Summer of '47

Fairly extensive cirrus and a little more breezy than yesterday. DP / Humidity has started to drop sharply again...

May was pretty much back-to-front with a warm, sunny and dry start; and a cool wet finish. The temperature failed to reach 20º C after the 13th and there were some unseasonally strong, gusty winds. It was the third wettest May in my records although some distance behind 2000 and 1994 for rainfall. The long, dry spell appears to have come to an end...? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Highest max: 27.4 ºC on 4th Lowest max: 12.9 ºC on 30th Lowest min: 3.8 ºC on 2nd Highest min: 13.3 ºC on 27th ------------------------------------------------------------ Average max: 17.4 ºC (exactly average*) Average min: 9.1 ºC (0.9 ºC ABOVE average*) Monthly mean: 12.7 ºC Air frosts: 0 High THW Heat Index: 26.7 ºC (4th) High THSW Index: 33.1 ºC (4th) ------------------------------------------------------------ Rain: 85.5 mm (197% of average*) Wettest day: 14.5 mm (20th) Rain Days (measurable ): 16 (14 with =>1.0mm) High Rain Rate: 21.8 mm/hr (23rd) Thunder: Heard twice (12th & 29th) ------------------------------------------------------------ Wind Speed: high gust 31mph, 19th Wind Direction: SSW Dominant then NNW then N then W ------------------------------------------------------------ High Barometer: 1027.2 hPa (31st) Low Barometer: 988.0 hPa (22nd) Mean Barometer: 1013.0 hPa ------------------------------------------------------------ Lowest RH%: 24% (11th) Lowest DP: -2.1 ºC (30th) Highest DP: 13.8 ºC (26th) ------------------------------------------------------------ Sunshine: 110.3 hours calculated with limited sensor exposure, estimate 175 hrs actual monthly total ( rather below average) Sunniest Day: was 11th with 8.5 hrs recorded, probably >12 hrs actual. * average at this site 1984 - 2005 Full monthly stats here: http://www.tonbridge-weather.org.uk/2006/may2006.htm

20 mins thundery downpour here started just before 18h with some fair sized hailstones for a minute or so. Dropped 3mm with a max rate of 18mm/hr

April was only the 3rd out of the last 19 months with above average rainfall (112% of normal). Half of the month's rainfall fell in one 24 hour period when a passing cold front stalled over a localised area of E Surrey, W Kent and E Sussex; and that included a short lived 3cm snowfall (up to 15cm fell in Tunbridge Wells and Crowborough). Otherwise the month was typically showery with slightly above average temperatures. Sunshine was probably just slightly below average (considerably down from 2005) despite a sunny start to the month. By the end of April the max temp for 2006 here had (just) failed to reach 20ºC, but only for the first year since 2001. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Highest max: 19.7 ºC on 21st Lowest max: 8.0 ºC on 11th Lowest min: -0.7 ºC on 11th Highest min: 9.7 ºC on 1st ------------------------------------------------------------ Average max: 13.7 ºC (0.1 ºC ABOVE average*) Average min: 5.7 ºC (0.6 ºC ABOVE average*) Monthly mean: 9.2 ºC Air frosts: 2 High THW Heat Index: 18.4 ºC (21st) ------------------------------------------------------------ Rain: 61.5 mm (112% of average*) Wettest day: 15.7mm 10th Rain Days (measurable ): 15 (9 with =>1.0mm) High Rain Rate: 22.1 mm/hr (1st) Snow Cover: approx 0.5 days, 3cm (am, 10th) ------------------------------------------------------------ Wind Speed: high gust 28mph, 13th Wind Direction: SSW Dominant then N then W then NNW ------------------------------------------------------------ High Barometer: 1026.1 hPa (27th) Low Barometer: 1002.2 hPa (15th) Mean Barometer: 1014.5 hPa ------------------------------------------------------------ Lowest RH%: 23% (6th) Lowest DP: -8.5 ºC (6th) Highest DP: 10.7 ºC (23rd) ------------------------------------------------------------ Sunshine: 77.8 hours calculated with limited sensor exposure, estimate 135 - 145 hrs actual monthly total ( a little below average) Sunniest Day: was 6th with 7.2 hrs recorded, probably >11 hrs actual. * average at this site 1984 - 2005 Full monthly stats here: http://www.tonbridge-weather.org.uk/2006/apr2006.htm

