May weather reports

[johnholmes]

May was a fairly unusual month here;

the longest ever run of high temperatures, 5-12th inclusive with a mean of 17.0C and 8 consecutive days over 22C with 4>25C, along with 26 days without measurable rain

Mean=13.9C(11.3)

Ave max=19.9C(16.2)

avge min=7.8C(6.4)

Rainfall=21.6mm

no air frost, 1 ground frost, no thunder, 1 morning fog(0900BST)

the full data availlable here5_May_2008.xls

[Summer of '47]

An extremely warm, dry and sunny start to May 2008, becoming increasingly unsettled and cooler after mid month. The last week was especially wet with 57mm of the month's total of 72.4mm rainfall. Nonetheless it was the warmest May overall here since 1992 and the warmest start to any May since my records began in 1984.

----- MAY 2008 IN A NUTSHELL -----

Mean Daily Temperature 14.5 ºC ( 2.0C average )*

Average max: 20.4 ºC ( 3.0C ABOVE average )*

Average min: 9.8 ºC ( 1.4C ABOVE average )*

Highest max: 27.8 ºC ( 10th )

Lowest min: 4.1 ºC ( 20th )

Warmest Daytime 12h Mean 24.0 ºC ( 10th )

Coldest Daytime 12h Mean 10.6 ºC ( 17th )

Coldest Nighttime 12h Mean 5.9 ºC ( 20th/21st )

Warmest Nighttime 12h Mean 15.6 ºC ( 10th )

Days with Tmax ≥ 20°C 19 days

incl. Days with Tmax ≥ 25°C 6 days

Total Rainfall: 72.4 mm ( 158% of average )*

Total Rain Days (>=0.2mm): 11 days ( EQUAL to average )*

incl Wet Days (=> 1.0mm) 9 days ( 1 ABOVE average )*

Wettest Day: 23.9 mm ( 26th )

Max Rainfall in 1 hour 9.1 mm ( 28th, 02.00h)

Wind Speed high gust: 27 mph ( 24th )

Dominant Wind Direction: N ( 17% )

Mean Daily Pressure: 1013.8 hPa

Highest Pressure: 1024.3 hPa ( 5th )

Lowest Pressure: 998.3 hPa ( 1st )

Estimated Sunshine Hours **: 190 Hours ( ABOUT average )*

** calculated from limited solar sensor exposure of 161.6 hours

* average at this site 1984 - 2007

Full daily and monthly stats here: http://www.tonbridge-weather.org.uk/2008/2008-05.htm

[MP-R]

MAY 2008

YATTON, Bristol

Very warm, much warmer than avarage, especially in the first half but also wet, especially in the second half with above average rainfall.

This table shows my weather recordings throughout the month:

1st-2nd

The month began on an unsettled note, continuing the showery theme set in April on the 1st. Night temperatures were quite low also but the 2nd was drier and brighter as pressure began to build.

3rd-5th

It then turned warmer over the Bank Holiday weekend. There were good sunny spells on the 3rd allowing the temperature to rise but rain affected the region on the 4th, albeit quite light. Behind the rain it remained cloudy and humid. The 5th continued this theme with cloudy, humid conditions prevailing. Thundery downpours developed later and as a result 5.4mm fell in twenty minutes.

6th-8th

It was largely settled and sunny and very warm with 24.1C being the maximum and temperatures were well above average at night too. Light cloud encroached later on the 8th ahead of a weather front.

9th-10th

This period was more unsettled but still very warm. It became humid again behind a front bringing light rain early on the 9th. Cloud was reluctant to budge throughout the day. Later on in the day, thunderstorms readily built from Wiltshire and moved nortwestwards affecting the Bristol area with frequent lightning and thunder as well as locally intense downpours. Showers continued into the early hours of the 10th but cleared eventually and the 10th was fine and dry and very warm.

11th-14th

High pressure settled in this period. It began very warm or even hot with 26.7C recorded on the 11th, the highest temperature of the month and the year so far. It remained sunny and warm throughout but the 14th it became slightly cooler under the influence of a strong, freshening southeasterly breeze.

15th-16th

Rain arrived early on the 15th and after clearing, it remained dull and very cool compared to the recent temperature. 14.1C was the maximum on the 16th.

17th-21st

It remained cool through this period but dry with a mixture of cloudy spells and sunnier spells. Night temperatures fell below average with a minimum of 4.2C on the 21st. The wind blew from a northeasterly direction making it feel decidedly cool. It became slightly warmer on the 21st though as warmer air was dragged up from the continent.

