British Isles weather diary

January 2023
February 2023
March 2023
April 2023
May 2023
June 2023
July 2023
August 2023
September 2023
October 2023
November 2023
December 2023
(Note: figures in parentheses give an indication, from first reports, of the spread of daily max and min temperatures, min daytime temperatures (occasionally), rainfall and sunshine in the 24 hours ending 2100 GMT.)

British Isles weather, January 2023

There were falls of snow across N and Cent Scotland on the 1st until midday, following overnight air frost across the N half of the country. Further S it was milder with widespread overnight rain, which became more showery during the day, largely confined to W England and Wales. It was a dull day in most areas. (Heathrow 12.3C, Altnaharra -0.6C maximum, Altnaharra -8.6C minimum, Bala 32.4 mm, Leeming 4.2 h.)

Much of Scotland and Ireland had an air frost on the 2nd to the N of an area of frontal rain that fell across most of England in the early hours. The day was largely dry there were a few showers in W areas of the British Isles, but also heavy rain over the Northern Isles. A ridge of high pressure during the day led to widespread spells of sunshine, while some frontal rain spread into SW Ireland in the evening. (Plymouth 11.0C, Thomastown 1.1C maximum, Kinbrace -9.1C maximum, Fair Isle 24.6 mm, Yeovilton 6.7 h.)

Bands of rain followed by showers affected all areas on the 3rd. Ahead of the rain clear skies led to a widespread air frost across inland areas of the UK (except in S England) with misty conditions. The rain brought warmer air from the SW with most places. Except over Scotland, rising above 10C during the day. It was a sunless day almost everywhere. (Hawarden 13.4C, Strathallan 1.2C maximum, Braemar -5.5C minimum, Capel Curig 44.4 mm, Kinloss 1.3 h.)

Further fronts affected the British Isles on the 4th. Overnight air frost was largely confined to N Scotland with minimum temperatures of 10-12C widely across England, Wales and S Ireland as rain affected most areas at times during the night. During the day many E and S areas of the UK were largely dry with showers elsewhere. Daytime temperatures reached 13C in many parts of S and Cent England, with 10C widely reached as far N as Cent Scotland. (St James Park 14.1C, Loch Glascarnoch 4.9C maximum, Altnaharra -1.3C minimum, Lake Vyrnwy 40.4 mm, Leeming 4.0 h.)

Away from N and Cent parts of Scotland it was mild into the 5th with minimum temperatures above 10C in some S areas of England and Ireland. By dawn a warm front had spread rain and drizzle across Ireland and into SW England and S Wales. This spread NE'wards across most areas during the day although in E areas of the UK falls were slight. Temperatures reached 12-13C in parts of Ireland, Wales and England during the day, which was cloudy in all areas. (Chivenor 13.7C, Cassley 6.3C maximum, Aboyne -3.9C minimum, Shap 17.2 mm, Dyce 1.1 h.)

Low pressure to the N of Scotland on the 6th (centred over N Shetland, 980 mb, at 1200 GMT) drew a mild airflow from the SW across most areas, with windy conditions at times in W and N parts of the British Isles. Rain cleared E'wards from Cent and E England by dawn and many areas in the E were then dry during the day, although W areas had some showery outbreaks. In the late afternoon and evening further frontal rain affected Ireland, Wales and S England latter affecting parts of S Scotland and N England. There were sunny periods during the day in parts of Scotland and S England, in particular, and it was a mild day in S England. (Bude 13.2C, Dalwhinnie 6.0C maximum, Nantwich 2,8C minimum, Kinlochewe 25.8 mm, Dyce 5.2 h.)

After a dry start in much of E England, the 7th brought bands of rain and showers, heavy in places, to most areas at times during the day. It was generally a mild day, with the best of the sunshine to be found over Wales, Ireland and parts of Scotland. Heavy rain led to water bringing rocks down on to the Bwlch mountain road, fields were turned into a lake overnight and the River Taff was close to bursting its banks in Cardiff in Wales. (Cardiff Bute Park 13.6C, Cassley 5.1C maximum, Baltasound 1.9C minimum, Libanus 50.6 mm, Aldergrove 3.5 h.)

Low pressure close to N Scotland on the 8th (centre 956 mb NW of Stornoway at 1200 GMT) led to windy conditions in N and W areas of the British Isles, and widespread falls of rain and showers at times. These showers were thundery over parts of S England in the late morning and afternoon although the showers were scattered and slight in many areas. Many parts of England and NE Scotland remained rather dull. (Thorney Island 10.7C, Altnahinch Filters 4.1C maximum, Lough Fea 2.0C minimum, Shap 38.0 mm, Aviemore 4.0 h.)

Bands of showers affected many areas on the 9th, particularly in places close to W-facing coasts. Most places were free of air frost overnight, parts of E Scotland being an exception. Many areas of England, Wales and E Ireland, in particular, had spells of sunshine during the day, while the showers were accompanied by a few sferics during late morning in places, notably the Channel Islands. (Gosport Fleetlands 10.1C, Dalwhinnie 4.3C maximum, Drumnadrochit -1.6C minimum, Liscombe 12.0 mm, Exeter Airport 4.6 h.)

The 10th brought a warm sector from the W/SW that crossed all areas during the day, followed by a cold front that had passed East Anglia and Kent by late evening. Any air frost was mostly confined to parts of E Scotland, while during the day temperatures rose to 11-14C over most of England, Wales, Ireland and S Scotland ahead of the cold front. Falls of rain were heavy across Wales, N England and S Scotland during the day, while was generally sunless. (Hawarden 14.7C, Braemar 6.0C maximum, Fyvie Castle -0.9C minimum, Capel Curig 60.6 mm, Lerwick 0.5 h.)

Low pressure to the N of Scotland on the 11th (centre 965mb close to NW Shetland) let to a windy day in all areas, with gales in N and W areas, while further areas of frontal rain spread rapidly across the British Isles from the W. After a mild night with falls of light rain in most areas, there were thundery showers over Ireland, Wales, and parts of S England and SW Scotland at times from mid-morning onwards. Across Scotland there were some falls of snow as a trough crossed Cent Scotland in the afternoon. It was a warm day in S parts of Ireland, Wales and England while the best of the sunshine was in E areas of the UK. (Isles of Scilly 12.0C, Dalwhinnie 2.9C maximum, Dalwhinnie 1.7C minimum, Tyndrum 40.4 mm, Dyce 4.7 h.)

Another low pressure system moved E'wards during the 12th (centre 974 mb close to the Western Isles at 1800 GMT), causing stormy conditions in N and W parts of the British Isles. The S half of the British Isles had a mild night with heavy falls of rain across Ireland and Wales. During the day there was a spell of rain that moved E'wards across S parts of England and Wales, another rain area that affected Scotland, and showers in many other areas. It was a rather cloudy day, but a mild one from S Scotland S'wards. The stormy weather caused disruption in S Wales including power cuts, flooding and train delays. The National Grid said about 600 homes, mainly in Newport, lost power. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the areas worst affected by flooding were Porth and Pontypridd in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Rail services blocked due to flooding included Pontypridd to Treherbert, Abercynon to Aberdare, and Bridgend to Llantwit Major. Flooding blocked two train lines in the west of England, between Bristol Parkway and Swindon, and between Bristol Temple Meads, Bath and Swindon. Transport for Wales said four railway lines were blocked due to heavy rain flooding the tracks. The River Taff burst its banks, flooding a number of parks and walking routes along the Taff trail, including Cardiff's Bute Park near the city centre. Flood barriers went up on several stretches of the River Severn as river levels continue to rise in Shropshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire. (Nantwich 13.8C, Cassley 2.6C maximum, Aboyne -3.4C minimum, Sennybridge 52.0 mm, Shawbury 2.9 h.)

It was a mainly mild night into the 13th with spells of rain across Ireland, S Scotland, Wales and W areas of England. Falls continued in these areas during the day, largely showery in nature and accompanied by mild winds from a W'ly direction. Parts of S England, away from the SW, and the Midlands had quite a sunny day. As the rain combined with water flowing downstream after recent falls, the River Severn peaked at Welsh Bridge in Shrewsbury in the evening. The River Wye in Herefordshire reached its peak today as water affected properties on flooded Greyfriars Avenue in Hereford; some residents in Hereford were rescued from their homes by boat. (Gosport Fleetlands 11.5C, Dalwhinnie 4.0C maximum, Kinloss 0.7C minimum, Bainbridge 31.0 mm, Brize Norton 6.3 h.)

Low pressure that was slow-moving towards and over W Scotland on the 14th brought widespread rain (heavy in places) across all areas by midday, followed by showers in many areas. It was a windy day across Scotland and Ireland in particular, with an early air frost in parts of NE Scotland. The best of the sunshine was across S Ireland, E Scotland and parts of NE England while the showers turned wintry in parts of W Scotland later in the day. Thirteen flood warnings were in place in Shropshire with 20 in Worcestershire, with water levels peaking in Ironbridge in the afternoon and in Bridgnorth in the evening as these areas continued to experience some flooding in places. (Exeter Airport 13.0C, Dalwhinnie 2.9C maximum, Altnaharra -2.8C minimum, Cardiff Bute Park 40.4 mm, Dublin Airport 5.3 h.)

Winds eased in N areas on the 15th as the low moved away E'wards from Scotland. It was a cooler night than of late in most areas as the winds drew in colder air from the NW. Rain tended to be showery in most areas although showers were largely confined to Ireland and W parts of the UK during the day; many arts of England had a sunny day. Showers fell as snow over W Ireland and N and Cent Scotland, with snow depths at 2100 GMT including 13 cm at Loch Glascarnoch and 5 cm at Altnaharra. In the evening an area of heavier, more widespread rain spread into S Ireland, SW England and the Channel Islands. (Cardiff Bute Park 9.5C, Loch Glascarnoch 18C maximum, Tyndrum -0.3C minimum, Culdrose 18.0 mm, Brize Norton 6.5 h.)

During the early hours of the 16th a depression pushed E'wards along the English Channel (centre 976 mb at 0000 GMT near the Isle of Wight), bringing rain (and some snow over higher ground) to S England and East Anglia. Falls were heavy in places. Severe weather in Devon caused more flooding on roads and trees to fall. Devon County Council Highways tweeted there had been reports of standing water and flooding across the county, with motorists warned to not risk driving through flood water. In Cornwall, heavy rain flooded the railway between Liskeard and Looe. Further N there were overnight showers and a widespread air frost; the showers fell as snow over parts of N Ireland and Scotland. Strong winds blew down trees in Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney. During the day showers were mostly confined to N and W areas of Scotland and Ireland, and to parts of NW England and N Wales; these fell as snow in parts of Scotland and Ireland, with Loch Glascarnoch reporting 26 cm of lying snow at 2100 GMT. Elsewhere, away from East Anglia, it was a largely sunny day. During the day, schools were closed to the weather in parts of Scotland and there were temporary closures of Stornoway Airport. (Isles of Scilly 8.4C, Albemarle -1.5C maximum, Dalwhinnie -9.1C minimum, Herstmonceux 32.0 mm, Lake Vyrnwy 6.5 h.)

The 17th dawned after a widespread air frost over the British Isles away from SW Cornwall and some coastal locations. Apart for some light snow showers in parts of N Scotland the day started mostly dry; an exception was across S Ireland, Cornwall and the Channel Islands where shallow low pressure centres brought some rain before dawn, with some snow in Cornwall and Ireland. In Scotland, all schools in Shetland were shut for a second day; more than 100 schools and nurseries were closed in the Highlands, affecting about 15,000 pupils and about a dozen schools in Aberdeenshire were closed or partially shut. The snow closed schools and blocked some roads in Cornwall; the A30 and A39 near Truro, were both blocked, with reports of cars and lorries stuck in the snow. During the day further showers affected Ireland, N Scotland and W areas of the UK with many of these falling as snow as far S as the Channel Islands. Snow showers also affected parts of NE England and East Anglia, with depths at 2100 GMT including 35 cm at Loch Glascarnoch, 1 cm at Marham and 7 cm at Lough Fea. It was a sunny day across many areas of Ireland, Wales, England and S Scotland. (Isles of Scilly 7.4C, Alice Holt Lodge -0.9C maximum, Topcliffe -9.8C minimum, Lerwick 20.2 mm, Wittering 7.3 h.)

Overnight into the 18th there were widespread showers across Ireland, N Scotland and W areas of the UK which fell as rain or snow as many of these areas remained slight above 0C for much of the night. Falls, wintry at times, continued in these areas during the day, with falls also in parts of E Scotland and E England. Away from the showers it was a sunny day in S Ireland and many areas of England, away from the SW. In Northern Ireland dozens of schools were closed as snow and icy conditions hit Northern Ireland for a second day. Most of the affected schools were in the NW, including Londonderry, Limavady and Strabane. (Isles of Scilly 7.9C, Dalwhinnie 0.6C maximum, Benson -7.1C minimum, Trawsgoed 16.8 mm, Wittering 7.4 h.)

The 19th dawned with another widespread air frost away from coasts, after further showers of rain and snow in W areas of Scotland and Ireland, while an area of more general rain (and some snow) affected S Ireland and SW England around dawn. Two runways at Manchester Airport were closed for a while in the morning after a heavy snowfall. Full school closures across Wales reached 65 as ice and snow problems continued to affect roads there. Police in Powys warned motorists to avoid hazardous ice conditions on the A489 between Newtown and Churchstoke. The rain and snow in the SW soon cleared away SE'wards, and precipitation during the day was then largely confined to N Scotland and some W areas of Scotland, Ireland, NW England and Wales. Away from N Scotland most places had a sunny, but cool, day. Snow depths at 2100 GMT included 30 cm at Loch Glascarnoch, 8 cm at Lake Vrynwy and 7 cm at Lough Fea after further falls during the day over parts of N and W Scotland and Ireland, in particular. (Cardinham 8.6C, Lough Fea 0.6C maximum, Drumnadrochit -10.4C minimum, Kinlochewe 35.0 mm, Shobdon 7.3 h.)

There was a widespread air frost away from coastal areas into the 20th with some light rain and drizzle falling over parts of N Scotland and W Ireland. During the day there was an area of showers that moved S'wards from NE Scotland to Norfolk, gradually dying out. Light rain and drizzle in W Ireland also gradually added away. Most places, except on Shetland and in W Ireland, had a sunny day. It was mildest during the day over SW Ireland, SW England and the Channel Islands. (Valentia 10.5C, Loch Glascarnoch -1.2C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch -8.3C minimum, Baltasound 54 mm, Yeovilton 7.9 h.)

Much of Ireland, Cornwall, the Channel Islands and the Northern Isles escaped an air frost into the 21st elsewhere, frost was widespread away from coasts. Overnight there was some light rain and drizzle over Ireland, W and N Scotland while mist was widespread over England and Wales by dawn. The fog persisted in places around the Midlands and N England leading to daytime temperatures remaining below 0C; many sporting fixtures were cancelled due to frozen ground surfaces. Elsewhere there were showery falls across Scotland and Ireland, while many parts of England had a sunny day once early fog had cleared. It was a mild day across Ireland and in W areas of the UK. (Shannon Airport 11.1C, Benson -1.5C maximum, Braemar -10.2C minimum, Kinbrace 21.2 mm, Tibenham Airfield 8.0 h.)

Mist and fog were widespread by dawn over England on the 22nd. There was a widespread air frost over much of England, away from the SW, while in milder areas further W temperatures did not drop below 5C. Slow-moving fronts brought rain and drizzle across Ireland and W Scotland overnight, falls that continued into the day. It was sunny in E areas of England, but very mild under cloudy skies across Ireland and mild during the day in W areas Scotland, Wales and England. A few areas of SE England remained below 0C during the day where fog patches persisted. (Shannon Airport 11.8C, Chertsey Abbey Mead -0.5C maximum, Benson -9.7C, Achnagart 14.8 mm, Weybourne 7.4 h.)

Early mist and fog were widespread by dawn on the 23rd across many areas of England and Ireland. Dozens of flights were cancelled at Heathrow due to freezing fog; the minimum temperature at Heathrow of -8.4C was the lowest since December 2010. Away from NW and SW areas, air frost was widespread over England - and severe in places. Fronts gave a little rain across N and W Scotland and Ireland overnight although falls during the day were most light, away from Shetland. It was a mild day across Ireland, Scotland, Wales and W areas of England but cooler in places to the E in England, despite prolonged sunny spells here, due to a continuing flow of air from the NE. (Cassley 12.2C, Goudhurst 1.7C maximum, Santon Downham -9.8C minimum, Eskdalemuir 5.4 mm, Weybourne 7.7 h.)

Although high pressure dominated the weather on the 24th, a SW'ly flow meant a relatively mild day in many W areas of the British Isles, although there were cooler conditions across England, with an early air frosts here and in E Wales. It was a sunny day across many Cent areas of England, and also in adjacent counties while weak fronts led to some light rain in the milder areas. It was a foggy day in some areas of the UK throughout the day, this helping to keep the temperature down locally. (Dyce 15.8C, Hereford 0.7C maximum, Benson -8.6C minimum, Lerwick 4.4 mm, Wellesbourne 8.0 h.)

Pressure remained high on the 25th (about 1036 mb at 0600 GMT over S areas of Ireland, Wales and England) and many Cent areas of England had an air frost under clear skies. Cold fronts moved SE'wards during the day to give some light rain in most areas at times. It was cool, dull day in the SE corner of England (helped by persistent mist or fog in places) but areas further N had some sunny intervals. (Rhyl 11.3C, Iver Water Works 3.1C maximum, Santon Downham -7.5C minimum, Achnagart 15.4 mm, Edinburgh Gogarbank 4.5h.)

The 26th dawned with patchy air frost in Cent England, in parts of N England and in some inland areas of Scotland. High pressure (1039.9 mb at 1200 GMT at Belmullet) led to a mainly dry day, although there were some falls over N Scotland and in some places close to the North Sea. There was some sunshine during the day in places, mostly in W areas. (Cardiff Bute Park 10.0C, Dalwhinnie 3.8C maximum, Shap -3.1C minimum, Fylingdales 4.4 mm, Aberporth 7.7 h.)

The 27th dawned with a widespread air frost over Scotland, and with patchy frost in parts of England and Wales where skies remained clear for much of the night. There was some light rain in areas close to the North Sea overnight, and in parts of W and N Scotland during the day. The best of the sunshine was to be found over East Anglia and in parts of Wales. (Porthmadog 9.6C, Okehampton 2.4C maximum, Braemar -5.4C minimum, Aultbea 6.2 mm, Weybourne 6.4 h.)

A weak cold front pushing SE'wards through high pressure on the 28th meant a generally cloudy day, although there were some sunny periods across Scotland. There was some overnight air frost in parts of England and E Scotland with some light rain across Ireland and Scotland that eventually spread into N Wales and N England by mid-evening. It was mildest in areas of S Ireland. (Roches Point 10.3C, Okehampton 3.6C maximum, Topcliffe -4.5C minimum, Blackpool 3.4 mm, Glasgow 5.8 h.)

Cloudy skies as some rain and drizzle spread SE'wards meant little air frost on the 29th. There was a little light rain overnight over Ireland, N England, Wales and N Scotland - with light falls during the day over many areas of England and Wales as a weakened cold front moved SE'wards. It was windy with some heavy falls of rain over Scotland during the day the result of a low pressure system to the N of Shetland. Most areas remained rather dull during the day. (Dyce 12.6C, Leek 5.9C maximum, Fyvie Castle -1.5C minimum, Achnagart 32.6 mm, Leconfield 3.4 h.)

A cold front pushed S'wards across England during the early hours of the 30th although falls were slight; there were heavier falls across N Scotland overnight due to passing troughs. During the day there was little rainfall except over parts of N and W Scotland; after a windy start in the N the winds eased during the day as pressure rose. Much of England and E Scotland had a sunny day and it was a mild day in most areas. (Pershore 11.2C, Lerwick 2.8C maximum, Drumnadrochit 0.1C minimum, Cassley 17.2 mm, Weybourne 8.0 h.)

Fronts spread rain, some of it heavy, across Scotland and Ireland, with lesser falls in Wales and W areas of England before dawn on the 31st although as the fronts moved further SE'wards they weakened and any rainfall became patchy. Air frost was mostly confined to a few locations in the SE quarter of England where the cloud lifted for a time. There was little precipitation away from Scotland, Ireland and W areas of the UK during the day as the fronts continued to weaken; it turned windy across Scotland due to deep areas of low pressure close to Iceland and W Norway. There was a little snow over high ground in Cent Scotland during the day while most areas of England Wales and E Ireland had a sunny day. (Teddington Bushy Park 13.1C, Braemar 3.3C maximum, Benson -2.1C minimum, Kinlochewe 25.6 mm, Leconfield 7.4 h.)

British Isles weather, February 2023

It was a cloudy night in many areas into the 1st as a slow-moving front gave rain across Scotland, N England and N Ireland. During the day the rain largely died out across N England, N Ireland and S Scotland under high pressure with many E areas of the UK having a sunny day. Away from Scotland temperatures rose to 10C in many places. (Swanage 12.1C, Loch Glascarnoch 4.3C maximum, Alice Holt Lodge 0.3C minimum, Banagher Caugh Hill 15.8 mm, Dyce 7.0 h.)

On the 2nd low pressure to the NW led to frontal rain across Scotland, overnight and during the day, which was heavy in many areas. Lesser falls also affected parts of Ireland, Wales and N England but widespread cloud led to a dull day in most areas, although temperatures widely reached 10-11C in most areas. (Writtle 12.8C, Spadeadam 7.4C maximum, Lerwick 0.6C minimum, Resallach 61.2 mm, Manston 5.5 h.)

The 3rd was a mostly dry in many parts of the British Isles, although some rain or showers did affect Scotland and, to a lesser extent, parts of Ireland and W Britain. Away from N and Cent Scotland it was a mild night (Belmullet reported a minimum temperature of 10.2C) and it remained mild during the day with sunny intervals in places outside Scotland. (Kew Gardens 14.0C, Baltasound 6.4C maximum, Kinbrace 3.4C minimum, Cassley 6.8 mm, Manston 5.8 h.)

Pressure rose on the 4th (1041 mb at 1800 GMT just off SW Ireland) and cloudy skies at first led to a largely air frost-free night again. There was some rain over Shetland overnight while a cold front brought a weakening area of rain from the W across Scotland, Ireland parts of W England and Wales later in the day. It was a mostly cloudy day. (Kinloss 12.2C, Leek 7.1C maximum, Aboyne 0.9C minimum, Achnagart 26.0 mm, Tiree 0.8 h.)

By 0600 GMT on the 5th the anticyclone was centred at 1048 mb over NW Wales an unusually high reading; by 0900 GMT Pershore was reporting MSL pressure of 1048.3 mb as the high drifted SE'wards. Much of Ireland, S and Cent Scotland, Wales, the W Midlands and N England had an overnight air frost but the day was largely dry and sunny. A weak front, however, gave some showery falls to parts of W Ireland, N and W Scotland during the day, after some falls in parts of Wales and N England overnight. (Isles of Scilly and Valentia 10.9C, Spadeadam 3.6C maximum, Castlederg -4.8C minimum, Achnagart 1.2 mm, Exeter Airport 7.9 h.)

Air frost was widespread into the 6th across England, Wales and E Scotland although in W Ireland and W Scotland temperatures remained around 7-9C in most areas. Pressure remained high during the day 1044 mb over East Anglia at 0600 GMT. It was mostly dry throughout the day apart from a few spots of rain in parts of W Ireland and W Scotland in a S'ly flow. Much of England, Wales, E Ireland and E Scotland had a sunny day. (Chertsey Abbey Mead 12.3C, Shap 4.5C maximum, Pershore -7.2C minimum, Achnagart 2.4 mm, Weybourne 8.5 h.)

There was a widespread inland air frost on the 7th across England (away from the NW) and Wales, with mist and fog in many areas of England by dawn. Some light rain and drizzle fell across W Ireland, N and NW Scotland during the early hours while during the day a few showers also fell as far S a S Scotland. Some fog was slow to clear, but when it did it was a sunny day across Cent and S areas of England, East Anglia and also in parts of W Scotland. (Cardinham 12.3C, Shoeburyness 5.1C maximum, Benson -6.8C minimum, Kinlochewe 7.0 mm, Wittering 8.2 h.)

There was a widespread inland air frost into the 8th S of a line from Liverpool to Hull, with mist and fog across much of England and Wales by dawn. Once early mist and fog had cleared the day was mainly sunny in S areas; during the afternoon and evening a cold front spread SE'wards across Scotland and Ireland, and into N England weakening is moved. There were some sferics in the afternoon in N and W areas of Scotland. (Kinloss 10.6C, Warcop 5.5C maximum, South Newington -8.4C minimum, Cassley 20.8 mm, Jersey Airport 9.2 h.)

Air frost on the 9th was mostly to be found over East Anglia, Cent, S and SE England although temperatures rose slightly here towards dawn as a cold front brought some cloud SE'wards, although it gave little precipitation over most of England. Showers followed the rain over Scotland and N Ireland and included some falls of light snow over higher ground. There was little rain during the day away from N and Cent Scotland where another front gave some falls; it was a sunny day across England, Wales and Ireland away from some S areas of England. (Cardiff Bute Park 11.7C, Baltasound 3.8C maximum, Frittenden -4.8C minimum, Cassley 1.8 mm, Valley 8.0 h.)