March 2006 here was cool, dry and windy. The average monthly mean was far more reminiscent of the Marches of the 1980s. Cold, strong NE and E winds dominated the middle period of the month and following on from a cool start, only a late surge of milder weather prevented the coldest March since 1987. In the end it turned out to be only the coldest since 1996. Rainfall was yet again below average, making 15 out of 17 consecutive dry months. Estimated sunshine total was lower then 2005 and probably just a little below average. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Highest max: 13.9 ºC on 26th Lowest max: 2.8 ºC on 16th Lowest min: -4.4 ºC on 2nd Highest min: 10.7 ºC on 27th ------------------------------------------------------------ Average max: 8.5 ºC (2.2 ºC below average*) Average min: 2.7 ºC (1.2 ºC below average*) Monthly mean: 5.1 ºC Air frosts: 10 ------------------------------------------------------------ Rain: 39.0 mm (84% of average*) Wettest day: 30th (7.9mm) High Rain Rate: 22.1 mm/hr (31st) Snow: no snowfall **observed**, no lying snow ------------------------------------------------------------ Wind Speed: high gust 32mph, 28th Wind Direction: SSW Dominant then N then ESE ------------------------------------------------------------ High Barometer: 1031.3 hPa (12th) Low Barometer: 990.8 hPa (24th) Mean Barometer: 1009.3 hPa ------------------------------------------------------------ Lowest RH%: 29% (5th) Lowest DP: -10.0 ºC (1st) Highest DP: 12.2 ºC (26th) ------------------------------------------------------------ Sunshine: 60.2 hours calculated with limited sensor exposure, estimate 105 - 110 hrs monthly total ( a little below average) Sunniest Day: was 23rd with 6.2 hrs recorded, >8.5 hrs actual. * average at this site 1984 - 2005 Full monthly stats here: http://www.tonbridge-weather.org.uk/2006/mar2006.htm

Tonbridge, Kent February became the 14th out of 16 consecutive months to deliver below average rainfall. However, following a wet second half the month was not particularly dry with 87% of the norm. It was also a cool month - though not especially so, only the coolest since 1996 - with only one brief milder spell in mid month although there were few air frosts and no lying snow. Sunshine was a little below average. ------------------------------------------------------------ Highest max: 11.2 ºC on 15th Lowest max: 0.8 ºC on 1st Lowest min: -1.7 ºC on 25th Highest min: 7.8 ºC on 13th ------------------------------------------------------------ Average max: 6.3 ºC (1.1 ºC below average*) Average min: 2.3 ºC (0.1 ºC below average*) Monthly mean: 4.1 ºC Air frosts: 6 ------------------------------------------------------------ Rain: 43.5mm (87% of average*) Wettest day: 15th (11.9mm) Snow: Snowfall observed on 1 day, no lying snow cover ------------------------------------------------------------ Wind Speed: high gust 27mph, 15th Wind Direction: SSW Dominant then N then NNW ------------------------------------------------------------ Sunshine: 25.8 hours measured with limited sensor exposure, estimate 55 - 60 hrs monthly total ( a little below average) Sunniest Day: was 9th with 4.2 hrs recorded, >7.5 hrs actual. * average at this site 1984 - 2005 Full monthly stats here: http://www.tonbridge-weather.org.uk/2006/feb2006.htm

Plenty of brightness and sunshine today, feeling mild though breezy. Highest max so far this year. This followed some 5 hours of light to moderate rain before dawn making it the wettest 24 hours since December 2nd. Readings at 18:10z Temperature = 8.8°C ............. Low / High since 00h = 6.9°C / 11.2°C Dewpoint..... = 5.2°C Rel Humidity = 78% Wind Speed = 9.3 max 14.0 mph ( 1 minute avg / gust ) Wind Direction = SSW ( 198º ) Barometer = 991.6 hPa & Falling Slowly Today's Rain = 11.7mm (since 00h) Rain Rate now = 0.0mm/hr Monthly Rain = 21.8mm Yearly Rain = 42.7mm

Cloud and dull start, a little brighter now with 8/8 altostratus allowing very watery sunshine through now and again. First time it's reached 10ºC since 20th January. Readings at 12:00z Temperature = 10.0°C ............. Low / High since 00h = 7.8°C / 10.0°C Dewpoint..... = 7.4°C Rel Humidity = 84% Wind Speed = 1.6 max 3.0 mph ( 1 minute avg / gust ) Wind Direction = S ( 191º ) Solar Radiation = 174 of possible 608 w/m² ( Sky brightness = 28.6%) Barometer = 1018.6 hPa & Steady Today's Rain = 0.3mm (since 00h) Rain Rate now = 0.0mm/hr Monthly Rain = 9.9mm Yearly Rain = 30.7mm

