Weather log December 2023

Weather log December 2023

Key:

WW = West Wales

Lwn = Llanwnnen

AG = Aldermans Green, Coventry

CL = Church Lawford

LL = Long Lawford

ROW = Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

CC = Capel Curig, Snowdonia

MH = Milford Haven

Carms = Carmarthenshire

Pembs = Pembrokeshire

Mids = Midlands

CITE = Coton-in-the-Elms, Derbyshire

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

A cold start to Winter 2023/24:

Fri 1st hard but beautiful hoar frost, Llanwnnen min -7.8c appears amongst the coldest in the UK (Shap -9c). Other lows Pershore -6.6c, Whitechurch -6.0c, CITE -5.8c, Tirabad/ Sennybridge -5.7c, Trawsgoed -5.0c, Coleshill -4.9c, Mona -4.3c, Pembrey Sands -2.8c, Nottingham -1.9c, Aberdaron & Mumbles 0.0c. Many places a cold or very cold day and for Wales & MW Mids generally sunny, maxima Pennerley, Salop -0.7c, CL 0.9c, Lwn & Nottingham 1.1c, CC 1.8c, Coventry 2.7c, Aberporth 3.4c, Pershore 3.7c, Astwood Bank 3.8c, Trawsgoed 5.7c, Gogerddan 6.2c, Valley 7.9c.

Sat 2nd severe frost for much of Wales and the Marches; here at Llanwnnen -10.1c was the coldest reading this early in the Season since -11c on November 30th 2016; other minima Tirabad -9.0c, Shobdon -8.7c, Shawbury -8.5c, Hereford -8.2c, CC -7.2c, Nottingham & Pembrey Sands -5.9c, Trawsgoed -5.5c, Coventry -3.5c, CL -3.3c, Aberporth -2.9c, Aberdaron +0.8c. Cold for many by day, fog slow to clear parts of the Midlands where widely an ice day (sub zero maxima): daytime maxima (to 1800 0r 2100): Shobdon -2.1c, CL & Nottingham -1.5c, Pershore -1.1c, CC +1.6c, Lwn & Trawsgoed 4.4c, MH 7.6c. 

Sun 3rd snow affected N and W Mids late evening and overnight with appreciable falls for Staffs & Derbyshire in particular (widely 2 to 4 inches, > 6 inches Peaks), 1 or 2 cm lay across Birmingham & Coventry first thing, while it did not settle a little to the SE (Rugby & Warwick snow-free). Temperatures rose above freezing overnight for the Midlands, while for much of WW it was less cold with some rain, sleet or snow. Coventry had only reached -1.4c to Sunday evening, rising to 1.7c by dawn with the snow starting to melt by then.

Mon 4th an inch of rain in places 24 hours to 0900 (Coventry 23mm, Lwn 12mm); somewhat less cold most areas, further rain for N & W Mids in particular, along with an almost continuous shower streamer down the Irish Sea across Pembrokeshire, wettest 24 hours to 2100, Scolton Country Park (Pembs) 33.2mm, Nottingham 25.8mm, ROW 27.2mm. Rather cold maxima mainly 5 to 7c (Pershore 8c, MH 7.5c, Coventry 6.1c, Lwn 5.1c, Nottingham & Shawbury 4.2c, CC 3.9c).

Tue 5th Scolton Park max 9.4c warmest in UK, other MH 8.4c, CL & Lwn 5.7c, CC 5.1c.

After a drier couple of days, return of mild air, rain and wind:

Thu 7th wet day, over an inch parts of SW Wales; rather mild WW, mildest for a fortnight. Porthmadog 12.8c mildest in UK, also Lwn 9.9c, ROW 9.3c; Whitechurch, Pembs 32.0mm officially wettest in Wales, however Maenclochog (also Pembs) 43mm (midnight to midnight).

A pair of Met Eireann named storms did not impact Wales so much over the weekend:

Sat 9th named storm (by the Irish Met Office) Elin rather insignificant here, brought 81mph gusts to Capel Curig (not unusual for this windy location).

Sun 10th named storm Fergus (again Irish named) rather non event here produced some sferics near Machynlleth afternoon.

Wed 13th Scolton Country Park (Pembs) max 10.7c warmest in UK.

First half of December variable in terms of rainfall, ranging from about average parts of mid & NW Wales to over twice the average along the south coast of SW Wales and parts of the Midlands. After the cold start temperatures are now running close to average/ rather mild. Sunshine- wise dull to average (best parts of WW).

Rainfall totals December 1st to 0900 16th: 

Llanwnnen 72.8mm (average)

Coventry 73.2mm (very wet)

King's Newnham, Warks (EA) 59.8mm (very wet)

A drier interlude around mid month and when mild/ very mild:

Sat 16th Hereford 14.1c (warmest in UK), Trawsgoed 12.7c, CITE 12.1c, Coventry 11.3c, Lwn 10.3c, CC 9.4c.

Mon 18th wet day, widely an inch WW, locally 2 inches.

Tue 19th Lwn 22.6mm 24 hours to 0900. Gogerddan (near Aberystwyth) 32.8mm, wettest MO site in UK (24 hours to 2100, Lwn 17mm same period).

A very mild and at times wet run up to Christmas, maxima 10 - 12c, minima close to 10c:

Sat 23rd/ Sun 24th wet at times, Wales in particular widely an inch or more mid & N: Trawsgoed 25.6mm (to 0600) and Lwn 22.3mm (0900) while Corris (NRW), near Machynlleth 57.2mm (midnight) wettest UK gauge.

Christmas Eve (Sun 24th) one of the mildest minima widely above 10c (MH 10.8c, Shobdon 10.4c). 12 to 14c by day light rain or drizzle. Coventry mildest Christmas Eve on rec max 13.8c (beating 13.3c 1997). Other maxima Pershore 14.5c, CL & Nottingham 13.5c, Trawsgoed 12.7c, Lwn 11.9c, Aberdaron 11.7c. Again much rain for mid & N Wales in particular, Corris NRW 51.6mm making over 4 inches in 48 hours with quite bad flooding of the river Dyfi.

Christmas Day (Mon 25th) very mild night again, minima Mumbles & Pembrey Sands 11.2c, MH, Pershore & Trawsgoed 10.9c, Lwn 9.8c, Nottingham 8.8c, CC 8.6c. A mild/ very mild Christmas Day too generally highs 10 - 12c; maxima ROW 12.6c, Pershore 12.4c, Pembrey Sands & Shobdon 11.6c, Coleshill & Coventry 11.5c, Nottingham 10.6c,  Lwn 10.2c, CC 9.8c. Cloudy with spells of rain for many.

Overall the Christmas period was dull and mild with rain at times.