Air frost into the 10th was mostly found across the Midlands, Cent, S and SE England and East Anglia. Fronts gave some rain overnight across W Ireland and N and W areas of Scotland. These falls, mostly slight, spread during the day into Wales and W areas of the UK; areas SE of a line Exeter-The Wash. It was a mild day across Scotland. (Dyce 13.8C, Marham 6.9C maximum, Benson -6.4C minimum, Resallach 20.6 mm, Manston 7.0 h.)

The 11th dawned rather cloudy, without low level air frost despite the prevailing high pressure but with some light showery rain in W areas of the British Isles. It remained cloudy during the day across much of England (away from the NE), Wales, Ireland and W Scotland with a little light rain across N Scotland and in some areas of W Scotland. It was a mild day everywhere, especially in E Scotland. (Dyce 13.5C, Spadeadam 7.5C maximum, Andrewsfield 2.7C minimum, Cassley 7.6 mm, Dyce 5.9 h.)

Under continuing high pressure into the 12th (MSL pressure 1038.3 mb at Langdon Bay at 0000 GMT), the day dawned after a mostly mild night under cloudy skies everywhere. Winds from a mainly S'ly direction led to a mostly dry day, but with little sunshine except in parts of E Ireland, Wales and E Scotland. (Gogerddan 12.4C, Leek 6.4C maximum, Aboyne -1.4C minimum, Kielder Castle 1.2 mm, Dyce 6.6 h.)

The 13th dawned after a generally cloudy night; there was some mist or fog in many areas (that led to some light drizzle in places) and an air frost in parts of E Scotland, N Wales and N England. Pressure remained high (about 1036 mb over East Anglia at 0000 GMT) and a dry day followed as a result, with prolonged sunshine across Wales, Cent Ireland and in areas in around Cent England. (Kew Gardens 13.6C, Shap 5.0C maximum, Redesdale Camp -5.1C minimum, Herstmonceux 0.4 mm, Aberporth 8.9 h.)

There was widespread fog by dawn across England on the 14th with mist in many other areas of the British Isles away from extreme W areas. Many inland areas of England, E and N Scotland had an overnight frost although temperatures rose a little as the fog and associated low cloud developed. There was some light rain during the day across Ireland and W Scotland, with persistent fog also giving some light ‘falls' in parts of England and Wales. Where the fog cleared it became sunny and warm across England and Wales and it was also sunny in parts of E Scotland. Under lingering fog it was a cool day in some parts of England. (Gogerddan 16.4C, Topcliffe 4.4C maximum, Redesdale Camp -7.2C minimum, West Freugh 2.0 mm, Manston 8.7 h.)

There was some frontal rain into the 15th across Ireland (14 mm fell at Belmullet in the 12 hours ending 0600 GMT) and W Scotland; dawn followed a mild night across N Scotland while some inland areas of England, Wales and S Scotland had a slight air frost. There was some persistent fog overnight in E areas of England. During the day the best of the sunshine was across the Midlands and in areas to the S and E of here; it was also a mild day in these areas. A weakening cold front later spread some rain and drizzle across these areas as it moved E'wards; further rain, heavy in places, affected W areas of the British Isles during the day. (Northolt 16.0C, Loch Glascarnoch 6.3C maximum, Cardington -4.0C minimum, Achnagart 22.0 mm, Odiham 7.7 h.)

The 16th dawned after a mild night in all areas, except in some parts of N and Cent Scotland. By mid-morning areas of rain had crossed most areas of the British Isles from the W although falls in E areas of the UK were generally slight. The day was generally dull with some light frontal rain in places that did not amount to much. (Hawarden 14.6C, Loch Glascarnoch 4.8C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch -1.2C minimum, Dunstaffnage 13.6 mm, Hawarden 2.7 h.)

The early hours of the 17th saw a depression (storm Otto) cross NE'wards to the N of Scotland (centre 981 mb at 0600 GMT over Orkney), with strong pressure gradients bringing gusts to 80 mph in parts of N and E Scotland and with strong winds also across N England. It was a mild night everywhere; minimum temperatures overnight were around 10-12C across most of Ireland and generally above 8C across most of England and Wales. By midday around 30,000 homes were without power and dozens of schools were closed as Storm Otto caused disruption across Scotland and N England. High winds and fallen trees caused damage to vehicles and buildings while trains, buses and ferry services were delayed or cancelled. Winds eased as the day progressed and England, away from the NW, remained largely dry. It was a warm day in the Midlands and East Anglia while rain continued to affect many areas of Scotland. (Pershore 17.2C, Lerwick 5.9C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch 2.3C minimum, Achnagart 39.2 mm, Charterhall 7.2 h.)

On the 18th a warm sector affected most areas and many areas of England had a mild day. There was some air frost across Scotland at first (along with some light snowfall overnight in parts of N and Cent Scotland), but in parts of S England overnight minimum temperatures remained above 10C. Away from Scotland and N areas of England and Ireland, falls of rain were mostly light but even in the mildest areas during the day it remained rather cloudy. (Pershore College 15.9C, Braemar 2.0C maximum, Altnaharra -3.1C minimum, Spadeadam 22.6 mm, Lerwick 6.5 h.)

On the 19th there was some widespread rain across N and W Scotland and N Ireland during the early hours; it was a generally mild night due to a continuing flow of air from the SW quadrant, although there was an early frost in parts of N Scotland. It remained largely dry during the day in the S with rainfall generally confined to N areas of the British Isles. Once early cloud had cleared some parts of S England had a very sunny day although it clouded over again in the evening. It was widely a mild day. (Usk No.2 14.8C, Eskdalemuir 7.7C maximum, Altnaharra -4.7C minimum, Cassley 26.6 mm, Hurn 8.5 h.)

The 20th dawned after a mild night in all areas, and it remained mild during the day due to widespread cloud. Frontal cloud across Ireland and Scotland gave some areas of patchy rain here, overnight and during the day this gradually extended into W areas of England and Wales. There were some bright spells further E over the UK, and it was breezy across N Scotland as a result of a deep low to the N. Many places in the E Midlands and East Anglia had maximum temperatures of 15-16C. (Santon Downham 16.7C, Dalwhinnie 7.4C maximum, Hurn 2.0C minimum, Achnagart 28.4 mm, Wittering 9.4 h.)

There was some patchy rain and drizzle across Scotland, Ireland, Wales and SW England into the 21st, the night being a mild one generally. There was little rain away from N Scotland during the day, but during the late afternoon a cold front spread rain into W areas of Scotland and Ireland, and this spread into E Ireland and Cent Scotland by late evening with some snow over high ground in Scotland. It was a cloudy day in most areas under a warm sector. (Chillingham Barns 13.6C, Liscombe 6.7C maximum, Okehampton 0.3C minimum, Achnagart 12.4 mm, Dublin Airport 5.8 h.)

Fronts and troughs spread rain across most areas of the British Isles by dawn on the 22nd. There was some light snow over high ground in Scotland and in parts of W Ireland during the morning and during the day scattered outbreaks of mostly light rain occurred in most areas of the British Isles. The best of the sunshine occurred across Ireland and Scotland (except in E areas) and was prolonged in places. E Scotland and E half of England remained generally dull. (Cardiff Bute Park 11.2C, Okehampton 4.8C maximum, Castlederg 1.6C minimum, Whitechurch 17.8 mm, Prestwick 8.1 h.)

Inland areas of Scotland, and some Cent parts of Ireland, had an air frost early on the 23rd as fronts cleared away to the E and pressure rose from the W (1027.1 mb at Valentia at 0600 GMT). There was some light patchy rain and drizzle across most areas of England and Wales overnight. There was little rain during the day except for some frontal rain over N Scotland; away from N Scotland and S England most places had sunny spells, especially across Wales. (Wiggonholt 10.5C, Okehampton 4.0C maximum, Tulloch Bridge -4.3C minimum, Resallach 24.2 mm, Hawarden 8.7 h.)

Clear skies for a while early on the 24th led to a widespread air frost at first across much of E Wales and Cent, E and S England, although temperatures rose as frontal cloud spread S'wards, the cloud having given some overnight rain in parts of Scotland. There was scattered frontal rainfall, moving S'wards during the day in most areas, with sunny intervals in most places. (Murlough 12.8C, Lerwick 2.8C maximum, Benson -4.7C minimum, Loch Glascarnoch 5.6 mm, Dundrennan 7.7 h.)

It was largely dry overnight into the 25th, although there were some showers along the E coast of the UK in a prevailing N'ly flow. There was patchy air frost in many areas. During the day a N'ly flow around high pressure (centre 1028 mb near Stornoway at 1800 GMT) led to a mostly dry day away from areas near the E coast of England where there were some showers, some falling as hail. Many W areas of the British Isles had a sunny day. (Valentia 10.5C, Braemar 2.8C maximum, Exeter Airport -3.7C minimum, Morpeth Cockle Park 2.4 mm, Tiree 9.6 h.)

Away from the E coast of NE England (where there some early showers) the 26th dawned dry after an air frost (sharp in parts of N Scotland) in many inland areas. It was mainly dry during the day, apart from a few scattered light showers mainly in coastal areas of NE England and many areas had prolonged spells of sunshine (notably mainland Scotland, away from the SE). (Helens Bay 10.7C, Lake Vyrnwy 5.0C maximum, Altnaharra -7.9C minimum, Manston 1.8 mm, Kinloss 9.5 h.)

Clear skies into the 27th led to a widespread air frost from Cornwall to N Scotland, and also overnight sightings of the aurora as far S as Cornwall and the Isle of Wight. Pressure remained high (centre 1038 mb over N Scotland at 0000 GMT) and overnight showers were largely confined to NE England in a N'ly flow. These spread a little further inland during the day into the Midlands although most other areas had spells of sunshine, especially areas of W Scotland. (Valentia 10.2C, Braemar 2.0C maximum, Tulloch Bridge -8.5C minimum, Fylingdales 5.2 mm, Tulloch Bridge 7.8 h.)

There was little rain into the 28th away from E Scotland, NE England, N Wales and the Midlands, although a weak trough brought some light rain to the extreme SE of England. Under clear skies parts of S England and East Anglia had an air frost in places. It soon clouded over in much of East Anglia and S England and the day became generally away from W Wales and SW England, with some outbreaks of light ran over any arts of England and S Scotland at times. (Plymouth 10.1C, Killylane 4.6C maximum, Benson -5.0C minimum, Fylingdales 7.4 mm, Exeter Airport 6.8 h.)

British Isles weather, March 2023

There was little air frost into the 1st due to widespread cloud, which led to some falls of patchy rain and drizzle across areas of N, Cent and S England overnight. It remained largely cloudy during the day with the best of the sunshine in parts of NW and N Scotland; many areas of S Scotland, England and Wales had further scattered falls of light rain at times during the day. (Helens Bay 10.9C, Okehampton 3.9C maximum, Tyndrum -3.7C minimum, Durham 7.0 mm, Tiree 7.9 h.)

Cloudy skies into the 2nd meant little air frost, except in parts of SE England and East Anglia and in some parts of Cumbria and on high ground in Scotland; a weak front gave some light rain in pars of SE Scotland, N England and N Wales before dawn. The day was mostly dry although there were some light falls of rain and drizzle in E Scotland and in parts of Ireland; it was quite a sunny day over S England. (Plymouth 10.7C, Pennerley 3.7C maximum, Altnaharra -3.0C minimum, Chillingham Barns 6.4 mm, Odiham 9.5 h.)

A N'ly flow under high pressure continued to dominate the weather on the 3rd. There was little rain overnight except in parts of SE Scotland and NE England while a S'ward-moving cold front led to some falls over N Scotland later in the day. W areas of the UK had some air frost overnight under clear skies although the day was mostly cloudy in all areas. (Gosport Fleetlands 9.7C, Pennerley 2.0C maximum, Kinbrace -6.7C minimum, Altnahinch Filters 3.4 mm, Manston 4.8 h.)

The 4th was a mostly dry day, away from areas of N and NE Scotland and NE England where a cold front led to some light falls of rain at times. Air frost was largely confined to Scotland and away from W Scotland most areas had a cloudy day. (Langdon Bay 10.3C, Okehampton 2.7C maximum, Braemar -7.5C minimum, Resallach 3.0 mm, Glasgow 6.2 h.)

Cloudy skies into the 5th meant a mostly air frost-free night away from Shetland and high ground in parts of N England and Cent Scotland. A wave depression formed close to NW Scotland and the associated fronts gave some falls of rain over parts of Scotland, Ireland, Wales and NW England. The best of the sunshine was to be found in Ireland and W Scotland, while into the evening some snow fell over Shetland and NW Scotland as it turned colder from the N. (Killowen 11.4C, Okehampton 2.2C maximum, Lerwick -0.9C minimum, Resallach 8.0 mm, Glasgow 4.5 h.)

The 6th dawned with an air frost over much of E and S England, with outbreaks of showers or rain in most other areas. These outbreaks were wintry over N Scotland overnight, and the wintry outbreaks then spread S into Cent and E Scotland during the day. Snow depths at 2100 GMT included 5 cm at Lerwick, 8 cm at Altnaharra and 2 cm at Aboyne. During the day cold fronts spread rain S'wards across most other areas of the UK and Ireland with the sunniest conditions being found across Scotland. (Plymouth 10.4C, Loch Glascarnoch 1.5C maximum, Cavendish -4.4C minimum, Rhyl 14.2 mm, Leuchars 6.4 h.)

Overnight into the 7th there were falls of snow in places as far S as East Anglia and Cent S England the cold front lay across S England by dawn; places from Cent Ireland and N England, northwards, had a widespread air frost with some snow showers in places. Dozens of schools were closed as heavy snow caused problems in parts of Scotland. All schools in Shetland were shut as were more than 80 in Aberdeenshire. Some schools in Wester Ross and Sutherland were also affected. Many bus services were delayed or cancelled; in NE Scotland the snow gates were closed on the A93, the B974 and the B939. During the day wintry showers fell as far S as Surrey and S Ireland and there were further wintry falls in parts or Scotland and Northern Ireland; in many areas there were outbreaks of rain as the temperature rose a little. It was a relatively mild day in SW England and the Channel Islands while areas of Ireland, N Wales, N England and S and Cent Scotland had a sunny day. Snow depths at 2100 GMT included 14 cm at Altnaharra and 11 cm at Dyce. (Plymouth 11.2C, Loch Glascarnoch -1.0C maximum, Altnaharra -7.6C minimum, St Athan 20.2 mm, Glasgow 9.8 h.)

Into the 8th low pressure to the SW of Ireland pushed fronts N'wards across S England, giving falls of snow in Cent S and SE England before the air warmed from the S; there was rain in SW England. During the day the snow edged N'wards into East Anglia and the Midlands. There was a widespread air frost away from the Channel Islands, SW Ireland and SW England the frost was sharp across N and Cent Scotland; -15.4C was measured at Kinbrace, with this being the lowest temperature of the year so far and also the lowest March temperature in the UK since 2010. Flights from Bristol Airport were suspended early in the day due to snowfall. During the day there was further snowfall across the Midlands, Wales and East Anglia the snow later moving into N England ahead of a belt of rain and sleet along a N'ward-moving warm front. Snow showers fell across N areas of Scotland, while much of Scotland had a day with long, unbroken spells of sunshine. Snow depths at 2100 GMT included 12 cm at Altnaharra, 4 cm at Sennybridge, and 2 cm at Bedford and Odiham. (Jersey Airport 13.1C, Altnaharra -2.4C maximum, Kinbrace -15.4C minimum, North Wyke 35.4 mm, Dyce 10.3 h.)

Into the 9th falling snow affected the Midlands, East Anglia, Wales, Cent Ireland and parts of N England with widespread rain falling across S areas of the British Isles. -16.0C at Altnaharra made this the coldest night of the year so far. Snow led to flights being stopped at Birmingham airport while in Wales about 300 schools closed due to the snow. Snow depths at 0900 GMT included 8 cm at Capel Curig, 14 cm at Lake Vrynwy, 7 cm at Coleshill and 4 cm at Bedford. During the morning there was heavy snow in the Midlands causing school closures here and road closures in the Peak District. East Midlands Airport was also forced to close its runway. The snow also spread across N England and into S Scotland by late evening, and across Cent and N areas of Ireland, leading to blocked major roads across N England in the evening. During the day a deep low pressure area pushed E'wards to be over Cent S England at 2400 GMT (centre 981 mb), bringing further rain across S areas of the British Isles. N and Cent Scotland was largely sunny during the day with a few showers but the sunshine did not prevent Altnaharra from being (provisionally) the coldest and sunniest location by day at low levels. Snow depths at 2100 GMT included 3cm at Lerwick, 11 cm at Bingley, 15 cm at Lake Vrynwy and 8 cm at Glennane. It was, eventually, a mild day across S England and in the extreme S of Ireland and Wales. (Chivenor 14.4C, Altnaharra -2.4C maximum, Altnaharra -16.0C minimum, Woburn 28.2 mm, Altnaharra 9.6 h.)

Into the 10th an area of rain spread E'wards across the S half of England, Wales and Ireland with some snow further N as far as S Scotland; in some areas of Cent S England the rain turned to snow for a while around dawn as the low centre moved away to E Kent (982 mb here at 0600 GMT). There was a widespread air frost in N Wales, N England, Cent and N Ireland in areas further N. Snowfalls across N England were heavy in areas close to the Pennines, leading to blocked motorways, cancelled flights and trains, and to schools being closed. Overnight, 27 cm was the deepest snow recorded lying at Capel Curig while 14 cm of lying snow was recorded at Bingley. During the morning the rain and snow largely cleared away to the E, leaving East Anglia in the afternoon. It was a sunny day across much of N England, Scotland and N and Cent Ireland but even here the snow was slow to melt depths at 2100 GMT including 14 cm at Altnaharra and 23 cm at Capel Curig. In the evening rain spread into SW Ireland, SW England and the Channel Islands. (Helens Bay 8.2C, Baltasound 0.2C, maximum, Altnaharra -13.6C minimum, Sheffield 23.4 mm, Thomastown 9.5 h.)

Overnight into the 11th rain spread from the SW across much of Ireland, Wales and SW England, while there was a widespread air frost elsewhere, and also across Northern Ireland, ahead of any rain. As the rain met the cold air, both overnight and then during the day as it oved further E and N, it turned to snow for a while notably across Ireland and parts of Scotland and N England. Ahead of the rain it was sunny across E areas of England and in much of Scotland and it then turned mild as the rain cleared. (Valentia 13.2C, Lerwick -1.7C maximum, Altnaharra -15.7C minimum, Porthmadog 14.4 mm, Kinloss 9.6 h.)

Away from N and Cent Scotland there was little air frost into the 12th and overnight precipitation (including some snow across Scotland and N England) had largely cleared by dawn. In parts of SW England, the Channel Islands and S Ireland the temperature remained above 9C overnight. Away from N Scotland a mild day followed in all areas. Precipitation affected Ireland, Scotland and W areas of England during the day before spreading into the E half of England in the evening. It was rather cloudy in most areas due to the frontal cloud. (Northolt 14.6C, Cassley 2.9C maximum, Baltasound -8.4C minimum, Dundrennan 24.6 mm, Wittering 4.9 h.)

Away from the N half of Scotland it was mild overnight into the 13th with parts of SW England remaining above 11C in a brisk SW'ly flow driven around low centres located at 0600 GMT to the N of Ireland (970 mb) and SW of Ireland (976 mb). Most areas had falls of rain at times overnight with some snowfall over N Scotland; the falls of rain were heavy over the hills of N Wales and Cumbria. During the day the rain was slow-moving over Scotland, N England and Wales, only reaching some SE areas of England in the evening. The rain introduced colder air, and some snow, over Scotland, Ireland and N England by late evening and was the cause of a general lack of sunshine away from areas of Kent and Sussex. (Cardiff Bute Park 15.4C, Dalwhinnie 1.1C maximum, Lentran 0.1C minimum, Capel Curig 85.8 mm, Herstmonceux 7.1 h.)

Air frost was widespread into the 14th across most inland areas of Scotland and Ireland, while rain across England gradually cleared away to the SE. There were some snow showers overnight over Scotland and parts of N Ireland and N England with 9 cm lying at Altnaharra by 0900 GMT. Many areas had spells of sunshine during the day, but there were showers and intermittent falls of rain in places with further light snow over parts of Scotland, N Ireland and N England as the precipitation heralded the onset of cooler conditions from the N. (Cardiff Bute Park 12.0C, Altnaharra 1.4C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch -6.8C minimum, Ballypatrick Forest 11.0 mm, Tiree 8.9 h.)

Away from SW areas of England and Ireland, there was a widespread air frost into the 15th. S areas of the UK had some light rain before the colder air arrived from the N, while rain pushing across from the SW led to a milder night across SW Ireland. The rain across Ireland pushed NE'wards during the day, reaching Cent Scotland and all areas of Wales and England by late evening; there was some snow ahead of the rain over Ireland and N England with snow showers also in the colder air across N Scotland. Some E areas of England had a little sunshine ahead of the rain, while it was a sunny day across the cooler Northern Isles. (Bude 11.3C, Eskdalemuir 2.2C maximum, Tyndrum -9.9C minimum, Derrylin Cornahoule 23.2 mm, Lerwick 9.4 h.)

There was little air frost away from Cent Scotland and the Northern Isles into the 16th, while overnight minimum temperatures remained above 6C across much of Ireland, Wales and S England. It was mostly cloudy overnight and during the day in all areas as a sequence of fronts, driven by low pressure to the W, spread NE'wards across the British Isles. The best of the sunshine was across the SE corner of England (where the rain did not arrive until the evening in places) and in areas of Cent Ireland where temperatures widely reached 14-16C. It was a generally mild day, except across the extreme N of Scotland. (Helens Bay 16.1C, Altnaharra 4.3C maximum, Baltasound -2.2C minimum, Eskdalemuir 30.4 mm, Shannon Airport 8.2 h.)

Into the 17th overnight minimum temperatures were widely around 7-10C, except across N Scotland. An area of rain across SE England and East Anglia gave light falls, before the front stalled and more persistent falls occurred during the morning in places. Another area of frontal rain spread NE'wards across Ireland during the morning while Scotland had some showery falls. Sunshine sparked some thundery showers over Cent S England around midday and across N England and the N Midlands during the afternoon and early evening. It was a cool day across N Scotland and a generally cloudy one in all areas away from NE England. (Pershore College 16.3C, Altnaharra 5.5C maximum, Wick Airport 1.0C minimum, Dunstaffnage 16.4 mm, Morpeth Cockle Park 7.2 h.)

Precipitation was widespread overnight into the 18th, due to a low pressure centre N of Ireland (998 mb) at 0600 GMT and several associated fronts and troughs. Most places had further rainfall during the day as the fronts and depression were slow-moving; some of the showers were thundery across the Midlands during late afternoon. It was a mild day in S England and the Channel Islands, with these areas also having the best of the sunshine as the N half of the UK remained quite cloudy. (Hereford 16.2C, Fair Isle 6.7C maximum, Altnaharra 2.0C minimum, Cambridge NIAB 17.4 mm, Jersey Airport 10.2 h.)

There was some further rain into the 19th across Shetland, N Ireland and parts of England in particular although falls were mostly light. There was little air frost, partly due to widespread cloud and it remained cloudy during the day in many areas although SW England and the Channel Islands had a sunny day. During the afternoon frontal rain spread NE'wards across Ireland, with falls later across parts of Wales, N England and W Scotland. (Bridlington 14.2C, Lerwick 6.3C maximum, Topcliffe -1.0C minimum, South Uist 8.6 mm, Jersey Airport 9.8 h.)

There was some air frost on the 20th across parts of N Scotland, following the clearance of early rain. Further rain affected many areas during the day, although falls were often light; some heavier affected parts of S England later, and also areas of N England and S Scotland. There was little sunshine during the day, except across N Scotland, due to the widespread cloud and rainfall. (Rostherne 16.0C, Inverbervie 6.0C maximum, Kinbrace -3.5C minimum, Porthmadog 22.2 mm, Kinloss 5.6 h.)

The 21st dawned after a mild night in all areas, especially across S parts of the UK, and widespread falls of frontal rain. During the day there were further outbreaks of rain in places before more widespread frontal rain spread across Ireland, before reaching much of W Britain by late evening. It was a mild day in many E areas of the UK. 28 mm of rain fell at Valentia in the 12 hours ending 1800 GMT. (Fyvie Castle 16.3C, Baltasound 8.6C maximum, Baltasound 4.5C minimum, Eskdalemuir 24.2 mm, Jersey Airport 7.7 h.)

The 22nd dawned after a windy night due to a low centre (968 mb at 0600 GMT) close to W Scotland. Associated fronts brought rain to all areas by dawn, which cleared E England by mid-morning but persisted across N Scotland. It was windy across N areas of the British Isles while the winds, accompanied by high tides, led to some coastal flood warnings. There were some heavy falls of rain across parts of Scotland during the day; showers followed here and in many W areas of the British Isles in particular which were accompanied by sferics in some places. There were long sunny spells in places, notably in NE England, E Ireland and E Scotland. (Weybourne 15.9C, Aviemore 7.6C maximum, Aviemore 2.3C minimum, Achnagart 42.6 mm, Morpeth Cockle Park 9.8 h.)

