Weather log April 2017

April weather log

Mainly dry start to the month:

Fri 7th frost in places, Llanwnnen coldest in UK min -3.4c (Trawsgoed -1.8c, Pershore +1.3c, Valley 8.1c). Rather warm sunny periods for many

Sat 8th widespread frost (Llanwnnen -3.2c, Tirabad -1.9c, Shawbury -0.4c) then a very warm early April day and virtually unbroken sun (Llanwnnen 21.1c, Trawsgoed 20.7c, Pershore 19.7c, Aberdaron 14.9c, Shawbury, Llanwnnen & Valley 12.5 hrs sun). Greatest diurnal range of 24.3c recorded at Llanwnnen (srb 2006)

Sun 9th clouded over and cooled down WW, very warm mostly sunny Midlands (Church Lawford 22.9c, Trawsgoed 17.6c, Aberdaron 11.5c)

Plenty of dry weather still mid month with temps nearer average.

Quite dry even to end the month although some rain or showers; cool spell towards month end with sharp frosts in countryside.

Wintry showers and frosts 25th to 27th, snow showers falling to low ground locally, e.g. reports from B'ham, south Coventry

26th Maxima Capel Curig 6.8c, Shobdon 10.9c, Pembrey 11.2c, minima Tirabad 4.8c (coldest UK) Llanwnnen -4.1c, Trawgoed -3.0c

27th minima Tirabad -5.6c (coldest UK), Llanwnnen -4.8c, Pershore -3.6c

April summary

Very dry with near or slightly above average temperatures


Rainfall totals:

Capel Curig 62.0mm (41%)
Valley 16.6mm (30%)
Trawsgoed 29.6mm (41%)
Llanwnnen 21.3mm (28%)
Aberpoth 18.0mm (34%)
Pembrey Sands 19.6mm (29%)

Shawbury 20.8mm (43%)
Coleshill 23.8mm (47%)
Coventry, Bablake School 26.8mm (51%)
Long Lawford 24.4mm (54%)
Church Lawford 21.4mm (42%)
Hereford 11.6mm (22%)
Pershore 10.2mm (21%)

Sunshine

Valley 117.9 hrs (73%)
Llanwnnen 137 hrs (91%)
Coventry 175.8 hrs (116%)
Shawbury 159.5 hrs (121%)

Nature notes

6th first Willow Warlber cycling Maesycrugiau

11th first pair of Swallow flew over garden

Towards mid month: Plenty of Chiffchaff, few Willow Warbler, plentiful Stitchworth, quite a few Bluebell, Daffs and Celandine largely over

c 16th first possible House Martins not sure - above church
c 17th first Sand Martins heard above garden

Mid to late month plentiful Swallow, Willow Warbler, Blackap, Bluebell, Stitchwort.
Red Campion. Many trees coming into leaf such as Oak, Birch, some Horse Chestnut in full leaf 20th

First Whitethroats heard in Coventry area during past week

Up to 40 Swallow over Wyken Slough late month, possib;e House Martin heard but not identified, no definites all month

March 2017 weather log

Unsettled start to March became very mild and drier:

Tue 14th very mild excepting some foggy coasts (as Aberystwyth all day). Highs Pershore 16.2c, (Llanwnnen 13.6c, Mumbles 10.1c)

Wed 15th rather warm sunny (Hereford 17.6c, Trawsgoed 16.5c) however still rather cool and misty along some coasts (Milford Haven max 9.3c)

Fri 17th - Sat 18th heavy orographic rainfall Wales, over 100mm locally between Llanddewi Brefi and Strata Florida suggested by radar 24 hours to 1230 (Llanwnnen 20mm)

Sat 18th Pershore max 16.1c mildest in UK, widely above 15c Midlands

Tue 21st start of Spring colder with wintry showers in places, snow for some hills of Wales, lying snow above 400-500m. Max 8.2c during morning sunshine here at Llanwnnen, cloud and showers pm with a little sleet, below 5c after 1300 (Pershore 10.7c, Mumbles 9.2c, Capel Curig 6.6c)

Wed 22nd snow cover visible on distant high ground of Plynlimon and Cader Idris, wettest day of month to date parts of Midlands, as 12.7mm Long Lawford (Hereford 23.2mm)

Thu 23rd rare widespread frost for this month to date (Llanwnnen -4.2c, Trawsgoed -3.2c, Shobdon -2.3c)

Some rather warm and sunny late March weather:

Fri 24th Porthmadog warmest in UK max 16.0c (Llanwnnen 14.1c, Newport, Salop 14.0c). Sunny spells, parts of WW near unbroken sun (Valley 11.1 hrs, Aberporth 11.0, Llanwnnen 10.5hrs)

Sat 25th Porthmadog again one of warmest in UK at 19c (Llanwnnen 17.5c, Milford Haven 17.2c, Aberporth 12.2c, Shawbury 14.9c). Notably low RH today, Llanwnnen WS record low (srb 2013) 30% with almost unbroken sunshine in all areas (widely above 10 hrs)

Mon 27th warm sunny WW, much of Midlands cloudy, misty and cool (Capel Curig 16.9c, Tirabad 8.5c, Nottingham 11.1c, Shobdon 9.1c)

