Spring 2022 Chat

[HellItsHot]

For whatever reason the current weather seems to be much better.than the medium term forecast . A few days ago it was all looking like cool cloud, but the last few days have been cracking, if a bit blowy. 
 

The weekend looks much better now as well.

Edited April 22, 2022 by HellItsHot

[Bradowl]

Temperatures aren't that high but it feels very warm sat in sun if you can keep out of wind. 

Burnt down one side of my leg sat in garden this afternoon. 

[damianslaw]

On 20/04/2022 at 17:48, reef said:

Its looking likely that we're going to have a third consecutive exceptionally dry April here. The current total for the month is only 4.0mm.

There have been a remarkable number of dry Aprils here from 2007 onwards:

2007: 1.5mm
2009: 16.2mm
2010: 21.0mm
2011: 6.6mm
2013: 10.4mm
2015: 16.2mm
2017: 21.2mm
2020: 6.6mm
2021: 2.4mm
2022: 4.0mm (so far)

There's no other month in the year with a trend like this. The current 1991-2020 average is 46.7mm and 10 out of the last 15 have had less than 45% of that.

They've also been very sunny. 7 of the last 15 have seen 198hrs or more (compared to just 6 Junes, 6 Julys and 6 Augusts in the same period) and 16 of the last 20 have had above average sunshine!

April often driest month of the year, makes sense, polar vortex collapses, Atlantic at its quietest and the cold lag effect prevents significant humid warm air to build and heavy convection. 

[reef]

1 hour ago, damianslaw said:

April often driest month of the year, makes sense, polar vortex collapses, Atlantic at its quietest and the cold lag effect prevents significant humid warm air to build and heavy convection. 

Statistically February, March and May are drier here, but Aprils in the last 15 years have been extreme with an average of just 33mm. This compares to the 1991-2020 average of 46.7mm.

[damianslaw]

3 hours ago, reef said:

Statistically February, March and May are drier here, but Aprils in the last 15 years have been extreme with an average of just 33mm. This compares to the 1991-2020 average of 46.7mm.

Makes sense as northerlies and easterlies more prevalent in April and for here they mean dry weather. 

[reef]

20 hours ago, damianslaw said:

Makes sense as northerlies and easterlies more prevalent in April and for here they mean dry weather. 

They've certainly been quite common since mid-March. 

It has been exceptionally dry. We have had just 8.4mm in the last 37 days and no precipitation at all since 7th April.

Unusually for such an 'easterly' period, it has been very sunny aswell. We've had 301 hours in that 37 day period. That's exceptional when you consider the sunniest month ever (July 2006) had 326 hours in a 31 day period not far from the solistice and the 37 day period in question is around the equinox!

[summer blizzard]

Out of interest, does anybody have the date of the first 25C since say 2000. We are looking quite late this year. 

 

[Sunny76]

7 minutes ago, summer blizzard said:

Out of interest, does anybody have the date of the first 25C since say 2000. We are looking quite late this year. 

 

I’m confident 25c will be reached before mid to late May. I think it took until June in 2013, and 2016 struggled. 

[Bradley in Kent]

It seems often temps get to 24c but not 25c. 2020 for example we had a late(ish) first 25c but many, many days in the low 20cs in April. Even for this year, it's been warm and pleasant but no 25c breach as of yet.

I don't have exact records but these are what I think in recent years:

2021 - early May

2020 - early May 

2019 - mid April 

2018 - mid April

2017 - early April 

2016 - early May

2015 - mid June

2014 - mid May 

2013 - late June

2012 - late May

2011 - mid April 

2010 - late May

To conclude, it's very variable and doesn't indicate what the overall spring was like alone. I think 2017 was the earliest after a warm end to the preceding March.

 

[Sunny76]

1 hour ago, Bradley in Kent said:

It seems often temps get to 24c but not 25c. 2020 for example we had a late(ish) first 25c but many, many days in the low 20cs in April. Even for this year, it's been warm and pleasant but no 25c breach as of yet.