Wed 27th named storm Gerrit brought heavy rain and strong winds with damage in places. Gusts to 85mph at Capel Curig (Snowdonia) and widely WW above 50mph. Widely 1 or 2 inches rain for Wales, showery by evening with hail and thunder in places. A brief but spectacular thunderstorm here at Lwn 10pm, 3 brilliant flashes under a mile west of here with loud, crashing thunder along with a 5 minutes rain and hailstorm. Another very mild day, maxima Trawsgoed 13.2c, CC 13.1c, Pembrey Sands & Pershore 12.8c, Lwn 12.2c (mildest day of the month), Aberdaron, CL, Hereford & Nottingham 11.9c. Coventry 11.6c. Libanus (Powys) 49.8mm wettest in Wales, Shobdon 25mm wettest in Mids, also Nottingham 22.4mm.

Thu 28th showers or longer spells of rain, again local hail and thunder.

Sat 30th 1 or 2 inches widely WW and close to an inch parts of Mids (where fell late in day/ overnight), Scolton Country Park (Pembs) 33.8mm officially wettest in the UK to midnight. 0900 readings: Lwn 30mm, Abergorllech (Carms) 46mm Rhos Ymryson 37mm (both NRW), CL 20.4mm.

New Years Eve (Sun 31st) showery, a dry day parts of Mids. Flooding across Warwickshire inc Coombe Park, Brandon and Caludon fields (all Coventry area).

Nature notes:

Tue 5th Aberaeron, plenty of flowering plants still on the coast, meaning no severe frost yet (doubt its yet been below -3c cf -10c inland) inc Roses, Red Valerian, Buttercups and Daisies. 8 Curlew flew over between Aberaeron & Aberarth, have seen good numbers (close on 100) on adjacent fields a few years back.

Mid month first Bluebell spikes.

Sat 23rd 2 Blackbird in song, one in town dusk, the other by Morrison car park early evening.

Boxing Day (Tue 26th) Mistle Thrush singing weakly garden.

Fri 29th Neuadd lane much fresh growth especially Celandine and ferns; Song Thrush singing well dusk. 

Year end: much fresh growth again with most of December very mild, Bluebell spikes now well up and Celandine foliage well advanced. Garden hedges have swollen buds on some shrubs. Plenty of Bluebell spikes inc a few at LL (Warks). Note photo of a Daffodil in bloom from Hereford (since Boxing Day). Daff spikes at the usual early spot in the village.

December 2023 summary

Very mild and wet/very wet, dull.

Double the average rain in places.

Less than half average sun some places.

Most places 2 to 3c above average.

Rainfall totals December 2023

Capel Curig, Snowdonia 444.2mm (128%)

Mona, Anglesey c 150mm (wet)

Trawsgoed, Ceredigion c 240mm (very wet)

Llanwnnen 225.1mm = 120% of 2006 - 23 station average (187mm) but 156% of the historical local December average (144mm)

Pembrey Sands, Carms 237.8mm (190%)

Milford Haven, Pembs 226.2mm (183%)

Mumbles, near Swansea 205.8mm (180%)

Nottingham c 165mm (over twice average)

Shawbury, Salop c 100mm (very wet)

Coleshill c 135mm (twice the average)

Coventry, Bablake School 144.0mm (232%)

CL, Warks 122.3mm (215%)

Pershore, Worc 121.2mm (206%)

Shobdon, Herefordshire 147.8mm (171%)

National Resources Wales (NRW) rain gauges Dec 2023

Llyn Cefni, Ynys Mon 177.4mm (very wet)

Bethesda Quarry (Gwynedd) 272mm (wet)

Cwm Dyli (Snowdonia) 493.2mm (very wet)

Corris (near Machynlleth) 516.6mm (very wet)

Bow Street (near Aberystwyth) 207.4mm (almost twice average)

Pontrhydfendigaid (near Tregaron, Ceredigion) 225.2mm (very wet)

Penuwch (Ceredigion) 390.3mm (highly dubious as surrounding stations below 250mm)

Rhos Ymryson (near Gorscoch and 5 miles NW of Lwn) 234.8mm (very wet)

Cellan (2 miles NE of Lampeter) 219.6mm (very wet)

Pencader (Carms)  256mm (wet)

Abergorllech (Brechfa Forest, Carms) 266.6mm (very wet)

Rhydargaeau (Carms) 281.8mm (very wet)

Garnswllt (near Ammanford, Carms) 255.8mm (very wet)

Felinfoel (near Llanelli, Carms) 212.4mm (very wet)

Ferwig (near Cardigan) 153.6mm (rather wet)

Maenclochog (near Preselis, Pembs) 366.2mm (almost 200%)

Tenby (Pembs) 256.6mm (over 200%)

Bolton Hill (near Haverfordwest, Pembs) 246.4mm (very wet)

COL stations rainfall Dec 2023

Llansadwrn 172.8mm (127%)

Ludlow, Salop 137.1mm (165%)

Alvechurch, Worc 174.3mm (211%)

Warstock, Brum 147.6mm (191%)

Cosby, Leic 98.2mm (156%)

Hinckley 135.1mm (201%)

Towcester, Northants 115.5mm (167%)

Sunshine totals Dec 2023

Llanwnnen estimated  26 hours (69%)

Coventry, Bablake School 32.4 hours (53%)

Shobdon, Herefordshire 21.2 hrs (38%)

COL stations sun Dec 2023

Ludlow 29.2 hrs (50%)

Alvechurch 31.9 hrs (54%)

Cosby 31.9 hrs (47%)

Towcester 34.9 hrs

2023 annual summary

Very mild and wet/ very wet; sunshine rather dull to average

Here at Llanwnnen the mildest year recorded with a mean temperature 12.6c (just pipping 2011 12.5c), while rainfall of 1642mm made it the second wettest year (1737mm 2020). Past 5 years have  averaged 1506mm against 2006-23 average 1404mm, and the even lower historical Lampeter average of 1312mm. Most rain days (248 days over 0.2mm and wet days (204 days over 1mm) since recording began. No snow lay at all in 2023.

Coventry had one of the wettest years on record, 903.8mm the wettest since 1966 (928mm); only 2022 a milder year in the city.

Rainfall 2023

Coventry 903.8mm (131%)

Church Lawford 774.5mm (115%)

Llanwnnen 1642.0mm (117% of 2006-23 here and 125% of the historical Lampeter average)

NRW gauges rainfall 2023

Bethesda Quarry 1834mm

Cwm Dyli (Snowdonia) 3817mm

Corris (near Machynlleth) 2947mm

Bow Street (near Aberystwyth) 1191mm

Rhos Ymryson (5 miles NW of Llanwnnen) 1753mm

Cellan (2 miles NE of Lampeter) 1485mm

Rhydargaeau (near Carmarthen) 2048mm

Felinfoel (near Llanelli) 1659mm

Tenby 1485mm

Sunshine 2023

Coventry 1589 hours (102%)

Llanwnnen (est) 1200 hours (89%)

Weather log November 2023

Weather log November 2023

Key:

