton Bonington 22.1c, Lwn 22.0c, Aberdaron 15.9c

Briefly rather warm and humid just after mid month:

Fri 17th warm and humid with sunny spells,  Pershore 25.4c, Coventry 24.6c, CITE 24.0c, Shawbury 22.0c, Lwn & Trawsgoed 20.2c,  CC 16.0c 

Sat 18th warm sticky night for many, minima above 15c in places, Nottingham 15.7c, Mumbles 15.3c, Coventry & Trawsgoed 15.2c, Aberdaron & Lwn 13.9c, slow- moving cold front brought rain and drizzle and cooler conditions during the day...well over an inch of rain for parts of NW Wales..

Changeable after short fine spell towards month end:

Mon 20th low overnight temps for rural areas, a touch of air frost at a Powys frost hollow (min -0.1c St Harmon). other Lwn 2.2c, Tirabad 2.3c, Shobdon 2.8c, Mona 4.4c, Coventry 9.1c, Mumbles 10.0c

Tue 21st another cold July night widely, min St Harmon, Powys 0.0c, Lwn 2.1c, Tirabd 2.2c, Shobdon 2.7c, Pembrey Sands 4.3c, CL 4.8c, Watnall 8.7c, Mumbles 11.2c

Sat 25th thundery showers, we were away but nearby lightning sferics late afternoon suggested there was thunder at Lwn; thunder also heard by my wife in Coventry early evening

Return of Summer briefly month end:

Thu 30th warm/ very warm with sunny periods, max Pershore 28.0c, Coventry 27.5c, Trawsgoed 26.1c, Lwn 25.8c, Aberdaron 19.7c (highest of July to date here)

Fri 31st exceptionally hot much of the Midlands very warm much of west Wales..max 35.2c Coventry equalling the offficial highest ever recorded in the city in July 2019 with also Aug 1990 (Bablake School 35.1c, Walsgrave 35.6c)...other max Heathrow 37.8c, Wellesbourne, Warks 36.2c, CL 34.9c, Coleshill & Pershore 34.8c, Shobdon 30.7c, Trawsgoed 28.1c, Lwn 26.9c, Aberdaron & MH 21.3c; thunder for parts of Midlands late afternoon into evening..thunder heard from Coventry & Rugby around 1800 but little rain in these places..

Nature notes

Wed 1st Longwood plenty of Chiffchaff, in fact little else to be heard besides the almost ever-present chiff-chaffing! Goshawk briefly seen.

Hardly a Swift to be seen this first week in July, saw a single bird at Llanybydder 4th, chicks calling from one of the nests only in the church hall here a few nights ago, none at Lampeter yesterday nor last week. Most unusual for early July when activity is often high, however it has been a notably cool and cloudy start to the month, mean max just 17c here so far is unprecedented for July. Reports of record southward Swift passage along the east coast last few days of June, they reckon these would be non- breeders returning south. Hopefully the adults around here have not joined them and are not deserting their chicks!

Early/ mid month Jay seen feeding on few remaining Holly berries (Blackbirds also do this); family of Jay frequently on the bird feeders...

Fri 10th improvement in the weather, a dozen H Martin and Swallow this evening, then about half dozen Swift around the hall, limited screaming but great to see them back and also that chicks were audible from at least 3 of their nests..

Sat 11th 8- 10 screaming Swift over the churchyard at dusk!

Most birdsong ended with the very poor weather of late, just the odd Song Thrush still at it but half-heartedly, no more dawn chorus..

Sun 12th Swifts and Sparrows observed going in and out of small holes in the stonework of the former railway station at Llanybydder, not at roofline but below in holes at around 2 feet below it; about 10 Swift scrreaming at Rhydybont chapel this evening, along with plenty of House Martin (that also nest on the building) and some Swallows, an enjoyable 15 minutes; Llwyndrissi foresty Nighjars kept us waiting until 2148 when one flew over calling, eventually good view of a pair in flight within 100m after churring for a minute. Another then heard churring as walked back down the lane to the car about 400m from the main road (as heard back in June).

Mid month a good crop of Raspberries that grow in our garden hedges..

Wed 15th c 25 Swift and much screaming parties above Lampeter Uni at dusk, flying up to nest holes, even mastered one with a moveable scaffold rig within 3 feet of it (they move this from window to window to paint them after the woodwork renovations that are ongoing so its not usually in the same place more than a few days and does not reach roofline). They are still working on the roof too, looks like it will take several more months, hopefully all done by next Spring!

Fri 17th 12-15 excited, screaming swift over the churchyard this evening; there is a nest within the corner of the church (chicks heard, a few droppings beneath and adult entry observed), first noticed this being used a couple of years ago...

Sat 18th Plenty of Swifts this evening driving to Midlands, at Crickhowell (15- 20) and Abergavenny (10-15); at former entry observed by a Swift into one of the terraced houses just past Indian (and just before where one previously observed making entry into the building with tall pointed apex)

Sun 19th few birds in song along the canal at Hawkesbury, Coventry this evening, Song Thrush, Blackcap and Blackbird (have hardly heard any song this month).

Mon 20th c 6 Swift afternoon Long Lawford, they seem to have a colony in soffits of Elizabeth Way (gaps where drainpipes make entry); c 15 Swift AG dusk.

Tue 21st Swifts, Bedworth late afternoon 4 - 6 western edge of Miner's Welfare Park; Bulkington 6 - 8 near church what appeared to be a screaming party as we drove past early evening.

Fri 24th Swifts, 12- 15 AG early afternoon; 25- 30 Long lawford from Mum and Dads evening

Wed 29th plentiful Swallow, House Martin above the village today, with 25- 30 Swallow feeding over adjacent fields and gardens; 12- 15 Swift screaming around Fish & Anchor just half mile from church at dusk (seen them here quite a few times)

Thu 30th Llanybydder Swifts this evening: screaming pair over car park; several Swift and H Sparrow going in and out of Aberduar chapel; none seen Rhydybont chapel (only there 5 minutes as very warm in car)

Thu 30th forestry above Llanybydder dusk, no Nightjar so must have finished for this Summer; heard a 'Yaffle' in one the the new clear fells where also quite a few Jay; possible Snipe calling in  near dark along the lane...

Fri 31st c 40 Swallow seen from window on wires next to adjacent over the road..

July 2020 weather summary

All areas had a rather cool and dull month; West Wales was generally rather wet, much of the Midlands around average rainfall, but the Marches were rather dry:

Rainfall totals July 2020

Valley 98.2mm (180%)

Mona 132.4mm

Aberdaron 93.6mm (167%)

Llanwnnen 111.7mm (110%)

Milford Haven 73.0mm

Watnall, Notts 68.4mm

Shawbury 34.8mm (65%)

Hereford 32.4mm (72%)

Pershore 40.0mm (80%)

Coleshill 53.6mm (109%)

Coventry, Bablake school 56.2mm (95%)

Church Lawford, Warks 49.2mm (82%)

PWS

Cosby, Leic 53.2mm (86%)

Ludlow, Salop 38.9mm

Warstock, Brum 62.0mm (97%)

Alvechurch, Worc 57.6mm (94%)

Daventry 55.1mm

Towcester, Northants 59.7mm (114%)

July 2020 sunshine:

Valley 128.1 hrs (73%)

Aberporth 163.2 hrs (86%)

Llanwnnen 119 hrs estimated (66%)

Watnall 137.8 hrs

Shawbury 118.3 hrs (72%)

Coventry 168.4 hrs (84%)