Lovely day: sunshine, clear skies and a fresh light breeze. No frost despite the sub-zero minimum - air is just too dry. Readings at 11:40z Temperature = 4.3°C ............. Low / High since 00h = -0.8°C / 4.3°C Dewpoint..... = -1.9°C Rel Humidity = 64% Wind Speed = 0.2 max 2.0 mph ( 1 minute avg / gust ) Wind Direction = N ( 2º ) Solar Radiation = 362 of possible 578 w/m² ( Sky brightness = 62.6%) Barometer = 1024.2 hPa & Steady Today's Rain = 0.0mm (since 00h) Rain Rate now = 0.0mm/hr Monthly Rain = 2.0mm Yearly Rain = 22.9mm

After an overcast and misty start the sky has cleared and we now have hazy sunshine with some patchy cirrus. The first time that iron grey skies have given way in 6 days :lol: Readings at 11:35z Temperature = 6.6°C ............. Low / High since 00h = 0.6°C / 6.6°C Dewpoint..... = 3.4°C Rel Humidity = 80% Wind Speed = 0.9 max 5.0 mph ( 1 minute avg / gust ) Wind Direction = NNW ( 329º ) Solar Radiation = 285 of possible 541 w/m² ( Sky brightness = 52.7%) Barometer = 1032.2 hPa & Steady Today's Rain = 0.0mm (since 00h) Rain Rate now = 0.0mm/hr Monthly Rain = 0.0mm Yearly Rain = 20.8mm

Guess what? Anticyclonic gloom, surprise, surprise A few snow grains in the air this morning while I was out. Readings at 14:35z Temperature = 1.1°C ............. Low / High since 00h = -1.3°C / 1.2°C Dewpoint..... = -2.1°C Rel Humidity = 79% Wind Speed = 2.1 max 4.0 mph ( 1 minute avg / gust ) Wind Direction = NNW ( 342º ) Solar Radiation = 35 of possible 379 w/m² ( Sky brightness = 9.2%) Barometer = 1023.4 hPa & Steady Today's Rain = 0.0mm (since 00h) Rain Rate now = 0.0mm/hr Monthly Rain = 0.0mm Yearly Rain = 20.8mm

Tonbridge, Kent January became the 12th out of 14 consecutive months to bring below average rainfall here. The month was very dry - although only the driest January since 1997 - and the total rain/snow amount of 20.3mm was only 25% of average. It was also a cool month in spite of many overcast and gloomy nights which prevented air frosts but lying snow was negligible and very short lived. There was very little sunshine before the 20th, and really rather a drab month. ------------------------------------------------------------ Highest max: 10.6ºC on 18th Lowest max: 2.3ºC on 23rd Lowest min: -4.8ºC on 25th Highest min: 8.4ºC on 19th ------------------------------------------------------------ Average max: 6.5ºC (0.6ºC below average*) Average min: 3.0ºC (0.3ºC above average*) Monthly mean: 4.5ºC Air frosts: 5 ------------------------------------------------------------ Rain: 20.3mm (25% of average*) Wettest day: 8th (5.1mm) Snow: Snowfall observed on three days, lying snow cover <5mm and a few hours only ------------------------------------------------------------ Wind Speed: high gust 26mph, 20th Wind Direction: SSW Dominant then N then SE ------------------------------------------------------------ Sunshine: 18.9 hours measured with limited sensor exposure, estimate 37 - 42 hrs monthly total (below average) Sunniest Day: was 29th with close to 100% of possible. * average at this site 1984 - 2005 Monthly stats here: http://www.tonbridge-weather.org.uk/2006/jan2006.htm

Some brightness and sunny spells around midday; otherwise dry, cloudy and cool. Readings at 18:30z Temperature = 2.0°C ............. Low / High since 00h = 1.9°C / 5.8°C Dewpoint..... = -0.6°C Rel Humidity = 83% Wind Speed = 1.0 max 5.0 mph ( 1 minute avg / gust ) Wind Direction = NW ( 325º ) Barometer = 1025.4 hPa & Steady Today's Rain = 0.0mm (since 00h) Rain Rate now = 0.0mm/hr Monthly Rain = 20.3mm Yearly Rain = 20.3mm

Sunny, clear blue sky, light breeze. Readings at 12:00z Temperature = 6.0°C ............. Low / High since 00h = 0.7°C / 6.2°C Dewpoint..... = -1.6°C Rel Humidity = 58% Wind Speed = 2.9 max 5.0 mph ( 1 minute avg / gust ) Wind Direction = NW ( 323º ) Solar Radiation = 334 of possible 506 w/m² ( Sky brightness = 66.0%) Barometer = 1030.7 hPa & Steady Today's Rain = 0.0mm (since 00h) Rain Rate now = 0.0mm/hr Monthly Rain = 20.3mm Yearly Rain = 20.3mm

Bright morning with hazy sun since dawn. Slightly sheltered from the NE breeze here so quite pleasant. Readings at 12:00z Temperature = 4.3°C ............. Low / High since 00h = -1.7°C / 4.3°C Dewpoint..... = 0.0°C Rel Humidity = 74% Wind Speed = 2.7 max 10.0 mph ( 1 minute avg / gust ) Wind Direction = NNW ( 331º ) Solar Radiation = 269 of possible 500 w/m² ( Sky brightness = 53.8%) Barometer = 1024.0 hPa & Steady Today's Rain = 0.0mm (since 00h) Rain Rate now = 0.0mm/hr Monthly Rain = 20.1mm Yearly Rain = 20.1mm

Ditto...