WW = West Wales

Lwn = Llanwnnen

AG = Aldermans Green, Coventry

CL = Church Lawford

LL = Long Lawford

ROW = Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

CC = Capel Curig, Snowdonia

MH = Milford Haven

Carms = Carmarthenshire

Pembs = Pembrokeshire

Mids = Midlands

CITE = Coton-in-the-Elms, Derbyshire

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

Unsettled start to November, spells of wet weather with unusually low atmospheric pressure:

Wed 1st Whitechurch, near Cardigan 26.2mm wettest MO site  in Wales

Thu 2nd named storm Ciaran, this mainly affected the south of England and in particular the Channel Islands where wind gusts to 100mph were reported. It was a notable low pressure area giving very low atmospheric pressure down close to 950mbar, the deepest across southern UK for several decades. Here at Lwn lowest pressure 961 mbar in the early hours (lowest since 956 mbar March 2008)), while 960 mbar at Coventry was believed to be the lowest on record (beating 961 mbar from December 1989). Weather-wise unremarkable for most of Wales & Midlands, the low centre tracked along southern England with tightest isobars on its southern flank, slacker pressure gradients to its north and west. That saying exposed Welsh coasts still had gusts to 60mph. Spells of rain or showers gave over an inch to parts of WW with Whitechurch 29.8mm again wettest in Wales.

First half of November continued unsettled and at times wet, temperatures around average:

Fri 10th showery past few days, Penuwch (NRW), Ceredigion caught 37mm (midnight to midnight) and was the wettest gauge in the UK, (Llanwnnen 14mm). Isolated lightning sferics today. 

Sat 11th widespread grass frost Midlands with local air frost, minima Pershore -1.7c, Shobdon -0.5c, CL +1.2c, Lwn 2.6c, Coleshill 3.5c, Aberdaron 6.8c. Ice on the windscreen at LL this evening.

Sun 12th another widespread ground frost Midlands, minima Shobdon -1.0c, CL +0.5c, Coventry +1.3c, Lwn 2.7c (before rain late in the night).

We have been away at LL, Warks since Wed 8th where some rain or showers, also pleasant sunny spells, nowhere near as wet as back home.

Mon 13th showery, a few lightning sferics mid Wales late evening (Aberystwyth perhaps?).

Tue 14th sferics in places mid & N Wales during the early hours.

First half November (1st - 15th): rather mild, rainfall generally on the wet side, very wet some areas; sunshine average to quite sunny. Little frost still.

Rainfall totals 1st -15th:

Mona 53.4mm (average)

Llanwnnen 127.3mm (very wet)

Pembrey Sands 80.2mm (rather wet)

MH 91.6mm (wet)

Mumbles 98.6mm (very wet)

Coventry 42.4mm (rather wet)

CL 36.8mm (rather wet)

Pershore 38.8mm (rather wet|)

Shobdon 67.6mm (very wet)

Sunshine 1st - 15th Nov:

Llanwnnen 25 hrs (average)

Coventry c 45 hours (quite sunny)

Shobdon 40 hrs (average)

Thu 16th a pleasant dry afternoon for a change with sunny spells parts of WW, things drying up somewhat as little rain past few days. Whitechurch max 11.9c (warmest in UK), also Lwn 10.2c, in contrast a cool and cloudy day Mids with a low crossing the English channel, chilly east winds here (max Coventry 7.2c, ROW 9.3c).

Drier after 20th and much colder into last week:

Tue 21st  Whitechurch max 12.3c warmest in UK (Lwn 9.8c).

Sat 25th first really cold night, minima Tirabad -6.0c, Lwn -5.9c, Pershore -5.5c, CC -3.3c, Market Bosworth & Trawsgoed -2.9c, Coventry -1.8c, Nottingham -1.0c, Aberdaron 3.3c. It was the coldest November night at Llanwnnen since 2016 (-11.0c 30th), however note the record cold October night in 2018 (-8.0c 30th).

Wed 29th cold or very cold for November, maxima Tirabad 2.1c, Sutton Bonington (Notts) 4.2c, CL 4.3c, Coventry 4.9c, Lwn 5.1c, Winterbourne (B'ham) 6.1c, Mumbles 8.2c.

Thu 30th frost, quite severe in places, minima Pershore -5.8c, Shawbury -5.1c, CITE -5.0c, CL, Lwn & Whitechurch (Pembs) -4.4c, Nottingham & Trawsgoed -2.5c, Aberporth 0.0c, Mumbles +1.3c. Snow flurries gave a dusting parts of E Mids (inc Leicester). Cold/ very cold by day again, Llanwnnen (max 3.4c) had the coldest November day for 11 years (when max 1.8c 29/11/12). Other maxima Tirabad (near Sennybridge, Powys) 1.0c, CC 2.1c, Shawbury 3.2c, Trawsgoed 3.4c, Coventry 3.7c, Nottingham 4.0c, Pershore 5.1c,Valley 5.4c, Astwood Bank (Worc) 5.5c. 

Nature notes:

Wed 1st Aberystwyth several thousand Starling in murmuration towards sunset (4 to 4.30pm).

First week, lack of frost this Autumn to date has held back the usual vegetation dieback whilst permitting various flowers to keep on blooming (garden and wild varieties alike). Ash and Beech shedding leaves, Oak holding onto them.

Plenty of plants in flower, coming into flower in fact, still some Fox and Cubs about.

Tue 7th Neuadd lane, prolific new growth, leafing and flowering, inc Ox Eye Daisy, Red Campion, Red Clover. Celandine leaves showing on south- facing bank. Fresh Oak and Hazel leaves, most plentiful small purple flowers in the hedges (Cranesbill I think); hedgerows sprouted again after trim earlier in Autumn (especially Hazel and Wild Rose), Beech buds and Hazel Buds alongside already formed catkins. Fresh fern fronds, a mixture of dead ones, still green ones and new ones. Blackberries flowering and others with unripe fruit that has recently appeared months after the main crop. Several Fieldfare and Redwing.

Garden, Lords and Ladies by the shed has regained foliage after these died back late Summer. 

Second week at LL (Warks) plentiful growth and blooming going on here to (as if a second Spring), Nettle flowers, Dandelions amongst many other species of garden and country plant.

Tue 14th Song Thrush singing Uni dusk.

Late month: profuse blooming and growth continued into last week.

One of the Cherry trees has blossomed by Dulas, Lampeter Uni, lots of daisies, some Dandelions, garden blackberry flowers and fruit (small unripe), a few raspberries turning red, many garden flowers Fuchsia, Roses, dozens of different types as though a second Spring.

Late month sharp frosts appear to have killed off some vegetation but not others, most bracken now browned off, however in the garden there are near ripe Raspberries and unripe Blackberries!

Thu 30th Neuadd lane: Celandine leaves on south- facing bank prolific (these should not flower until late February/ March. A few Celandine leaves in our garden too. Also Primrose leafage, this quite normal at any time of year. A few Beech buds have started to open then been halted by the cold, quite a few Hazel catkins.

Most leaves off month end.