22nd-24th

Warm and unsettled. As well as some good warm sunshine during the mornings, showers built through the afternoons. Although lighter and more scattered on the 22nd, thunderstorms developed again on the 23rd, one affecting the Bristol area with bursts of heavy rain and thunder. The 24th was drier and much brighter with warm sunshine but a strengthening southeasterly breeze.

25th-29th

This was the wettest part of the month. Heavy rain overnight 24th/25th cleared by midday on the 25th leaving low cloud and breezy conditions. 19.1mm fell. The 26th was very wet as heavy rain lasted for nine hours dumping nealry 35mm making it the second wettest day of the year after Sunday 16th March. It was also cold with a maximum of 11.2C and very windy. The 27th brought a respite with calmer although cloudy conditions before the next batch of heavy rain arrived on the 28th which was very reluctant to clear. After clearance, the 29th dawned bright with sunshine but showers quickly developed and the whole of Somerset saw flooding of some kind from large thundery downpours later in the day which resulted in another 16mm here.

30th-31st

The month ended on a drier note. Showers stayed confined to the far southwest meaning a more settled day on the 30th. The 31st was sunny all day with a maximum of 23.1C.

Edited June 1, 2008 by Michael Prys-Roberts

[Zenarcher]

Castlebay Isle Of Barra May

Average temperature 14.8c

Highest temperature 26.9c

Lowest temperature 12.9c

Highest Pressure 1024mb

Lowest Pressure 1016mb

Lowest wind chill 12.2c

Highest Humidity 71%

Lowest Humidity 45%

Highest Dewpoint 15.5c

Lowest Dewpoint 7.0c

Rainfall 3.6mm

Highest wind gust 35.6mph

Highest rain in 1 hour 0.5mm

Wind Direction mostly from the north west and south east

A very dry month with only 3.6mm of rain but also it was mostly sunny and clear.

[reef]

Hull, East Yorkshire.

May 2008

Warmest Max: 22.1°C (on 10/05/08)

Coldest Max: 11.6°C (on 27/05/08)

Warmest Min: 12.8°C (on 29/05/08)

Coldest Min: 4.4°C (on 20/05/08)

Average Max: 16.4°C (+1.0°C Above 1971-2000 Average)

Average Min: 8.8°C (+1.5°C Above 1971-2000 Average)

Overall Average: 12.6°C (+1.2°C Above 1971-2000 Average)

Rain: 21.4mm (49% Of Normal)

Wettest Day: 28th (8.2mm)

Air Frosts: 0

Days with Snow: 0

Snow lying at 0900: 0 days

Dry Days: 22

Wet Days: 9

Days With Rain >1.0mm: 7

Thunderstorms: 0

Year 2008 So Far (Jan - May)

Warmest Max: 22.1°C (on 10/05/08)

Coldest Max: 1.3°C (on 19/02/08)

Warmest Min: 12.8°C (on 29/05/08)

Coldest Min: -3.6°C (on 18/02/08)

Average Max: 10.9°C (+0.6°C Above 1971-2000 Average)

Average Min: 5.0°C (+1.4°C Above 1971-2000 Average)

Overall Average: 7.9°C (+0.9°C Above 1971-2000 Average)

Rain: 392.7mm (178% Of Normal)

Wettest Day: 21/01/08 (37.0mm)

Air Frosts: 11

Days with Snow: 9

Snow lying at 0900: 3 days

Dry Days: 55

Wet Days: 97

Days With Rain >1.0mm: 67

Thunderstorms: 3

Warm and dry, though rather dull. The month was completely dominated by winds from the easterly quarter. Just 3 days had winds from other directions. As a result, temperatures were much cooler on average than inland and the mean minima was well above average.

The first 5 days were a continuation of Aprils weather, being slightly warmer than average and with some rain. From the 6th there was a long dry spell, with no measurable rain for 21 days. It also turned warm and sunny, with 20°C being reached on the 9th, 10th and 11th. The warmest day was the 10th, reaching a pleasant 22.1°C.

From the 14th - 20th it turned much cooler. The temperature never rose above 15°C. There were also some rather cool nights for the time of year, with the lowest temperature being 4.4°C on the 20th. The following days were much milder, with wetter weather returning on the 27th. The 27th itself was a cold day, reaching no higher than 11.6°C. It was shortlived however, as it reached 21.1°C just two days later.

Overall despite being 'only' 1.2°C above average, it was the warmest May since 1999 and second warmest in the last 25 years. It was also the first month with <50% rainfall since April 2007. After the cool March and April, it also ensured that spring as a whole returned a value 0.5°C above normal.

[TonyH]

Warm, sunny and fairly dry here in west Wales

A very good month, well below average rainfall, much sunshine, and really warm spells and little in the way of cool.

Thunder on 4 days is quite good for here in a month!