Wet end to the month especially for Wales:

Wed 29th Whitchurch 30.4mm wettest in UK

Thu 30th Capel Curig 46.0mm wettest in UK. Many areas exceptionally mild March night, here at Llanwnnen low of 10.9c mildest in my 12 year record beating 9.5c in 2010. Coventry min 11.8c mildest March night since 1956 (12.0c). Contrasts, rain at times WW where  mild, locally warm Midlands sunny periods and very warm for late March, some places such as Coventry it was the warmest March day since 2012 (Coventry 19.9c, Coleshill 19.4c, Trawsgoed 17.0c, Aberdaron 10.5c)


Nature notes:

Early month: Blackthorn bloom Monmouth then parts of Midlands. Willow leaf burst too locally.

15th rare lovely sunny day for thus far into March, first Chiffchaff singing Maesycrugiau also firdt Peacock butterfly same area

Late March: plentiful stichwort flowers last week, Daffs starting wither. First Bluebell front of house under insulation cladding, quite a few in back garden month end. Horse Chestnut and other tree spp leaf burst, Hawthorn coming into leaf locally.


March summary: very mild and rather wet

Everywhere very mild, parts of Midlands over 2c above average. For many the mildest March since 2012.
Generally wet a few places nearer average. Llanwnnen having 153.9mm the wettest March since 2008 (167.9mm).
Sunshine rather dull to quite sunny. A 4 day sunny spell late month redeemed an otherwise dull month at Llanwnnen where the total ended up closer to average.


Rain totals

Valley 76.0mm (121%)
Llanwnnen 153.9mm (186%)
Aberporth 108.4mm (174%)
Pembrey Sands 115.4mm (147%)
Llanelli PWS 88.6mm

Shawbury 52.0mm (112%)
Coventry, Bablake School 56.4mm (119%)
Long Lawford 54.5mm (126%)
Church Lawford 54.6mm (122%)
Dunchurch PWS 42.2mm
Daventry PWS 43.9mm

Sunshine:

Valley 109.6 hrs (96%)
Llanwnnen 82 hours (88%)
Aberporth 96.2 hrs (82%)


Shawbury 121.1 hrs (126%)
Coventry, Bablake School 131.4mm (114%)

February 2017 weather log

Pertinent daily weather notes:

Mild/ very mild start to February:

Thu 2nd, Aberystwyth area warmest in UK (Gogerddan 14.0c, Trawsgoed 13.9c, Mona 13.1c, Pershore College 12.7c), Whitechurch, near Cardigan wettest in UK 24.6mm

Fri 3rd rain turned to wet snow for a short time later in the day over parts of Wales as colder air arrived. A wet day for much of Wales (Scolton Country Park, Pembs 33.8mm wettest in UK)

Sat 4th thin covering of snow on some nearby higher ground, snowline varying from above 250 - 350m

Wed 8th sunny periods with average to mild temps WW, mostly cloudy rather cold Midlands (Milford Haven 11.1c mildest in UK, Church Lawford & Nottingham max 3.8c)

Thu 9th short cold spell underway (max Portmadog 5.3c, Capel Curig 1.3c, Tirabad -0.1c, Shawbury 2.6c, Market Bosworth 1.5c)

Fri 10th rather cold to cold with wintry flurries in places (Porthmadog 6.1c, Pembrey 5.1c, Northampton 2.1c, Coleshill 2.5c)

Sat 11th light snowfalls in places, slight accumulation in places especially above 200m, cold to rather cold again (Gogerddan 6.0c, Northampton 2.0c)

Sun 12th last cold day with a little sleet or snow in places, max generally 2 to 5c

Mon 13th much milder (Pembrey Sands 12.6c, Pershore 11.0c). Fairly sunny most of Midlands (Wellesbourne 8.1 hrs); strong and damaging winds locally WW

Wed 15th mild with rain in places, heavy late afternoon rain  parts of Midlands, 11.6mm Long Lawford total for the day, much of this within two hours and amongst the highest totals of the day (Trawsgoed max 12.9c, Church Lawford 11.2mm rain)

Mild spell continued...

Sat 19th mild to very mild, central Midlands closer to average (Trawsgoed 13.4c, Llanwnnen 10.6c, Hereford 12.5c, Market Bosworth 8.0c)

Mon 20th very mild, minima Hereford 10.6c, Aberpoth & Trawsgoed 9.5c. Maxima Capel Curig 16.0c, Pershore 15.5c. Llanwnnen max 14.3c mildest February day since 23/2/2012 (14.4c)

Both Tue 21st and Wed 22nd very mild, max widely 10 to 13c, min 8 to 10c. Hereford max 14.7c 21st. Minima 22nd Hereford 11.0c, Trawsgoed 10.1c.