November 2023 summary

Rather mild; rainfall varying from rather dry to wet; sunshine rather dull to quite sunny

Rainfall totals November 2023

Mona, Anglesey 106.4mm (average)

Aberdaron, Llyn Peninsular c 95mm (rather dry)

Aberporth, near Llangrannog c 110mm (average)

Llanwnnen, Ceredigion 177.2mm (112%)

Pembrey Sands, Carms 119.8mm (93%)

Milford Haven, Pembs 139.4mm (102%)

Mumbles, near Swansea 133.6mm (113%)

Shawbury, Salop c 85mm (rather wet)

Coleshill c 50mm (rather dry)

Coventry, Bablake School 66.4mm (105%)

CL, Warks 55.0mm (92%)

Pershore, Worc 53.6mm (83%)

Hereford c 80mm (rather wet)

National Resources Wales (NRW) rain gauges Nov 2023

Llyn Cefni (Ynys Mon) 124.6mm (average)

Bethesda Quarry (Gwynedd) 213.6mm (average)

Cwm Dyli (Snowdonia) 423.6mm (rather wet)

Corris (near Machynlleth) 294.0mm (rather wet)

Bow Street (near Aberystwyth) 122.8mm (rather wet)

Pontrhydfendigaid (near Tregaron, Ceredigion) 177.2mm (rather wet)

Penuwch (Ceredigion) 238.4mm (very wet)

Rhos Ymryson (near Gorscoch and 5 miles NW of Lwn) 189.8mm (wet)

Cellan (2 miles NE of Lampeter) 162.0mm (rather wet)

Pencader (Carms)  187.6mm (average)

Abergorllech (Brechfa Forest, Carms) 202.8mm (rather wet)

Rhydargaeau (Carms) 207.6mm (rather wet)

Garnswllt (near Ammanford, Carms) 168.6mm (rather wet)

Felinfoel (near Llanelli, Carms) 189.2mm (wet)

Ferwig (near Cardigan) 100.6mm (rather dry)

Maenclochog (near Preselis, Pembs) 251.8mm (wet)

Tenby (Pembs) 173.8mm (wet)

Bolton Hill (near Haverfordwest, Pembs) 158.0mm (rather wet)

COL stations rainfall Nov 2023

Llansadwrn 122.6mm (92%)

Ludlow, Salop 64.0mm (83%)

Alvechurch, Worc 70.7mm (83%)

Warstock, Brum 79.3mm (101%)

Cosby, Leic 42.5mm (66%)

Hinckley 75.6mm

Towcester, Northants 65.8mmn (89%)

Sunshine totals Nov 2023

Llanwnnen estimated  42 hours estimated (79%)

Coventry, Bablake School 84.9 hrs (129%)

Shobdon, Herefordshire 64.2 hrs (94%)

COL stations sun Nov 2023

Ludlow 75.1 hrs

Alvechurch 83.7 hours

Cosby 83.8 hrs

Towcester 93.5 hrs

Autumn 2023 summary

Very mild and wet; sunshine rather dull to rather sunny

Coventry: the third warmest Autumn since records began in the city in 1892. Sunniest Autumn since 2007 (339.6 hrs).

Llanwnnen: the wettest Autumn locally since year 2000 (Cellan NRW c 650mm), the previous wettest here being 528.2mm 2018. Mildest since 2011.

September very warm, variable rainfall, average sun.

October wet/ very wet, very mild, dull to average sunshine.

November rather mild, rainfall average or wet, rather dull to sunny.

Rainfall totals Autumn 2023

Mona, Anglesey 407.6mm (wet)

Aberdaron c 399mm (wet)

Aberporth c 330mm (rather wet)

Llanwnnen 559.5mm (133%)

Pembrey Sands c 520mm (very wet)

Coleshill c 240mm (rather wet)

Coventry 266.4mm (139%)

Church Lawford (Rugby) 212.0mm (112%)

Pershore 230.6mm (wet)

Shobdon 301.4mm (wet)

Sunshine totals Autumn 2023

Llanwnnen (estimated) 213 hours (80%)

Coventry, Bablake School 313.5 hours (110%)

Shobdon (Herefordshire) 277.0 hrs (rather dull)

Weather log October 2023

Weather log October 2023

Key:

WW = West Wales

Lwn = Llanwnnen

AG = Aldermans Green, Coventry

CL = Church Lawford

LL = Long Lawford

ROW = Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

CC = Capel Curig, Snowdonia

MH = Milford Haven

Carms = Carmarthenshire

Pembs = Pembrokeshire

Mids = Midlands

CITE = Coton-in-the-Elms, Derbyshire

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

Sun 1st very warm night for October, minima Mumbles 17.4c, Pembrey Sands 17.1c, Pershore 16.6c, Lwn & MH 16.3c, CC 14.2c, Shawbury 13.5c. A rather wet start to the month for much of WW and the NW Midlands with over an inch parts of WW.

Mon 2nd thundery showers affected the Midlands today pm, thunder and lightning at Coventry & Rugby.

Thu 5th/ Fri 6th very wet NW Wales, in particular Snowdonia where Capel Curig recorded 72.4mm in the 24 hours to 0600 Fri 6th, it was the wettest official MO station both Thu 5th (41.2mm) and Fri 6th (52.8mm). Cwm Dyli (NRW) had 117.6mm over the 2 days. Just small amounts fell in most places south of the river Dyfi .

Fri 6th start of an unusually warm spell for October, just the Midlands today: maxima Wellesbourne (Warks) 21.0c, Pershore 20.7c, Coventry 20.3c, Market Bosworth (Leic) 20.2c, Shobdon 19.2c, Trawsgoed 18.6c, Lwn 16.9c, CC 15.6c.

Sat 7th much of WW above 15c during the night, minima Mumbles 16.1c, Pembrey Sands 15.8c, Shawbury 15.4c, Aberporth & Lwn 14.7c, CC 14.0c, Coleshill 13.2c. Warm or very warm for October by day, maxima Market Bosworth 24.1c, Coleshill 24.0c, Coventry 23.4c, Nottingham 21.3c, Shawbury 20.9c, Trawsgoed 20.8c, Lwn 19.1c, Aberdaron 15.4c. Averages for early October are 14 to 17c.

Sun 8th warm/ very warm again, maxima Hereford 24.3c, Trawsgoed 23.4c, Pershore 23.2c, CITE 23.1c, Coventry 22.7c, Nottingham 21.8c, Lwn 21.7c, MH 20.5c, Aberdaron 17.9c.

Mon 9th similar to recent days a continuation of the Autumn warmth: Coventry 25.1c, Coleshill 24.1c, Nottingham 23.3c, Pershore 22.0c, Lwn 21.9c, Trawsgoed 21.4c, Aberporth 20.2c, Aberdaron 14.7c.

Tue 10th last widely warm day of the spell: maxima Hereford 22.6c, Nottingham 21.3c, Market Bosworth & Trawsgoed 20.1c, CL 19.6c, Lwn 18.8c, Aberdaron 16.6c.