Only 2 ground frosts shows the warmth, and also that 17 days exceeded 20c which would be OK for July here!

Total rainfall: 48.3mm.

Wettest day: 16.5mm 28th

Rain days (>0.2mm): 15

Wet days (>1mm): 9

Days of heavy rain (>10mm): 1

Mean Max: 18.9c!

Mean Min: 8.3c

Mean Temp: 13.6c.

High Max: 25.4c 7th

Low Max: 13.0c 1st

High Min: 14.0c 4th

Low Min: +0.4c 5th (night after the highest min!).

Mean Pressure: 1015 mbar

High pressure: 1026 mbar 4th

Lowest pressure: 1004 mbar 17th

Mean RH: 72%

High RH: 94% various dates

Low RH: 43% 13th

Days with:

Thunder 4

Hail: 1

Gale: 0

Fog: 1

Sleet or snow: 0

Air frost: 0

Ground frost: 2

Predominant wind direction: North

[I remember Atlantic 252]

may 08

highest maximum 26.6oC on the 11th

lowest maximum 11.9oC on the 16th

highest minimum 13.1oC on the 11th

lowest minimum 3.0oC on tha 2nd

my avg max 18.9oC

avg mimumum 8.6oC

best days in may 10th-14th the summer, made 25oC twice on 10th and 11th

the wind on 26th was unbelievable, windiest day of the year here, tv aerial blew down

my worst day of may the 4th rained most of the day

same avg max as last july, hope for a better july this year

Edited June 1, 2008 by mark forster 630

[jmackenz]

In Inverurie, May 2008 was an extremely dry month and very sunny. Despite cool northerly and easterly winds at times, it was actually warmer than average. In summary:

* +2°C higher, on average, than normal;

* only 14% of the normal rainfall;

* at 7.3 hours per day on average, 30% more bright sunshine hours than is normal.

Mean Temperature, 11.0°C, 2.0°C higher than normal.

Minimum Temperature, 0.5°C, on the 19th.

Mean Minimum Temperature, 7.2°C, 1.7°C higher than the 5.6°C norm.

Maximum Temperature 21.0°C, on the 10th.

Mean Maximum Temperature, 13.0°C, 0.2°C higher than the 12.8°C norm.

Maximum High Wind Speed, 21.0mph, on the 22nd.

Total Rainfall 8.6mm, 51.1mm less than the 59.7mm norm (14.4%).

Average Bright Sunshine Hours, 7.3hrs per day, 1.7hrs more than the 5.6hrs norm (130.4%)

For more detail click here.

[Essan]

May Summary for Evesham

Max: 28.6c (11th )

Lowest Max: 12.9c (26th )

Ave Max: 19.6c

Min: 2.1c (19th )

Highest Min: 14.4c (4th )

Ave Min: 9.3c

Ave Temp: 14.5c

Total Rainfall: 78.6mm

Highest daily total: 18.4mm (28th )

Days >= 1mm: 12

Highest Pressure: 1024.5mb (5th )

Lowest Pressure: 1000mb (1st )

Days of Air Frost: 0

Days of Hail: 1 (1st)

Days of Sleet: 0

Days of snow pellets/soft hail: 0

Days of Snow: 0

Days of >=50% snow cover: 0

Days of Thunderstorms: 0

Other days thunder heard: 0

Comments:

A very warm month (warmest May on record - since 2003 - by 0.9c) , and rather wet and cloudy in the second half, but without any of great interest happening.

[Thundery wintry showers]

Cleadon, Tyne & Wear:

Mean Max 15.3

Mean Min 8.5

Mean 11.9

Highest Max: 19.8 (10th)

Lowest Min: 2.3 (20th)

Air frosts: 0

Precipitation: 24mm (16mm of which fell on the 29th)

Thunderstorms: 0

Hail: 0

Sleet/snow: 0

Fog at 0900: 3

The first third of the month was mostly sunny and warm in Cleadon, though a slight onshore breeze prevented temperatures from getting exceptionally high. It started with two days of sunshine and showers, then after a couple of muggy days, dry sunny weather dominated until the 10th. Temperatures mostly reached 15-18C but it reached 19.8C on the 10th. From the 11th onwards, low cloud persisted, with some fog and drizzle right through until the 18th, when a change to northerly winds ushered in a spell of cool, dry sunny weather. Low cloud was prevalent again during the last week, and the month's only significant rain happened between the 28th and 30th.

It was the warmest May since 1999 although Mays 2001 and 2004 had a much higher average maximum. It was also the driest since 2004.