Wed 22nd wet Mid and North Wales, large totals in the vicinty of some high ground, radar suggesting 50mm plus Cellan and Llanddewi Brefi cf actual 14mm Llanwnnen; very locally 100mm possibly for some hills. Max 14.7c Pershore

Thu 23rd damaging winds courtesey of 'Storm Doris', fatality Wolverhampton city centre midday, gusts widely above 50mph...Capel Curig 94mph, Aberdaron & Valley 81mph, Aberporth 68mph, Llanwnnen 49mph, Trawsgoed 47mph, Church Lawford 66mph, Bbablake 55mph. 24 hour rainfall totals to 0600: Capel Curig 51mm, Trawsgoed 34mm

Sat 25th Capel Curig 60.6mm orographic rain NW Wales

Mon 27th wintry showers in places, snow cover for some hills, late afternoon snowline down to 250m - 300m Mynydd Llanllwni, only sleet Llanwnnen and Llanybydder


Nature notes

2nd first (mini variety) Daffs blooming a few miles north of Carmarthen (often these are first bloom and in late Jan/early Feb)

First week: plentiful Snowdrops out and plently of Song Thrush singing. Great Spotted Woodpecker (GSW) heard drumming

Mid month first Celandine, more Daffs out in Carmarthen, 2 GSW heard drumming 16th

End of month smattering of Blackbird song, impressive Song Thrush vocalistaion continues
Quite a few Daffs out by 28th. Bluebell spikes widely up around the gardens, plenty of Celandine, Snowdrops declining



February summary: mild and rather dull; rainfall around average, locally a wet month

Little in the way of snow again, many places having no lying snow all month or just a sprinkling.
Mildest February for several years, here at Llanwnnen since 2011.
Broadly around average rainfall, some having a rather dry month, some areas wet..
Sunshine below average everywhere.

Rainfall totals


Valley 103.8mm (190%)
Llanwnnen 124.0mm (122%)
Pembrey Sands 74.8mm (91%)

Nottingham 53.4mm
Coventry, Bablake school 44.0mm (110%)
Long Lawford 44.7mm (111%)
Church Lawford 44.4mm (100%)
Hereford 36.6mm (78%)

Sunshine

Valley 49.2 hrs (61%)
Aberporth 51.5 hrs (63%)
Llanwnnen 43 hrs (68%)


Nottingham 45.5 hrs
Coventry 64.1 hrs (82%)


Winter 2017: dry and rather mild

Llanwnnen it was the driest Winter in the 12 year record here (Winter 20008/09 305.3mm).

Winter rainfall totals:

Llanwnnen 296.0mm (75%)
Pembrey Sands 216.0mm

Nottingham 122.8mm
Long Lawford 124.6mm (83%)
Church Lawford 123.8mm
Coventry, Bablake School 128.0mm (89%)

and sunshine:

Llanwnnen (est) 160 hrs (110%)

Coventry, Bablake School 176.8 hrs 89%

January 2017 weather log

Pertinent daily weather log

Sun 1st rather cold and wet cleared WW morning, sleet and snow for high ground fell to quite low levels parts of Midlands, afternoon temperatures widely below 4c. A covering of snow for some hills of Wales above 400m.

Tue 3rd frost locally quite severe (Llanwnnen -6.7c, Pershore -5.4c, Swyddffynnon -5.2c)

Thu 12th colder, sleet or snow fell for a time in many places, slight accumulations some hills above about 300m. Thunder at Llanwnnen during evening hail and snow showers

Fri 13th wintry showers, slight coverings of snow or hail in many places, more substantials accumulations some high ground, reports of 4 to 6 inches Peak District, strong winds

Sat 14th  Reported 13 - 15cm snow lying overnight Brecon Beacons.Milder/ less cold as showers turned to rain and hail

This very half-hearted cold spell mid month barely impacting CET

Tue 17th mild WW, rather cold much of Midlands (Gogerddan 11.9c, Coventry 4.5c)

Wed 18th again quite mild WW and rather cold Midlands (Trawsgoed 9.0c, Astwood Bank & Ch Lawford 4.1c)

Sat 20th virtually unbroken sunshine in many places (Aberporth 8.1 hrs , Wellesbourne 8.0 hrs 20th, Llanwnnen 8 hrs)

Sun 21st virtually unbroken sunshine parts of WW, much of Midlands cloudy (Llanwnnen 8 hrs, Valley 7.6 hrs), cold or rather cold although a few spots in NW Wales average to rather mild (Hereford max 2.2c, Market Bosworth 2.9c, Porthmadog 8.7c)

Wed 25th WW average to quite mild, West Midlands near average, SE Midlands cold (Trawsgoed 9.7c, Hereford 8.5c, CL max 2.6c)

Thu 26th cold or very cold, parts of Midlands having a now rare 'ice day' (Northampton max -1.1c, CL -0.7c, Coventry -0.6c, Hereford 1.5c, Aberporth 3.4c, Valley 6.7c). First ice day since 2013 at Coventry would be typical of the Midlands

Tue 31st very mild WW,  mildest day of the month, this much milder air reaching the Midlands by evening (Trawsgoed 13.0c, Hereford 12.0c, Nottingham 6.6c to 1800)




Nature notes

Hints of Spring nature-wise:

Bird song heard during much of the month:
Great Tit, always becomes territorial late Winter, although early January is still early for this to call
Mistle Thrush, another bird that can sing as early as Jan/ Feb
Song Thrush, subsong or short bursts with no tue vibrant song as would be in late Spring.
Much more purposeful Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush song during final few days of month.
Collard Dove heard to call.
Robin of course which sings virtually year-round

