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| May 2000 Monthly Assessment issued
1/6/2000 |
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Monthly summaries available for: England
and Wales | Scotland | Northern
Ireland
Homogenous time series based upon selected station data:
CET | England and Wales
rainfall
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| A wet month with temperatures
and sunshine near normal. A very warm first half but colder
after. A dry start then frequent outbreaks of rain and thunderstorms.
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Diary of highlights
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1st 14th Persistent high pressure
centred to the north gave mainly light winds between NE
and SE, with most days having good sunny periods, especially
in the north-west of the region. Apart from a cold cloudy
interlude on the 3rd/4th It was often warm or very warm
away from North Sea coasts. There was some mist and fog
in the morning which proved persistent at times near coastal
areas. Although mainly dry at first, from the 6th to 11th
and on the 13th outbreaks of rain and thunderstorms affected
many counties in southern areas and in particularly the
south-east giving heavy downpours in places. At Bracknell
(Berkshire) on the 7th, 65 mm fell in under two hours. The
next day more thunderstorms caused some flooding along parts
of the Darenth and Medway basins. The 9th to 11th saw more
thundery rain affecting the south-east including Essex,
Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Some storms gave local downpours
south and west of London on the 13th before dying out over
the Chilterns.
15th 22nd After a very warm or hot start in places
(Londons maximum was 27.8 °C on the 15th, with Coltishall
(Norfolk) reaching 25 °C the next day) temperatures fell
into the rather cold or cold category. Atlantic depressions
brought frequent spells of rain and thundery showers, some
heavy with hail, however there were sunny spells. Parts
of north London had up to an inch early on the 15th. Winds
were between SW and NW blustery in the showers.
23rd 25th Rather cool cloudy weather prevailed
with rain and showers at times. During the 25th some of
the showers became heavy and blustery with hail and thunder
mixed in.
26th 29th A very wet and stormy period as two lows
tracked across south-east counties from the south-west,
one during the 26th the other centre passing across Kent
overnight 27th/28th. Prolonged heavy rain and thunderstorms
caused local flooding in parts of the south-east on Sunday
as some rivers burst their banks. Clacton (Essex) had over
a 100 mm (nearly 4 inches) in three days.
30th 31st After more thundery showers on the 30th
in the east and south-east the 31st started quietly before
more wind and rain spread in from the south-west.
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| Statistical details (using best available
data/estimates): updated 2003 |
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England & Wales Mean Temperature Series ( series
began in 1961 ). The value for the month was 11.6 °C, which
is 1.1 °C above the 1961-1990 average, which is in the above
average category.
England & Wales Rainfall Series ( series began
in 1961 ). The total for the month was 83.8 mm, which is
132 % of the 1961-1990 average, which is in the above average
category.
England & Wales Sunshine Series ( series began
in 1961 ). The total for the month was 194.7 hours, which
is 105 % of the 1961-1990 average, which is in the close
to average category.
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| Scotland |
| West coast sun enters the record book. |
| Diary of Highlights |
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The first two weeks were dominated by an anticyclonic
easterly weather type, which often brings warm and sunny
weather to the west at this time of year. The second half
of the month was characterised by a cool and showery westerly
regime. There were a few wet days, notably on the 27th in
the north-east. For the most part, however, the situation
was one of cumulus clouds building into a clear blue sky.
With most of the showers developing over the land at this
time of year, windward coasts continued to enjoy much sunshine.
Over 300 hours of sun were experienced at Prestwick and
Tiree. At Prestwick, where records started in 1951, the
total equalled the May record of 305 hours recorded in 1980.
Only one other month, June 1957, beat this with 308 hours.
Tiree enjoyed its third sunniest of any month in a record
stretching back to 1927. Other notable rankings for the
month of May were 3rd at Eskdalemuir and 5th at Lerwick.
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Statistical details (using
best available data/estimates): updated 2003
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Scotland Mean Temperature Series (
series began in 1961 ). The value for the month was 9.4
°C, which is 1.0°C above the 1961-1990 average, which is
in the above average category.
Scotland Rainfall Series ( series began in 1961
). The total for the month was 61.9 mm, which is 72 % of
the 1961-1990 average, which is in the below average category.
Scotland Sunshine Series ( series began in 1961
). The total for the month was 234.9 hours, which is 141
% of the 1961-1990 average, which is in the exceptionally
above average category. Sunniest in the series, previous
sunniest 1975 with 226.9 hours.
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| Northern
Ireland |
| Dry and exceptionally sunny first half.
Cool, showery second half, but still quite sunny. |
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Diary of Highlights
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The first 15 days of the month were almost completely
rainless and with very little cloud. Coastal areas were
plagued by persistent sea fog and low cloud on some days,
but inland areas enjoyed virtually uninterrupted sunshine,
and with temperatures rising to as high as 25 °C on the
8th and 9th. The weather turned very unsettled from early
on the 16th, with the weather during the second half of
the month being typically cool and showery, but with prolonged
sunshine in between on many days. Destructive thunderstorms
with hail and even funnel clouds (tornadoes) were reported
on Sunday the 28th. Thunderstorms were widely reported
on the 24th, 27th, 28th and 29th.
1st 9th Dull, warm and very sunny.
10th 15th Persistent rain on the 10th was followed
by cold, showery weather on the 11th and 12th. The period
13th to 15th was largely dry, but it remained rather cold
and with a widespread sharp frost overnight on the 14th/15th.
16th Dull, wet day. Some late sunshine in far west.
17th 30th Cool with showers affecting all areas.
31st Dry, sunny early. Clouding over with persistent
rain to all areas by evening.
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Statistical details (using
best available data/estimates): updated 2003
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Northern Ireland Mean Temperature Series ( series
began in 1961 ). The value for the month was 10.7 °C, which
is 1.0°C above the 1961-1990 average, which is in the above
average category.
Northern Ireland Rainfall Series ( series began
in 1961 ). The total for the month was 65.2 mm, which is
89 % of the 1961-1990 average, which is in the close to
average category.
Northern Ireland Sunshine Series ( series began
in 1961 ). The total for the month was 240.4 hours, which
is 139 % of the 1961-1990 average, which is in the exceptionally
above average category. 2nd suuniest in series, previous
sunniest 1975 with 258.3 hours.
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Homogeneous series based upon selected station data: updated
2003 |
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Central England Temperature (series begins in 1659).
The mean value for the month was 12.1 °C which is 0.9 °C
above the 1961-90 normal of 11.2 °C and is in the above
average category. Others: 1999/12.9, 1998/13.1, 1997/11.5
°C.
England and Wales Rainfall (series begins in 1766).
The total for the month was 98.0 mm, which is 151 % of the
1961-90 average and is in the well above average category.
Others: 1999/56.2, 1998/33.9, 1997/70, 1983/115.2 mm.
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| Note: Diary values are provisional based
on data available at the time. |
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