I don't have exact records but these are what I think in recent years:

2021 - early May

2020 - early May 

2019 - mid April 

2018 - mid April

2017 - early April 

2016 - early May

2015 - mid June

2014 - mid May 

2013 - late June

2012 - late May

2011 - mid April 

2010 - late May

To conclude, it's very variable and doesn't indicate what the overall spring was like alone. I think 2017 was the earliest after a warm end to the preceding March.

 

I don’t know if it was, but spring 2017 was a decent spell, so 25c could have been reached, but I think it was May that year.

2013 was really late, but the summer on the whole was very good.

1983 took a long time to reach 25c also, and I think it was late May or June before it was breached. 

[Earthshine]

Have to say these past few weeks have been pretty good for April.  Regularly reaching 16-18°C and quite a bit of sunshine to go along with it.  Already got a tan, although it's easy to forget how strong the sun is at this time of year.  UV index of 6 today.

[NEVES SCREAMER]

Lovely day. But blimey. It's like the Antarctic out here now. Warm up definitely required!

[LetItSnow!]

11 hours ago, summer blizzard said:

Out of interest, does anybody have the date of the first 25C since say 2000. We are looking quite late this year. 

 

2021 - 31 May, Kinlochewe 25.1C

2020 - 10 April, Jersey Airport 25.2C

2019 - 20 April, Gosport Fleetlands and Bournemouth 25.5C

2018 - 18 April, St James Park 25.3C

2017 - 9 April, Cambridge NIAB 25.5C

2016 - 8 May, Northolt 27.1C

2015 - 15 April, Frittenden 25.1C

2014 - 19 May, Heathrow 26.3C

2013 - 19 June, Herstmonceux 26.4C

2012 - 22 May, Lee-on-Solent 26.7C

2011 - 19 April, St James's Park 25.4C

2010 - 21 May, Hereford 25.7C

2009 - 24 May, London 25.9C

2008 - 7 May, Wisley 25.4C

2007 - 14 April, Southampton 25.7C

2006 - 4 May, Northolt and London 28C

2005 - 27 May, Cent London 31.7C

2004 - 17 May, Cent London 25C

2003 - 16 April, Wolverhampton 27C (Unofficial 28.5C at Bristol)

2002 - 23 April/16 May - Trevor Harley says 25C was recorded in London 4/23/02 but Met Reading daily reports only has an official high of 23C this day, with 29C at St. Helier the next highest recorded temperature on 5/16/02

2001 - 11 May, Northolt 27C

2000 - 6 May, London 26C

 

Interesting how 2014 took until after mid-May despite being a such a mild spring. 2005 stands out as the wackiest reading, as the 31.7C recorded on the 27th was completely isolated, the warmest temperature in the country the day before was 15C(!!!) and the day after, only 23C. What makes this even weirder is that this, while not the technically the latest reading (2021 takes that), it is the truest latest 25+C for reasons explained below.

It looked as though there was a sharp trend at the first 25C getting earlier and earlier between 2015 and 2020 with most of these years it occurring in early to mid-April. 2021 was strange in that it almost recorded it in March but just missed out, then went on to become the latest 25C of the century so far. 2022 seems to be following a more traditional approach so far. 

The average of all these dates is the 7th of May. So if 25C is recorded before then, 2022 will be ahead of the average, but somehow I’m  thinking  that’s unlikely, so 2022 will likely have a later first 25C than average .

 

[Guest]

3 hours ago, LetItSnow! said:

2021 - 31 May, Kinlochewe 25.1C

2020 - 10 April, Jersey Airport 25.2C

2019 - 20 April, Gosport Fleetlands and Bournemouth 25.5C

2018 - 18 April, St James Park 25.3C

2017 - 9 April, Cambridge NIAB 25.5C

2016 - 8 May, Northolt 27.1C

2015 - 15 April, Frittenden 25.1C

2014 - 19 May, Heathrow 26.3C

2013 - 19 June, Herstmonceux 26.4C

2012 - 22 May, Lee-on-Solent 26.7C

2011 - 19 April, St James's Park 25.4C

2010 - 21 May, Hereford 25.7C

2009 - 24 May, London 25.9C

2008 - 7 May, Wisley 25.4C

2007 - 14 April, Southampton 25.7C

2006 - 4 May, Northolt and London 28C

2005 - 27 May, Cent London 31.7C

2004 - 17 May, Cent London 25C

2003 - 16 April, Wolverhampton 27C (Unofficial 28.5C at Bristol)