Primrose increasingly in bloom as January progressed
First Daffodil few spikes through in the village (same ones in bloom by Christmas 2015)
Celandine foliage most prolific by month end
23rd first Snowdrops in flower, as usual near the Fish & Anchor, Llanwnnen and a few days later alongside main road to Lampeter
24th first Bluebell spikes through under our Apple tree

Several Spiders seem intent on surviving the Winter on our landing (I do encourage this by leaving the window ajar during milder spells)




January 2017 summary

Average to quite mild; generally rather dry, but parts of Midlands rainfall totals around average

Another Winter month passes with an absence of true wintry conditions, although there were quite a few night frosts over the Midlands. SE England saw a protracted cold spell this month, while the west usually remained on the mild side. Very little in the way of snowfall, many lowland locations having no lying snow at all.

Rainfall totals:

Capel Curig 128.2mm 44%
LLanwnnen 96.9mm 68%
Aberporth 56.2mm 67%
Pembrey 80.4mm 74%

Nottingham 49.0mm
Hereford 61.8mm 93%
Coleshill 52.6mm 79%
Coventry, Bablake School 61.0mm 102%
Long Lawford 60.3mm 111%
Church Lawford 58.6mm

Sunshine totals:

Aberdaron 48.5 hrs
Llanwnnen 62 hrs 143%
Aberporth 56.3 hrs 91%

Shawbury 38.2 hrs 75%
Coventry 49.5hrs 79%

December 2016 weather log

December 2016 weather and nature

Log of more significant weather days:

Snow patches late November: During the final week of November snow patches visible on distant hills inc Plynlimon



Tue 13th very mild mostly cloudy(Pershore College 14.7c, Trawsgoed 13.0c)

Wed 14th very mild and bright (Gogerddan 14.2c, Nottingham 13.3c, Pershore College 13.2c)

Thurs 23rd frost widespread but not severe however Shobdon -3.4c coldest in UK

Fri 24th Storm Barbara brought wind and rain although nothing of note for most of England and Wales, gusts to 75mph at Capel Curig and Anglesey though, a few trees and power lines down over Wales

Sat 25th very mild Christmas Day (Coleshill 14.9c, Trawsgoed 13.5c)

Tue 27th notably high pressure above 1040mbar all England and Wales and 1045mbar reached over the Midlands. At Coventry the barometer reached its highest level since January 1982!

Wed 28th frost locally rather severe (Pershore -7.0c), unbroken sunshine many areas (Llanwnnen 7 hours) however some places remained foggy. Variable maxima from very mild 12.1c Trawsgoed to very cold 1.0c Hereford where fog must have lingered

Thu 29th freezing fog persisted all day along some valleys, such as the Trent and Wye (Hereford max -0.6c, Winterbourne 7.6c)


Nature notes:

2nd in spite of recent severe frosts (-11.0c 30/11) a few Red Campion continue in bloom along the lanes

Early Dec Primroses in flower Coventry and Llanwnnen.

9th Muntjac Deer in woodland, Fillongley, Warks

10th female Blackcap feeding on Apples remaining on tree Aldermans Green, Coventry, this is a Summer migrant although they increasingly over-Winter due to milder Winters and as people feed garden birds more and more. Blackbird and Magpie also benefiting from this remaining fruit.

11th Llanwnnen and surrounds: Mistle Thrush heard in weak song, first Snowdrop spikes emerged Fish & Anchor bank, a few Red Campion continue to bloom, grass and other vegetation appears to be in slow growth phase

14th Gorse in flower up to 350m Mynydd Pencarreg, snatch of Song Thrush song along lane back down to Llanybydder also heard Carmarthen 15th

A few Primrose in bloom from mid month

Hazel catkins mid month

20th first Snowdrop spikes near Fish & Anchor, Llanwnnen, they are usually early to flower on this road bank

Further Song and Mistle Thrush song bursts at various locations to Christmas


December 2016 summary: dry and mild

For the second year running this was an unusual instance of December being milder than November.
A dry month for all and for parts of the Midlands very dry with barely a quarter of the average

Llanwnnen driest Dec since 2010 (52.1mm) and driest since 2010 (17.2mm) Coventry

December rainfall totals:

Valley 75.6mm
Llanwnnen 75.1mm (52%)
Aberporth 52.6mm
Milford Haven 75.4mm
Pembrey Sands 68.6mm

Nottingham 20.4mm
Shawbury 30.0mm
Coventry 23.0mm
Long Lawford 19.6mm (35%)
Church Lawford 23.8mm



2016 summary

Rather mild, most places rather dry, parts of WW decidedly dry
Llanwnnen driest year since 2010 (1116.9mm), Coventry driest since 2011 (460.2mm)

Rainfall totals for 2016

Llanwnnen 1144.7mm (87%)

Long Lawford 613.5mm (96%)
Church Lawford 635.6mm
Coventry, Bablake School 671.2mm (97%)

Sunshine totals 2016

Coventry, Bablake School 1508.2 hrs (98%)

Llanwnnen (estimated) 1269 hours (94%)