As an aside, in Norwich where I was, the contrast between the two halves was even more extreme- it was an exceptionally hot, sunny first half with 27C reached on the 10th, and 165 hours of sunshine in the first 15 days according to Philip Eden, then there was hardly a glimmer of sunshine in the second half, just a few days of sunny intervals from the aforementioned northerly incursion.

[Evening thunder]

Stats from my Davis weather station for the village Harpford in east Devon

Temperature

Highest Max: 26.3C (11th may)

Lowest Max: 13.1C (16th may)

Highest Min: 12.8C (8th may)

Lowest Min: 1.8C (2nd may)

Mean max: 18.4C

Mean min: 8.9C

Monthly mean: 13.7C

maximums over 25C: 2

maximims over 20C: 12

minimums under 5C: 5 (midnight to midnight)

Rainfall

Total: 98.6mm

Max daily rain: 22.2mm (26th may)

Days of rain 0.2m or more: 18 (some of those days may have been dew)

Days of rain 2mm or more: 9

Days of rain 20mm or more:1

Wind

Max wind gust: 31mph (3rd/26th may)

Avg wind speed: 3.1mph

An above average month mainly thanks to the very warm first half with two days reaching over 25C and nine over 20C before the 15th. There was almost 100% of maximum sunshine potential from the 6th to the 14th. There were thunderstorms to the south on the evening of the 14th with lightning visible and thunder heard. The 15th -17th were mosly grey cold and wet for the time of year. Then it t remained quite cool with some sunshine and one or two warmer days with not much rain until the 25th. It was then very wet from the 25th with 59.6mm of rain from the 25th to the 29th, some areas had alot more then that. The 30th and 31st were slightly warmer and drier to finish the month.

[Polar Continental]

May 2008 Report.

After an unsettled and wet end to April here, the beginning of May saw pressure rising quickly over the country, which herald a very lengthy spell from the 1st to the 22nd of mostly dry weather and from the 2nd to the 27th the wind was constantly from an easterly quadrant. Some notable warm, sunny and pleasant days were also recorded, especially during the first half of the month, 25.9c on the 11th. The easterly winds also brought a much cooler spell of weather on the 19th and 20th with ground frost at night.

From the 1st to the 14th I recorded a mean maximum of 21.3c and a mean minimum of 9.3c, with the mean being 15.3c. The highest temperature here during the period was 25.9c on the 11th.

The 23rd saw a breakdown as low pressure took control-bringing rain accompanied by some very strong northeasterly winds at times, I measured a gust of 52 mph here on the 26th. The month also ended quite wet, with the wettest day on the 29th with 14mm here.

Summary

May was almost completely dominated by winds from an easterly quadrant; only 3 days did the wind blow from a southerly point. There was a good deal of fine dry, warm and sunny weather, especially during the fist half of the month. Towards the end of the month I measured some usually strong winds for May with a northeasterly gust of 52mph on the 26th. The mean temperature was above average at 13.7c.

Stats for May 2008

Mean maximum temperature = 18.7c

Mean minimum temperature = 8.8c

Mean temperature = 13.7c +2.4c above the 1971-2000 CET average.

Warmest day on the 11th = 25.9c

Coldest day on the 16th = 13.0c

Warmest night on the 5th = 12.9c

Coldest night on the 19th = 0.7c

Minimum Grass Temperature on the 20th = -2.0 c

Ground Frosts = 2

Air frost = 0

Fog Observed = 0

Days of Rain, with 1mm or more = 8

Wettest Day 29th = 14mm

Maximum wind gust on the 26th = 52mph NE

Days of snow = 0

Days of lying snow = 0

Thunder heard / Thunderstorms = 1 on the 23rd.

Rainfall total = 53.3mm

Rainfall total to date for 2008 = 274.6mm

Paul

[Often_Will]

Didn't realise I hadn't got round to doing this nearer the time... found the results when I was about to do the June figures. Anyway...

May 2008 Statistics

Blakenhall, Cheshire

(53.02, -2.41)

Average daily maximum: 19.1º*

Average daily minimum: 8.9º*

MEAN TEMPERATURE: 14.0º*

Highest daily maximum: 25.5º (11th)

Lowest daily maximum: 12.9º (17th)*

Days 20º or above: 11*

Highest daily minimum: 12.9º (9th)*

Lowest daily minimum: 3.1º (15th)*

Days 0º or below: 0*

Days With Rain: 7*

Maximum Rainfall: 18.13mm (28th)

Total Rainfall: 35.22mm

Maximum Windspeed: 25th*

Highest Relative Pressure: 1025.4mb (-5th)

Lowest Relative Pressure: 1000.9mb (28th)

* - Values marked with an asterisk may have been affected by 48 hours of unexplained downtime from 0000 on May 1st until 0000 on May 3rd.