Wed 11th spells of rain, over 2 inches parts of mid & N Wales, this after a warm night, minima Mumbles 15.9c, MH & Shobdon 15.5c, Lwn 14.8c, CL & Nottingham 15.3c, CC 14.2c. CC 36.2mm wettest in the UK (also Pershore College 16mm).

Thu 12th/ Fri 13th widely 1 or 2 inches so a very wet day: 24 hours to 0900 13th Llanwnnen 32.2mm, Coventry 20.4mm. Then 24 hours to 1800 13th: Lwn 41mm, NRW gauges Felinfoel (Llanelli) 58mm & Tenby 50mm; EA gauges Monkmoor (Shrewsbury) 41.6mm, Sutton Coldfield 39.3mm, Corley (near Coventry) 35.2mm, King's Newnham (near Rugby) 26.8mm. The cold front brought a big drop in temperatures, e.g. at Church Lawford from 19c 1400 down to 11c 1600. Hereford max 21.6c warmest in the UK (sunny spell early afternoon), CL  20.1c cf Lwn max 16.0c early morning prior to the cold frontal passage. BBC early evening showed the wettest place in UK today as 'Tregaron' with 65mm although the gauge is actually at Swyddffynnon some 4 miles away. As far as the MO concerned Swyddffynnon the wettest place in the UK today with 52.6mm (2100); Coleshill 39.6mm officially wettest in the W Mids and Market Bosworth 38.2mm E Mids.

A rather cool spell around mid month:

Sat 14th maxima below average for most, CC 10.9c, Sutton Bonington (Notts) 11.9c, CL 12.0c, Lwn 12.5c, Mumbles 13.8c, Pershore though up to average at 15.9c and warmest in the UK.

Sun 15th air frost in places, grass frost quite widespread inland, lows Tirabad -0.9c, Pershore -0.3c, Trawsgoed +1.3c, CL 2.5c, Lwn 2.6c, Aberporth 7.2c. Max cool generally between 10 and 13c (CL 10.1c, Aberporth 10.7c, Lwn 11.6c, Coventry 11.7c Mumbles 13.0c, Pershore 13.2c).

First half of October has been very mild, rainfall between average and wet, sunshine rather dull to average.

Rainfall totals Oct 1st to 16th 0900:

CC 168.4mm (rather wet)

Llanwnnen 80.7mm (average)

Pembrey Sands 65.8mm (average)

MH 70.0mm (rather wet)

Coventry 47.2mm (wet)

CL 47.2mm (wet)

Pershore 46.0mm (wet)

Shobdon (Herefordshire) 45.0mm (average)

Sunshine 1st -15th October 2023:

Llanwnnen 38 hours estimated (rather dull)

Coventry 58.8 hours (average)

Mon 16th first frost Lwn min -0.4c, widespread grass frost away from coasts; Tirabad (Powys) -0.8c, Shobdon -0.3c, Coventry +1.2c, Trawsgoed 1.3c, Nottingham 2.3c, Mumbles 7.5c.

Wed 18th spells of rain pm, over an inch parts of W Mids: ROW 27.8mm, Coventry 19.0mm, Lwn 13.4mm, Market Bosworth (Leic) 10.4mm.

Thu 19th so named storm 'Babet' influencing the weather, showers or longer spells of rain today, local thunder. Warm sunny intervals too, maxima Gogerddan (near Aberystwyth) 19.1c, Trawsgoed 18.6c, Lwn 17.9c;  Whitechurch (Pembs) 33.8mm wettest place in Wales, also Shawbury 23.6mm (to 2100).

Fri 20th heavy rain in places overnight, 2 inches parts of the W Mids in the 24 hours to 0900 with an inch more widely across the Midlands (Coventry 27.8mm wettest day of the year to date). Further copious rain for the N Mids & N Wales in particular during the day giving another inch or 2 widely to Notts & Derbyshire. Widespread flooding across the Midlands, severe along some rivers such as the Rother at Chesterfield and along the Severn where at Bewdley the barrier was not erected in time. Over 100mm for the past 2 days Peak District and some spots in the W Midlands. Pennerley beneath the Shropshire Stiperstones 78.6mm wettest MO station in the W Mids today & CC 58.2mm wettest one in Wales today. Coventry 62mm past 3 days.  A notable rainfall event, although not especially wet over most of south & west Wales, here at Lwn just 11mm for the 2 days. Atmospheric pressure has been below 980mbar much of the past 2 days (975mbar minimum today Lwn lowest of the year to date).

A drier couple of days over the weekend then back to unsettled rest of the month, wet at times, temperatures cool to average:

Mon 23rd dry much of the day here in Lwn a mild max 15.8c (Whitechurch, Pembs 16.8c, Pembrey Sands 16.5c); band of slow moving heavy rain over Pembrokeshire during the evening with some lightning sferics. Heavy downpours then affected the rest of SW Wales overnight, Scolton Country Park (Pembs) 29.0mm wettest in Wales today. 

Tue 24th SW Wales still bearing the brunt of showers and longer spells of rain today (isolated lightning sferics). Widely 1 to 2 inches across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and south Ceredigion. Mostly dry and bright Midlands. Llanwnnen caught just over an inch between 2300 and 1600 so the October total is now closing in on the average (historically 143mm) and so assuring this will be the sixth wet October on the trot! Tavernspite NRW gauge in south Carmarthenshire caught 56mm in the 24 hours to 1800. Pembrey Sands 45.8mm officially wettest in the UK. 

Fri 27th past week contrasting fortunes with much of the Midlands away from the Marches rather dry (most places receiving under 10mm) while WW has been wet. Coventry just 2.6mm cf Llanwnnen over 50mm past 7 days.

Sat 28th Pembrey Sands 30.8mm, wettest in Wales, also Coleshill 19.8mm as a band of locally heavy rain affected the Midlands during the evening.

Fri 27th to Sun 29th showers or longer spells of rain affecting SW Wales in particular, especially they have been streaming in off Carmarthen Bay giving large rainfall totals over that county. Widely 1 to 2  these past 3 days across SW Wales, but locally 100mm in  the Carmarthen area, NRW gauge Llangendeirne about 5 miles SE of the town over 90mm by Sunday evening same period.

Rainfall variation late October

5 days 26th - 30th October very wet SW Wales and in particular Carmarthenshire, whereas for mid and N Wales much more modest rainfall:

5 day totals (NRW gauges):

Llangendeirne, between Carmarthen & Pontyberem c 160mm

Rhydargaeau N of Carmarthen c 140mm

Llanwnnen c 70mm 

Ferwig, near Cardigan c 23mm

Bow Street, near Aberystwyth 17mm

Corris, near Machynlleth c 25mm

Cwm Dyli, Snowdonia c 29mm (relatively dry for this normally wet site)

So stark contrasts with the Carmarthen area getting some 9 times as much as Aberystwyth!

Nature notes

Sun 1st 3 or 4 Swallow heading north viewed from front window.

Mon 2nd Lampeter Co-op around 50 hirundines (almost entirely House Martin as no Swallows audible). A high number, guess they were stopping off for a feed as they move south?