Weather log November 2016

Daily weather log November 2016

Tue 1st overnight fog in many places. Foggy start in places then rather cloudy with a spit of drizzle in places, late sun NW Wales. For most a much cooler day, 8c cooler than yesterday parts of Midlands but still mild for SW Wales (Pembrey 15.3c, Hereford 11.6c, Market Bosworth max 9.6c)

Wed 2nd widespread ground frost and air frost in places (Swyddfynnon -3.1c, Trawsgoed -1.7c, pershore -0.5c). Sunny spells with sunshine virtually unbroken Midlands. Temperatures average to slightly cool (Pembrey 12.2c, Pershore 11.7c, Coleshill max 9.8c)

Thu 3rd widespread frost this mostly lifted WW by morning as it clouded over. Bright start Midlands then  rather cloudy, a little rain and drizzle pm WW. A rather cool day for most of the Midlands, average to rather cool WW (Pembrey 13.2c, Winterbourne 12.2c,  Shobdon 8.1c)

Fri 4th a little further rain and drizzle WW overnight, extending into parts of the Midlands. A little rain over the Midlands morning, became mostly dry with sunny spells just the odd shower, rather cool to average temps (Mumbles 12.0c, Pershore College 12.5c, Capel Curig 8.4c)

Sat 5th widespread ground frost, more local air frost, showers affecting Wales overnight (Shobdon -1.0c, Llanwnnen -0.4c). Sunny spells and a few showers with hail WW, even some snow for highest hills, with more in the way of showers Snowdonia and the tips of Pembrokeshire. Mostly dry and bright Midlands. Rather cold and breezy (Scolton Country Park 10.6c, Hereford 9.0c, Capel Curig max 6.4c).

Sun 6th showers for some overnight, a stream of showers from the north affected Pembrokeshire where some places had over an inch of rain, some wintry showers over Snowdonia. Widespread overnight frost locally sharp (Llanwnnen -5.1c, Pershore & Swyddfynnon -4.2c). Variable cloud, mostly cloudy and showery Snowdonia, generally sunny intervals with better sunny spells in places. Some showers, most affecting W Pembrokeshire and Snowdonia; rather cold/ cold and quite windy (Pembrey 10.4c, Pershore 8.7c, Coleshill max 6.4c, Milford Haven 21mm)

Mon 7th frost in places (Llanwnnen -3.3c, Trawsgoed -3.0c) still the odd shower overnight. Sunny spells and mainly dry, still some showers affecting parts of WW, chiefly Pembrokeshire. Most places quite cold, sheltered SW Wales closer to normal (Scolton Country Park, Pembs 10.8c, Coton-in-the-Elms, Notts 9.5c, Astwood Bank, Worc 9.3c, Capel Curig 7.2c)

Tue 8th widespread frost, severe at Pershore, excepting parts of WW where there were still some showers keeping going (Pershore min -6.0c and grass min -11c, Tirabad min -3.0c). Bright start Midlands clouded over, cloudy day WW with rain pm this eventually reaching the Midlands too, some snow over the Peak District. Very cold Midlands, mostly cold elsewhere but near average SW Wales (Milford Haven 10.7c, CC 5.2c, Market Bosworth 4.0c, Scolton 24.9mm)

Wed 9th wet night Midlands an inch in places and more than fell during the whole of October for some such as Coventry and Long Lawford (Aberdaron 41mm, Hereford 26.0mm, Long Lawford 17.7mm). Rain cleared E Mids am, cold E Mids, rather mild Marches and S Wales (Pembrey max 11.0c, Hereford 10.8c, Nottingham 5.5c)

From now occasional daily more pertinent notes only:

Sun 13th mostly cloudy and mild WW, sunny periods C & E Midlands where quite mild (Wellesbourne 5.9 hrs, Mumbles 13.2c, Hereford 11.5c)

Mon 14th in spite of a strong ridge of high pressure, some rain or drizzle in many places, especially Ceredigion, 7mm fell here at Llanwnnen, peak rate 34mm/ hr during a brief very heavy downpour this occurring with 1030mbar pressure! (Gogerddan 8.8mm wettest in UK). 17c reached in Aberdeenshire today

Tue 15th very mild night (minima Valley 12.8c, Shawbury 12.4c, Llanwnnen 12.0c)

Thu 17th showery, a squally trough produced an intermittent zone of damaging wind across Mid Wales late morning and then crossing Shropshire and Notts. Gust of 94mph recorded Aberystwyth RNLI station, numerous trees blown down, some roofs blown off and at Clarach Caravan Park caravans were upturned and destroyed. The experts deem this a very unusual and interesting event - see John Masons' excellent report here:
http://www.geologywales.co.uk/storms/nov-2016-downburst-mid-wales.htm

Fri 18th snow over the Peak District gave several inches in  places, a cold day, max generally 5 to 7c.