There was a generally brisk, SW'ly flow on the 23rd resulting from low pressures centres to the N of Scotland and to the W of Ireland. Bands of rain and showers affected most areas at times with more widespread rain falling across S areas of England later in the day. S Ireland, W Wales and NW England had some sferics in the morning with further outbreaks over the NE Midlands and Norfolk in the afternoon. (Coningsby 16.1C, Fair Isle 7.7C maximum, Altnaharra -0.3C minimum, Shap 33.4 mm, Dyce 8.8 h.)

An area of low pressure that crossed Ireland later on the 24th brought spells of rain and blustery showers to all areas overnight and during the day. These were accompanied by thundery activity across parts of Ireland, S and Cent areas of England and East Anglia at times during the morning and afternoon. Way from the N half of Scotland, most areas had sunny spells between the showers. (Santon Downham 15.4C, Baltasound 6.5C maximum, Altnaharra -0.9C minimum, Lake Vyrnwy 21.6 mm, Leconfield 9.9 h.)

Low pressure pushed E'wards across S Scotland during the early hours of the 25th giving further falls of rain in many areas; it was a cool night across N Scotland but milder over S England in a breezy W'ly flow. There were further showery outbreaks across S Scotland, Wales, N Ireland and W areas of England during the day, with another area of more general, widespread rain moving into S Ireland and SW areas of the UK during early evening. There were sunny spells across much of England, Wales and N Scotland, but it was a cool day over the Northern Isles with snow at Lerwick in the early evening. (Teddington Bushy Park 15.8C, Lerwick 5.6C maximum, Baltasound 0.9C minimum, Lake Vyrnwy 20.8 mm, Aberdaron 7.9 h.)

Rain spread across S and Cent areas of England, Wales, S Ireland and the Channel Islands early on the 26th associated with low pressure systems located across S England during the time. During the day a cold front edged S'wards across the UK, bringing a cooler N'ly flow - and sunny spells to most areas of Scotland. There were showery falls of snow over N areas of Scotland at times during the day. (Plymouth 13.6C, Lerwick 3.5C maximum, Kinbrace -3.7C minimum, Woburn 17.6 mm, Tiree 9.6 h.)

After a cold start to the 27th across Scotland and N areas of Ireland, Wales and England, a very sunny day followed in these areas. Under high pressure the day was mostly dry with sunny spells further S although some frontal cloud and rain affected S Ireland in the evening later moving into Cornwall and Cent Ireland. Before dawn there was also a little snow across N Scotland. (Cardinham 13.4C, Lerwick 4.2C maximum, Tulloch Bridge -9.0C minimum, Lerwick 7.2 mm, Glasgow 12.0 h.)

Away from the Northern Isles and parts of Ireland, the 28th was a mainly dull day due to bands of frontal rain and showers that spread NE'wards overnight and during the day, introducing milder air from the SW. There was a widespread air frost at first across E Scotland although during the day temperatures rose above 15C in parts of Ireland. (Oak Park, Carlow 16.3C, Loch Glascarnoch 47C maximum, Kinbrace -6.6C minimum, Lerwick 22.6 mm, Casement Aerodrome 5.0 h.)

The 29th dawned mild across England, Wales and Ireland with Valentia and Finner both reporting an overnight minimum temperature of 11.3C. Further spells of rain, mostly light in E areas of the UK affected most parts of the British Isles overnight. Frontal rain affected most areas during the day as fronts spread NE'wards associated with low pressure to the W of the British Isles. It was a mild day away from the Northern Isles, with 16.4C reached at Gurteen and 16.2C at Derrylin Cornahoule. (Gurteen 16.4C, Lerwick 6.4C maximum, Aboyne 1.9C minimum, Libanus 23.6 mm, Casement Aerodrome 5.2 h.)

It was a mild night overnight into the 30th with periods of rain in all areas. Further frontal rain and showers affected England, Wales and Ireland during the day, although much of Scotland had a drier day. The showers were accompanied by thunder or hail in parts of S and E England; most areas away from the extreme S of England had sunny spells between the falls of rain. During the evening an area of heavier rain spread NE'wards across most of England, Wales and Ireland associated with Storm Mathis as it pushed NE'wards to the S or Ireland, (Santon Downham 17.8C, Baltasound 7.5C maximum, Aboyne 0.0C minimum, Capel Curig 24.0 mm, Kirkwall 7.8 h.)

By 0000 GMT on the 31st Storm Mathis was located to the N of Scilly, centre 980 mb. Heavy rain associated with the storm was widespread overnight across much of Ireland, Wales and England although falls over N England were mainly light. The stormy weather led to some traffic disruption and left more than 400 properties without power in Cornwall. By mid-morning 93 mph gusts were recorded at Gwennap Head. During the day and into the evening there were some heavy and prolonged falls of rain across some Cent and S areas of England as Mathis moved away towards the North Sea. Scotland was drier with some sunny spells in W areas but there was further frontal rainfall across Ireland. (Machrihanish 16.0C, Fair Isle 6.1C maximum, Altnaharra -1.0C minimum, Liscombe 48.2 mm, Prestwick 8.6 h.)

British Isles weather, April 2023

An area of low pressure moved slowly E'wards away from S parts of the UK on the 1st and pressure rose to the W of Ireland (1022.9 mb at Valentia at 1800 GMT). A NE'ly flow meant a cool day in N and E areas with some showers close to North Sea coasts, while a slow-moving front led to some falls over Ireland and some S parts of Wales and England during the day. It was a sunny day across N Scotland. (Cardiff Bute Park 15.1C, Balmoral 4.6C maximum, Dalwhinnie 0.0C minimum, Westonbirt 20.0 mm, Altnaharra 9.9 h.)

The 2nd dawned after a cool night in most inland areas and some light falls of rain in Northern Ireland and NE England; elsewhere any frontal falls were very slight. Under high pressure a mostly dry day followed in all areas with long sunny periods in most areas. (Plymouth 15.4C, Fylingdales 6.6C maximum, Kinbrace -0.9C minimum, Altnahinch Filters 3.0 mm, Boulmer 11.8 h.)

After a dry night, the 3rd dawned with an air frost in E Scotland and in many inland areas of England and N Wales. High pressure meant that daytime rainfall was confined to a small area of frontal activity in W Ireland. Most areas of the UK had long spells of sunshine during the day. (Kinlochewe 16.1C, Inverbervie 7.5C maximum, Topcliffe -5.2C minimum, Wiggonholt 0.4 mm, Rostherne 12.3 h.)

Into the 4th frontal rain fell over Ireland and this then affected some W areas of the British Isles during the before dying out although in the evening further frontal rain spread across Ireland. Most inland areas of England and Wales had an air frost, followed by long spells of sunshine across England away from some W areas. Elsewhere, skies were cloudier. 7 mm of rain fell at Valentia in the 12 hours ending 1800 GMT. (Northolt 15.4C, Manston 8.7C maximum, Benson -5.6C minimum, South Uist 6.2 mm, Manston 12.6 h.)

There was a little air frost into the 5th in some E areas of England, before bands of frontal rain over W areas spread E'wards across the British Isles during the day. It was a generally cloudy day away from East Anglia and SE England at first, and turned very mild over parts of N Scotland for a while. (Lossiemouth 17.0C, Lerwick 7.2C maximum, Santon Downham -2.6C minimum, Dundrennan 36.6 mm, Manston 9.4 h.)

Cloudy skies meant a mild night into the 6th, with showers following the frontal rain that soon cleared away to the E of the UK. These showers were heavy in places during the day and were accompanied by thunder and large hail (1 cm diameter in Maidenhead) in some areas of the Midlands and S England. It was mild in parts of S England with sunny spells in most areas away from N Scotland. (Gosport Fleetlands 16.1C, Lerwick 6.2C maximum, Kinbrace 1.5C minimum, Inverbervie 16.4 mm, Tiree 11.0 h.)

High pressure led to a mostly dry day on the 7th once some early showers close to North Sea coasts had cleared. Under clear skies, many inland areas of Scotland had an air frost, as did parts of Northern Ireland, Wales and Cent England. Away from Shetland, and from some E coast areas of the UK, it was a very sunny day and also mild in inland areas. (Wiggonholt 16.4C, Fylingdales 7.9C maximum, Kinbrace -4.2C minimum, Wainfleet 3.0 mm, Edinburgh Gogarbank 12.6 h.)

The 8th dawned with mist and fog in many parts of England, with an air frost in many parts of England and Cent Scotland. Under high pressure most places had sunny spells, although there were some cloudy spells in places. It was quite a mild day in parts of Scotland. (Kinlochewe 17.3C, Inverbervie 7.8C maximum, South Newington -2.9C minimum, Braemar 1.0 mm, Brize Norton 11.2 h.)

During the 9th fronts brought bands of rain from the W across Ireland, Wales and W areas of England and Scotland as the day developed. There was a slight air frost in some E and N areas of Scotland, and many areas of England had a misty start. Once the mist cleared it was a mild day in many parts of S England although the best of the sunshine was in E area ahead of the frontal cloud. (St James Park 17.1C, Craibstone No.2 6.4C maximum, Altnaharra -0.7C minimum, South Uist 7.8 mm, Manston 10.4 h.)

Low pressure to the W pushed a series of fronts and troughs across the British Isles from the W during the 10th, bringing spells of rain and showers to most areas overnight and during the day. The showers were thundery in many areas of Ireland, Wales and England at times but interspersed with spells of sunshine in most areas. (Teddington Bushy Park 16.6C, Harris Quidnish 8.5C maximum, Banagher Caugh Hill 4.4C minimum, Achnagart 35.6 mm, Prestwick 9.8 h.)

Many N areas had some showery falls overnight into the 11th while during the day low pressure centres over, and close to, Ireland, brought widespread rain to Ireland, Wales, England and S Scotland. Some of the falls were heavy and the best of the sunshine was to be found over Scotland, or in E areas of England ahead of the advancing rain. (Hull East Park 15.1C, Killylane 6.9C maximum, Drumnadrochit -1.8C minimum, Libanus 32.6 mm, Lerwick 9.2 h.)

A deep area of low pressure moved across Ireland and into N England on the 12th. Overnight there were light falls of snow in parts of Cumbria and S Scotland, with light falls reported in parts of W Ireland, NW Scotland and N Wales during the day. A house in West Alvington, Devon was hit by lightning as Storm Noa brought winds of more than 60 mph to Devon and Cornwall. Coastal areas were worst hit by the storm. Trees were also felled in some areas. At 14:00 BST, the National Grid said 268 properties in Devon were without power. More than 700 homes were also reportedly without power in the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall. There was heavy rain during the day in many places to the S of the depression (centre 978 mb close to the Isle of Man at 1200 GMT) while the sunniest areas were to be found in E areas of the UK, ahead of the storm. The rain turned thundery across S areas of Wales and England during the afternoon and evening. (Santon Downham 12.6C, Loch Glascarnoch 5.0C maximum, Lake Vyrnwy 0.1C minimum, Tyndrum 35.4 mm, Leuchars 7.8 h.)

Overnight into the 13th sleet was reported falling at Altnaharra at 0300 GMT. Rain cleared much of England E'wards but lingered across Scotland; the clearance led to a cool night in many areas. There were scattered showers during the day in many areas although much of Ireland, Wales and Cent and S areas of England had long spells of sunshine. There were some sferics across parts of Cent S and SE England in the afternoon showers. (Santon Downham 14.9C, Braemar 6.3C maximum, Chillingham Barns -0.9C minimum, Balmoral 19.6 mm, Valley 11.8 h.)

The 14th saw a shallow depression moving E'wards along the English Channel. It was cool in places overnight with an air frost in parts of Ireland, S Scotland and N England. Bands of rain across Scotland were followed by showers, while a more general area of rain spread NE'wards across much of Wales and England during the day. The best of the sunshine was across Ireland and in Scotland, although there were some sferics in SE Scotland and in parts of NE England in the afternoon. (Killowen 15.7C, Bingley 6,1C maximum, Katesbridge -4.0C minimum, Tyndrum 22.8 mm, Shannon Airport 12.7 h.)

An area of rain affected East Anglia and SE England at first on the 15th; elsewhere there were largely clear skies overnight and an air frost in places. The day was largely dry until some frontal rain pushed across Ireland from the W in the evening, although there were a few sferics in E England in the afternoon. Away from any rain it was a widely sunny day. (Cavendish 16.3C, Inverbervie 9.0C maximum, Kinbrace -3.9C minimum, Shoeburyness 13.6 mm, Kirkwall 13.0 h.)

High pressure dominated the weather on the 16th although some weak frontal affected Ireland, Wales and W Scotland at first before it started to weaken in intensity. It was a warm day in many parts of Ireland although across much of the UK it was a rather cloudy day. (Shannon Airport 20.0C, Lerwick 8.7C maximum, Charsfield 1.0C minimum, Port Ellen 8.4 mm, Shannon Airport 10.6 h.)

High pressure persisted throughout the 17th giving an E'ly to S'ly flow across the UK, although a weak front led to some light overnight falls of rain mainly from SW Scotland to the London area. Cloudy skies meant a mainly mild night minimum temperatures in W Ireland widely remained above 11C. N Scotland, Cornwall and E England had a most sunny day and it turned very warm in mainland areas of N Scotland. (Kinlochewe 21.2C, Inverbervie 8.4C maximum, Tain Range 4.3C minimum, Monks Wood 1.8 mm, Camborne 10.1 h.)

High pressure drew an E'ly flow off the North Sea on the 18th. The day was mostly dry, and turned quite warm in W Ireland and N Scotland. North Sea coastal areas were quite cool, despite there being widespread sunshine across the British Isles. (Kinlochewe 20.9C, Edinburgh Botanic Gardens 9.5C maximum, Shap -0.8C minimum, Glasgow 0.8 mm, Prestwick 13.4 h.)

The weather on the 19th was largely a repeat of that of the previous day, although a W'ward-moving trough led to some rainfall in parts of SW England. It was a very sunny day across Scotland Lerwick reported MSL pressure of 1040.4 mb at 0000 GMT and warm by day in some inland areas away from the E coast. (Achnagart 18.3C, Loftus 10.3C maximum, Braemar -4.6C minimum, Okehampton 2.8 mm, Kinloss 13.9 h.)

High pressure (1037 mb on Shetland at 0000 GMT) on the 20th led to a slight air frost in parts of Scotland and N England. It was misty in places across England and dawn, with any overnight rain being confined mostly to SW Ireland. During the day some frontal rain spread slowly into East Anglia later reaching the Midlands and Cent S England. Away from East Anglia it was a very sunny day with totals widely above 12 h. (Achnagart 18.8C, Cromer 9.8C maximum, Braemar -4.3C minimum, South Farnborough 2.8 mm, Tiree 14.1 h.)

Into the 21st there was some rain across the Midlands, East Anglia and Cent S England and this pushed into many other areas of England and Wales by the evening. Under clearer skies there was a widespread inland air frost in N and Cent Scotland, and a mild day followed here. There was prolonged sunshine across Scotland and Northern Ireland, but it was cloudier elsewhere. (Achnagart 19.4C, Libanus 7.8C maximum, Kinbrace -5.5C minimum, Sutton Bonington 12.4 mm, Stornoway 14.0 h.)

There was rain overnight into the 22nd over N England, and also in parts of Ireland and Wales; falls were mostly light. There was an air frost under clearer skies in S Wales, the S Midlands, N and Cent Scotland and in parts of S England. During the day frontal cloud spread NE'wards, initially into Cornwall, and there were widespread falls of rain across Ireland, Wales, SW England and N England. It was a cloudy day in most areas, except in parts of SW Scotland. (Tyndrum 17.3C, Killylane 6.5C maximum, Braemar -5.6C minimum, Culdrose 24.0 mm, Tiree 13.8 h.)

Rain spread E'wards early on the 23rd into most parts of England and Wales (except for N England) with further showery falls across many parts of England, Wales and Ireland during the day. Showery falls also affected Scotland in a developing N'ly flow here, with some sleet and snow falling in parts of N Scotland in the evening. It was a rather cloudy day in most areas. (Weybourne 17.0C, Fair Isle 5.6C maximum, Bridgefoot 0.2C minimum, Shoreham 16.0 mm, Aberdaron 7.1 h.)

There were further showery falls of snow across N Scotland at times during the 24th. Across S England there were some falls of heavy rain in places during the day, accompanied by thunder in some areas. Many areas were rather cloudy, except in parts of SW Scotland; NE England and E Scotland were affected by showers arriving off the North Sea in a N'ly flow. (Hurn 14.8C, Braemar 5.0C maximum, Bridgefoot -0.2C minimum, East Malling 30.0 mm, Tiree 12.5 h.)

The 25th dawned mostly dry, but following a widespread air frost as far S as S Ireland and the S Midlands. There were a few showers during the day across N Scotland and these were wintry at frost in places. The best of the sunshine was across S and W areas of the UK, while parts of SW Ireland and Cornwall had some light rain in the evening. (Gosport Fleetlands 13.8C, Fair Isle 5.6C maximum, Tulloch Bridge -7.4C minimum, Bridlington 3.0 mm, East Malling 14.3 h.)

The 26th dawned dry, apart for a few light falls in parts of W Ireland, SW Cornwall and the Channel Islands. Elsewhere, it was a rather cloudy and an air frost was mainly confined to inland areas of Scotland with a slight frost in parts of N England and East Anglia. During the day showers were mostly confined to N and NE Scotland (where some falls were wintry at first) and W Ireland. S areas of Ireland and England remained dull, with varying sunshine amounts elsewhere. (Gogerddan 15.9C, Lerwick 5.7C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch -7.4C minimum, Lerwick 2.6 mm, Kinloss 12.1 h.)

There was a misty start to the 27th in many areas, with some early rain and showers across N Scotland, SW England and the Channel Islands. Parts of N Scotland had an air frost, but it was a mild night in S Ireland, W Wales and SW England. It was a widely cloudy day across the British Isles, the exceptions being the Northern Isles and parts of E England. Bands of rain affected many areas at times, notably N Scotland and S England where falls were heavy and prolonged. (Herstmonceux 15.8C, Loch Glascarnoch 5.6C maximum, Kinbrace -3.9C minimum, Isles of Scilly 31.0 mm, Lerwick 11.6 h.)

It was a mild night into the 28th in S England with falls of rain in many parts of the British Isles overnight. The day was largely dry except in parts of Scotland, N England and N Ireland. It was a cloudy day in many areas, especially across Scotland (where it was cold in the N with a few snow showers) but it was a mild day in S England and the Midlands. (Pershore 19.6C, Lerwick 6.9C maximum, Kinbrace 3.5C minimum, Lerwick 14.8 mm, Shobdon 7.5 h.)

It was cold into the 29th across N Scotland, with some air frost on the mainland here but it was a mild night in the SW corner of Ireland with Valentia reporting an overnight minimum temperature of 12.1C. There were a few showers across Scotland and Ireland which extended E'wards into parts of Wales and England during the day. Fronts brought more general rain into SW England and S Ireland later, while parts of N and E Ireland and NW England had thundery showers in the late afternoon and evening. East Anglia and adjacent counties had a sunny day and it was a warm day many parts of England, away from the coasts and the N. (Pershore College 20.2C, Inverbervie 5.4C maximum, Kinbrace -5.4C minimum, Derrylin Cornahoule 13.8 mm, Wattisham 13.0 h.)

The 30th brought bands of rain and showers that crossed the British Isles from the W overnight and during the day, although much of East Anglia and SE England remained dry until the late evening and falls were slight here also. The showers were thundery in E Ireland in the afternoon and early evening. It was a cool day across the Northern Isles but mild in E areas of Ireland; it was also a rather cloudy day in many areas away from E England. (Killowen 19.0C, Baltasound 5.9C maximum, Lerwick 0.4C minimum, Portglenone 31.4 mm, Wattisham 10.4 h.)

British Isles weather, May 2023

The 1st was a rather cloudy day in many areas. It was cool across N Scotland. Some light, patchy, frontal rain cleared E England early in the day and was followed by some showery outbreaks in the SE corner of England mostly in the morning. There was some light frontal rain and drizzle across Scotland during the day which weakened in the afternoon. (Cardiff Bute Park 19.7C, Baltasound 6.0C maximum, Lerwick 2.9C minimum, Tibenham Airfield 10.0 mm, Camborne 9.0 h.)

High pressure (centre 1030 mb to the E of Lincolnshire at 1200 GMT) on the 2nd led to a mainly dry day. There was a slight air frost at first over mainland areas of N Scotland while the day turned quite mild over S Wales and in areas close to the Severn Estuary. A weak front moved S'wards across E England, gradually breaking up, meaning that the best of the sunshine was across SW England and the Channel Islands as most other areas had spells of cloud. (Chivenor 19.0C, Lerwick 7.9C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch -2.2C minimum, Charsfield 2.8 mm, Jersey Airport 13.1 h.)

Weather on the 3rd was dominated by high pressure to the E of the UK, drawing cool air across E areas of Britain. It was a cool night in E areas with a touch of air frost in parts of E Scotland. Parts of W Ireland and W and N Scotland had some frontal rain during the day, which was sunny across much of England and the Channel Islands and mild across Ireland. (Porthmadog 19.6C, Fair Isle 8.5C maximum, Aboyne -0.9C minimum, Lossiemouth 6.4 mm, Waddington 12.9 h.)

Surface winds turned SE'ly on the 4th as low pressure pushed into SW areas of England during the day. There was rain across N Scotland overnight, with frontal falls pushing E'wards across Ireland, Wales and W areas of England by late evening. Ahead of the rain there was some sunshine and it was a mild day in inland areas of SE England. It was a mostly sunny day on Shetland. (Charlwood 20.9C, Fair Isle 7.3C maximum, Shap 2.7C minimum, Usk No.2 10.0 mm, Lerwick 12.3 h.)

Frontal cloud and rain spread N'wards during the 5th with showers and thundery outbreaks occurring across many areas of England and Wales during the day. It was a mild night across Wales and S and Cent areas of England and Ireland, but mostly cloudy in all places during the day. (Northolt 19.9C, Inverbervie 7.4C maximum, Drumnadrochit 2.2C minimum, Normanby Hall 29.2 mm, Casement Aerodrome 11.0 h.)

The 6th dawned cool across much of N and NE Scotland ahead of an area of rain that pushed N'wards here by dawn. Another area of rain spread into S Ireland, SW England and the Channel Islands in the early hours, before pushing NE'wards to give much of England, Wales and Ireland spells of rain heavy in places. There was little sunshine across much of England and E Scotland, with the sunniest conditions to be found in W Scotland. It turned misty in places in W England as the rain cleared here later in the day. (Kinlochewe 19.6C, Lerwick 7.2C maximum, Aviemore 1.1C minimum, Spadeadam 21.2 mm, Stornoway 9.2 h.)

The 7th began with rather cloudy skies and patchy rain and mist in many areas, associated with a shallow low over Lincolnshire (1014 mb) at 0600 GMT. It brightened up over most of England during the day, with sunny spells developing that led to a warm day over the E half of England. Frontal cloud and rain spread from the W into W Ireland during the afternoon with 14 mm falling at Valentia in the 12 hours ending 1800 GMT. It was a cool day in coastal areas of E and NE Scotland due to a SE'ly breeze. (Sheffield 21.3C, Lerwick 7.7C maximum, West Freugh 3.7C minimum, Wellesbourne 9.6 mm, Shap 10.6 h.)

After a mainly mild night into the 8th, overnight rain in Wales, Ireland and W areas of the UK spread E'wards to all areas, followed by showers These turned thunder in the late afternoon and evening in many parts of Ireland, and later in E and SW areas of Scotland. The rain was heavy in many places from Cornwall to SE Scotland. It was a rather cloudy day, with the sunniest areas being Ireland and parts of East Anglia. (Helens Bay 21.6C, Fair Isle 9.2C maximum, South Newington 5.3C minimum, Culdrose 37.8 mm, Manston 6.4 h.)

An area of E'ward moving heavy rain cleared E parts of England and Scotland by dawn on the 9th to be followed by a day with widespread heavy rain showers and thunderstorms across much of Wales and England from late morning onwards. These were interspersed with sunny spells; much of N England and W Scotland remained largely dry during the day. There was some flash flooding in parts of southern England while flooding led to a major incident being declared in Somerset, in the Galhampton, North Cadbury and South Cadbury areas; some homes had to be evacuated due to mudslides. Yeovilton in Somerset recorded 35.8 mm of rain, compared to the county's usual monthly average for May of 62.5 mm. It was a similar picture in other parts of England, with "torrential" rain in Devon causing treacherous driving conditions and damage to homes and businesses. Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire and Essex also saw heavy rain, resulting in blocked roads and delays to rail services. In Worcestershire, a primary school had to be evacuated after it was hit by lightning; pupils at Wilden All Saints School in Stourport-on-Severn were taken to a nearby village hall after the strike just after 1345 BST. In Devon, the River Otter burst its banks. There was extensive damage has been caused to a house in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire after a blaze took hold following a lightning strike in the evening. (Hull East Park 20.3C, Fair Isle 11.3C maximum, Castlederg 6.2C minimum, Usk No.2 43.0 mm, Dundrennan 11.4 h.)

