What an amazing month May has been weather wise from the record heat at the beginning to the week of sunny, blue skies to the heat and humidity at the end of the month. Throw in some spectacular thunderstorms as well. It has been a very warm month with a CET of 13.1c over 2c above normal. This follows on from the very warm April, spring has felt much like summer.
UK Stats
The highest temperature of the month was at Northolt on the 7th with 28.7c, the lowest was at Aboyne (Aberdeenshire) on the 1st with -4.6c. It was a very sunny month nationwide with above average sunshine making it the sunniest may since 1929. The maximum rainfall came on the 28th at Winterbourne (West Midlands) with 81mm. The windiest place with 68mph came at South Uist (Western Isles) on the 11th.
Watford Stats
The highest temperature I recorded was on the 7th with 33.8c, the lowest 1.7c on the 2nd. As the above nationwide stats mentioned it was a very sunny month though we had some spectacular thunder storms. Some of the best for years, these showers is where most of the rain fell bringing a monthly total of 43.5mm which is near the average. The majority of the days were dry with 20 days, making it a high pressure dominated month.
Spring 2018
After a cold winter, spring has sprung into bloom, in March we had the cold winds from the east which continued from February. Spring over the UK ended up above average by 0.4c, there was a wide variety across the country. There was average rainfall across the country 101% of normal, sunshine was 106% above normal.
Looking ahead to June
June is looking like a continuation of what we have had the last few months with high pressure mostly to the east and south of the UK. It will be another above average month with a few hot spells. This could lead to a record breaking summer.
Summary for May 2018 in Watford
Temperature (°C):
Mean (1 minute) 15.3
Mean (min+max) 16.5
Mean Minimum 8.9
Mean Maximum 24.1
Minimum 1.7 day 02
Maximum 33.8 day 07
Highest Minimum 15.1 day 27
Lowest Maximum 15.2 day 02
Air frosts 0
Rainfall (mm):
Total for month 43.5
Wettest day 15.6 day 29
High rain rate 35.9 day 26
Rain days 11
Dry days 20
Wind (mph):
Highest Gust 15.9 day 02
Average Speed 0.5
Wind Run 337.4 miles
Gale days 0
Pressure (mb):
Maximum 1022.8 day 17
Minimum 993.8 day 02
Links
Met Office – https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/hadobs/hadcet/cet_info_mean.html
Real time Watford Weather – https://weather.andrewlalchan.co.uk/
Flickr – httpss://www.flickr.com/photos/alalchan
Weather Outlook – httpss://www.theweatheroutlook.com/twocommunity/
April 2018 – https://blog.andrewlalchan.co.uk/watford-weather-april-2018-statistics/