Tue 3rd 5 Swallow over the garden briefly this afternoon, then 3 House Martin Lampeter.

During the warm spell 7th - 10th, lots of insects reappeared, inc Hover flies, Bees (especially enjoying the Ivy flowers), several Peacock butterflies.

Sun 8th a few Laburnum flowers on the end of the branch of the same tree that had them exactly a month back (lane by S forestry).

The odd Starling in song of late.

Sat 14th first Fieldfare flew over the garden this afternoon.

Mid month pruning the Apple tree, some out of Season blossom on a single branch (reacting to the partial prune in August?).

Thu 19th quite a few Redwing flying over Lampeter and here.

Sun 22nd southern Forestry above Llanybydder: good flock of Fieldfare and a few Redwing. Quite a few different flowers out along the lane and some Bramble in bloom too.

Towards month end good numbers of Redwing passing over some days.

Leaf fall started but plant growth still evident especially Nettles and some other 'weeds'. Still a few (albeit soggy) flowers but Fox & Cubs for the most part over, did well to populate the lawn almost to November!

Mistle Thrush heard singing weakly from the garden several times towards month end.

October 2023 summary

Wet or very wet; very mild; rather dull to average sunshine-wise.

Over twice the average some areas, nearer 300% parts of N Mids and S Wales; Elsewhere remarkably Wattisham in Suffolk had 257mm which is over 4 times the average! Parts of mid & N Wales nearer average in contrast.

Llanwnnen sixth successive wet October (2006-23 average 155mm); October average past 5 years over 203mm and so wetter than the long- term December average (2006-22) of 184mm (wettest month of the year).

Coventry past 4 Octobers very wet, all over 100mm, similarly for the England & Wales average; Coventry averaged 113.7mm past 5 years (remarkably wet run of a month).

Most places between 1 and 2c above the October average (a month that has warmed considerably since the 1990's.

Rainfall totals Oct 2023

Capel Curig, Snowdonia 302.6mm (110%)

Mona, Anglesey 134mm (rather wet)

Aberdaron, Llyn Peninsular c 165mm (wet)

Trawsgoed, Ceredigion c 190mm (wet)

Aberporth, near Llangrannog c 135mm (rather wet)

Llanwnnen 221.9mm (156%)

Pembrey Sands, Carms c 295mm (224%)

Milford Haven, Pembs 205.8mm (173%)

Mumbles, near Swansea 164.4mm (165%)

Nottingham c 155mm (over twice average)

Shawbury, Salop c 175mm (257%)

Coleshill c 135mm (very wet)

Coventry, Bablake School 130.6mm (192%)

CL, Warks 106.0mm (158%)

Pershore, Worc 125.4mm (194%)

Hereford c 125mm (very wet)

Shobdon, Herefordshire 153.6mm (182%)

National Resources Wales (NRW) rain gauges Oct 2023

Llyn Cefni, Ynys Mon 134.4mm (rather wet)

Bethesda Quarry (Gwynedd) 187mm (average)

Cwm Dyli (Snowdonia) 370.4mm (rather wet)

Corris (near Machynlleth) 297mm (wet)

Bow Street (near Aberystwyth) 168.2mm (very wet)

Pontrhydfendigaid (near Tregaron, Ceredigion) 203.6mm (very wet)

Penuwch (Ceredigion) 242.6mm (very wet)

Rhos Ymryson (near Gorscoch and 5 miles NW of Lwn) 222.6mm (very wet)

Cellan (2 miles NE of Lampeter) 200.4mm (wet)

Abergorllech (Brechfa Forest, Carms) 278.4mm (very wet)

Rhydargaeau (Carms) 307.6mm (very wet)

Llangendeirne (Carms) 346.6mm (over twice the average)

Garnswllt (near Ammanford, Carms) 227.2mm (wet)

Felinfoel (near Llanelli, Carms) 289.2mm (twice the average)

Victoria Park, Swansea 389.8mm (three times the average) note: doubt over this as Mumbles MO just 5 miles away had less than half as much (164.4mm) while most Swansea PWS around 300mm?

Ferwig (near Cardigan) 128mm (average)

Maenclochog (near Preselis, Pembs) 249.2mm (wet)

Tenby (Pembs) 252.4mm (very wet)

Bolton Hill (near Haverfordwest, Pembs) 207mm (very wet)

COL stations rainfall Oct 2023

Llansadwrn 161.2mm (125%)

Ludlow, Salop 188.6mm (229%)

Alvechurch, Worc 178.2mm (214%)

Warstock, Brum 154.0mm (191%)

Cosby, Leic 95.8mm (139%)

Hinckley 144.6mm

Towcester, Northants 99.7mm (129%)

Sunshine totals Oct 2023

Llanwnnen estimated  62 hours (78%) 

Coventry, Bablake School 100.4 hrs (99%)

Shobdon, Herefordshire 78.5 hrs (76%)

COL stations sun:

Ludlow 83.1 hrs 

Alvechurch 86.7 hrs

Cosby 99.5 hrs

Towcester 116.9 hrs

Weather log September 2023

Weather log September 2023

Key:

WW = West Wales

Lwn = Llanwnnen

AG = Aldermans Green, Coventry

CL = Church Lawford

LL = Long Lawford

ROW = Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

CC = Capel Curig, Snowdonia

MH = Milford Haven

Carms = Carmarthenshire

Pembs = Pembrokeshire

Mids = Midlands

CITE = Coton-in-the-Elms, Derbyshire

COL = Climatological Observers Link

PWS = Personal weather station

MO = Met Office

CET = Central England temperature series

NRW = National Resources Wales

EA = Environment Agency

est = estimated

inc = including

cf= compared with

A rare and prolonged September heatwave early in the month (3 successive days over 25c required for this in Ceredigion and above 27c in the Midlands):

Sat 2nd start of the spell with a fine warm day, maxima Lwn 24.8c, Whitechurch (near Cardigan) 24.6c, Trawsgoed 23.9c, Astwood Bank (Worc) 23.8c, Nottingham 23.6c, Coventry 22.2c, Aberporth 19.8c.

Sun 3rd very warm sunny period, maxima ROW 27.0c, Lwn 26.3c, Coventry & Pershore 26.1c, Nottingham 25.3c, Shobdon 25.1c, Trawsgoed 25.0c, Valley 20.4c.

Mon 4th hot or very hot; Llanwnnen 30.1c (September heat record beating 29.7c from 2021); other max Whitechurch 30.2c (hottest in UK), ROW 29.9c, Trawsgoed 29.5c, CITE 29.4c, Coleshill 29.3c, Hereford 29.1c, Aberporth & Nottingham 28.4c, CL & Pembrey Sands 28.3c, CC & Shobdon 28.2c, Aberdaron & Valley 26.2c, Mona 24.7c. It is likely that today was the hottest September day for West Wales since 1906 when Aberystwyth reached 30c.