Onto the 10th rain tended to clear away from E England, while further rain and showers affected Ireland and W areas of the UK. During the day these showers moved E'wards to give falls in all areas and they again turned thundery over many Cent and E areas of England and in E Scotland. It was a warm day in some E areas. (Hull East Park 20.4C, Fair Isle 8.4C maximum, Altnaharra 0.9C minimum, Leek 19.0 mm, Weybourne 9.0 h.)

On the 11th a shallow area of low pressure pushed SE'wards over the British Isles, filling slowly, and giving many areas spells of rain or showers. After a cool night in some Cent areas of Scotland, it was a mostly dry day here and in N Scotland while thundery showers again broke out over many parts of England, Wales and E Ireland. Funnel clouds were widely seen in E England, including in parts of Lincolnshire, Bedfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. (Achnagart 20.1C, Baltasound 10.1C maximum, Dalwhinnie -0.4C minimum, Monks Wood 31.8 mm, Boulmer 14.8 h.)

While high pressure tended to prevail on the 12th, a weak front brought some rain in a NE'ly flow to some parts of East Anglia, the E Midlands and SE England during the day. Away from the E half of England it was quite a sunny day and also warm away from any coastal areas exposed to the NE wind. (Cardiff Bute Park 20.4C, Fylingdales 8.0C maximum, Shap 1.9C minimum, Wattisham 4.0 mm, Aberdaron 14.4 h.)

High pressure (1031 mb near Berwick-upon-Tweed at 0600 GMT) on the 13th led to a dry day across the British Isles, although there was some early mist in parts of England and Wales, and early fog across areas of Ireland and in S and E areas of Scotland. Onshore winds led to a cloudy day in East Anglia and in parts of E and SE England with the sunniest and warmer locations being in W areas of the British Isles. In the evening, around 60 people were left stranded overnight on the Isle of Arran after the last ferry was cancelled by thick fog. (Chivenor 21.5C, Inverbervie 9.0C maximum, Kinbrace 1.7C minimum, St Catherines Point 0.2 mm, Morecambe 13.9 h.)

Mist and fog were widespread by dawn on the 14th across England and Wales. Rain across Ireland and W Scotland at this time marked a cold front, that gradually spread SE'wards to affect all but parts of East Anglia and SE England by midnight. Ahead of the rain it was a warm day in E and Cent areas of England although in W Ireland maximum temperatures were closer to 13C. (Kew Gardens 21.6C, Fair Isle 10.3C maximum, Redesdale Camp 1.2C minimum, Achnagart 13.0 mm, Tiree 9.7 h.)

High pressure led to another mostly dry day on the 15th once overnight frontal rain cleared away from the SE corner of England. In the cold air behind the front there was a widespread ground frost in many areas of Ireland and Scotland and a sunny day followed in parts of the UK after the frontal cloud cleared. A few showers occurred close to the North Sea coasts of the UK in a NE'ly flow. (Cardiff Bute Park 18.1C, Fair Isle 10.7C maximum, Kinbrace -0.6C minimum, Achnagart 8.2 mm, Lerwick 13.7 h.)

Away from Scotland and N England, the 16th was a generally dry day as high pressure persisted. After a mild night across N Scotland, fronts brought cooler air here from the N. The best of any warmth was across S and Cent areas of the UK and Ireland (after an early ground frost in many places here), where it was also a sunny day. (Usk No.2 19.5C, Baltasound 6.8C maximum, Katesbridge -0.7C minimum, Kinlochewe 5.4 mm, Camborne 13.9 h.)

High pressure (centre 1031 mb just S of Ireland at 1200 GMT) dominated the weather on the 17th. There was a little rainfall down the NE coast of England overnight, and in N areas of Scotland during the day. In most areas it was a rather cloudy day, the best of the sunshine to be found in parts of W Wales and SW England. (Bainbridge 19.8C, Lerwick 9.1C maximum, Sennybridge 2.2C minimum, Harris Quidnish 12.4 mm, Camborne 12.3 h.)

Away from the SE corner of England, the 18th dawned after a rather cloudy night. There was some patchy overnight rain across Scotland, with heavier frontal falls over the Northern Isles. During the day an advancing cold front brought some rain from the W into Ireland and W Scotland the best of the sunshine being in East Anglia, SE England and the Channel Islands as a result. It was a warm day in Cent areas of England, but temperatures failed to reach 15C in W Ireland to the rear of the front. (Shobdon 21.3C, Fair Isle 11.1C maximum, Cavendish 3.1C minimum, Kirkwall 6.8 mm, Manston 14.1 h.)

The cold front made only slow progress E'wards on the 19th due to prevailing high pressure. There was some rain overnight in Ireland, S and E Scotland and N England, while during the day the front help to trigger some heavy showery falls in parts of England. It was a rather cloudy day at times in most areas and rather cool close to the North Sea. (Pershore 20.1C, Fair Isle 12.4C maximum, Sennybridge 1.1C minimum, Isle of Portland 26.4 mm, Manston 12.5 h.)

Clear skies into the 20th led to widespread mist and fog patches at first over many parts of England, while across Ireland cloudy skies kept minimum temperatures widely above 11C. There was some light rain across Ireland, W and N Scotland overnight and this frontal rain made little progress E'wards during the day. It was a sunny day across most of England, but rather cloudy over the N half of Scotland. (Porthmadog 21.5C, Fair Isle 9.9C maximum, Ravensworth 1.7C minimum, Magilligan 14.2 mm, Leconfield 14.7 h.)

Despite continuing high pressure, a decaying front led to widespread falls of rain across Scotland and Ireland into the 21st, although these falls tended to diminish during the day. It turned sunny across parts of W Scotland and the Northern Isles during the day and was also sunny across much of England, except where low cloud drifted inland from the North Sea. It was a warm day in parts of Wales and Cent England. (Porthmadog 23.3C, Inverbervie 10.3C maximum, Sennybridge 1.3C minimum, Aviemore 11.0 mm, Leconfield 15.1 h.)

The 22nd was a mostly dry day due to high pressure, although there were some spells of frontal rain across Scotland and Ireland overnight, and across N parts of Scotland during the day. Wales, W England and SW Scotland had a sunny day but E areas of the UK had a rather cloudy day. (Cardiff Bute Park 23.4C, Fair Isle 11.7C maximum, Ravensworth 0.2C minimum, Drumalbin 2.8 mm, Shobdon 13.6 h.)

High pressure was centred to the SW of Ireland on the 23rd, which was a mostly dry day until later in the day when some frontal rain affected the Western Isles. Away from East Anglia, Kent and the Channel Islands there were spells of cloud during the day at times. (Bainbridge 21.5C, Fair Isle 11.0C maximum, Swyddffynnon 1.8C minimum, Baltasound 0.6 mm, Manston 12.5 h.)

The 24th saw high pressure continuing to prevail (1032 mb in SW Ireland at 1200 GMT) although there was some frontal cloud, and a little rain at times, over N Ireland N and W Scotland. It was a sunny day with little cloud across E Scotland, England, Wales and the extreme S of Ireland. Inland areas of S England and SE Wales were quite warm. (Usk No.2 23.3C, Lerwick 11.8C maximum, Aboyne -0.4C minimum, Cassley 0.6 mm, Wittering 15.3 h.)

High pressure led to another dry day on the 25th except across some N areas of the Northern Isles. Parts of N and E Scotland had an early ground frost, while it was warm in parts of S England, the SW Midlands and SE Wales, and in S Ireland. There was some cloud in areas of E England but many parts of the UK had a sunny day. (Usk No.2 23.2C, Fair Isle 10.9C maximum, Braemar -0.6C minimum, Baltasound 1.4 mm, Prestwick 15.2 h.)

At 0600 GMT on the 26th MSL pressure was around 1035.2 mb in coastal parts of W Ireland and the day was widely dry as a result. There was a slight ground frost in N and E Scotland under clear skies, and also as far S as the S Midlands. England, Wales, S Ireland and SW Scotland generally had a sunny day with widely in excess of 14 h of bright sunshine in these areas. Away from coasts and any onshore flow from the E, it was a warm day in these sunny areas. (Bainbridge 22.6C, Fair Isle 11.5C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch -1.0C minimum, Harris Quidnish 0.6 mm, Prestwick 15.2 h.)

Although pressure remained high on the 27th cold fronts spread some rain SE'wards during the day across W and N areas of Scotland and N Ireland, although falls were slight. After early ground frost across cent and E areas of England, it was a warm day in some Cent areas of England, where it was also a sunny day. (Bramham 24.3C, Fair Isle 11.1C maximum, South Newington 0.2C minimum, Lerwick 3.2 mm, Shawbury 14.9 h.)

A cold front spread cloud, but no rain, S'wards across England on the 28th with the best of the sunshine -along with the highest temperatures during the day - being confined to S England as a result. There was some rain across N Scotland overnight. (Plymouth 24.4C, Fair Isle 11.0C maximum, Braemar 0.2C minimum, Fair Isle 0.4 mm, Hurn 14.1 h.)

High pressure on the 29th led to another widely dry day, after a cool start across many Cent areas of Scotland. There were long spells of unbroken sunshine in many areas of the British Isles, although a NE'ly flow brought cloud onshore in E areas of England and reduced the sunshine duration here. (Tyndrum 22.8C, Lerwick 10.9C maximum, Kinbrace -1.1C minimum, Keswick trace, Glasgow 15.3 h.)

At 0600 GMT on the 30th MSL pressure was about 1035 mb to the E of Edinburgh. Clear skies led to a ground frost in many parts of Scotland and N England, although S Scotland, Ireland and W Wales then had a sunny, warm day. Many parts of E England, however, lay under a cloudy NE'ly flow for much of the day, with some light rain and drizzle in East Anglia in the evening. (Porthmadog 25.1C, Fair Isle 10.3C maximum, Aboyne 0.7C minimum, Kirkwall 0.2 mm, Tiree 16.3 h.)

The 31st saw a continuation of the mostly dry, high pressure conditions. Clouds brought onshore in a NE'ly flow led to a rather cloudy day in many E areas of the UK, with the best of the sunshine to be found across Ireland and in some W extremes of the UK. It was a cool day in E areas where any cloud persisted longest, but it was warm across Ireland. Precipitation, light in amount, was mostly confined to areas in and adjacent to East Anglia. (Tyndrum 24.8C, Lerwick 10.9C maximum, Altnahinch Filters 2.2C minimum, South Newington 2.0 mm, Morecambe 15.4 h.)

British Isles weather, June 2023

High pressure centred to the W of the British Isles on the 1st drew a flow from the NE quadrant across all areas. Weak fronts gave a few falls of light rain across some E areas of Scotland and NE England. Further S, it remained rather cloudy in many E areas of the UK after cloud thickened here overnight from the North Sea, although parts of Wales and SW England, along with much of Ireland, had near-unbroken sunshine during the day. The warmest conditions in the afternoon were to be found across Ireland as a result. (Shannon Airport 25.3C, Fair Isle 10.2C maximum, Braemar 1.8C minimum, Scarborough 0.6 mm, Cork Airport 15.3 h.)

Much of the UK dawned under cloudy skies on the 2nd but this tended to clear away towards the E as the day developed. A few places in N and E Scotland had an early air frost under clearer skies. Parts of East Anglia remained rather cloudy while much of Ireland, and some parts of S and E Scotland, had a very sunny day although few places reached 20C in the afternoon. (Porthmadog 24.2C, Fair Isle 10.9C maximum, Kinbrace -2.6C minimum, Merryfield trace, Kinloss 16.0 h.)

The E'ly/NE'ly flow continued on the 3rd. Patchy cloud at dawn in some places soon gave way to long spells of sunshine across the British Isles, except in parts of N Scotland. Away from the E coast of the UK it was a warm day with 20C being widely reached after an early ground frost in some sheltered areas as far S as Berkshire. (Shannon Airport 24.0C, Fair Isle 11.1C maximum, Redesdale Camp -0.5C minimum, Ballypatrick Forest 0.2 mm, Morecambe 16.0 h.)

Continuing high pressure on the 4th led to a widely sunny day from S Scotland S'wards. N Scotland, and a few areas along the North Sea coast in the UK, were rather cloudy for much of the day and this cloud led to a few spots of rain or drizzle in some areas. Towards the W, and away from coastal areas, it was a warm day especially over Ireland. (Shannon Airport 25.1C, Fair Isle 10.8C maximum, Ravensworth 0.9C minimum, Tibenham Airfield 0.2 mm, Eskdalemuir 15.5 h.)

The 5th was a sunny day across Ireland, SW Scotland and western-most areas of England and Wales, once any early cloud had cleared away. Further E, the E'ly flow led to a cloudy day particularly in East Anglia and there were few spots of rain in places. It was a warm day in inland areas of Ireland. (Shannon Airport 25.7C, Inverbervie 10.4C maximum, Redesdale Camp 2.8C minimum, Lerwick 0.4 mm, Morecambe 16.0 h.)

The 6th was a rather cloudy day in most areas, except in SW Ireland, W Wales and SW England after overnight cloud became widespread across much of the UK. By 1800 GMT one centre of the high pressure area over the UK was located off NE Scotland (1028 mb). The cloud kept daytime temperatures lower than in recent days and gave some spots of rain in places; few places reached 20C and maximum values were closer to 12C in many E coast areas of Scotland and England. (Shannon Airport 24.8C, Fylingdales 11.1C maximum, Bala 3.5C minimum, Fylingdales 0.2 mm, Cork Airport 15.2 h.)

Winds were light across N areas on the 7th but from the E in S areas. By dawn cloud had spread W'wards across most of the UK; Ireland was clearer but there was widespread mist here. S Ireland and SW England had prolonged sunshine during the day, but further N and E it took a while for the early low cloud to burn away. (Bude 24.9C, Brizlee Wood 11.9C maximum, Katesbridge 1.8C minimum, Pershore 0.2 mm, Hurn 14.5 h.)

As the 8th developed, an area of low pressure to the W of Biscay pushed frontal rain into SW areas of the British Isles affecting parts of S Cornwall by midnight. Clear sies led to an early ground frost in E Scotland any early cloud tended to clear soon except in W Ireland, N Scotland (where there were a few spots of frontal rain) and along some North Sea coastal areas of the UK; a sunny day resulted in many areas although it remained sunless in some E coast areas. It was a warm day in S and Cent England and Wales but maximum temperatures remained below 14C in some North Sea resorts of England. (Hurn 25.4C, Baltasound 10.5C maximum, Aboyne -0.2C minimum, Achnagart 0.2 mm, Valley 14.9 h.)

The 9th saw frontal rain affect the Channel Islands and parts of SW England and S Ireland at times. Clear skies overnight led to some ground frost in parts of N and NE Scotland while clear skies during the day led to very sunny conditions in many areas of the UK and E Ireland. Places on the coast from Norfolk to SE Scotland had a dull day due to cloud blowing onshore while it was a warm day in many parts of Wales and in W and S England, away from the coasts and the SW. (Porthmadog 29.7C, Fair Isle 11.1C maximum, Altnaharra -0.1C minimum, Isles of Scilly 4.8 mm, Tiree 16.3 h.)

The 10th was a hot day over much of inland England and Wales, away from the SW and S Wales after a warm night across S England and S Wales. During the afternoon and evening a line of thunderstorms spread NW'wards from the S Midlands into NE Wales, NW England and W Scotland, giving heavy falls in places. It was a sunny day in E areas of England while there were some showery outbreaks across Ireland. (Chertsey Abbey Mead 32.2C, Fair Isle 12.6C maximum, Aboyne 1.4C minimum, Crosby 16.0 mm, Manston 15.0 h.)

There were some thundery outbreaks in the first couple of hours of the 11th over NW Scotland, while more widespread outbreaks occurred in the afternoon and evening moving from the London area, to the Midlands, N England and S Scotland. Falls of were again heavy in places. It was a hit day in these thundery areas, but a generally cloudy day away from E areas of England. There were outbreaks of rain and showers in parts of N Scotland and Ireland. (Kew Gardens 32.0C, Fair Isle 13.4C maximum, Redesdale Camp 7.8C minimum, Church Lawford 34.0 mm, Weybourne 14.3 h.)

There were widespread thunderstorms across England, Wales and W Scotland on the 12th, from late morning onwards. These followed a warm night from S Scotland, southwards, with minimum temperatures widely above 15C in many areas of inland England. It was a warm/hit day in inland areas of England and S Scotland although rather cloudy in many areas due to a slack pressure gradient and some troughs and fronts. Flash flooding and lightning strikes caused severe disruption across Greater Manchester and Lancashire. Torrential rain at Manchester Piccadilly created significant delays for rail passengers in the evening while roads were flooded in Salford and Manchester Airport saw planes diverted. Manchester City's victory parade was also delayed due to the intense storm. In Lancashire, there was a house fire in Lytham St Annes following a lightning strike, while drivers in the Eccles area of Salford got stuck as their cars became submerged during flash flooding. Elsewhere, cars could be seen ploughing through deep puddles after flash flooding in north-west London. EasyJet said some flights leaving Gatwick Airport had been disrupted after thunderstorms "caused air traffic control delays". Drumnadrochit, on the western shore of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands, saw 32 mm in one hour, followed by another 10.6 mm in the following hour. Heavy rain caused flood-flashing in the centre of Stroud, Gloucestershire and some flight cancellations were also reported at London Heathrow. (Rostherne 31.3C, Aberporth 16.0C maximum, Braemar 6.3C minimum, Drumnadrochit 51.0 mm, Tiree 15.6 h.)

It was a warm night across Ireland, N Wales and NW England into the 13th, with some thundery outbreaks close to the Irish Sea before dawn. During the afternoon and evening there were further outbreaks across Ireland and W Scotland. England, Wales and E and S Scotland had a widely sunny day and it was warm here (away from SW England) and in E Ireland. (Porthmadog 30.8C, Baltasound 14.2C maximum, Santon Downham 7.7C minimum, Derrylin Cornahoule 8.8 mm, Wittering 16.1 h.)

High pressure to the N of the UK fed an E'ly flow across most areas on the 14th. After a warm night across Ireland and some W parts of the UK, the day was very warm everywhere. Early afternoon brought some thundery outbreaks across N Scotland for a while, with more prolonged storms over W areas of Ireland in the afternoon and evening. Daily sunshine totals in excess of 14 h where widespread across many areas of the British Isles, away from W Ireland and areas of SW England. (Wiggonholt 29.8C, Fair Isle 15.8C maximum, Ravensworth 4.3C minimum, Altnaharra 27.4 mm, Boulmer 16.4 h.)

Continuing high pressure led to a mostly dry day on the 15th although there were some thundery outbreaks across N Wales in the afternoon, and over parts of Ireland in the afternoon and early evening. Mullingar reported 4 mm of rain in the period 0600-1800 GMT. It was warm overnight in S Ireland and SW England, with another warm day everywhere away from the coasts. Many places again had over 14 h of bright sunshine. (Usk No.2 28.8C, Weybourne 18.0C maximum, Aboyne 2.3C minimum, Swyddffynnon 1.2 mm, Kinloss 16.8 h.)

Weak fronts pushed slowly E'wards across Ireland later on the 16th. After a mostly dry night, which was also warm in parts of Ireland and some W areas of the UK, a warm day followed over most inland areas of England, Wales and S Scotland. Sferics were observed over parts of W Ireland at times during the day, and in areas of SW and W Scotland during late afternoon and early evening. Away from Ireland and W areas of England and Wales, it was a widely sunny day. (Wiggonholt 28.3C, Baltasound 13.7C maximum, Braemar 3.0C minimum, Tyndrum 29.8 mm, Kinloss 16.7 h.)

Weak fronts affected many areas of the British Isles from the W on the 17th, leading to a rather cloudy day in many areas. Sferics affected many areas of Ireland at times during the day, from pre-dawn onwards. Later in the afternoon and evening there were also reports of thundery activity in parts of Wales, NW Midlands, W Scotland and SE England. Temperatures of 25C were generally confined to parts of Cent S England and the London area. (Northolt 27.3C, Fair Isle 12.7C maximum, Aboyne 5.0C minimum, Thomastown 17.0 mm, Dyce 12.6 h.)

Before dawn on the 18th thunderstorms moved N'wards affecting N Wales, the Midlands and N England, and parts of SE England and East Anglia. A couple and their seven pets were helped to safety by neighbours after a lightning strike set fire to the roof of their house in Corringham, Essex, at about 0245 GMT. Across S Wales and S England minimum temperatures remained above 15C in many places while the was some early rain in parts of S Ireland. During the day temperatures rose above 25C in parts of East Anglia and SE England. In the afternoon thunderstorms were widespread in the W half of Ireland, and across Wales and Cent areas of England the latter moving N'wards into N England and S Scotland by early evening. Parts of South Yorkshire saw flooding and at Rotherham Hospital parts of the A&E department were flooded. (Wisley 28.3C, Fair Isle 13.2C maximum, Braemar 4.7C minimum, Sutton Bonington 36.0 mm, Wittering 14.4 h.)

A shallow low pressure centre was located over the Western Isles at 1200 GMT on the 19th, with associated fronts leading to widespread, and in places heavy, falls of rain across Scotland, N England and N Ireland. The rain turned showery later, and from early afternoon onwards there were sferics across parts of Ireland, NW England and S Scotland. It was a rather cloudy day across N and Cent Scotland, and elsewhere variable amounts of cloud led to a cooler day than of late. (Santon Downham 26.0C, Baltasound 13.9C maximum, South Newington 9.7C minimum, Strathallan 32.0 mm, Manston 14.6 h.)

Thunderstorms over the Channel Islands shortly after midnight on the 20th moved NE'wards across Cent S and SE England, the SE Midlands and East Anglia dying out by around midday. There were also thunderstorms across areas of Ireland W Scotland at many times during the day, with some outbreaks in parts of England at times. A funnel cloud was also sighted in Cornwall. After a warm night in S England and East Anglia it was a rather cloudy day in most areas with daytime maximum temperatures reaching 25C in parts of NE Scotland and East Anglia. (Santon Downham 26.2C, Fair Isle 15.9C maximum, Redesdale Camp 6.5C minimum, Cardinham 52.8 mm, Stornoway 12.1 h.)

The 21st was a sunny day across much of England, Wales and Ireland, but rather cloudy over Scotland. Frontal rain affected Ireland and parts of Scotland and this turned heavy and thundery in parts of NE Scotland. It was a warm night across parts of S England, with 25C being reached in East Anglia during the day. (Santon Downham 26.8C, Fair Isle 14.0C maximum, Braemar 7.4C minimum, Wick Airport 58.4 mm, Leeming 13.5 h.)

The 22nd was mostly dry at first, except in parts of S Ireland and SW England, and mostly dry and sunny during the day. Many parts of England reached 25C during the day and the heat and sunny conditions triggered a few showers and thunderstorms across parts of England later in the day. Heavy rain caused flooding and made some roads difficult to pass in Bedford; a sudden downpour there at about 1700 GMT meant the drains were unable to cope with the deluge and roads quickly filled with water. Dara Ó Briain's comedy show got cancelled at the last minute due to "extensive" flooding at the Bedford Corn Exchange theatre. (Heathrow 29.0C, Fair Isle 14.1C maximum, Tulloch Bridge 3.8C minimum, Cardington 18.8 mm, Prestwick 15.8 h.)

It was a warm night into the 23rd across much of England, Wales and Ireland with minimum temperatures widely above 15C across Ireland. Frontal rain was widespread across Ireland 13 mm fell in the 12 hours ending 0600 GMT at Valentia. During the day there were further falls across Ireland, and also in Wales, NW England and W Scotland. In East Anglia and London, along with adjacent counties, maximum temperatures widely reached 25C; it was also a sunny day in these areas, and in Cent S England, but was cooler and duller in W areas of the UK and across Ireland, (Wisley 28.1C, Fair Isle 15.4C maximum, Altnaharra 3.8C minimum, Port Ellen 20.0 mm, Hurn 14.5 h.)

It was a warm night everywhere into the 24th with temperatures not falling below 15C in most places from Cent Scotland S'wards and remaining above 17C in many locations. There was some overnight rain across Ireland, Scotland and N England but the day was largely dry with a S'ly airflow. In the evening some thundery activity affected NW Ireland and the Western Isles; it was generally a cloudy day, except in areas close to the English Channel, and a rather humid day with daytime temperatures reaching 27C in many parts of E and Cent England, away from the coasts. (Heathrow 29.2C, Lerwick 15.5C maximum, Cavendish 11.5C minimum, Dunstaffnage 15.4 mm, Jersey Airport 15.0 h.)