Light snow here started a few minutes ago, small wet flakes...

Cloudy and rather dull all day, only some rare glimpses of small patches of blue sky. Some very light flurries of snowflakes/snowgrains now and again. Readings at 15:30z Temperature = 2.7°C ............. Low / High since 00h = 1.6°C / 2.7°C Dewpoint..... = -2.3°C Rel Humidity = 70% Wind Speed = 3.3 max 7.0 mph ( 1 minute avg / gust ) Wind Direction = NNW ( 342º ) Solar Radiation = 14 of possible 197 w/m² ( Sky brightness = 7.1%) Barometer = 1022.4 hPa & Falling Slowly Today's Rain = 0.0mm (since 00h) Rain Rate now = 0.0mm/hr Monthly Rain = 19.0mm Yearly Rain = 19.0mm

Hazy sun dawn to dusk, lovely winter's day. Readings at 18:10z Temperature = -0.3°C ............. Low / High since 00h = -4.2°C / 3.8°C Dewpoint..... = -3.4°C Rel Humidity = 80% Wind Speed = 0.0 max 0.0 mph ( 1 minute avg / gust ) Wind Direction = ESE ( 119º ) Barometer = 1028.7 hPa & Steady Today's Rain = 0.0mm (since 00h) Rain Rate now = 0.0mm/hr Monthly Rain = 18.8mm Yearly Rain = 18.8mm

Just before I left home for work, temp was -4.2ºC. Mostly clear sky, some cirrus, slight hoar frost.

A drab grey and chilly day. Readings at 18:35z Temperature = 0.4°C ............. Low / High since 00h = 0.4°C / 3.1°C Dewpoint..... = -2.8°C Rel Humidity = 79% Wind Speed = 0.0 max 0.0 mph ( 1 minute avg / gust ) Wind Direction = SE ( 126º ) Barometer = 1034.8 hPa & Steady Today's Rain = 0.0mm (since 00h) Rain Rate now = 0.0mm/hr Monthly Rain = 18.8mm Yearly Rain = 18.8mm

Dry, mostly cloudy, one brief sunny interlude. Readings at 13:55z Temperature = 5.6°C ............. Low / High since 00h = -0.8°C / 5.7°C Dewpoint..... = 0.6°C Rel Humidity = 70% Wind Speed = 0.4 max 2.0 mph ( 1 minute avg / gust ) Wind Direction = NNW ( 343º ) Solar Radiation = 86 of possible 384 w/m² ( Sky brightness = 22.4%) Barometer = 1036.5 hPa & Steady Today's Rain = 0.0mm (since 00h) Rain Rate now = 0.0mm/hr Monthly Rain = 18.8mm Yearly Rain = 18.8mm

Bright with variable amounts of cloud which have increased through the day, but some longish sunny spells too. Readings at 13:40z Temperature = 8.9°C ............. Low / High since 00h = 3.2°C / 8.9°C Dewpoint..... = 2.7°C Rel Humidity = 65% Wind Speed = 1.9 max 5.0 mph ( 1 minute avg / gust ) Wind Direction = NNW ( 336º ) Solar Radiation = 297 of possible 402 w/m² ( Sky brightness = 73.8%) Barometer = 1027.4 hPa & Steady Today's Rain = 0.0mm (since 00h) Rain Rate now = 0.0mm/hr Monthly Rain = 18.8mm Yearly Rain = 18.8mm

Showers until just before 10am and then the sky cleared. Currently <1/8 Cu hum and sunny. Woo-hoo! Readings at 12:05z Temperature = 8.6°C ............. Low / High since 00h = 7.8°C / 10.2°C Dewpoint..... = 1.7°C Rel Humidity = 62% Wind Speed = 7.7 max 16.0 mph ( 1 minute avg / gust ) Wind Direction = WSW ( 250º ) Solar Radiation = 266 of possible 461 w/m² ( Sky brightness = 57.7%) Barometer = 1015.0 hPa & Rising Rapidly Today's Rain = 0.5mm (since 00h) Rain Rate now = 0.0mm/hr Monthly Rain = 18.3mm Yearly Rain = 18.3mm