Tue 5th very warm night parts of WW, minima Mumbles 18.2c, Trawsgoed 17.4c, although with Lwn a cooler 12.3c and Shobdon 8.8c. Hot or very hot, sunny periods, max ROW 29.8c, Pershore 28.7c, CITE 28.1c, Lwn 27.6c, Coventry, Shobdon & Trawsgoed 27.5c, Pershore 27.4c, Aberporth 27.1c, Nottingham 26.4c. MH 24.4c. The heatwave threshold has now been attained here at Lwn with the third successive day above 25c.

Wed 6th widely hot again, maxima ROW 29.5c, Pershore 28.9c, CITE & CL 28.5c, Shobdon 28.3c, Lwn 27.6c, Trawsgoed 26.9c, Valley 22.9c. Most of the Midlands and WW have now attained the heatwave threshold (e.g. Coventry above 27c past 3 days).

Thu 7th exceptionally warm night in places, minima Mumbles 20.2c, Aberporth 19.6c, Pershore 18.4c, Coventry 17.7c, Nottingham 16.4c, Lwn 14.9c, CL 15.5c, CC 14.4c. Thunder and lightning affected Pembrokeshire during the early hours though with little rain. Hot or very hot day again, remarkably even though WW was rather cloudy most places still managed above 80f, sunny spells Midlands maxima CITE 30.9c, CL 30.6c, Pershore 30.0c, Nottingham & Whitechurch 29.1c, Lwn 28.4c, Valley 28.0c, Aberporth & Trawsgoed 27.4c, Pembrey Sands & Shawbury 27.5c, Mumbles 25.2c.

Fri 8th the remarkably prolonged Autumn heatwave goes on (probably now the most prolonged, although not quite most intense since record began. (35.6c in S Yorkshire September 1906) while the highest so far this spell is 32.6c in Cambridgeshire yesterday. Minima Mumbles 18.9c, Aberporth 18.7c remarkable. Hot or very hot inland, maxima ROW 30.5c, Hereford 30.2c, CITE 30.1c, Pershore 30.0c, Coleshill 29.9c, Coventry 29.7c, Lwn 29.1c, Nottingham 28.2c, Trawsgoed 26.9c, Aberdaron 22.2c.

Sat 9th very warm September night for many places, here at Lwn it was the warmest September night on record (beating 16.7c from both 2016 & 2011) although note that the October record night here is also 17.1c (01/10/11). Other minima Mumbles 18.5c, Hereford 18.3c, Aberporth 17.8c, Nottingham 17.9c, Coventry 17.2c, Pembrey Sands & Pershore 15.8c. Remarkably the heatwave now a week long here at Lwn (each day since last Sunday above 25c) max today 27.7c; at Coventry max 30.5c the hottest in September since 1911 and also the highest reading so late in the Season; other max Nottingham 30.8c, Hereford 30.6c, CL 30.5c, Shawbury 28.4c, Pembrey Sands 27.3c, Mumbles 22.2c. A few thunderstorms affected the NW Midlands pm.

Sun 10th a very warm night in parts, Coventry no lower than 18.7c made it the warmest September night on record for the city; other minima Mumbles 19.6c, Aberporth 18.7c, MH 18.6c, Shobdon 15.5c, Lwn 14.2c, CC 12.9c. Much less warm WW today while very warm Midlands although not quite 27c for Coventry and so a 6 day long heatwave ended there. Maxima CL & Coleshill 26.5c, Nottingham 24.9c, Trawsgoed 24.0c, Shawbury 23.4c, Aberporth & Lwn 22.3c, Aberdaron & MH 21.4c. Cambridge max 32.5c, just beyond the Midlands region was hottest in the UK today. Rain or showers in places, some thunderstorms, with quite severe storms affecting E Mids afternoon, a rumble of thunder heard from Coventry afternoon (cell near Southam). A spectacular large storm affected mid Wales around dusk this was clearly visible from such places as Coventry, High Wycombe, Gloucester and Salisbury Plain, locations from where people filmed and photographed the lightning from almost 100 miles distant! 

Mid Wales storm cloud from Coventry

Heatwave summary: unprecedented for September in  terms of length although it was hotter in September 1906 (35.6c S Yorkshire) cf 33.2c Kew Gardens this spell (Sat 9th). Most remarkable fact being that somewhere in the UK exceeded 30c for 7 successive day which would be quite something even in the height of Summer. Mean maximum at Bablake, Coventry week ending Sunday 10th 28.4c or 10c above average! Most places running 5 or 6 degrees above the September average to 11th. For the CET region only 3 warmer starts (1st - 10th) to ANY month in 350 years!

Mon 11th warm night again, minima Mumbles 18.2c, Pembrey Sands 18.1c, Nottingham 17.5c, Coventry 17.3c, CC 16.2c, Lwn 15.8c, Shawbury 15.0c. Maxima generally 18 - 21c WW and 21 - 24c Midlands (Pershore College 25.4c, Coventry 23.7c, MH 21.2c, Lwn 20.2c, Aberdaron 17.6c).

Tue 12th last of the warm nights minima widely over 15c away from N Wales, Pembrey Sands 16.8c, CL, Hereford, Lwn & Pershore 15.8c, Shawbury 14.0c, Aberdaron 12.2c. Cold front slowly edged south and so down to average or below by day. Spells of rain for the Midlands in particular, around an inch for much of N Mids, while Coventry and Rugby areas also caught some heavy rain afternoon (King's Newnham 18.8mm today).  Cooler than of late daytime, all places below 20c, maxima ROW 19.8c, Pembrey Sands 18.7c, Lwn & Shobdon 18.0c, CL 17.6c, Nottingham 15.5c, CC 14.9c. 

Fri 15th a short lived return to warmth, maxima Wellesbourne 23.9c, Pershore 23.5c, Coventry 23.3c, Lwn & Nottingham 22.7c, Trawsgoed 22.3c, Shobdon 21.1c, CC 17.2c.

First half of September very warm, quite sunny, rainfall varying from very dry/ dry quite widely to rather wet parts of N Wales:

Most places running at 4c above average. 

Rainfall 1st to 0900 16th: Valley c 45mm (rather wet), CC 63.8mm, Trawsgoed c 20mm (dry), Aberporth c 12mm, Llanwnnen 25.7mm (dry), Pembrey Sands c 8mm (very dry), MH 14.8mm, Mumbles 9.0mm (very dry); Nottingham c 27mm (average), Shawbury c 30mm, Coleshill c 12mm, Coventry 11.4mm (very dry), CL 17mm, Pershore 8.0mm (very dry), Hereford c 13mm.

Sunshine to 15th: Llanwnnen 79 hours (estimated), Coventry 99 hours (sunny), Shobdon 90 hrs.

Became much more unsettled after mid month with temperatures average at best:

Mon 18th heavy rain and thunderstorms much of the Midlands (east of B'ham) overnight, giving over 2 inches in places (Leicestershire & Notts) while much of the Coventry area had an inch or more (Bablake school 26.8mm) much of this rain fell in under 3 hours (also PWS Earlsdon 35mm).