By the end of the 25th a cold front had spread cooler conditions from the W across most of the British Isles, after a hot day in E areas of England. The front brought rain across most of Ireland by dawn and this then spread across to N Wales, parts of N England and much of Scotland. SE areas of the UK remained largely dry apart from some isolated spots of rain. The main rain area across N areas and Ireland was accompanied by widespread thunderstorms that pushed NE'wards. After a warm night in many areas minimum temperatures as high as 18C as far N as N Scotland sunshine across the SE corner of England resulted in 30C being reached in many areas here. (Coningsby 32.2C, Fair Isle 15.3C maximum, South Newington 10.3C minimum, Fylingdales 29.2 mm, Manston 15.2 h.)

A weak ridge of high pressure dominated the weather on the 26th. There was some rain across Scotland before dawn, especially over the Northern Isles, with some showers across parts of Scotland and Ireland at times during the day. Most places across the British Isles had some sunny spells, despite the variable amounts of cloud. There were a few sferics over parts of E Scotland during the afternoon. (Cavendish 24.2C, Baltasound 14.5C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch 4.4C minimum, Baltasound 20.6 mm, Leuchars 13.1 h.)

The 27th saw a warm front crossing the British Isles from the W, although by midnight the trailing cold front had cleared N Ireland and N and W Scotland. Overnight, rain spread across Ireland and into N Wales, N England and W and S areas of Scotland. Subsequent falls affected places from the Midlands northwards, with S England and East Anglia remaining largely dry. It was a generally cloudy day with the best of the sunshine being on the Northern Isles and Channel Islands. (East Malling 24.5C, Inverbervie 14.8C maximum, Aboyne 6.5C minimum, Gt Cumbrae Millport 21.2 mm, Lerwick 8.5 h.)

The effects of a warm sector led to the 28th dawning after a mild night in SE Ireland, England and Wales with minimum temperatures not falling below 18C in parts of England by 0600 GMT (e.g. 18.5C at Shoeburyness). Frontal rainfall (from slow-moving cold fronts) was mostly confined to Ireland, Scotland and N England with just a few spots elsewhere. During the day these fronts slowly moved SE'wards and there was some light rain in the SE quarter of England in places in the evening. England and Wales had a generally cloudy day ahead of the fronts with the best of the sunshine being across W Scotland and Ireland. (Heathrow 26.6C, Fair Isle 14.9C maximum, Aboyne 8.7C minimum, Gogerddan 11.6 mm, Thomastown 7.3 h.)

Rain overnight into the 29th was mainly confined to the Midlands, East Anglia, Cent S and SE England, and was rather slow to clear from here during the morning. It was also a warm night here with minimum temperatures remaining above 16C in some places ahead of the cold fronts. Parts of Scotland and Ireland also had some intermittent light falls of rain before dawn. During the day here were a few showers over W Scotland, N Ireland and NW England with the sunniest spells to be found over SW England and NE England. It was a relatively cool day in W areas of the British Isles. (Wiggonholt 23.9C, Tulloch Bridge 14.7C maximum, Eskdalemuir 2.8C minimum, Marham 18.0 mm, Exeter Airport 13.8 h.)

Warm fronts pushed across Ireland into the 30th giving some falls of rain here and in Wales, with a separate front spreading rain over N Scotland. During the day the frontal rain spread slowly E'wards, although falls across E England were mostly light. Most areas had a sun-free day, although parts of East Anglia and SE England had some sunshine ahead of the frontal cloud. (Manston 21.4C, Salsburgh 13.5C maximum, South Newington 6.3C minimum, Stonyhurst 17.6 mm, Manston 6.4 h.)

British Isles weather, July 2023

The 1st dawned mild everywhere with minimum temperatures above 15C across much of E, Cent and S England. S Scotland had spells of heavy rain during the day due to a nearby depression (centre 991 mb at 1200 GMT to the SW of Shetland). N England, N Ireland and other areas of Scotland had showers once early frontal rain had cleared E England and it was a rather cloudy day away from SW areas of the British Isles. (Wisley 23.8C, Fair Isle 13.5C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch 10.6C minimum, Lerwick 33.0 mm, Camborne 10.7 h.)

There was rain across W and N Scotland overnight into the 2nd, with further showery conditions during the day over Scotland, much of Ireland and in N England. Most places were rather cloudy with the best of the sunshine to be found in E parts of Scotland. (Manston 22.3C, Kirkwall 12.5C maximum, South Newington 6.1C minimum, Achnagart 27.4 mm, Leuchars 13.9 h.)

A brisk W'ly low on the 3rd brought spells of rain and showers overnight, and during the day, across many areas of Scotland, Ireland and N England. Another area of frontal rain, heavy and prolonged in places, spread E'wards across S areas of England, Wales and into East Anglia. The best of the sunshine was to be found in parts of E England and E Scotland, and over Ireland. (Wisley 22.3C, Dalwhinnie 11.9C maximum, South Newington 6.5C minimum, Achnagart 19.2 mm, Leuchars 9.4 h.)

A surface flow from the NW or W dominated the weather on the 4th. Overnight there was some frontal rainfall across Scotland and Ireland, with lesser falls in Wales and N England these falls were slow-moving. These falls continued during the day, with some heavy falls in Northern Ireland. There was also an area of heavy frontal rain across S areas, that led to some prolonged falls in parts of the Midlands, East Anglia, S Wales and S England as it spread E'wards. The best of the sunshine was to be found around N Wales with some parts of S England having no sunshine. (Hull East Park 22.0C, Little Rissington 12.5C maximum, Fylingdales 6.8C minimum, Yeovilton 28.8 mm, Aberdaron 12.5 h.)

The rain across S England cleared East Anglia around dawn on the 5th. Overnight showers across parts of Scotland and Ireland continued during the day and there were a few scattered showers elsewhere, notably across S pars of Wales and England. The day dawned after a cool night in parts of Scotland, and most areas of the British Isles then had a mixture of cloud and sunny spells. (East Malling 22.0C, Fair Isle 13.5C maximum, Eskdalemuir 4.0C minimum, Charsfield 25.8 mm, St Athan 10.5 h.)

The 6th began with a ridge of high pressure in E areas, but during the day depression moved N'wards to the W of Ireland. There was some frontal rain across Ireland and Scotland overnight and it was a cool night in some E areas of the UK under clearing skies. During the day rain across Ireland extended into Scotland, Wales and N England but the heaviest falls remained across Ireland. It was a sunny day across Shetland and the Channel Islands, and very cloudy in the W half of the British Isles. It was also a cool day across Ireland. (Cranwell 23.4C, Killylane 13.9C maximum, Kinbrace 2.9C minimum, Lough Fea 23.8 mm, Jersey Airport 14.2 h.)

A S'ly flow on the 7th led to a warm day across much of England and Wales, except over SW areas. Fronts associated with low pressure to the W of the British Isles gave some rain overnight across Ireland, Scotland and W Wales, with further falls over Ireland and W Scotland during the day. It was a sunny day in the warm areas of England. (Chertsey Abbey Mead 30.2C, Fair Isle 14.7C maximum, Alice Holt Lodge 6.9C minimum, Tyndrum 29.0 mm, Weybourne 15.6 h.)

Before dawn on the 8th there were some thundery outbreaks across Cent S England that pushed N'wards, with further widespread outbreaks during the day that affected any parts of England (away from the SW) that spread into Scotland later in the day. These storms formed ahead of a cold front that gave some rain over Ireland overnight before slowly spreading into W areas of the UK. It was a warm day in East Anglia and in parts of N England but rather cloudy in most areas away from N and NE Scotland. Several inches of water covered parts of Alum Rock Road in Birmingham and National Highways said link roads from the M6 onto the A38M had to be closed. Flooding damage at Birmingham City's football ground has led to a jobs fair being called off. Drivers have been warned to take care as flooding affected routes in parts of Wales, closing some roads. Streets in Wrexham and Gresford were also left under water. (Tibenham Airfield 28.9C, Fair Isle 16.9C maximum, Balmoral 8.0C minimum, Winterbourne No.2 40.4 mm, Lerwick 16.1 h.)

Thundery outbreaks over N England and S Scotland died out by dawn on the 9th. There were further sferics reported over E Ireland in the morning and more widely across Ireland in the afternoon. Another areas of storms moved from SW England during the morning, across the Midlands and into NE England, where they died out in the evening. The storms cause the Mostly Jazz festival, in Moseley near Birmingham, to be briefly evacuated once more due to fears of a lightning strike. Overnight, a cold front cleared most of the E of the UK, although falls were generally slight across England and Wales away from the N. Some frontal rain affected N parts of Scotland during the day while the best of the sunshine was to be found in SW Scotland and in places close to the Irish Sea in a brisk SW'ly airflow. (Hull East Park 25.6C, Wick Airport 16.1C maximum, Katesbridge 6.2C minimum, Achnagart 34.2 mm, Tiree 14.5 h.)

A SW'ly flow on the 10th brought fronts and weak low pressure systems to many parts of the British Isles. It was a mild night over S areas of Ireland, Wales and England with minimum temperatures of about 15C in places close to the coasts. Some thundery activity affected NE Scotland around midday, and there were a few sferics over Cent Ireland later. Rain was heavy in places, and was widespread across the W half of the British Isles by midday, later spreading to most E areas by late evening. There was little sunshine in W areas of the British Isles, with the sunniest places being in NE Scotland, East Anglia and Kent, (Marham 26.4C, Fair Isle 15.1C maximum, Braemar 6.6C minimum, Threave 33.4 mm, Kirkwall 11.8 h.)

Fronts associated with a low pressure system close to/over Scotland on the 11th (centre 1000 mb at 0600 GMT near Aberdeen) led to a widely unsettled day. Overnight there was widespread rain across the British Isles - but it was mild in many parts of SE England ahead of a cold front. The day was mostly dry SE of a line Norwich-Dorchester; there were spells of rain elsewhere and the day was generally cloudy. During the afternoon and evening bands of sferics moved NE'wards across parts of the Midlands into N England and over parts of NE Ireland. (Cavendish 25.0C, Cassley 14.4C maximum, Kirkwall 11.1C minimum, Tulloch Bridge 29.0 mm, Shannon Airport 9.4 h.)

Low pressure close to N Scotland (centre 995 mb at 1200 GMT over Shetland on the 12th) remained in control. Overnight rain was widespread across Scotland, N England and Ireland although falls weakened during the day. Further S there were a few showers across England and Wales- these were associated with some thundery activity in the afternoon and evening over parts of Northern Ireland, NE England and across the Midlands and East Anglia. Much of Scotland remained rather cloudy and the sunniest places tended to be across England. (East Malling 23.9C, Kinbrace 14.0C maximum, Shobdon 8.5C minimum, Spadeadam 32.0 mm, Hurn 11.2 h.)

Most places had a dry night into the 13th with minimum temperatures remaining above 15C in parts of S England and the Channel Islands. During the day there were a few showers across Scotland, Ireland and in parts of Cent England ;there were some sferics over East Anglia in the afternoon. Away from N England it was a rather cloudy day. (Coningsby 23.5C, Baltasound 14.1C maximum, Katesbridge 3.2C minimum, Stornoway 18.0 mm, Shap 12.3 h.)

Low pressure centred over Ireland on the 14th (centre 988 mb over Cent Ireland at 1800 GMT) led to an unsettled and increasing windy day. Rain had spread into Ireland, Wales, W England and S Scotland by dawn before affecting most areas of the British Isles during the day away from N Scotland. Falls were heavy in places and there was little sunshine, except in N Scotland and later over parts of W Ireland. Showers turned thundery in parts of SE and NE Ireland in the afternoon and evening. It was a cool day in some parts of N Ireland as the winds turned NW'ly. (Frittenden 22.5C, Lough Fea 13.7C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch 4.3C minimum, Plymouth 39.4 mm, Stornoway 9.7 h.)

Wet weather continued on the 15th as the depression moved slowly into W Scotland (centred 986 mb at 1800 GMT over SW Scotland). The rain was heaviest across Ireland and Scotland, but there were widespread showers elsewhere in a windy W'ly surface flow. The afternoon warmth was enough to trigger widespread thunderstorms across W areas Scotland, Wales and England that then moved NE'wards into the North Sea. The windy conditions led to some cycling events in Wales being cancelled or re-routed. (Cavendish 23.4C, Fair Isle 14.5C maximum, Braemar 11.6C minimum, Capel Curig 76.6 mm, Shoeburyness 9.5 h.)

The winds eased on the 16th as the low centred moved NE'wards across Scotland, the centre clearing Shetland in the evening. There was some heavy rain across parts of N Wales and N England overnight with lesser falls in many other areas. During the day showers were widespread across the British Isles, but were mostly light and scattered. Away from N and Cent Scotland there were widespread sunny spells in between any showers, which were thundery in a few places in NE Scotland, E Ireland and NE England. (Writtle 23.1C, Stornoway 13.4C maximum, Aboyne 7.8C maximum, Achnagart 26.0 mm, Leuchars 10.6 h.)

The 17th saw an area of frontal rain moving S'wards across Scotland, gradually turning showery in nature. Further S there were other areas of showers interspersed with some long spells of sunshine in many areas. The showers turned thundery over N England and around Norfolk and Kent, in the afternoon. (Cavendish 24.5C, Fair Isle 13.1C maximum, Katesbridge 4.9C minimum, Almondsbury 21.2 mm, Jersey Airport 12.3 h.)

A depression pushed E'wards across S Ireland on the 18th giving some rain across Ireland overnight, the rain area then spreading into SW England, Wales, N England and S Scotland during the day. 19 mm fell at Sherkin Island in the 12 hours ending 0600 GMT. Cent and SE areas of England, along with N Scotland, remained mostly dry albeit with a few light showers in places. In most areas it was a rather cloudy day. (Heathrow 24.3C, Lake Vyrnwy 13.5C maximum, Braemar 3.1C minimum, Scolton Country Park 16.4 mm, Jersey Airport 13.4 h.)

A weak depression moved away E'wards from Cent areas of England on the 19th. Associated fronts gave some rain across Ireland, Wales and England overnight and the day followed a cool night across parts of Cent Scotland. During the day rain and showers were largely confined to S Scotland, NE England and East Anglia with the sunniest locations being found across W areas of England and Scotland. It was a cool day across N Scotland. (Wiggonholt 25.0C, Fair Isle 11.0C maximum, Tyndrum 2.8C minimum, Albemarle 26.8 mm, Liscombe 13.4 h.)

There was little rain overnight into the 20th but during the day showers became widespread across parts of Ireland, Scotland, N England and Cent Wales. It was a cloudy day at times in many areas, away from SW England and S Wales, and daytime temperatures of 20C were mostly confined to E and to some S areas of England. (Teddington Bushy Park 24.6C, Fair Isle 11.9C maximum, Redesdale Camp 3.6C minimum, Albemarle 12.8 mm, Camborne 13.2 h.)

It was a mostly dry night into the 21st except for some showers across Scotland; Cent areas of Scotland and England had a rather cool night where skies cleared. During the day cloud tended to spread from the W across many areas, ahead of an area of rain that affected much of Ireland, Wales and SW Scotland by mid-evening. There were also showers during the day across E Scotland and NE England and, away from S England, most places failed to reach 20C. (Frittenden 22.6C, Lerwick 13.9C maximum, Tulloch Bridge 1.6C minimum, Killylane 13.0 mm, Glasgow 10.0 h.)

An area of low pressure pushed E'wards into W Ireland during the afternoon on the 22nd and the associated plethora of fronts gave widespread areas of rain, that were heavy at times in places. It was cool overnight in Cent Scotland with widespread rain across Ireland, S Scotland, Wales and N and W England. The rain spread further E across England during the day, but cleared later from SW Ireland. It was a sunny day across the N half of Scotland, but cloudy elsewhere. (Achnagart 22.3C, Fylingdales 14.5C maximum, Tulloch Bridge 1.5C minimum, Castlederg 57.0 mm, Kinloss 14.3 h.)

The low pressure centre pushed E'wards from Ireland to the North Sea during the morning of the 23rd. Accompanying rain fell across N England, S Scotland, Ireland and N Wales by mid-morning, with another area of rain having cleared much of S and Cent England towards the E by this time. The rain persisted over Ireland and in these N areas of England and Wales, and across S Scotland, for much of the day the result of a S'ward-moving cold front. There were a few showers across S areas of England and Wales while most of N and Cent Scotland remained dry, but cool. Away from the frontal rain there were spells of sunshine. Parts of W Lancashire suffered severe flooding following some very heavy rain here, while the rain caused the cricket Test Match at Old Trafford, Manchester, to be abandoned with no play today. (Cavendish 25.1C, Brizlee Wood 13.1C maximum, Fyvie Castle 5.4C minimum, Preston Moor Park 98.8 mm, Tiree 15.0 h.)

On the 24th a weakening front pushed S'wards across England and Wales, giving falls of rain that were heavy and widespread across N England and Wales overnight, but that became patchier during the day in S areas. An area of more general rain affected NW Scotland later in the day, with skies remaining rather cloudy away from S Scotland, N England, Wales and Ireland. Over the UK daytime temperatures widely failed to reach 18C once the frontal rain had cleared. (Frittenden 20.8C, Balmoral 12.6C maximum, Tyndrum 4.2C minimum, Mumbles Head 25.4 mm, Aberdaron 13.0 h.)

Overnight into the 25th rainfall was largely confined to areas of N and NW Scotland and N Ireland, with a few showery falls in parts of NE and SE England once a band of heavier rain had cleared from the extreme SE corner of England. It was a cool night in places, and then daytime maximum temperatures were mostly in the range 17-20C (but much less than this over N Scotland). Showery conditions across Scotland spread into N England during the day, and the sunniest places were in the Channel Islands, SW England and S Wales. (Heathrow 21.9C, Lerwick 11.5C maximum, Katesbridge 4.1C minimum, Herstmonceux 25.4 mm, Liscombe 12.8 h.)

The 26th saw a depression to the W of the British Isles pushing frontal systems across the British Isles from the W. Overnight this rain spread across Ireland, and there were separate, showery, falls across parts of Cent and S Scotland. Cloud spread E'wards across England and Wales during the day, meaning that (mostly dry) N Scotland saw the sunniest conditions. N Scotland had dawned rather cool under largely clear skies. By midday the frontal rain had reached E Wales and SW England and by mid-evening had extended into S Scotland and E areas of England; the temperature rose as this rain arrived, introducing a warm sector. (Cavendish 23.8C, Fair Isle 13.1C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch 1.2C minimum, Scolton Country Park 30.2 mm, Altnaharra 14.5 h.)

Spells of frontal rain, heavy and prolonged in places, affected much of the British Isles on the 27th, although N Scotland was drier and with long spells of sunshine on Shetland. After a mild night, especially across E Ireland and SW parts of the UK, daytime temperatures failed to rise much due to fairly extensive cloud cover. (Wellesbourne 25.8C, Inverbervie 14.4C maximum, Altnaharra 6.6C minimum, Scarborough 40.2 mm, Lerwick 14.7 h.)

Low pressure centred to the W of Ireland in the 28th pushed bands of showery frontal rain across parts of the British Isles. The day dawned generally mild with minimum temperatures overnight close to 16C in parts of S and Cent England and Wales. The day was rather cloudy in most areas with some spells of sunshine between the fronts. (Wisley 24.6C, Fair Isle 14.1C maximum, Tyndrum 6.4C maximum, Kirkwall 10.4 mm, Dyce 8.2 h.)

Low pressure remained centred close to the Western Isles on the 29th (centre 990 mb at 1800 GMT), leading to spells of rain and showers across Ireland, Scotland and N England and with isolated falls further S. S areas of the British Isles had spells of sunshine in places during the day. (Cavendish 25.1C, Baltasound 14.4C maximum, Altnaharra 7.1C minimum, Gt Cumbrae Millport 23.4 mm, Valley 11.8 h.)

Low pressure remained over or close to Scotland on the 30th (centre 998 mb at 1800 GMT near Aberdeen) with spells of rain and showers over much of Scotland as a result. Further S another warm front spread rain across Ireland, Wales and S and Cent areas of England during the day. There was some sunshine ahead of this front, especially across E areas of England, otherwise the sunniest locations were across N areas of Scotland where it remained mostly dry. (Cavendish 23.3C, Shap 15.0C maximum, Kinbrace 3.2C minimum, Capel Curig 20.6 mm, Altnaharra 13.6 h.)

Low pressure centred close to W Scotland on the 31st led to spells of rain and showers in most areas from Cent Scotland S'wards overnight and during the day. It was a cool night across mainland areas of N Scotland but a mild one across S and Cent parts of Ireland, Wales and England. The day was mostly cloudy and temperatures rose only a little in these S areas. (Shoeburyness 22.2C, Braemar 13.8C maximum, Spadeadam 33.8 mm, Kinloss 5.7 h.)

British Isles weather, August 2023

A deepening area of low pressure (storm Patricia, centre 983 mb to the W of Ireland at 1800 GMT) on the 1st, brining rain and increasing wind speeds into SW Ireland by the evening, with the rain also affecting much of S England and the Channel Islands by midnight. Earlier in the day an area of frontal rain affected N Ireland, S Scotland and N England. The best of any sunshine was to be found ahead of cloud associated with these rain areas, and also across parts of N Scotland. (Heathrow 24.5C, Charterhall 14.4C maximum, Charterhall 9.7C minimum, Spadeadam 18.6 mm, Stornoway 14.7 h.)

By 0600 GMT on the 2nd the centre of storm Patricia was located just S of Cork, 982 mb. Winds associated with the system meant no flights from Cornwall to Scilly; the ferry was also cancelled and the freight ship was stuck in Penzance something that very rarely happens outside of autumn/winter. Overnight, rain spread NE'wards across Ireland, Wales and England, followed by showers from the SW, with the rain spreading into S Scotland during the morning. By early evening the storm centre had crossed to the North Sea and precipitation was largely confined to S Scotland, Wales and England. Winds of up to 55 mph caused disruption across the Channel Islands, with the downing of several trees and traffic problems. (Holbeach 23.5C, Pateley Bridge Ravens Nest 14.1C maximum, Cassley 7.4C minimum, Bridlington 35.4 mm, Tiree 7.8 h.)

A N'ly flow dominated the weather on the 3rd. Rain and showers largely cleared E'wards from E and Cent England by dawn, although showers were widespread during the day, particularly over N Scotland, Ireland and W areas of the UK. After a mild night, especially over E and S England, there were sunny periods during the day (except over N and Cent Scotland) leading to temperatures rising above 20C in many parts of England. (Cambridge NIAB 22.8C, Aultbea 13.1C maximum, Eskdalemuir 9.2C minimum, Wittering 17.8 mm, Prestwick 11.8 h.)

Much of the 4th was dominated by a weak ridge of high pressure. E areas of the UK had spells of showers overnight and during the day, although these weakened and became fewer during the day as pressure rose. However, by midnight a deepening area of low pressure pushed towards SW Ireland and this brought rain and drizzle across Ireland by mid-evening. The day was generally cloudy one. (Frittenden 22.9C, Baltasound 12.7C maximum, Port Ellen 7.4C minimum, Santon Downham 20.4 mm, Valley 8.3 h.)

On the 5th storm Antoni crossed from SW Ireland to NE Kent by 1800 GMT, with a central pressure around 1001 mb during the day. Fallen trees caused disruption to rail services in Devon and Cornwall after dozens of trees were felled. The Met Office said the strongest wind gusts were in Berry Head, Devon, and Cardinham, Cornwall, both setting new provisional records for August. Berry Head recorded wind gusts of 78 mph while 56 mph was recorded in Cardinham. Elsewhere, gusts of 54 mph were recorded in Plymouth, and 45 mph was recorded in Exeter. By dawn the NE'ward moving areas of rain had affected Ireland, Wales, W, Cent and N England and parts of W Scotland before affecting most other areas of the UK during the day and being followed by showery outbreaks in W areas. It was a mostly cloudy day, except across Ireland as skies cleared here from the W. (Hurn 20.9C, Pennerley 11.2C maximum, Baltasound 6.0C minimum, Scarborough 40.0 mm, Shannon Airport 12.2 h.)

Winds continued to ease on the 6th, which began with cool conditions in N Scotland as the winds turned NW'ly. Once rain had cleared away to the E early in the day in E parts of England, most areas had a dry day with sunny spells. There were, however, a few showers in Ireland and some W areas of the UK. (Wiggonholt 21.9C, Lerwick 13.8C maximum, Altnaharra 1.4C minimum, Stormont Castle 17.2 mm, Prestwick 12.3 h.)

There was some rain overnight into the 7th over W and S Scotland, N England and in parts of Ireland. Falls during the day were mostly confined to Scotland and Ireland until another approaching low pressure system spread rain into S Ireland, S Wales and SW England in the evening. Much of Cent and E England, and Shetland, had a sunny day under largely clear skies. (Heathrow 22.7C, Fair Isle 13.8C maximum, Redesdale Camp 2.9C minimum, Craibstone No.2 15.4 mm, Lerwick 14.5 h.)

A shallow depression pushed E'wards across S Ireland (centre 1013 mb near Rosslare at 0600 GMT) and S England during the 8th filling as it did so. In N Scotland there was a strong N'ly flow due to low pressure over Scandinavia. Rain moved E'wards with former low, affecting S and Cent areas of Ireland, Wales and England at times during the day while some light frontal rain affected N areas of Scotland. Between the two rain areas it was sunny day, especially over S Scotland and N England but it was a cool day on Shetland. (Killowen 22.5C, Lerwick 12.3C maximum, Castlederg 4.3C maximum, Sennybridge 17.0 mm, Morecambe 13.1 h.)