Sun 20th covering of snow over some high ground especially Brecon Beacons but also Shropshire and Peak District, a rather cold day, max generally 5 to 8c; an inch of rain parts of Midlands (Winterbourne 23mm)

Mon 21st wet day with snow over high ground of Wales; temps ranging from cold WW & the Marches to average much of Midlands. Over an inch of rain quite widely, very locally perhaps 4 inches/ 100mm, as suggested by the radar just west of Carmarthen and over parts of south Shropshire (Church Lawford 10.4c, Mumbles 6.3c, Llanwnnen 3.7c max, Whitechurch, Pembs 53.2mm, Pennerley, Salop 51.0mm)

Fri 25th virtually unbroken sunshine, mild WW after frost (Gogerddan 11.6c, Aberdaron, Llanwnnen 7.5 hrs sun)

Sat 26th a lot of cloud much of  Midlands, unbroken sunshine and excellent visibilty WW also Shropshire, we could faintly see the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland from Constitution Hill, Aberystwyth, 100 miles away, Fairly mild in the sun for WW (Porthmadog 11.4c, Aberporth 7.7 hrs, Llanwnnen 7.5 hrs sun)

Mon 28th unbroken sunshine parts of Midlands (Wellesbourne 7.4 hrs)

Tue 29th low minima and severe frost for many places. Here at Llanwnnen min -8.2c was the lowest reading since 29th December 2014 (-8.4c). Shawbury -6.8c, Capel Curig, Shobdon fell to around -6c. Unbroken sun in many areas (Aberporth 7.8 hrs) as daytime temperatures recovered towards average, although most had a rather cold day (Porthmadog 9.0c, Winterbourne 6.7c, Tirabad max 2.4c).

Wed 30th an even colder night in many places, a harsh frost indeed for November. Exceptionally low November temperatures in places, at Llanwnnen it was the coldest night since December 26th 2010 (-15.9c) and coldest in November since 30/11/10 (-11.0c). Other notable minima: Tirabad -9.7c, Shobdon -7.9c (to 0600). Another very clear sunny day, temperatures rather variable, generally on the cold side but some parts of WW a touch above average (Valley 9.7c, Trawsgoed 9.2c, Pershore 4.1c)



Nature notes

Large flocks of Fieldfare Wolvey, Warks 10th, these then also seen in WW. Wolvey, also a butterfly, probably Red Admiral flew across the field. Large flocks of Starlings also especially by dusk roost.
Fresh blooms of Red and Pink Campion in hedegrows of Ceredigion mid month, still some out towards month end.
25th Surprised to have a Pipistrelle Bat fly over my head dusk near Llanybydder, Carms.
26th Plentiful Gorse flower alongside the coast road to Aberystwyth and also some Constitution Hill, Aberystwyth where some Ox Eye Daisies also in bloom. Nice Starling roosting display at Aberystwyth pier as usual this time of year



November review

Rather cold with variable rainfall and sunshine

Below average temperature-wise.
The Midlands and parts of South Wales had a wet, locally very wet month, much of the rest of WW was on the dry side, some places only half the average, most unusual that Llanwnnen reported the lowest monthly total!
Most places attained average sunshine figures with some having a sunny month

Rainfall totals:

Valley 80.6mm 78%
Capel Curig 193.2mm 66%
Llanwnnen 69.9mm 47%
Aberporth 76.0mm 70%
Milford Haven 122.2mm
Llanelli 90.4mm
Mumbles 130.0mm 116%

Nottingham 76.4mm
Shawbury 78.8mm 129%
Hereford 112.2mm 175%
Coleshill 84.4mm
Coventry 82.4mm 140%
Long Lawford 77.9mm 126%
Church Lawford 75.4mm 125%

and sunshine:

Llanwnnen 93 hours 178%
Aberporth 73.7 hrs 117%

Shawbury 75.7 134%
Coventry 76.2 hrs 109%

Autumn 2016

Dry, quite sunny with near average temperatures

Driest Autumn since 2007 (220mm) just 62% of average.
A benign Autumn lacking storms and flooding (at least in the Lampeter area as the Aberystwyth area saw damaging winds 17th while parts of SW Wales saw bad flooding around 21st). Unusually for this Season at Llanwnnen no day had greater than an inch of rain!
No snow but severe frosts ended November, down to -11.0c 30th which was the lowest reading of any month since December 26th 2010. Marked progression from the Summer conditions of September to Winter by the end of November with a 9c drop in mean temperature at Llanwnnen over the 3 months.
The final week was very sunny accounting for 45% of the monthly total at Llanwnnen.

Autumn rainfall totals:

Llanwnnen 251.4mm 62%
Aberporth 214.8mm

Shawbury 150.2mm
Coventry 142.4mm
Long Lawford 139.1mm
Church Lawford 140.2mm

and sunshine:

Llanwnnen 307 hours 116%
Aberporth 306 hrs

Shawbury 308 hrs
Coventry 291 hrs

Weather log October 2016

Weather log October 2016

Sat 1st spells of rain some very heavy WW overnight with over an inch in places. Outbreaks of rain turned more showery during the day with sunny intervals, some torrential downpours with thunder in places although a few areas escaped largely dry. A cool day almost everywhere, locally very cool (Hereford 15.6c, Mumbles 15.4c, Shawbury max 11.1c, Capel Curig 10.9c, Aberporth 33.2mm).