Tue 19th wet and windy WW with high orographic rainfall totals over hilly areas, widely an inch with over 4 inches for some high ground today; CC 90.2mm wettest MO station in the UK (to 2100). 

Wed 20th reported on BBC Wales weather that Cwm Dyli (NRW) in Snowdonia received 162mm rainfall in 36 hours to this morning. Here at Lwn 38.9mm measured 0900 made it the second wettest September day recorded here (after 46.6mm in 2018). For the Midlands yesterday just a little rain in places, the fronts not arriving until overnight or this morning and totals generally not large here. Other rainfall amounts (24 hours to 0900) Pembrey Sands 25mm, Trawsgoed 22mm, Shobdon 15mm, Aberporth 11mm, Nottingham 2mm, Coventry 1mm. Strongest wind gusts to 75mph at Capel Curig, generally inland strongest gusts 35- 45mph and 45- 60mph along coasts.

Continued unsettled towards month end:

Sun 24th Whitechurch, near Cardigan, 40.2mm wettest place in Wales.

Tue 26th showers and some longer spells of rain, thunder in places Midlands

Wed 27th named storm Agnes (first of the Season) mainly affected Ireland, strong winds for WW with rain at times, quite windy later Midlands with some light rain. Many exposed parts of Wales gusts around 60mph; max gusts Capel Curig 84mph, Llanwnnen estimated 50mph, Coventry just 33mph.

Sat 30th a wet end to the month across much of WW, Whitechurch (Pembs) 28.0mm wettest in the UK. Here at Lwn heavy rain the following morning with 7mm in 2 hours made it the wettest September here (due to data being 'thrown back' to the previous day when measured at 0900 GMT).

Nature notes

First week or so: Chiffchaff singing on and off from the trees at the bottom of the garden (lacking the strength and urgency of its Spring song however always nice to hear before they head south). Robins back in song so not so quiet as July and August now. Singing louder and more often 8th - 9th. Plenty of hirundines still enjoying the hot weather. Plentiful butterflies too in particular, Large Whites, Speckled Woods and Tortoiseshells.

Fri 8th Aberaeron late House Martin chick poking out of a nest looked ready to go. A dozen or so above the town this afternoon.

Sat 9th lane by forestry very surprised to see a laburnum with a few flowers (never seen this outside of May/ June).

The unseasonable hot weather has resulted in a growth spurt by the grass and weeds, shrubs and brambles, etc, which is most unusual as things are usually slowing down by now. Also quite a few flowers in the garden containers having a second flush. Lots of bees on the wildflower meadow Lampeter Uni this week.

Occasional brief song of Chiffchaff still as of 20th; most Swallows and Martins seem to have departed soon after mid month with the cooler unsettled weather; Chiffchaff sounded louder 21st.

Thu 21st hirundines back! 20 to 30 mixed Swallow and House Martin here this afternoon, then 20 plus Lampeter.

Mon 25th Chiffchaff still singing sometimes most days lately, quite stridently at times.

Holly berries turning red late month.

Summary September 2023

Very warm: rainfall variable from rather dry to very wet; sun around average.

One of the warmest Septembers on record and on par with 2006 which was the warmest September on record. Temperatures around 3c above average in many areas. Most remarkable for this Summer has been that June & September were both warmer months than July & August, something that may not have occurred before! Here at Lwn the mean temperatures of 15.8c for the month beat September 2006 (15.5c) while at Coventry 17.2c equalled 2006. It was the joint warmest September (with 2006) for the UK as a whole, and warmest for England & Wales (Wales mean temperature 15.6c ahead of 15.2c for September 2006).

Across WW rainfall varied greatly from quite dry some coastal parts of SW Wales to double the average parts of NW Wales; here at Llanwnnen 159.4mm just topped the previous highest total of 158.5mm last September, however note that there has been no really wet September here since we moved here 18 years ago (cf wettest historically 252mm Sept 1974 at nearby Highmead School, Llanybydder). Most of the Midlands rather dry or average, parts of N Mids very wet.

Rainfall totals September 2023

Capel Curig, Snowdonia 350.0mm (170%)

Mona, Anglesey 167.2mm (very wet)

Aberdaron, Llyn Peninsular c 135mm (double the average)

Trawsgoed, Ceredigion c 115mm (rather wet)

Aberporth, near Llangrannog c 85mm (rather wet)

Llanwnnen 159.4mm (140%)

Pembrey Sands, Carms c 105mm (rather wet)

Milford Haven, Pembs 97.2mm (average)

Mumbles, near Swansea 76.8mm (101%)

Nottingham c 105mm (very wet)

Coleshill c 55mm (average)

Coventry, Bablake School 67.8mm (115%)

CL, Warks 50.2mm (85%)

Pershore, Worc 50.6mm (97%)

Shobdon, Herefordshire 64.6mm (110%)

National Resources Wales (NRW) rain gauges Sept 2023

Llyn Cefni, Ynys Mon 165.2mm (very wet)

Bethesda Quarry (Gwynedd) 173.0mm (average)

Cwm Dyli (Snowdonia) 411.8mm (wet)

Corris (near Machynlleth) 261.4mm (wet)

Bow Street (near Aberystwyth) 98.8mm (wet)

Pontrhydfendigaid (near Tregaron, Ceredigion) 132.4mm (rather wet)

Penuwch (Ceredigion) 156.6mm (rather wet)

Rhos Ymryson (near Gorscoch and 5 miles NW of Lwn) 172.2mm (wet)

Cellan (2 miles NE of Lampeter) 115.0mm (average)

Pencader (Carms) 189.2mm (wet)

Abergorllech (Brechfa Forest, Carms) 191.0mmn (wet)

Rhydargaeau (Carms) 190.2mm (rather wet)

Garnswllt (near Ammanford, Carms) 174.6mm (wet)

Felinfoel (near Llanelli, Carms) 99.0mm (rather dry)

Ferwig, near Cardigan 78.6mm (rather dry)

Maenclochog (near Preselis, Pembs) 194.6mm (wet)

Tenby (Pembs) 97.2mm (average)

Bolton Hill (near Haverfordwest, Pembs) 124.8mm (rather wet)

COL stations rainfall Sept 2023

Llansadwrn, Anglesey 174.7mm (172%)

Ludlow, Salop 67.2mm (105%)

Alvechurch, Worc 53.9mm (82%)

Warstock, Brum 51.7mm (78%)

Cosby, Leic 49.0mm (84%)

Hinckley 68.4mm

Towcester, Northants 46.7mm (77%)

Sunshine totals Sept 2023

Llanwnnen estimated  108 hours (86%)

Coventry, Bablake School 148.2 hours (108%)

Shobdon, Herefordshire 134.3 hours (90%)

COL stations sun Sept 2023

Ludlow 133.0 hrs 

Alvechurch 135.5 hrs

Cosby 147.9 hrs

Towcester 166.6 hrs