The 9th was a mostly dry day as high pressure built across the British Isles from the S and once the frontal rain across SE England had cleared by day. There was some early fog in SW England and parts of Wales this was followed by some patchy, warm frontal rain that also affected Ireland during the day. Much of England, away from the SW and N, and some areas of Scotland had a sunny day and it was a warm day in many S and Cent areas of Ireland, Wales and England. (Shannon Airport 26.6C, Lerwick 12.3C maximum, Spadeadam 5.2C minimum, Writtle 3.0 mm, Manston 13.9 h.)

The 10th was a dry day in most places although in the afternoon and evening frontal rain spread NE'wards across Ireland (12 mm fell at Valentia in the period 0600-1800 GMT). It was a sunny day in NE Scotland and in E England, but there were variable cloud amounts elsewhere after some early mist and fog in places. Away from the SW and coastal areas, daytime temperatures rose widely above 25C. (Wellesbourne 28.4C, Fair Isle 15.0C maximum, Craibstone No.2 8.5C maximum, Derrylin Cornahoule 6.4 mm, Wattisham 13.7 h.)

Overnight into the 11th frontal rain affected Ireland, Wales, Scotland and W areas of England but as the frontal progressed NE'wards during the day falls became much weaker and many E areas of England stayed largely dry. Inland air temperatures away from Ireland were generally above 15C and then rose to 25C over East Anglia and surrounding counties. (Weybourne 26.5C, Lerwick 14.2C maximum, Katesbridge 11.7C minimum, Tiree 16.4 mm, Exeter Airport 11.1 h.)

Low pressure to the W of the British Isles on the 12th pushed bands of frontal rain across most areas. Overnight rain was heaviest across Ireland, Wales and SW Scotland - but intensities were reduced as the rain spread E'wards during the day. Falls in E areas of England were generally slight and the best of the sunshine was mostly to be found here. After a mild night in many W and S areas of the British Isles with minimum temperatures above 15C, temperatures during the day widely failed to reach 22C. (Cambridge NIAB 24.3C, Fair Isle 15.4C maximum, Lerwick 9.3C minimum, Capel Curig 31.8 mm, Lerwick 8.1 h.)

Low pressure remained entered to the W of the British Isles on the 13th leading to showery falls, mostly in W areas but with some lighter falls in E parts of the UK. Temperatures remined above 15C overnight in many parts of England, under cloudy skies. There was also widespread cloud during the day. (Cavendish 24.4C, Lerwick 14.9C maximum, Altnaharra 9.1C minimum, Eskdalemuir 14.8 mm, Manston 8.8 h.)

The centre of the low pressure area moved E'wards across the British Isles on the 14th with accompanying fronts giving some heavy falls of rain in places although areas of East Anglia and SE England had only some light falls. Much of N Scotland also remind largely dry, although there were a few sferics across NE Scotland in the early afternoon. S areas of England and Wales had a mild night, while widespread cloud meant that the best of the sunshine was mostly over N Scotland. (Cambridge NIAB 24.9C, Brizlee Wood 15.0C maximum, Kinbrace 6.2C minimum, Mona 52.4 mm, Kirkwall 13.3 h.)

Low pressure over the North Sea on the 15th drew a mainly NW/N'ly flow across the British Isles. By dawn there was some mist and fog patches in parts of Cent England and Wales. After overnight rain across S Scotland, N Ireland and N England moved away E'wards the day was largely dry although again with varying amounts of cloud. (Wisley 25.8C, Lerwick 14.0C maximum, Exeter Airport 6.8C minimum, Eskdalemuir 16.8 mm, Dundrennan 13.1 h.)

High pressure dominated conditions on the 16th MSL pressure was close to 1023 mb over Shetland at 1200 GMT. There were a few mist patches in places by dawn with some overnight rain in parts of Scotland. The day was largely dry and sunny over England and Wales but cloudier elsewhere. (St James Park 26.9C, Fair Isle 14.5C maximum, Sennybridge 5.6C minimum, Altnaharra 8.0 mm, Camborne 13.6 h.)

The 17th was a mostly dry day, due to high pressure, until some frontal rain and drizzle spread E'wards into W Ireland in the evening. Overnight temperatures remained above 15C in parts of East Anglia and SE England while the sunniest places during the day were in mainland areas of W Scotland as some onshore cloud affected E coast areas of the UK. (Herstmonceux 25.8C, Baltasound 14.8C maximum, West Freugh 6.3C minimum, Hurn 0.4 mm, Tiree 13.7 h.)

On the 18th storm Betty moved towards S Ireland, centre 985 mb to the S of Ireland at 1800 GMT. A trough spread rain NE'wards across Ireland and Cent S England by dawn with further rain spreading into S Ireland behind it. There were some sferics in the early hours over the Channel Islands. During the day further heavy rain moved NE'wards across England, Wales and Ireland with the best of any sunshine being found across Scotland. In the late afternoon and evening sferics moved N'wards over S and Cent Ireland and there were sferics over Kent, Sussex and East Anglia shortly before midnight. Strong winds battered parts of Cornwall and Devon as Storm Betty struck, leading to multiple coastguard callouts in the evening onwards. A sailing boat also had to be towed to safety off north Devon by a lifeboat. There were also reports of flooding and trees blocking roads, while marquees were displaced at a steam engine rally. The coastguard said the Appledore Lifeboat, a lifeboat from Angle in Pembrokeshire and a coastguard rescue helicopter were also tasked to help a sailing vessel which declared a mayday off Lundy Island, north Devon. It was towed by the Angle Lifeboat to Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire. (Herstmonceux 25.9C, Balmoral 14.2C maximum, Aviemore 5.3C minimum, Thorney Island 30.4 mm, Stornoway 9.8 h.)

During the 19th storm Betty moved N'wards through Ireland and then to the W of Scotland. Areas of rain moved N'wards across Ireland and Wales, and into N Scotland, followed by sharp showers. Rainfall further E was lighter and much of England away from the W, was mostly dry during the day. It was a warm night over England, Wales and Ireland with minimum temperatures above 17C in parts of E and S England. It was sunniest in E areas of England. Windspeeds of 66 mph were recorded at Capel Curig. Areas around the Irish Sea saw the strongest winds, with gusts between 50-60 mph being recorded early in the morning. Katesbridge had 45 mm of rain in 12 hours - which is over half the August average in just one night. There was some travel disruption in Scotland, with some localised road flooding and rail cancellations. Storm Betty also brought some dramatic weather to Ireland, especially in coastal areas. In Dungarvan, County Waterford, a boat broke free from its berth was thrown onto the harbour by powerful waves. (Holbeach 25.9C, Fair Isle 15.1C maximum, Baltasound 11.8C minimum, Ballypatrick Forest 36.6 mm, Weybourne 10.7 h.)

On the 20th a S'ly flow brought breezy condition and some showers to W areas while it remained drier in the E. After a warm night (with minimum temperatures above 15C in many areas of the UK) it was a sunny day after early cloud cleared in E Ireland Wales and England. (Cavendish 26.3C, Fair Isle 17.1C maximum, Shobdon 10.2C minimum, Capel Curig 13.6 mm, Weybourne 11.5 h.)

The 21st dawned with some mist and fog by dawn in S areas of Ireland the UK while overnight showers fell across N Ireland and W Scotland. It was a mild night in all areas in the S'ly flow. Some heavy showers and strong winds occurred during the day over W Scotland and Northern Ireland. There were lighter showers in W areas of England and Wales while it was a very sunny day in East Anglia. (Cavendish 26.0C, Harris Quidnish 15.5C maximum, Shobdon 8.6C minimum, Achnagart 37.8 mm, Tibenham Airfield 12.3 h.)

An area of low pressure to the NW of Scotland on the 22nd drove weak fronts across the British Isles from the W. Many areas of England and Wales had minimum temperatures above 15C and there was rain overnight across Ireland and in W areas of the UK. During the day it was sunny in S and E areas of the UK once early cloud had cleared while across Ireland and W areas of the UK there were further spells of rain and showers. Temperatures reached 25C in East Anglia and around the London area. (Teddington Bushy Park 26.6C, Aultbea 15.4C maximum, Cavendish 11.4C minimum, Achnagart 18.0 mm, Camborne 12.5 h.)

Overnight into the 23rd there were spells of rain and showers across Ireland and some W areas of the UK 13 mm of rain fell in the 12 hours ending 0600 GMT at Sherkin Island. These falls lessened during the day although scattered showers continued at times across W Scotland, NW England and N Ireland. It was a sunny day across S England and East Anglia, but in the evening cloud cover increase across parts of S England. (Wisley 27.9C, Fair Isle 15.1C maximum, Braemar 3.9C minimum, Preston Moor Park 9.0 mm, Shoeburyness 12.2 h.)

Sferics spread into the Channel Islands from the SW before dawn on the 24th with some outbreaks also occurring over East Anglia for a while. It was a warm night across England and Wales with rainfall occurring widely across Scotland and N areas of Ireland and England; there were falls later in the night and during the morning across S England. Further thundery showers affected parts of Cent S and SE England in the afternoon. Elsewhere, rainfall was mostly confined to N and NW Scotland, and to parts of N Ireland. Most of the UK had a mostly cloudy day with the best of sunshine to be found across the S half of Ireland, the Isle of Man and SW Scotland while it was a warm day across East Anglia. (Cavendish 27.9C, Fair Isle 14.1C maximum, Castlederg 5.8C minimum, Dunstaffnage 32.0 mm, Ronaldsway 12.0 h.)

Weak fronts overnight into the 25th (associated with a weak low, near Orkney centred 1004 mb at 0600 GMT) led to spells of showery rain at times across much of Scotland and parts of Ireland NW England at first. W and N areas of the British Isles had further showers during the day and into the evening; East Anglia remained mostly dry while sferics were widespread in the afternoon and evening in the showery areas. There were large amounts of cloud in most areas. Two tornadoes were seen over Glenrothes, Fife at about 1400 GMT. (Wisley 23.1C, Loch Glascarnoch 12.4C maximum, Drumnadrochit 4.6C minimum, Dunkeswell 24.8 mm, Shannon Airport 10.3 h.)

Low pressure centred close to, or over, NE England on the 26th led to an unsettled day with varying amounts of cloud and widespread showers and falls of rain in most areas. It was cloudy across N Scotland, while over England and Wales many showery were accompanied by thunder, especially in the afternoon. Funnel clouds were seen in S England and a waterspout was seen near the Isle of Wight in the morning. Heavy rain in the evening resulted in water pouring from the ceilings of retail stores in Avonmeads Retail Park and Cabot Circus in Bristol the downpour caused roads and gardens to flood in some areas of the city but much of the water cleared overnight. (Santon Downham 21.8C, Loch Glascarnoch 13.3C maximum, Tyndrum 5.5C minimum, Swyddffynnon 29.0 mm, Boulmer 9.5 h.)

The presence of fronts led to a showery day on the 27th notably in Ireland, Wales, Scotland and W England overnight and in Scotland, Ireland, N England and East Anglia during the day. Parts of Cent and N England had a cool start to the day, and widespread cloud reduced sunshine amounts in all areas. In E areas of England some of the showers turned thundery in the afternoon. (Heathrow 21.4C, Leek 13.6C maximum, Topcliffe 4.7C minimum, Hawarden 23.8 mm, Charlwood 8.4 h.)

The 28th was a mostly dry day across the UK, although there were some showers across Ireland, Scotland and N England at times. The day dawned after a mild night along coasts of the English Channel and during the day most areas had long spells with cloudy skies. More general frontal rain affected NW Scotland later in the day. (Wiggonholt 22.7C, Lerwick 13.6C maximum, Shobdon 6.6C minimum, Warcop 3.4 mm, Weybourne 9.3 h.)

Fronts associated with low pressure (centre 1002 mb over N Scotland at 1200 GMT) on the 29th led to spells of rain and showers over Scotland and Ireland overnight and during the day, with scattered showers over Wales and W areas of England that also spread into some E areas of England later. There were sferics in the late afternoon over parts of NE Scotland. Rain was heaviest over N Scotland and much of England had rather a cloudy day, with rain spreading into the SE in the late evening. (Wisley 21.9C, Kirkwall 13.0C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch 4.9C minimum, Kirkwall 33.8 mm, Lerwick 7.7 h.)

Overnight into the 30th an area of rain cleared away from East Anglia and SE England, while there were further showery falls across parts of Scotland, Ireland and NW England. After a cool night in Cent Scotland, there were further showers across Scotland and Ireland during the day, along with an area of showers across parts of Cent England and East Anglia which turned thundery in the afternoon. Most places again had a mix of sunshine and cloudy skies while in the evening an area of frontal rain spread NE'wards across S Ireland and (later) Cornwall. (Teddington Bushy Park 21.5C, Fair Isle 14.6C maximum, Kinbrace 4.0C minimum, Myerscough 14.8 mm, Morecambe 10.2 h.)

Parts of N and E Scotland had some fog patches by dawn on the 31st which began with cool air across Cent Scotland. There was rain overnight across Ireland and in S Wales and SW England and during the day this rain became patchier but spread across much of S and W England, and also into SW Scotland. It reached East Anglia in the evening. Wales, Cent and S England had a rather cloudy day and it was a cool day in parts of Wales, Cent S England and the Midlands. (Hull East Park 22.1C, Lake Vyrnwy 12.4C maximum, Altnaharra 2.3C minimum, Plymouth 22.6 mm, Leuchars 12.3 h.)

British Isles weather, September 2023

The 1st saw much of Ireland, S Scotland and N England having a mostly cloudy day with some spells of rain, which spread N and E and slowly weakened after some overnight falls in S England also. There was some ground frost in E Scotland while in Cent S England and the Channel Islands minimum temperatures stayed above 16C in places. There were a few heavy showers over S England, Wales and East Anglia, along with sunny intervals while Scotland and the Channel Islands had a mostly sunny day. Mist developed in places in the evening, notably in E areas of the UK and Northern Ireland. (Charlwood 24.4C, Killylane 13.7C maximum, Braemar 0.4C minimum, Mona 14.2 mm, Stornoway 12.7 h.)

High pressure on the 2nd led to a mostly dry day everywhere, exceptions being a few areas of the extreme N of Scotland, and places close to an onshore flow off the North Sea. Fog and mist was widespread across the British Isles by dawn but this soon cleared to give sunny intervals and cloudy in most areas with daytime temperatures reaching 21C as far N as N Scotland - after a ground frost in some Cent and N areas of Scotland. By late evening mist was reforming in many areas. (Wiggonholt 25.1C, Fair Isle 14.5C maximum, Braemar 0.8C minimum, Scarborough 2.0 mm, Weybourne 12.4 h.)

The 3rd dawned with some heavy rain in parts of NW Scotland and the Northern Isles and some lighter falls in W Ireland. These areas had further falls during the day. Elsewhere, fog and most were widespread by dawn but once this cleared there were long spells of sunshine over much of England, Wales and Ireland, although some coastal areas were rather cloudier. Afternoon temperatures reached 25C in many Cent and S areas of England. (St James Park 27.8C, Lerwick 14.6C maximum, Katesbridge 6.7C minimum, Lerwick 26.6 mm, Valley 12.1 h.)

High pressure to the E of the British Isles on the 4th led to a mostly settled, warm and sunny day. S England and S Wales had minimum temperatures above 16C in places and 28C was reached widely in Cent and S England and East Anglia later in the day. There was some rain overnight across N Scotland and over the Northern Isles during the day. Early mist and fog patches formed at first in many parts of Ireland, Wales and England but many areas from N Scotland to the Channel Islands had over 10 h of bright sunshine during the day. (Whitechurch 30.2C, Lerwick 15.1C maximum, Katesbridge 5.1C minimum, Baltasound 5.0 mm, Kinloss 12.8 h.)

The 5th was a largely dry day, and warm over most inland areas of Ireland, Wales and England. There was widespread mist and fog across the British Isles by dawn once this, and low cloud, cleared it was a widely sunny day, except across W Ireland and N Scotland where there more cloud. Temperatures reached 29-30C in parts of Cent S England. (Wiggonholt 30.7C, Baltasound 15.2C maximum, Braemar 1.4C minimum, Baltasound 4.2 mm, Prestwick 12.5 h.)

The 6th dawned with widespread mist and fog patches across the British Isles, and after soe light falls of rain and drizzle in SW Ireland. Minimum temperatures were above 15C in many places from S Scotland S'wards. After sunshine developed under nearly clear skies in many areas in the morning, some high cloud reduced sunshine amounts in the afternoon which saw temperatures rising above 25C widely across England, Wales and Cent Ireland with 30C reached in parts of Cent S and SE England and in East Anglia. (Kew Gardens 32.0C, Fair Isle 13.9C maximum, Altnaharra 6.7C minimum, Wick Airport 0.4 mm, Valley 11.8 h.)

The 7th dawned with cars and pavements in the West Midlands being coated with a layer of dust from the Sahara desert; areas of Worcester, Stourbridge, Wolverhampton and Shropshire were affected. High pressure to the E drew a mainly S'ly flow across the British Isles. Most areas remained dry after some mist and fog in many areas, but thundery showers developed late morning in E Ireland and spread NE'wards across N Ireland, W Scotland, NE Scotland into the Northern Isles in the evening. After a warm night with temperatures remaining above 16C in parts of W Scotland and in many parts of Ireland, Wales and England the temperature rose to 30C in the Midlands and in adjacent counties despite widespread cloud in some areas. According to the Met Office today was the fourth day to reach 30C somewhere in the UK, a new record for September. The day also, provisionally, saw the highest temperature reading of 2023 so far. (Wisley 32.6C, Lerwick 15.8C maximum, Altnaharra 8.6C minimum, Derrylin Cornahoule 24.0 mm, Manston 11.9 h.)

On the 8th low cloud and mist around dawn cleared from many areas although a veil of high cloud did persist in places. Overnight and during the day it was a mostly dry day, apart for a few showers over parts of W Ireland at times. There was patchy cloud in many areas with the best of the sunshine being across Scotland and S Ireland. Minimum temperatures were widely above 15C in Ireland, Wales and in W and S areas of England with 30C being reached later in the Midlands, London area and East Anglia. According to the Met Office 28C at Castlederg was the highest September temperature in record in Northern Ireland, breaking the previous record of 27.6C on 1 September 1906 in Armagh. The highest temperature recorded on the island of Ireland in September - also from 1906 is 29.1C, in County Kildare. (Cavendish 30.9C, Scarborough 18.7C maximum, Redesdale Camp 10.0C minimum, Kirkwall 2.6 mm, Lerwick 11.6 h.)

The 9th dawned with some mist and fog in parts of England, Wales and E Ireland. Cold fronts brought a small amount of rain SE'wards during the day over N and W areas of Scotland and Ireland, while from mid-afternoon onwards there were some thundery outbreaks over SE Ireland, SW Scotland, the Midlands and N England. Overnight minimum temperatures were widely above 15C from N Scotland S'wards, away from the coasts. During the day temperatures rose above 20C in the Midlands, East Anglia, Cent S and SE England with 33.2C at Kew Gardens being the highest temperature of 2023. It was a sunny day over S England and East Anglia, but rather cloudy elsewhere. (Kew Gardens 33.2C, Harris Quidnish 17.1C maximum, Braemar 9.3C minimum, Shawbury 11.8 mm, Shoeburyness 10.9 h.)

The 10th was another hot day in Cent, E and SE areas of England as temperatures reached 30C for the seventh consecutive day, somewhere in the UK. Such a long series is a record length for September in the UK. A frontal system across N areas of Scotland spread rainfall slowly S'wards during the day, after a mild night during which temperatures remained above 17C in parts of E, Cent and S England and S Wales. Elsewhere there were spells of showers, which were thundery in many areas of Ireland, Wales, W, Cent and N England and East Anglia. Temperatures rose above 30C in parts of East Anglia and SE England, despite the rather cloudy skies in most areas apart from East Anglia; cooler air kept temperatures below 15C in parts of N and NW Scotland. Runners who took part in the Great North Run said they had to walk home after torrential downpours caused major disruption to public transport. Flash flooding hit roads and the Tyne and Wear Metro as the 42nd race ended in the afternoon. Heavy rain meant the South Shields bus and Metro interchange became flooded inside, prompting lifts and escalators to break down. Rail services were stopped between Bede and South Shields for more than an hour after flooding on the line at Tyne Dock. (Cambridge NIAB 32.5C, Stornoway 14.1C maximum, Baltasound 8.1C minimum, Shap 59.8 mm, Wattisham 9.9 h.)

On the 11th fronts moved slowly SE'wards from Ireland and Scotland, bringing rain as far SE as Lincolnshire and Hampshire by mid-evening. Ahead of the rain it was a dry day, while showers affected N Scotland, slowly spreading S'wards. Overnight, temperatures remained above 15C across most of England, Wales, S Ireland and in S and EV areas of Scotland. During the day 25C was reached in East Anglia although most areas had a rather cloudy day. (Cavendish 26.9C, Lerwick 14.0C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch 9.7C minimum, Eskdalemuir 21.0 mm, Brize Norton 8.0 h.)

Overnight into the 12th, rain across S Ireland, N England and Wales moved slowly SE'wards although even as it did so, much of England and Wales continued to have showery falls at times as high pressure built from the W. By 1800 GMT MSL pressure was around 1020 mb across Ireland. Parts of E Scotland had an early ground frost although over the S half of England and Wales minimum temperatures remained above 15C. During the day temperatures failed to reach 25C for the first time in 11 days. It was a sunny day in many parts of Ireland and Scotland. (East Malling 24.4C, Lerwick 11.9C maximum, Dalwhinnie 1.3C minimum, Sheffield 32.4 mm, Tiree 10.8 h.)

On the 13th a deepening area of low pressure to the W of Ireland led to increasing cloud amounts in W Scotland and Ireland, that brought rain which affected all of Scotland, and parts of N Wales and N England by the late evening. There was a ground frost in sheltered areas of Scotland and N England at first, with an air frost in some N and E areas of Scotland. Ahead of the rain it was a sunny day in much of England and Wales, while it turned windy in W Scotland in the evening. (Writtle 22.1C, Dalwhinnie 11.3C maximum, Kinbrace -3.5C minimum, Tiree 26.4 mm, Brize Norton 11.1 h.)

On the 14th an area of low pressure (centre 996 mb to the N of Stornoway at 0600 GMT), brought frontal rain to Ireland, Scotland, Wales and N England. Parts of England had a misty start to the day with fog patches in places while as the day developed the rain made little progress beyond the Midlands and S Ireland. There were a few showers during the day across Scotland as the depression moved towards Fair Isle. Away from the main rain areas, there were sunny periods in most areas. It was cool in N areas, but warmer in the S. (Cavendish 25.0C, Dalwhinnie 14.7C maximum, Katesbridge 6.1C minimum, Capel Curig 23.4 mm, Shoeburyness 11.0 h.)

The slow-moving line of frontal ain tended to move slowly N on the 15th, giving a cloudy day across most of Ireland, N England and S and Cent Scotland. The rain was heavy and persistent in parts of Ireland. Under, and to the N of the rain area, it was a cool day but temperatures reached 25C in parts of SE England, helped by sunny conditions across much of S, Cent and E England. (St James Park 27.0C, Spadeadam 10.8C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch 2.8C minimum, Threave 32.4 mm, Manston 11.5 h.)

On the 16th the frontal rain weakened in intensity, after some heavy falls overnight in S Scotland. It was a cool night in N Scotland but milder to the S of the rain; on the Channel Islands temperatures remained above 17C in most places. There were heavy showers in SW England in the afternoon. Some sferics were reported around the Channel Islands in the afternoon with further thundery showers here in the evening heading towards Devon by midnight. The best of the sunshine was across East Anglia and in N and W Scotland, and in SE England temperatures reached 25C in places. (St James Park 28.0C, Killylane 11.6C maximum, Kinlochewe 2.1C minimum, Cardinham 22.6 mm, Tiree 11.0 h.)

Overnight into the 17th rain and showers affected mainly Ireland, Wales and SW England. It was a mild night in S and E areas of England, but there was some air frost in parts of N and Cent Scotland. There was some thundery activity before dawn in the Channel Islands and in parts of SW England, while parts of S England and the Channel Islands had some more thundery rain in the morning. There were falls of heavy rain widely across SW and S England that moved N'wards in the afternoon, reaching N England later in the day. Rain was also widespread across Ireland during the day, while in the evening thunderstorms spread NE'wards through Cent S and SE England into the Midlands and East Anglia. It was a mostly cloudy day in all areas. People were asked to avoid travelling in Somerset after heavy rain led to flooding during the morning. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said it had received a high number of calls for help. Many roads in Minehead were closed by police. The A39 at Bilbrook was among the roads closed due to flooding between Dunster and Carhampton. Buses of Somerset said its 28 service Taunton to Minehead had been cancelled for the rest of Sunday because of flooding. Blue Anchor Station on the heritage West Somerset Railway flooded, damaging a signal box and all services are suspended on the route for the rest of the day. At Dunkeswell (east Devon) 26 mm of rain fell in the 6 hours ending 1200 GMT. The Butlin's resort in Minehead announced a four-day closure after the site was damaged by rain and flooding. (Herstmonceux 23.3C, Lentran 11.1C maximum, Aviemore -0.9C minimum, Exeter Airport 63.8 mm, Kirkwall 4.1 h.)