Prolonged mostly dry bright spell; mostly average to rather warm by day but some night frosts:

Sun 2nd clear spells and cool overnight leading to thick fog in places and  local grass frost Mid Wales & W Midlands (Tirabad air min 0.7c, Pershore & Tirabad grass min -1c). Dry sunny day, unbroken sunshine for some, average to rather warm temps (Trawsgoed 18.1c, Northampton 18.0c, Shobdon 10.6 hrs)

Mon 3rd clear cool night,  grass frost locally inland Wales but widespread Midlands with some fog (Shobdon min 0.6c, Pershore grass min -3c). Dry with sunny periods, unbroken sunshine parts of the Midlands; generally rather warm for early October although a keen SE breeze (Porthmadog 18.6c, Pershore 17.5c)

Tue 4th clear periods but more of a breeze keeping temperatures up, only Hereford reporting a ground frost. Another dry day with sunny spells much of the Midlands, more cloud for WW and SW Midlands though but with sunny intervals. Generally rather warm again but breezy (Pershore College19.2c, Pembrey & Valley 18.5c)

Wed 5th mild breezy night. Dry and mostly sunny, a stronger east to SE wind tempered things further east; still quite warm over WW, nearer average East Midlands (Valley 19.1c, Pershore College 18.0c, Nottingham 15.6c)

Thu 6th very local grass frost overnight. Sunny spells everywhere and fairly sunny coastal WW, a cooler day but still above average in most places (Coton-in-the-Elms 16.9c, Trawsgoed 15.7c)

Fri 7th mostly cloudy with light showers in places, chiefly N Mids, generally around average but the Midlands tending to be rather cool (Whitechuch 16.4c, Nottingham 14.4c, Hereford 13.5c).

Sat 8th rather cloudy a few sunny intervals, few showers Midlands, average to rather warm (Whitechurch 17.5c, Coton-in-the-Elms 16.4c)

Sun 9th Sunny spells, mostly dry, a few light showers East Midlands, around average, locally mild (Porthmadog 16.8c, Pershore 15.9c, Nottingham 13.2c)

Mon 10th widespread ground frost, the Season's first air frost at Llanwnnen (min -2.1c). Sunny spells, cloudier afternoon, a few showers again over the East Midlands, Rather cool to average temps (Milford Haven 15.4c, Coton-in-the-Elms & Newport, Salop 14.5c, Capel Curig max 11.8c)

Tue 11th widespread ground frost with localised air frost pockets. Sunny day WW, sunny intervals Midlands, dry virtually everywhere. Around average temps, locally mild (Coton-in-the-Elms & Whitechurch 16.4c)

Wed 12th localised ground frost. Sunny spells and mostly dry WW, sunny intervals and a few showers Midlands, average to mild temperatures (Llanwnnen & Pembrey 16.6c, Newport, Salop 16.2c, Nottingham 13.2c)

Thu 13th very local ground frost, some showers N Midlands overnight. Sunny spells WW, some sunny intervals Midlands, a few showers Midlands and N Wales.  Average, locally rather mild WW, generally cool Midlands (Porthmadog 15.6c, Pershore College 13.3c, Market Bosworth 11.4c)

Fri 14th local frost WW, too much cloud for this Midlands (Llanwnnen -0.2c, Pembrey 1.9c). Mostly dry by day with sunny intervals, average to mild (Porthmadog 16.1c, Northampton 14.3c, Aberdaron 12.3c)

Changeable with some rain and heavy showers especially Wales; generally average to quite mild:

Sat 15th Showery rain in places WW overnight some of this reaching Midlands. Some sunny spells, with some rain for parts of the Midlands by evening. Average to mild (Wellesbourne 17.1c, Trawsgoed 15.1c, Aberporth 13.2c))

Sun 16th Some rain and wind for a time late night into the morning clearing to sunny intervals and showers, chiefly over WW where they became heavy and prolonged in places. Mostly dry afternoon Midlands. Average to mild again (Pershore College 17.3c, Mumbles 16.0c, Capel Curig 12.9c)

Mon 17th Sunny intervals and showers, mostly affecting WW where some were again heavy and prolonged but with much of the Midlands escaping with a generally dry day. Cooler and breezy although still quite mild in places (Newport, Salop 16.2c, Pembrey 15.5c, Llanwnnen 12.9c)

Tue 18th some showery rain night. Cooler still, rather windy but mainly dry with sunny spells once any early showery bursts of rain cleared to the east. Cool to average (Pershore 13.9c, Mumbles 13.7c, Capel Curig 10.3c)

Mostly dry and bright again, some frost and fog, around average by day:

Wed 19th very localised ground frost seemed restricted to Worcestershire. Mostly dry with sunny intervals, average to rather mild temperatures (Pershore 16.0c, Mumbles 14.3c, Aberporth 12.2c)

Thu 20th local ground frost and fog overnight. Sunny intervals and a few showers, mainly East Midlands, some areas rather cloudy. Temperatures close to average, locally mild however (Scolton Country Park, Pembs 16.0c, Pershore 15.6c, Capel Curig 12.0c)

Fri 21st local frost and fog, dense in places (Llanwnnen min -0.6c, Tirabad +0.4c, Pershore 1.4c). Any fog cleared to sunny intervals, much of SW Wales and SW Midlands quite sunny. Temps rather cool much of Midlands otherwise average to rather mild (Trawsgoed 15.3c, Pershore 15.1c, Coleshill max 12.0c)

