Monthly Weather Review - Pitsford Hall

Headline: Mostly dry, warm and sunny. Rainfall significantly below average, temperatures significantly above.

June began with pressure relatively slack across the British Isles, although a weak area of low pressure and attendant fronts tracked eastwards across the southern half of the country on the 1st. This feature delivered a fair amount of rain across Northamptonshire, 7.5mm was recorded over 6.2hrs at Pitsford. Once this system was out of the way, high pressure developed across the British Isles maintaining a few days of fine settled weather with prolonged spells of sunshine. Temperatures correspondingly rose across Northamptonshire from a maximum of 14.4C on the 1st to 24.9C on the 5th. However, the warmth on the 5th resulted in thundery breakdown.

Several days on unsettled weather then followed influenced by a number of low pressure centres, firstly positioned across the south-eastern corner on the 6th, then the North Sea on the 7th and finally approaching from Ireland on the 8th. Most days were wet with over 6mm recorded on both the 7th and 8th at Pitsford. Daytime temperatures correspondingly fell from the warmth of the 5th to a high of 15.0C on the 10th. Low pressure pulled away to the south on the 10th and remained over the near continent on the 11th before gaining ground again across southern England on the 14th. During this period, the county remained largely dry with just scattered showers breaking up spells of sunshine.

A notable change in the weather came on the 16th as the Azores high drove north-eastwards across the British Isles. Apart from a small amount of rain linked to a southward moving cold front on the 18th, this high ushered in a prolonged spell of dry weather across Northamptonshire. Most days saw prolonged spells of sunshine and although the initial northerly breeze maintained daytime temperatures checked at around the high teens and low 20s, very warm conditions were introduced from the 21st as the winds swung round to a south-westerly direction.

Low pressure tracked past the north of Scotland on the 23rd and 24th, but high pressure maintained its grip across the southern half of the country and Northamptonshire continued with its dry and settled weather.

Over the next few days a second low inched slowly towards the UK, its progress kept in check by high pressure across the British Isles. However, on the 28th frontal systems finally managed to break through and the county saw its most significant fall of rain (2.8mm) for 9 days. These frontal systems weakened as they marched eastwards and as ridge of high pressure built in behind, the last two days of June would remain dry and warm with spells of sunshine.

Air Temperatures    
The Highest Maximum: 27.4 C on 27th
The Lowest Maximum: 14.3 C on 19th
The Highest Minimum: 14.4 C on 6th
The Lowest Minimum: 6.4 C on 17th & 20th
The Mean Maximum: 21.4 C  
The Mean Minimum: 10.6 C  
The Overall Mean: 16.0 C  
Difference from the Monthly Mean: 1.7 C  
    
Solar Radiation    
Maximum (at 0900): 716.0 W/m^2 on 16th
Mean (at 0900): 422.8 W/m^2  
    
Relative Humidity:    
Highest Relative Humidity (at 0900): 95.5 % on 1st
Lowest Relative Humidity (at 0900): 50.4 % on 22nd
Mean Relative Humidity (at 0900): 72.7 %  
    
Dew Point:    
The Highest Dew Point (0900): 16.5 C on 29th
The Lowest Dew Point (at 0900): 5.7 C on 19th & 20th
The Mean Dew Point (at 0900): 11.5 C  
    
Rainfall:    
Total: 31.4 mm  
Percentage of the Monthly Mean: 57.5 %  
Duration: 30.7 hrs  
Highest 24 hour fall (0900 to 0900): 7.5 mm on 1st
Rain Days (>/=0.2mm): 9   
Wet Days (>/=1.0mm): 7   
    
Sunshine:    
Total Duration of Bright Sunshine: 204.1 hrs  
Sunniest day: 15.3 hrs on 3rd
No. of days without sunshine: 4   
Percentage of the Monthly Mean: 106.9 %  
Cloud cover (mean at 0900): 4.6 oktas 57.5 %
    
Pressure (reduced to sea level):    
The Highest Pressure (at 0900): 1030.3 mb on 15th
The Lowest Pressure (at 0900): 1001.5 mb on 8th
Mean Pressure (at 0900): 1018.5 mb  
    
Winds    
Run of wind (mean over 24 hrs): 77.4 miles  
Mean daily wind speed: 4.2 mph  
Run of wind (cumulative): 2322.8 miles  
Highest Maximum Gust: 32 mph on 19th
No. of gusts of 50mph or more: 0   
Highest wind strength (at 0900): 21.9 mph on 19th
Mean wind strength (at 0900): 7.1 mph  
    
Winds from the Following Directions:    

N 6 NE 2 E 2 SE 4 S 1 SW 3 W 3 NW 9 Calm 0
    
Concrete     
Lowest Concrete Minimum: 5.6 C on 20th
Mean Concrete Minimum: 11.4 C  
    
Evaporation    
Piche 102.2 ml  
Pan 115.02 mm 
    
Days with:    
Thunder: 2   
Hail <5mm: 0   
Hail >/=5mm: 0   
Snow or snow & rain: 0   
Snow lying: 0   
Fog: 0   
Air Frost: 0   
Gales: 0  

All data © Pitsford Hall weather station.

The weather station publishes a full Monthly Weather Report (ISSN 1741-4733) which is distributed to libraries across Northamptonshire. This report comprises a full UK weather diary, reports of extreme weather events across the county, statistics from Pitsford Hall's affiliated stations across the county as well as news from the weather station itself. Individuals may download this report for £2 or take out an annual subscription for the paper-based report for £25. Click here for further details.