Before dawn on the 18th an area of thunderstorms moved N'wards across Cent S England, the East Midlands and East Anglia, before dying out over the North Sea and NE England around dawn. Widespread cloud led to a mild night across the British Isles, especially across England and Wales, and frontal rain spread E'wards across Ireland and much of Scotland by dawn, also affecting SW England and Wales. The overnight storms led to a tree falling onto a car due to high winds in Littlehampton; a number of houses and vehicles in Cherry Croft, Littlehampton, were damaged as a result of the storm. Two schools in Scarborough were affected by flooding after heavy rain, with one being forced to close. North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said it had responded to reports of homes being flooded in the Snainton area. The A165 has also been hit by flood water. During the day the frontal rain cleared away to the E, followed by showers which were blustery in places. The best of the sunshine was across Ireland. (Weybourne 22.2C, Loch Glascarnoch 12.1C maximum, Castlederg 9.5C minimum, High Mowthorpe 46.4 mm, Katesbridge 7.9 h.)

Low pressure across N and W areas of the British Isles on the 19th (MSL pressure at the centres down to 975 mb at times) led to a windy day across the British Isles, with gusts over 50 mph in some exposed W areas. There was heavy rain overnight across Ireland, N Wales and Cumbria with further heavy falls during the day across Wales, NW England and SW Scotland along with lesser, showery falls in most other areas. There was little sunshine away from parts of N Scotland. Rail services between Preston and Blackpool were suspended after a tree fell on to the power lines and a few trees were also brought down in other areas. The were a few sferics before dawn, and later in the morning, over NW Scotland. (Hull East Park 20.8C, Dalwhinnie 10.4C maximum, Fyvie Castle 2.2C minimum, Capel Curig 90.2 mm, Kirkwall 8.7 h.)

The 20th saw an area of heavy and persistent rain with strong winds spreading SE'wards. Overnight, areas SE of a line from Torquay to The Wash remained mostly dry but it was windy in all areas, especially in W parts of the British Isles. MSL pressure was down to 972 mb to the W of Skye at 1200 GMT the remnants of Hurricane Lee. During the day and into the evening the rain, with a notable heavy central band, spread SE'wards clearing most of East Anglia by midnight. Following the rain, there were sunny intervals and showers with the best of the sunshine being across Ireland. In Wales hundreds of properties were hit by power cuts as a band of heavy rain led to some flooding. Electricity supply was cut to dozens of properties in Monmouthshire and Ceredigion. In N Wales there were power cuts in Conwy county and on the Llyn Peninsula. Natural Resources Wales had 10 flood warnings in place affecting Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Powys. In Somerset the National Grid reported about 50 properties where the electricity supply had failed. Another 23 were suffering problems near Truro in Cornwall. Gusts of 75 mph were recorded at Capel Curig. Strong winds caused speed restrictions and one lane closure on the M48 Severn Bridge. Transport for Wales said flooding at Skewen, Neath Port Talbot, was causing 15 minute delays to train services between the Port Talbot parkway and Swansea, while the service to Llanelli was suspended because of a fallen tree. There were delays of up to half an hour on Irish Ferries between Pembroke and Rosslare in Ireland. In the evening fire services across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire said they had dealt with a high volume of calls due to rising water levels. (Cavendish 22.2C, Lough Fea 13.6C maximum, Baltasound 6.0C minimum, Shap 75.4 mm, Cork Airport 9.8 h.)

Low pressure centres remained close to N Scotland and W areas of the British Isles on the 21st. A S'ly flow meant a mostly mild night with an area of rain clearing East Anglia and SE England in the early hours. During the day it was cloudier in Scotland and Northern Ireland with showers here. There were further showers during the day over the S half of England and Wales which turned thundery in places, notably across Cent S and SE England; there were also some reports of hail. The best of the sunshine was in S Ireland, E Scotland and NE England. (Cranwell 19.4C, Dalwhinnie 11.0C maximum, Katesbridge 2.4C minimum, Achnagart 45.4 mm, Boulmer 10.0 h.)

Overnight into the 22nd showers continued to affect the SE corner of England, W and N Scotland and Northern Ireland. It was a cool night in Cent areas of England and Ireland. Much of England had a sunny start to the day, albeit with some mist and fog around dawn, but showers developed in many places from the NW where they were widespread for much of the day. The showers eased off later in the day, but remained falling over N and W Scotland after a largely dull day here. (Frittenden 19.3C, Killylane 11.4C maximum, Bainbridge 2.9C minimum, Ballypatrick Forest 24.0mm, Lyneham 8.2 h.)

On the 23rd an area of low pressure moved NE'wards towards the British Isles, increasing the wind speeds later in the day. Overnight there were some showery outbreaks across N and S Scotland, and also in N England. Cent and E Scotland, along with some Cent areas of Ireland, had an overnight ground frost. During the day the low pressure system brought frontal rain from the W that affected much of Ireland, Wales, SW England and W Scotland by mid-evening. Ahead of this rain it was a sunny day in many parts of England. (Frittenden 20.0C, Lerwick 10.7C maximum, Tyndrum 0.0C minimum, Killowen 7.4 mm, Ross-On-Wye 8.9 h.)

By dawn on the 24th a warm sector had spread across much of England, while there were brisk, S'ly winds in W areas of the British Isles. Falls of overnight rain were slight across England, but there were some heavier falls in W areas. The day was mostly cloudy and breezy with outbreaks of rain in N and W areas of the British Isles, especially across Ireland and SW Scotland. The rain extended to the Midlands and N England, along with Wales and SW England, by mid-evening. (Cambridge NIAB 21.9C, Lerwick 13.0C maximum, Baltasound 5.5C minimum, Tyndrum 52.8 mm, Manston 5.7 h.)

Overnight into the 25th patchy rain cleared SE England but more widespread falls affected N and W areas of the British Isles. Falls continued during the day across Scotland and N Ireland, but it was a sunny day across most of England, Wales, S Ireland and the Channel Islands. After a widely mild night, temperatures rose above 20C in many areas of England in the afternoon. (Manston 23.4C, Loch Glascarnoch 13.8C maximum, Shobdon 8.1C minimum, Kinlochewe 30.4 mm, Reading University 10.0 h.)

Overnight into the 26th there were a few, scatted showers in parts of S England but more widespread rain affected Ireland with 16 mm in the 12 hours ending 0600 GMT at Claremorris, Valentia and Mace Head. It was a mild night in SW England and S Wales where temperatures remained above 15C in many places. Showers during the morning across N England and the Midlands were thundery in places. During the afternoon and evening thundery showers also affected parts of E Ireland, SW Scotland and Cumbria. Most places had some sunny periods, although N Scotland was rather cloudy, as falls of rain were quite widespread. (Writtle 24.4C, Braemar 13.7C maximum, Ravensworth 5.7C minimum, Achnagart 21.2 mm, Jersey Airport 8.5 h.)

On the 27th a deep depression, centre 974 mb to the SW of Ireland at 1200 GMT, tracked N'wards across W Ireland and then into SW Scotland, leading to very windy conditions in W areas of the British Isles. Named storm Agnes, the system caused disruption to Irish Sea ferry services. There were some power cuts, trees were felled and there was disruption on roads in Cumbria and SW Scotland, while flights were delayed at Belfast City Airport. In Ireland thousands of people were left without power and there was widespread flooding, disruption to public transport and significant structural damage as the storm swept across the country. At Capel Curig gusts reached 84 mph. By dawn there was frontal rain across SW areas of Ireland and England which then spread across Ireland, Wales, W England and S Scotland during the day, later affecting the Midlands and N Scotland. E areas of the UK had the best of any sunshine as most areas turned cloudy from the W during the morning. (Charlwood 23.1C, Loch Glascarnoch 12.2C maximum, Aboyne 1.1C minimum, Ballypatrick Forest 44.6 mm, Lerwick 6.5 h.)

On the 28th the centre of storm Agnes moved N'wards across Scotland, the central pressure was 988 mb (and rising) over Cent Scotland at 0000 GMT. Much of England and S Wales had a dry night with rain across Scotland turning showery. During the day there were showers and longer spells of rain over Ireland and in W areas of the UK, and by late evening rain and drizzle (light in many areas) had spread into E areas of the UK. Cloudy skies meant a mostly mild night and rather dull day. (Shoeburyness 20.3C, Braemar 12.7C maximum, Killylane 10.3C minimum, Tyndrum 36.6 mm, Jersey Airport 2.6 h.)

Rain and showers were quite widespread overnight into the 29th, which dawned mild temperatures remained above 15C in parts of SE England. Once early showers had cleared, England, Wales and E Scotland had a dry day under rising pressure; further W there were showery falls. The dry areas in the E tended to be quite sunny. (Gosport Fleetlands 21.4C, Dalwhinnie 12.8C maximum, Shobdon 7.3C minimum, Kinlochewe 35.8 mm, Wittering 10.2 h.)

The 30th dawned with mist and fog patches in many parts of England and Wales under a ridge that extended across the British Isles from the SE. There was some frontal rain around dawn in SW Ireland this affected most of Ireland, W Wales, N England and S Scotland due to a N'ward-moving frontal system. Away from parts of E England it was a rather cloudy day. (Northolt 20.4C, Lerwick 11.1C maximum, Aboyne 3.2C minimum, Whitechurch 28.0 mm, Manston 6.7 h.)

British Isles weather, October 2023

Fronts spread E'wards across most areas of the 1st, which began mild across the S half of England and Wales and in SE Ireland; minimum temperatures were above 16C in places. Scotland, N England, Wales and Ireland had spells of rain and showers overnight. The day produced sunshine and showers in N areas at first. It was cloudy with spells of showery rain in Wales and N England. Much of England had a rather cloudy day which was warm in East Anglia, and areas around London. (Wisley 24.1C, Lerwick 14.2C maximum, Aboyne 5.6C minimum, Lake Vyrnwy 25.2 mm, Dyce 9.3 h.)

The 2nd dawned after a mild night across S, Cent and E England; there were a few showers overnight in W and N areas of the British Isles with some spots pf light rain over England where it also dawned misty in many areas. The best of the sunshine was across N Scotland during the day; elsewhere it was rather cloudy. Around midday there were thundery outbreaks in Hampshire and these developed, moving NE'wards to affect Cent S England, the S and E Midlands and East Anglia as the storms moved NE'wards largely clearing East Anglia by 2400 GMT. Further showers affected parts of W Ireland and N and W Scotland. Two people were struck by lightning at a school football match in Hertford in the afternoon. A fire at a food waste recycling plant was started after lightning sparked a gas explosion; a tank at the Severn Trent Green Power site in Cassington, Oxfordshire was hit 1820 GMT, causing the gases within it to ignite and explode. (Herstmonceux 22.7C, Dalwhinnie 12.1C maximum, Aboyne 2.7C minimum, Kinlochewe 15.2 mm, Kinloss 7.3 h.)

On the 3rd bands of frontal rain and showers spread E'wards across most areas. Between the showers all areas had sunny periods, especially in S areas of the British Isles. Pressure rose to about 1028 mb over Scilly by 1800 GMT. (Manston 20.0C, Dalwhinnie 11.4C maximum, Aboyne 2.6C minimum, Weybourne 26.6 mm, Almondsbury 9.2 h.)

By dawn on the 4th frontal cloud had spread rain E'wards across most parts of Scotland. Further towards the SE of England skies tended to clear overnight. Most of the SE corner of England had a dry day with sunny spells, while across Scotland heavy and persistent rain pushed slowly S'wards, later reaching N Ireland and N England. Ahead of the rain it was rather cloudy in many areas. (Wisley 19.7C, Lerwick 11.3C maximum, Lerwick 5.8C minimum, Tyndrum 37.2 mm, Hurn 5.7 h.)

On the 5th pressure fell to the W of the British Isles and associated fronts spread rain across Ireland, Wales and W Scotland by dawn. Ahead of the rain it was a cool night in E Scotland. During the day Cent, S and E England remained mostly dry while rain spread steadily NE'wards further N and W. The day was cloudy in most areas, with Kent and East Anglia having the best of the sunshine. (Cavendish 20.2C, Fair Isle 12.6C maximum, Aboyne -0.6C minimum, Capel Curig 41.2 mm, Manston 5.7 h.)

On the 6th a deepening area of low pressure moved E'wards to the N of mainland Scotland. It was a mild night across Ireland, Wales and Engand in particular with temperatures remaining above 16C in many areas of Ireland. There was some frontal rain across Ireland, N Wales and N England overnight which was heavy in places. During the day further rain affected Scotland, N Ireland, N Engand and N Wales with windy conditions. It was mild to the S of the rain, cooler to the N with the best of the sunshine across the S half of England. (Santon Downham 22.9C, Baltasound 11.0C maximum, Lerwick 8.8C minimum, Stonyhurst 55.6 mm, Yeovilton 8.1 h.)

A front, lying W-E across Scotland on the 7th led to a very wet day across much of Scotland. Overnight lighter rain also affected parts of N England and N Ireland, with some mist patches forming further S. During the day these light falls also continued in parts of Ireland and N England; elsewhere, it was a dry day with hazy sunshine, and unseasonably warm, particularly into the south-east with 24C reached in the London area. It was a sunny day across the S half of England and Wales, with sunny intervals in the other dry areas. Across N Scotland, however, it was a cool day. Ten people were airlifted to safety after heavy rainfall across Scotland caused flooding and landslides. HM Coastguard said one of its helicopters was used in a Police Scotland operation after a number of vehicles became stuck after landslides on the A83 and A815 in the western region of Argyll and Bute. A number of other roads, including the M9, were hit by flooding and numerous train services were suspended across Scotland. No cross border trains ran and ScotRail cancelled dozens of services and also cut short its scheduled timetable. At some railway stations, including Bowling in West Dunbartonshire, the tracks were completely submerged in water. Network Rail Scotland said that, at nearby Dalmuir Twin Tunnels, its pumps had been "completely overwhelmed" and that the water on the tracks was "up to around the window level on a train". The Craigie area of Perth was flooded after the Craigie burn burst its banks. The area around the Rest and Be Thankful saw a month's worth of rainfall, about 160 mm fall over 36 hours. The River Spey burst its banks at the Old Bridge Inn at Aviemore. (Heathrow 25.4C, Loch Glascarnoch 6.1C maximum, Baltasound 4.6C minimum, Tyndrum 112.6 mm, Camborne 9.3 h.)

On the 8th the rain gradually cleared away NE'wards across N and Cent Scotland with areas to the S having a most dry day, with long spells of sunshine over Wales and in S and Cent areas of England. It was a warm day in Cent Ireland and in these sunny areas of the UK. (Kew Gardens 25.8C, Lerwick 9.4C maximum, Baltasound -1.9C minimum, Aboyne 53.0 mm, Exeter Airport and Jersey Airport 10.2 h.)

Fronts dominated the weather across much of Scotland and N Ireland on the 9th. There was some rain in places overnight, but any falls tended to become more widespread and weaker during the day. It was a warm and dry day across England and Wales with temperatures reaching 25C in parts of SE England. It turned brighter across N Scotland, while it was a sunny day across much of Ireland, Wales and England. (East Malling 26.1C, Baltasound 11.4C maximum, Baltasound 3.4C minimum, Drumnadrochit 4.6 mm, Bala 7.9 h.)

Overnight into the 10th there was frontal rain across Scotland and in the extreme N of N England and Northern Ireland. Across England and Wales there was some early mist and fog which cleared to give sunny spells during the day. The cloud pushed SE'wards bringing rain to Ireland, Wales and N England and with further, heavy, falls, over Scotland. It was windy over N areas of Scotland. It was a warm day in East Anglia and in other E areas of England. (Writtle 25.7C, Lerwick 13.1C maximum, Swyddffynnon 6.1C minimum, Achnagart 40.8 mm, Tibenham Airfield 8.3 h.)

Windy conditions in N areas of the UK eased on the 11th as pressure rose. Overnight frontal rain across Ireland and S Scotland steadily moved S'wards, clearing Ireland and N England by late evening when it reached SE England. Ahead of the rain it was a mostly cloudy day across England, Wales and Ireland but there was sunshine, interspersed with some showers, across Scotland. It was a cool day across Scotland, with maximum temperatures around 10C in many areas, but milder over S areas of England. (Writtle 21.4C, Dalwhinnie 9.2C maximum, Craibstone No.2 4.5C minimum, Capel Curig 36.2 mm, Leuchars 8.4 h.)

The 12th dawned after falls of widespread rain over the S half of England and Wales, falls which were heavy in places and continued as isolated light falls in places for much of the day. Further N it was a cool night; there were clear spells overnight and an air frost in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland. During the day there were sunny spells N of a line Dublin-The Wash, but rain and showers affected W Scotland and, later, there was further widespread and heavy rain across S Ireland, S Wales and SW England which spread NE'wards during the evening. (Frittenden 20.7C, Loch Glascarnoch 9.7C maximum, Katesbridge -2.4C minimum, Wattisham 49.0 mm, Morpeth Cockle Park 9.7 h.)

On the 13th low pressure centres moved E'wards to the N of Scotland and along the English Channel. Many areas had a windy day as a result and by dawn there had been spells of heavy rain across much of S Ireland, Wales and England with showery falls across N Scotland all associated with several fronts. The night was mild in S England with temperatures widely remaining above 15C. The day was unsettled, with further strong winds in many areas. Further heavy rain spread NE'wards across S England and into East Anglia during the day while there were sunny periods across Scotland, N England and Ireland. Further rain and showers affected N and W areas of Scotland, while as the rain passed in S England there was a sharp drop in temperature. The M32 in Bristol reopened later after being closed for several hours in both directions when heavy rain caused flooding. (Hereford 21.6CV, Dalwhinnie 9.1C maximum, Ravensworth 4.0C minimum, Swyddffynnon 52.6 mm, Leuchars 6.9 h.)

The 14th dawned cool everywhere away from the extreme S coast areas of England and Ireland. There were a few showers across parts of Ireland and Scotland overnight, and later over Wales and SW England across much of England the day dawned clear. There were widespread sunny spells during the day, with some showers in W areas that spread across into some E areas of the UK during the day and evening. Sleet was observed in the evening at Loch Glascarnoch. (Pershore 15.9C, Lentran 5.9C maximum, Spadeadam 1.3C minimum, Logan Botanic Garden 21.2 mm, Leconfield 9.7 h.)

On the 15th high pressure spread steadily E'wards across the British Isles, centred near Dublin at 1200 GMT, 1028 mb. Many central sheltered areas had an air frost, as far S as Cent S England; there were some overnight showers in N Wales, NW England - and in N Scotland where they turned wintry over high ground. The day was cool and mostly dry although there were a few showers over N and W Scotland. Most of England, Wales and Ireland had a sunny day. (Killowen 13.7C, Lerwick 5.4C maximum, Shap -4.0C minimum, Cassley 17.4 mm, Shoeburyness 9.9 h.)

There was an air frost into the 16th in a few sheltered inland areas of England and Wales while an inland ground frost was widespread across Britain, away from SW England. There were a few showers overnight in W and N Scotland with further falls in N Scotland and in an onshore breeze into East Anglia. It was rather cloudy across S Ireland and the S half of England and Wales. (Ballywatticock 15.4C, Libanus 7.4C maximum, Santon Downham -2.0C minimum, Dundrennan 4.6 mm, Leuchars 7.7 h.)

High pressure on the 17th led to a mostly dry day, although fronts pushed over S Ireland later in the day, giving falls of heavy rain here. There were also a few showers across N Scotland overnight. Sheltered inland areas of Scotland and N England had a slight air frost at first. England (E of a line Dorset-Hull) had sunny spells at first during the day, as did N and Cent areas of mainland Scotland; but by mid-evening the rain had spread into Northern Ireland and S Wales. At Sherkin Island 48 mm of rain fell in the 12 hours ending 1800 GMT. (Wiggonholt 16.1C, Strathallan 8.7C maximum, Tulloch Bridge -4.6C minimum, Isles of Scilly 3.6 mm, Manston 9.2 h.)

The centre of storm Babet moved NE'wards early on the 18th (located over the Channel Islands, centre 982 mb, at 1200 GMT) and then moved N'wards to be centred over the East Midlands, 980 mb, by 2400 GMT. Overnight there was rainfall over Ireland and in W areas of the UK; this spread NW'wards during the day while another area of rain spread NE'wards from SW England - affecting all of England and Wales, long with Ireland, by mid-evening. The rain brought milder conditions from the S, although the sunniest places were across N England ahead of the rain which was followed by showers across S areas later. Storm Babet caused disruption along the Devon coast. Train operator Great Western Railway said severe weather along the Dawlish coastal route meant fewer trains could run. In Torquay, there were reports the seafront road had been closed due to high tides. A shipping container belonging to a beach bar in Torquay was washed into the sea before dawn. There was severe flooding in County Cork, where hundreds of properties were damaged. Midleton in Cork was the worst affected area, where a nursing home was among the buildings that were flooded. The mayor of County Cork, Frank O'Flynn, described seeing "up to four feet" of water in Midleton's Main Street. "About 94 mm of rain fell in 24 hours," he said. A driver died in the evening after his van was hit by a falling tree near Forfar in Angus. (Crosby 17.5C, Lerwick 9.8C maximum, Fyvie Castle 1.3C minimum, Killowen 45.6 mm, Leconfield 5.1 h.)

On the 19th pressure remained low to the SW of the British Isles, with storm Babet giving a very wet and very windy day in Cent and N Scotland. Early rain in Ireland, Wales and England moved N into Scotland followed by further rain and showers pushing N'wards across these S areas of the British Isles. Jesmond Park Academy in Newcastle was forced to close after high winds damaged its building's roof. Hundreds of people in Brechin were evacuated as exceptional rainfall from Storm Babet threatened to breach flood defences in the town. Angus Council said residents in 350 homes were being told to leave with a red weather warning in place for the town and surrounding areas. In Cumbria, a woman and four-year-old girl had to be rescued from a car stuck in floodwater amid heavy rain near Carlisle at 0800 GMT. Police recovered a woman's body from a river in Angus after she was swept into the Water of Lee in Glen Esk. The Lerwick lifeboat got back to port after the 18-hour rescue mission of a trawler in the North Sea in "atrocious" weather conditions; the Westbank was around 60 miles to the east of Shetland yesterday when it lost engine power and began taking on water. There was little sunshine as a result of the widespread rainfall. (Herstmonceux 19.5C, Lerwick 9.3C maximum, Drumnadrochit 3.7C minimum, Aboyne 52.2 mm, Bude 2.4 h.)

Into the 20th heavy rain continued over N and E Scotland as a strong E/SE'ly flow persisted in N areas. Further S there was showery rain overnight, with heavy falls in SE areas of England. The day continued wet and windy with rain, heavy in places especially close to E coast areas of the UK. The best of the sunshine was across the Channel Islands and also in N Scotland where there were some scattered showers. A man died after getting caught in flood water in Cleobury Mortimer in Shropshire. Derbyshire Fire and Rescue service rescued people from homes and business in the Brampton area of Chesterfield; they estimated that up to 400 properties would be affected by the rising waters of the River Hipper. Rain and winds helped to force a plane off the runway at Leeds Bradford Airport, closing the airport for a while. Some schools were shut in mid and north Wales because of flooding nearby while train routes in N Wales were shut and flooding caused disruption on roads there. The top of a lighthouse was blown off by a combination of huge waves and strong winds; the dome on the lighthouse at South Shields, Tyne and Wear, vanished into the sea. There was major disruption across parts of Scotland for much of the day on the railways. There were no trains around the Swindon area due to flooding at Royal Wootton Bassett and trains were also affected across the Midlands, NW England and NE England with disruption also between Ely and Norwich. It was a mild day in S areas but cooler in the N. (Heathrow 18.7C, Balmoral 5.5C maximum, Balmoral 5.4C minimum, Sheffield 84.0 mm, Stornoway 4.5 h.)

It was a cool start to the 21st across Scotland, but milder further S. There was widespread rain overnight, especially across N and E Scotland, N England and Wales with showers or longer spells of rain in any other areas. At 0000 GMT there were low centres to the storm Babet system over S Wales and to the E of Humberside (both centred at 976 mb); these moved E'wards and N'wards, respectively, during the day, both filling slowly. N and NE Scotland had further heavy rain during the day, with windy conditions. Elsewhere it was a mostly cloudy day with spells of rain and showers, heavy in places. The best of the sunshine was across Ireland and SW Scotland. Three severe flood warnings were issued in Derbyshire as river levels rose in places. Dozens of people were taken into emergency accommodation - many in Angus and Aberdeenshire as well as 50 in the rural village of Debenham, Suffolk. In Scotland, roads and bridges collapsed and dozens of households had to be rescued in Angus, where flood defences were overwhelmed in the early hours. A severe flood alert has also been issued for communities near the banks of two rivers in Powys; the danger-to-life warning covers Llandrinio and other areas near to where the Severn and Vyrnwy meet on the Welsh-English border. Eight Scottish Professional Football League matches were postponed because of Storm Babet. Some residents in the Aberdeen suburb of Peterculter were advised to leave their homes as a precaution in case of flooding, while helicopters were sent to assist a drilling platform which lost four of its eight anchors in stormy conditions in the North Sea. The final heavy rain of storm Babet fell across the Northern Isles in the evening while a funnel cloud was seen over Maidenhead in the afternoon. (Heathrow 17.9C, Dalwhinnie 4.8 C maximum, Dalwhinnie 2.1C minimum, Kinbrace 67.6 mm, Thomastown 6.5 h.)