Sat 22nd widespread ground frost and locally an air frost (Llanwnnen -1.3c, Tirabad -0.8c, Shobdon -0.4c). Lovely sunny day WW, cloud and some sunny intervals Midlands along with just a few well scattered light showers. Temperatures average to rather cool but locally rather mild WW (Whitechurch 14.9c, Shawbury 13.3c, Aberporth 8.7hrs)

Briefly more unsettled with rain in places and cooler:

Sun 23rd ground frost widespread across Mid Wales and the West Midlands. Sunny intervals WW, rather cloudy much of Midlands some places catching a light shower. Average to cool temps (Pembrey & Pershore College 13.3c, Capel Curig max 9.0c)

Mon 24th mostly cloudy with a little rain or drizzle in places, chiefly SW Wales and SW Midlands later, average to cool (Valley 12.7c, Wellesbourne 12.4c, Tirabad max 9c)

Tue 25th some rain overnight, chiefly SW Wales and SW Midlands, a milder night than of late. Mostly cloudy but a few sunny intervals and mostly dry, temps variable from rather cool Marches to rather mild much of WW (Milford Haven 15.9c, Nottingham 13.2c, Shobdon max 11.0c)

Mostly dry and mild end to month:

Wed 26th a little rain in places overnight, most stayed dry though. Dry with sunny spells, mild or very mild (Hereford 17.0c, Milford Haven 16.8c, Aberdaron 14.1c)

Thu 27th mostly dry and mild, rather cloudy but some sunny intervals in most places (Hereford 16.4c, Trawsgoed 16.0c, Capel Curig 13.0c)

Fri 28th very mild night with everywhere above 10c (min Pembrey 13.7c, Hereford 13.1c). Mostly cloudy bur sunny intervals for some areas; mild or very mild (Nottingham 17.0c, Hereford 16.9c, Milford Haven 16.0c)

Sat 29th very mild night (Valley 12.8c, Coventry 12.4c). Mild, cloudy with little wind; drizzle in places inspite of the intense anticyclone over the UK (Coleshill 14.8c, Milford Haven 14.7c, Shobdon 12.8c)

Sun 30th another very mild night (Mumbles min 12.6c, Pershore 11.9c). Another mainly cloudy mild day with the odd brighter interval (Pershore 15.3c, Pembrey 15.0c, Nottingham max 11.9c)

Mon 31st fog in places overnight, slow to clear in the morning. Very mild/ warm with sunny periods, remarkably warm for the very end of October Ceredigion, the warmest Halloween on record for Wales as Trawsgoed reached 22.2c. Much cooler where fog slow to clear as Herefordshire (Llanwnnen 19.4c, Winterbourne, B'ham 19.2c, Aberporth 19.0c, Coleshill 18.1c, Hereford max 11.2c)


October 2016 summary

Very dry and generally quite sunny; average temperatures

Looks like it was the driest October for England & Wales since 1978. Just 16.0mm fell at Coventry compared with 6.0mm in Oct 1978. there have only been 9 drier October's in the past 146 in the city.
Driest since 2007 (45mm) here at Llanwnnen, a 12 day dry spell first half of month at Llanwnnen.
Anticyclonic month, mean pressure 1022mbar - the map for October 2007 in the Climatological Observer's Link bulletin shows pressure average over 1023mbar that month.
We went firmly into Autumn after the warm September, at least we were spared the more typical rain and winds! Many places were somewhat sunnier than average, a few parts of the Midlands slightly below. Here at Llanwnnen there were a fair few frosts albeit only slight (total 5 air frost, min -2.1c). Few places elsewhere saw more than a few ground frosts though throughout the month.
The final day was remarkably warm over WW with 22.2c recorded at Trawsgoed, this similar to the reading there 1st November 2015.

October rainfall totals:

Llanwnnen 51.0mm (36%)
Aberporth 40.6mm
Pembrey 33.2mm
Mumbles 39.8mm

Long Lawford 17.3mm (31%)
Church Lawford 18.8mm
Coventry, Bablake School 16.0mm (24%)
Coleshill 19.8mm
Pershore 19.2mm
Shawbury 22.8mm
Hereford 22.2mm


Sunshine

Llanwnnen 121 hours estimated (137%)
Aberporth 129 hrs (125%)

Coventry, Bablake School 100.0 hrs (95%)
Shawbury 103 hrs (114%)


Nature notes

The mostly fine October saw some butterflies still about, especially Red Admiral during the first fortnight. Cold nights seem to have put paid to these after mid month.
First few Fieldfare and Redwing observed at Hawkesbury, Coventry 12th, these are Winter visiting Thrushes here to escape the cold of Russia and Scandinavia. Large mixed flock of these Thrushes seen near Llanwnnen 21st.
Two raven observed Alderman's Green, Coventry, don't recall seeing them in that area before.
Plenty of flowers in bloom throughout October along hedgerows and in gardens. Red Campion putting on a fine Autumn bloom, also few Foxglove, these very short compared with Summer growth having taken advantage of late Summer verge and hedge cutting. Various other not known wildflower in bloom also.
Holly berries turned red this month.