Month: September 2023

The thermometer again rose above average on Friday with a peak 19.2C being 0.3C above the 39-year average. This was due to the many hours of strong sunshine and light wind from the west.

Overnight the thermometer fell away to a low of 10.3C but just after dawn the cloud bank eased away to the east, that with clearing skies saw the thermometer drop to a low of 9.8C at 07.42, but still 0.5C above average. At that time radiation fog formed in the River Kennet Valley.

Saturday began with cloudy conditions but as it cleared eastwards, weak sunshine broke through that was a welcome start to a new day. The barometric pressure has risen substantially over the last twenty-four hours, up 9mb, with a reading of 1026.3mb at 08.00, the highest pressure since 3rd September as a temporary ridge of high pressure moves in and sees the wind back into the south, but very light.

Although Thursday was dry a t rain band crossed the area just after 03.00 on Friday producing another 8.7mm of rainfall that took the monthly rainfall total to 104.1mm being 42.2mm above the 39-year average.

The maximum of 17.7VC was the coolest day since the 23rd and 1.2C below the average. However, the mild, moist Atlantic air meant a mild night with a low of 12.7C, which was 3.4C above the average.

Friday arrived with brightness and sunshine after 07.30 as a transient ridge of high pressure brings a drier and sunnier day with a pressure reading at 0800 of 1017.3mb. The relocation of the depression will mean the wind has veered into the west today.

It was breezy on Wednesday with a maximum gust of 24mph as thankfully Storm Agnes travelled far north of our area. There was a little rain, just 0.6mm. The temperatures by day and night were again above average with a maximum of 19.3C (+0.4C) and a minimum of 12.7C (+3.4C).

Thursday dawned dull with a light southwesterly breeze but dry.

The Atlantic air continued to bring us warm days and nights that on Tuesday saw the thermometer rise to 19.9C being 1C above the average . Likewise a minimum of 11.9C was 2.5C above the average. A very brief but sharp shower occurred at 10.10 on Tuesday amounting to 2.7mm, which took the month total to 94.8mm being 153% of the 39-year average.

Wednesday dawned dull and misty with low cloud shrouding Savernake Forest and the Marlborough Downs. By 08.00 the cloud base had begun to lift.

The thermometer soared to 20.9C on Monday in strong sunshine, which was 2C above the average and the warmest day since the 16th. It was a dry day with UV level Moderate. However, after a very mild night, with a minimum of 13.3C, being 4C above average, light drizzle began to fall shortly after 06.00 amounting to 0.2mm.

The new day on Tuesday revealed misty conditions with high humidity that had seen the thermometer climb to 15.9C by 08.00. The barometric pressure has begun to slip away, as a deep depression approaches, having lost 4mb since yesterday, being Storm Agnes.