2002 - 23 April/16 May - Trevor Harley says 25C was recorded in London 4/23/02 but Met Reading daily reports only has an official high of 23C this day, with 29C at St. Helier the next highest recorded temperature on 5/16/02

2001 - 11 May, Northolt 27C

2000 - 6 May, London 26C

 

Interesting how 2014 took until after mid-May despite being a such a mild spring. 2005 stands out as the wackiest reading, as the 31.7C recorded on the 27th was completely isolated, the warmest temperature in the country the day before was 15C(!!!) and the day after, only 23C. What makes this even weirder is that this, while not the technically the latest reading (2021 takes that), it is the truest latest 25+C for reasons explained below.

It looked as though there was a sharp trend at the first 25C getting earlier and earlier between 2015 and 2020 with most of these years it occurring in early to mid-April. 2021 was strange in that it almost recorded it in March but just missed out, then went on to become the latest 25C of the century so far. 2022 seems to be following a more traditional approach so far. 

The average of all these dates is the 7th of May. So if 25C is recorded before then, 2022 will be ahead of the average, but somehow I’m  thinking  that’s unlikely, so 2022 will likely have a later first 25C than average .

 

Awesome list, re 2005. Heathrow recorded at least 24.4C the day before the 31C.

[mb018538]

3 hours ago, LetItSnow! said:

2021 - 31 May, Kinlochewe 25.1C

2020 - 10 April, Jersey Airport 25.2C

2019 - 20 April, Gosport Fleetlands and Bournemouth 25.5C

2018 - 18 April, St James Park 25.3C

2017 - 9 April, Cambridge NIAB 25.5C

2016 - 8 May, Northolt 27.1C

2015 - 15 April, Frittenden 25.1C

2014 - 19 May, Heathrow 26.3C

2013 - 19 June, Herstmonceux 26.4C

2012 - 22 May, Lee-on-Solent 26.7C

2011 - 19 April, St James's Park 25.4C

2010 - 21 May, Hereford 25.7C

2009 - 24 May, London 25.9C

2008 - 7 May, Wisley 25.4C

2007 - 14 April, Southampton 25.7C

2006 - 4 May, Northolt and London 28C

2005 - 27 May, Cent London 31.7C

2004 - 17 May, Cent London 25C

2003 - 16 April, Wolverhampton 27C (Unofficial 28.5C at Bristol)

2002 - 23 April/16 May - Trevor Harley says 25C was recorded in London 4/23/02 but Met Reading daily reports only has an official high of 23C this day, with 29C at St. Helier the next highest recorded temperature on 5/16/02

2001 - 11 May, Northolt 27C

2000 - 6 May, London 26C

 

Interesting how 2014 took until after mid-May despite being a such a mild spring. 2005 stands out as the wackiest reading, as the 31.7C recorded on the 27th was completely isolated, the warmest temperature in the country the day before was 15C(!!!) and the day after, only 23C. What makes this even weirder is that this, while not the technically the latest reading (2021 takes that), it is the truest latest 25+C for reasons explained below.

It looked as though there was a sharp trend at the first 25C getting earlier and earlier between 2015 and 2020 with most of these years it occurring in early to mid-April. 2021 was strange in that it almost recorded it in March but just missed out, then went on to become the latest 25C of the century so far. 2022 seems to be following a more traditional approach so far. 

The average of all these dates is the 7th of May. So if 25C is recorded before then, 2022 will be ahead of the average, but somehow I’m  thinking  that’s unlikely, so 2022 will likely have a later first 25C than average .

 

Nice list. Looks like this year will be late one - but April so far has been pretty good. Lots of dry and warm-ish days in the mid to high teens and few few above 20c too. Nothing like the ice box of last year. 
Spring overall has been very good since mid March. Lots of sunshine, mild days and cool nights.

[Scorcher]

2 minutes ago, mb018538 said:

Nice list. Looks like this year will be late one - but April so far has been pretty good. Lots of dry and warm-ish days in the mid to high teens and few few above 20c too. Nothing like the ice box of last year. 
Spring overall has been very good since mid March. Lots of sunshine, mild days and cool nights.

Agreed, it's been very good so far. So much for the cold, unsettled April that many were predicting on here at the start of the month. This is also turning into quite a sunny month now, but without the frosts of last year. The last 2 weeks have been completely frost free here.

[damianslaw]

Good statistics. Last year very late indeed! More recently it's been early. This year looking more of a slow burner nothing overly warm forecast in next 10 days at least. Here mid to late May normally when we see our first 21 degrees, 25 degrees is a high benchmark for us, probably by early June on average.. though do recall many a mid to late May period bringing it. 

[summer blizzard]

Must admit that I thought March 05 had hit it.

[LetItSnow!]

2 hours ago, Alderc said:

Awesome list, re 2005. Heathrow recorded at least 24.4C the day before the 31C.

Perhaps that site is missing some data - still, what an exceptionally short lived but intense hot spell. Prototype flash heatwave the likes of 2015/2019 but in May instead. 

[LetItSnow!]

Back to current day—I’m reminded of how dry it’s been by the fact on several walks in the park behind my house I noticed the topsoil blowing in the wind, creating a miniature dust storm - add to this the fact that our French doors are covered in dust. April 2022 will go down as a very dry April yet again, the third consecutive. I can’t remember if April 2019 was overly wet or not. Certainly since 2015, only ‘16 and ‘18 have brought anything close to a wet April, they’ve all been dry. This has been highlighted by several people. It’s also felt sunny but it hasn’t felt as sunny as 2021 or 2020. It’s currently very dull as I think we’re still under easterlies. It’s been a very typical easterly morning, starting fine then clouding over and becoming cold. April 2022 will come out mild but unexceptionally so and that sums up my impression of the month - very dry, quite average feeling with a cold start, warm spell around Easter, then chilling down again to end the month. Oddly for such a dry month there was a big but brief thunderstorm on the 6th which is the first thunder in April I’ve experienced in about 10 years (2018 had vicious storms in April though around the south coast). 2022 certainly has felt like a very sunny year so far, unlike recent years with big contrasts between dull months and sunny ones. It’s much deserved payback for that horribly dull December. 

[Relativistic]

6 hours ago, LetItSnow! said:

...

Interesting how 2014 took until after mid-May despite being a such a mild spring. 2005 stands out as the wackiest reading, as the 31.7C recorded on the 27th was completely isolated, the warmest temperature in the country the day before was 15C(!!!) and the day after, only 23C. What makes this even weirder is that this, while not the technically the latest reading (2021 takes that), it is the truest latest 25+C for reasons explained below.

It looked as though there was a sharp trend at the first 25C getting earlier and earlier between 2015 and 2020 with most of these years it occurring in early to mid-April. 2021 was strange in that it almost recorded it in March but just missed out, then went on to become the latest 25C of the century so far. 2022 seems to be following a more traditional approach so far. 

The average of all these dates is the 7th of May. So if 25C is recorded before then, 2022 will be ahead of the average, but somehow I’m  thinking  that’s unlikely, so 2022 will likely have a later first 25C than average .

 

Great list. Worth pointing out that the latest was 2013 and not 2021.

[LetItSnow!]

1 hour ago, Relativistic said:

Great list. Worth pointing out that the latest was 2013 and not 2021.

flew right over my head! thanks  for reminding me. apparently i forgot how calendars work 

[kieranweatherfan]

I can’t complain about spring down here just outside London! It’s been dry, had plenty of sunshine, march ended above average and now April looks slightly above average to end as well, so overall that’s 2 slightly above average months and had a high temperature of 22.5° very different to spring 2021! I certainly will not complain 

[reef]

The dry spell continues. Just 8.4mm of rain in the last 6 weeks now and only 27.0mm all of spring so far.

[damianslaw]

3 hours ago, reef said:

The dry spell continues. Just 8.4mm of rain in the last 6 weeks now and only 27.0mm all of spring so far.

Gosh many a 24 hr period brings more rain than that here!