By dawn on the 22nd there was some patchy rain in parts of Scotland and NW England and the day dawned after a few light showers in parts of S and E England. It was a cool night in Cent areas of Scotland, N England and Ireland under clear skies in many areas. During the day there were a few showers in Wales and in S and W England most parts of the British Isles had sunny spells during the day, however. Residents of some 500 homes near the River Idle in the Nottinghamshire town of Retford were urged to evacuate due to flooding caused by Storm Babet. (Northolt 17.0C, Balmoral 8.6C maximum, Katesbridge -1.4C minimum, Lerwick 19.8 mm, Manston 9.1 h.)

There was little rain overnight into the 23rd across the UK although some frontal rain, driven by a depression centred to the S of Ireland, spread across much of Ireland by dawn; 23 mm of rain fell at Cork Airport in the 12 hours ending 0600 GMT. Inland areas of Scotland had a widespread air frost by dawn and there was some mist and fog in E England by dawn. The day was largely dry away from Ireland, but some frontal rain affected SW England and S Wales, and parts of East Anglia and SE England by the evening. Falls in SW England were heavy in places. It was a sunny day over much of Scotland. (Chivenor 17.3C, Lentran 6.3C maximum, Braemar -5.2C minimum, Isles of Scilly 53.6 mm, Kirkwall 8.3 h.)

Low pressure centres located to the W and the E of the British Isles on the 24th led to an unsettled day. Overnight, rain affected parts of Ireland, S England and S Wales, while there was a slight air frost in parts of N and Cent Scotland. The rain spread NE'wards during the morning and afternoon, heavy in places, affecting areas of S Scotland and N England by mid-evening as another area of heavy rain spread N'wards into SW England and S Wales. In between the two rain areas there were spells of sunshine, but parts of N Scotland had the sunniest conditions. (Swanage 16.9C, Braemar 8.4C maximum, Aviemore -1.1C minimum, Pembrey Sands 45.8 mm, Stornoway 6.7 h.)

Overnight into the 25th there was some persistent and heavy rain pushing in S England with lesser falls in S Wales and the S Midlands. Elsewhere, much of England and Wales had early mist and fog and there was an air frost in parts of N and Cent Scotland. Heavy rainfall left roads impassable and trains unable to run in parts of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight; the Island Line Railway was flooded between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin, blocking all lines. This rain area pushed away SE'wards between dawn and midday. Wales, Cent areas of England and East Anglia had a mostly sunny day. There were scattered showers in E Scotland and NE England. Further rain spread into Ireland and SW England later in the day. (Herstmonceux 16.0C, Balmoral 8.1C maximum, Tulloch Bridge -2.9C minimum, Thorney Island 44.0 mm, Nottingham 7.6 h.)

Low pressure centres to the E and W of the British Isles pushed areas of frontal rain across many areas on the 26th. Most areas, apart from East Anglia and NW Scotland had some falls overnight. During the day E areas of England and Scotland had further falls, while there were showers in many Cent and W areas of the British Isles. These turned thundery around the Channel Islands during the late morning. Wales and S England saw the best of any sunshine while it turned windy over N Scotland. (Cardiff Bute Park 17.5C, Lerwick 8.4C maximum, Dalwhinnie 2.8C minimum, Ballypatrick Forest 31.0 mm, Brize Norton 6.6 h.)

Low pressure remained centred to the W of Ireland in the 27th at 1800 GMT MSL pressure was about 980 mb in SW Ireland. N Ireland, Scotland and SW England had the heaviest rain overnight many other areas had showery falls and there was widespread mist and fog across Ireland, Wales and England by dawn. There were widespread showers during the day, with Scotland and England remaining rather cloudy. There were a few thundery showers in S areas of England and there was some heavy rain in the Hampshire area by midnight. (Bridgefoot 17.2C, Braemar 8.3C maximum, Katesbridge 2.4C minimum, Ballypatrick Forest 43.2 mm, Lyneham 6.4 h.)

Overnight into the 28th an area of heavy rain moved E'wards across S areas of SE England while another area of heavy rain affected parts of Northern Ireland before dawn. Showers affected many areas overnight and it was windy in NE Scotland pressure remained low to the W of Ireland overnight and throughout the day. Residents of Hastings were told to move their cars from the town centre after heavy rain caused major flooding; East Sussex Fire and Rescue issued the advice after a deluge of rain overnight flooded streets in the coastal town. Train operator Southern said that due to heavy rain flooding the railway, it was unable to run trains between Hastings and Ashford International. Parts of Northern Ireland were also affected by flooding, notably places in the counties of Antrim and Down. During the day there was further rain in parts of E Scotland while a developing depression moved N'wards to the S Irish Sea by the evening fronts from this system brought further heavy rain across S and Cent areas of England, Wales and Ireland by midnight. Elsewhere, there were widespread showers and rather cloudy skies. (Northolt 16.7C, Balmoral 8.4C maximum, Baltasound 2.6C maximum, Glenanne 42.8 mm, Wattisham 4.7 h.)

On the 29th an area of low pressure moved from the Dublin area at 0000 GMT, NE'wards to the North Sea (centrev979 mb) by 1200 GMT. By dawn there had been some heavy falls of rain overnight across S England, East Anglia and in parts of Ireland with showery falls in many other areas. S areas of England, Wales and Ireland had turned clearer, with some mist and fog, by dawn. Heavy rain was slow-moving over parts of E Scotland and NE England, and it was windy over N Scotland. Elsewhere, there were widespread showers during the day, heavy in places, with sunny periods. Homes were evacuated and shops left damaged after a Lanchester, County Durham was hit by severe flooding after heavy rain overnight and during the morning. (Cardiff Bute Park 15.8C, Loch Glascarnoch 7.0C maximum, Shobdon 4.2C minimum, Albemarle 37.2 mm, Shannon Airport 7.3 h.)

It was windy overnight in N and W Scotland into the 30th, but further heavy rain fell in Northern Ireland and NE England and there were some heavy showers at times in parts of S England, S Ireland and Wales before dawn. During the day there was further rain over Northern Ireland, with showers in many areas of England, Wales and S Ireland with spells of sunshine at times in many S districts of these areas. It was a cool day across Scotland. (Cardiff Bute Park 16.8C, Braemar 5.9C maximum, Kinbrace 2.5C minimum, Killowen 50.0 mm, Brize Norton 6.7 h.)

The 31st dawned after a night with further spells of rain over Northern Ireland, Wales and parts of N England, with showers occurring in S Ireland, S and E England. In England there were some sferics close to the S coast in places and the day dawned with fog in parts of England and S Ireland. Sheltered areas of N and Cent Scotland had an air frost. Shops and businesses in Newry city centre, Northern Ireland, were damaged after heavy rain caused extensive flooding in the counties of Down, Armagh and Antrim. Newry Canal burst its banks overnight, while some roads were also impassable in parts of Killowen, Camlough, Moira, Ballynahinch, Bangor and Helen's Bay. During the day there were further widespread showers in most areas, although Scotland had a mostly sunny day with a few showers in N areas. More widespread rain and showers affected Wales and S and Cent areas of Ireland and England later in the day, moving NE'wards with heavy falls in places. (Wisley 16.5C, Balmoral 6.2C maximum, Dalwhinnie -5.5C minimum, Killowen 52.6 mm, Kirkwall 5.7 h.)

British Isles weather, November 2023

During the 1st pressure remained low to the W of the British Isles, while another depression (storm Ciaran) deepened as it pushed NE'wards, being centred 954 mb SW of Penzance by 2400 GMT. By dawn a N'ward-moving area of rain had brought rain with some heavy falls in places - across Ireland, Wales and England. It was a cool night across N Scotland. During the day there was rainfall across much of Scotland (with some snow over high ground) and N Ireland, with showers in other areas of the British Isles. By late afternoon further rain associated with storm Ciaran had reached SW England; as it spread across SE Ireland, Wales and much of England and Wales in the evening there were some heavy falls in places. The sunniest areas were across S Ireland and SW England, ahead of this second area of rain. It turned windy in S England and the Channel Islands later. (Hurn 15.1C, Dalwhinnie 4.1C maximum, Altnaharra -3.8C minimum, Tyndrum 35.8 mm, Cork Airport 4.6 h.)

Storm Ciaran crossed the UK on the 2nd, centred close to the Isle of Wight at 0600 GMT (953 mb) and over Norfolk (956 mb) at 1200 GMT, before moving over the North Sea. There were damaging wind gusts in places close to the English Channel, with an area of heavy rain (followed by showers) affecting most areas apart from W areas of Ireland and Scotland although these areas did experience some showers. Storm Ciaran knocked out power to thousands of homes across Devon and Cornwall, Sussex, Surrey and the Channel Islands. In S England more than 300 schools closed, mostly in Devon. Dozens of people in Jersey were evacuated to hotels overnight after wind gusts of up to 102 mph damaged homes. Some train lines came to a complete standstill and the Port of Dover closed. Storm Ciaran set the record for the lowest mean sea level pressure recorded in November in England and Wales; according to the Met Office, the lowest pressure seen as it crossed England was 953.3 mb at Plymouth, and 958.5mb at St Athans, Wales. These broke previous national records, set in 1916 and 2010 respectively. One of the worst affected places on Jersey was the area around FB Fields in St Clement, where a tornado touched down during a severe thunderstorm which pelted the Island with golf ball sized hailstones. Main coastal roads on Jersey were closed during the passage of the storm and airports in the Channel Islands were also closed. The sunniest areas were in W Scotland, N and W Ireland; elsewhere it remained rather cloudy. (Coningsby 13.6C, Dalwhinnie 6.6C maximum, Aviemore -1.5C minimum, Leek 37.6 mm, Magilligan 7.6 h.)

Pressure remained low over the British Isles on the 3rd overnight many areas had spells of rain or showers and it was windy over N areas. The day was rather cloudy across most of Scotland, with ran particularly over E and NE Scotland. Elsewhere there were scattered showers and spells of sunshine, the latter notably in some E areas of England. It turned misty over N areas of Ireland in the evening. (Teddington Bushy Park 15.2C, Loch Glascarnoch 7.4C maximum, Katesbridge -1.2C minimum, Wick Airport 18.8 mm, Tibenham Airfield 7.5 h.)

Overnight into the 4th rain and showers were initially confined to NE Scotland, but by 0600 GMT low pressure to the SW of Ireland had pushed frontal rain across S areas of Ireland, Wales and England with some heavy falls. These turned thundery in places close to the English Channel during the morning. During the day the main rain area pushed N'wards and the associated low pressure centre was 962 mb over SW Wales by 1800 GMT. Showers and some sunshine followed the rain area in S parts, while Scotland had a mostly dry day with some sunshine in N areas. (Yeovilton 14.8C, Aviemore 4.7C maximum, Redesdale Camp -0.9C minimum, Goudhurst 28.6 mm, Yeovilton 5.8 h.)

The main low centred was located over the North Sea by the early hours of the 5th while another low centred remained close to NW Scotland during the day. It was cloudy overnight in most areas, with some mist and fog patches in a few places by dawn, while parts of N Scotland had an air frost. Overnight, England, Wales and Ireland had some spells of rain and showers. Ireland, Wales and S Engand had some showers during the day although most areas had spells of sunshine. (Cardiff Bute Park 14.4C, Cassley 7.1C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch -3.1C minimum, Fylingdales 15.8 mm, Odiham 6.5 h.)

Low pressure remained close to, or over, W Scotland on the 6th (centre 989 mb near Skye by 1800 GMT). Ireland, Wales and W areas of the UK had spells of showers overnight while E areas of the UK were mostly dry with some mist in places. Northern Ireland, Wales, NW England and SW Scotland had most of the rain and showers during the day, while E and S areas of the UK had sunny spells. (Wiggonholt 14.5C, Cassley 6.8C maximum, Aviemore -1.3C minimum, Rochdale 36.6 mm, Manston 7.8 h.)

Low pressure cleared E Scotland early on the 7th. Overnight showers continued in W areas of the UK and in parts of Ireland, and later spread into SE Scotland. Most areas had a largely dry day as a weak ridge developed from the S, but Ireland and some W areas of the UK had a few showers. It was a sunny day in many E and S areas of both Ireland and England. (Gosport Fleetlands 14.5C, Balmoral 7.8C maximum, Fyvie Castle 0.2C minimum, Ballypatrick Forest 13.8 mm, Almondsbury 7.9 h.)

As low pressure approached the British Isles from the W on the 8th the winds turned increasingly W'ly in W areas. Ireland and W areas of the UK had spells of rain and showers overnight as fronts crossed from the W. By dawn this rain had reached E areas of England and Scotland, before clearing away to the E and being followed by showers in the W. There were sferics over W Scotland in morning. The rain was slow to clear the extreme SE corner of England, and the sunniest conditions were to be found over Ireland and S Scotland. Later in the day some of the showers over N Scotland turned wintry over high ground. (Yeovilton 14.1C, Lentran 6.3C maximum, Altnaharra -2.2C minimum, Achnagart 24,8 mm, Thomastown 4.7 h.)

Overnight into the 9th there were bands of rain or showers in many areas although falls were mainly light in E areas of the UK. Showers were heavier in the W where it was also increasingly windy. There were further showers during the day, mainly in W areas where they were also heavy in places. The best of the sunshine during the day was over NE Scotland. (St Catherines Point 12.4C, Lentran 3.9C maximum, Kinloss -1.0C minimum, St Athan 31.2 mm, Kinloss 7.5 h.)

Low pressure over S Ireland at 0000 GMT (centre 985 mb) on the 10th pushed bands of rain, heavy in places across Ireland, Wales and W areas of England. Ahead of the rain there were mist and fog patches in E areas of England and Scotland. The low centre and the main rain area spread quickly SE'wards across S England during the morning. There was another area of rain that affected areas of N Scotland during the day, while other areas had a few rain showers. Away from East Anglia, SE England and N Scotland there were long, sunny spells in many areas. The early morning rain caused some roads in parts of Bristol, North Somerset and Wiltshire to be closed, including part of the M4. Great Western Railway said train services, including between Swindon and Bristol Parkway, were also cancelled. (Isles of Scilly 12.8C, Drumnadrochit 4.0C maximum, Altnaharra -6.3C minimum, Almondsbury 24.4 mm, Eskdalemuir 7.9 h.)

Weather on the 11th was mostly dry, the result of a weak ridge of high pressure. This led to an air frost in many Cent areas of the UK and Ireland, as far S as Cent S England. W areas of the British Isles had a few showers during the day which was largely sunny away from S Ireland. A few showers also affected the NE coasts of England in a N'ly airflow. By mid-evening frontal rain had spread NE'wards into S Ireland, SW England and the Channel Islands. (Usk No.2 12.6C, Dalwhinnie 6.6C maximum, Benson -2.7C minimum, Isles of Scilly 14.0 mm, Wittering 8.1 h.)

Overnight into the 12th there was rain in S areas of Ireland, Wales and England that slowly pushed N'wards, becoming weaker in intensity as it did so. Ahead of the rain skies were mainly clear and there was an inland air frost as far S as East Anglia; NE England had widespread fog around dawn. During the day the best of the sunshine was across N Scotland and S Ireland; most other areas were rather dull but it turned milder once the rain cleared from the S. By mid-evening the rain area had reached S and Cent areas of Scotland. (Isles of Scilly 14.4C, Balmoral 3.7C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch -5.4C minimum, Capel Curig 16.4 mm, Kinloss 7.6 h.)

Low pressure (storm Debi) moved NE'ward across Ireland and S Scotland on the 13th. Overnight, rain spread NE'wards across Ireland, Wales and England, and into Cent Scotland by dawn. At 0600 GMT central pressure was 970 mb close to the Northern Ireland-Eire border. The storm brought windy weather but also mild air to its south. Between 0700 and 0800 GMT there were peak wind gusts of 73 mph at Killowen and 65 mph at Orlock Head. A gust of 71 mph was recorded at Athenry, County Galway in the morning. The rain affected N and E Scotland, and N England, during the day with showers falling elsewhere. By mid-morning roads were closed and there was disruption to the public transport network across Northern Ireland. There was also disruption in the Republic of Ireland; about 100,000 homes and businesses were without power across the Republic. County Galway was one of the areas worst hit by Storm Debi, with severe flooding in some parts. (Writtle 16.7C, Braemar 7.1C maximum, Drumnadrochit -1.4C minimum, Shap 53.0 mm, Hurn 5.5 h.)

Into the 14th conditions were mostly cloudy in N areas with showers. N England, Ireland and Wales also had a showery start the day, while an area of rain spread NE into SW England, later moving E'wards across S England during the morning. Showers followed in most places as he day developed although there was further heavy rain across parts of Scotland and N England. The showers over S Ireland, Wales and S England were thundery in places during the day, while the sunniest places were in W Wales and Ireland. (Chivenor 13.9C, Balmoral 5.6C maximum, Baltasound 1.8C minimum, Prestwick 44.0 mm, Cork Airport 6.8 h.)

An area of low pressure moved E'wards across Scotland on the 15th although slow-moving fronts meant a cloudy day here, away from the N and NE. Rain affected Cent and S Scotland, and later N England, for a large part of the day. There were a few showers across Ireland and in parts of England and Wales, although much of S and Cent England had a sunny day. (Gosport Fleetlands 14.0C, Lentran 5.3C maximum, Altnaharra 0.5C minimum, Auchincruive 31.6 mm, Shoeburyness 7.6 h.)

A depression pushed E'wards along the English Channel on the 16th, giving rain over SW England, the Channel Islands and parts of S Wales by dawn. There were also some showery frontal falls of rain over parts of S Scotland and N England, while N areas of mainland Scotland had a sharp air frost in places. The rain in the S moved E'wards across S England during the morning, also affecting East Anglia, and becoming slow-moving in E areas in the afternoon. Showers also affected parts of Scotland during the day, while another area of frontal rain spread E'wards into Ireland later. Most areas had a cloudy day. (Whitechurch 11.9C, Altnaharra 2.1C maximum, Altnaharra -7.1C minimum, Isles of Scilly 28.2 mm, Camborne 4.2 h.)

Overnight into the 17th a cold front moved E'wards across most areas, giving a spell of rain to many W and Cent areas by dawn. Many areas had little rain as the front weakened, and there were widespread mist and fog patches in E areas of the UK by dawn. It was a cold night in N, Cent and NE areas of Scotland. Most E areas of the UK had a sunny day; there were a few showers in the W, with an area of more widespread frontal rain across Ireland that reached SW England, Wales and Cent S England later in the afternoon and evening. (Isles of Scilly and Valentia 12.7C, Aviemore -0.4C maximum, Braemar -5.1C minimum, Blackpool 14.6 mm, Manston 7.2 h.)

The 18th dawned after a band of showery rain spread across most areas from the SW during the night. The rain eased off as it moved E'wards across England, but across Scotland the rain was more persistent during the day. Mild air followed the rain from the SW although it was a cloudy day in all areas. (Yeovilton 16.6C, Lentran 6.4C maximum, Aviemore -2.1C minimum, Killowen 30.8 mm, Sheffield 1.0 h.)

On the 19th pressure was low to the W and N of the British Isles, with a low centre (995 mb) just off N Scotland at 1800 GMT. Showers affected Ireland, Scotland, Wales and N and W areas of Engand overnight and the day was then rather cloudy with spells of rain, mostly in W areas, being heavy at times. It was a windy day in W and coastal areas. (Heathrow 14.7C, Baltasound 6.7C maximum, Aboyne 1.6C minimum, Capel Curig 55.4 mm, Cork Airport 4.4 h.)

On the 20th two low pressure centres steadily drifted E'wards across the British Isles. Overnight rain across S Ireland, S Wales and SW England gradually moved E'wards although there were spells of light rain or showers in many areas at times, both overnight and during the day. Falls in E areas of England from these showers were very slight, and the best of the sunshine was to be found in East Anglia and in parts of SW Ireland and SW Scotland. The winds turned from a more N'ly direction, from the W, as the day developed. (Shobdon 14.1C, Lerwick 6.5C maximum, Fyvie Castle 3.6C minimum, Liscombe 13.6 mm, Glasgow 4.9 h.)

Overnight into the 21st it was cool and mainly dry across N and Cent Scotland, but cloudy and milder elsewhere with a few showers close to North Sea coastal areas. A developing ridge (MSL pressure was close to 1034mb in SW Ireland 1800 GMT) meant a mostly dry day across the British Isles, the exceptions to this being a few showers in E areas and some frontal rainfall later in the day over W parts of Scotland and Ireland. It was a rather cloudy day in most areas. (Scolton Country Park 12.3C, Aboyne 5.2C maximum, Resallach -1.2C minimum, Fylingdales 11.2 mm, Ronaldsway 4.9 h.)

Into the 22nd there were clear skies for a time over the SE quarter of England, which led to some mist in places. Elsewhere, a warm front spread cloud and light rain SE'wards across Ireland and Scotland overnight, and across most other areas of the UK by the evening. Parts of Cent, E and S England had an overnight ground frost but it was cloudy day across the British Isles (away from the Channel Islands) during daylight hours. It was a windy day with some further rain (heavy in places) across N Scotland but noticeably mild here. (Lossiemouth 14.6C, Wattisham 8.6C maximum, Santon Downham 1.3C minimum, Resallach 47.8 mm, Jersey Airport 5.3 h.)

The surface flow turned NW'ly during the 23rd with some spells of frontal rain moving from NW areas of the UK overnight, into Ireland, N Wales and N England during the day. Further SE it was a mostly dry day and mild with sunny spells across many areas of England away from the SW. A few showers turned wintry across N and Cent Scotland. (Hawarden 14.9C, Lerwick 5.9C maximum, Fair Isle 2.8C minimum, Kinlochewe 31.0 mm, Shoeburyness 7.0 h.)

Overnight into the 24th patchy rain will spread S'wards, bringing cooler air S'wards as it passed; showers across N areas of the UK fell as snow over high ground. Many places, away from N and Cent Scotland, had a sunny day although a few showers blew on to North Sea coastal areas. Away from W and S Ireland, and SW areas of England and Wales, it was a noticeably cooler day. (Sherkin Island 12.4C, Dalwhinnie 2.7C maximum, Tyndrum 0.4C minimum, Resallach 7.6 mm, Glasgow 6.9 h.)

The British Isles lay under high pressure on the 25th (centre 1024 mb over Northern Ireland at 0600 GMT), leading to a mostly dry day. Away from the coasts there was a widespread air frost across most of Great Britain and NE Ireland, although it was cloudier and slightly milder with light showers over parts of NE Scotland and East Anglia overnight. There were further showers in E areas under a N'ly flow during the day; in most parts of the UK (except over N Scotland) it was a sunny and cool. Some frontal rain, and a rise in temperature, affected S Ireland and SW England by mid-evening. (Isles of Scilly 12.3C, Spadeadam 1.5C maximum, Shap -7.7C minimum, Cromer 4.0 mm, Manston 7.7 h.)

Away from Ireland and W areas of the UK, the 26th dawned with a widespread air frost. Clear skies over E England at fist led to widespread mist here, but by dawn rain and drizzle had spread E'wards across Ireland and into W areas of Wales and SW England. During the day this precipitation moved E'wards across Wales and the S half of England; there were a few showers in W parts of Scotland, and another area of frontal rain affected the Northern Isles. It was a generally cloudy day, except in N Scotland and SW Ireland. As he rain in the S moved E'wards, warmer air arrived here from the SW but there were some heavy falls in places here in the evening. (Bude 12.3C, Lentran 0.6C maximum, Tyndrum -6.4C minimum, Swanage 20.0 mm, Altnaharra 4.4 h.)

Low pressure gradually transferred to the E of the UK on the 27th. Parts of N and E Scotland had an air frost overnight, but the day dawned mild in S areas of Ireland and England after a night with widespread falls of rain; in there was also some light snowfall over high ground in N England and S Scotland. During the day the rain moved away E'wards, to be followed by scattered showers, particularly in E areas of the UK in an onshore flow. The best of the sunshine was across Ireland and W areas of the UK. (Swanage 12.6C, Leek 4.0C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch -3.0C minimum, Cranwell 24.6 mm, Aldergrove 6.0 h.)

A mostly light, N/NE'ly surface flow affected the British Isles on the 28th. Overnight there was a slight air frost in parts of Ireland, Scotland and N England the night was mostly dry apart for some showers in N and E areas, these being wintry over the hills. The day was mostly dry, except for some showers in Scotland and along E coast areas, these falling as snow on the hills and sleet at lower levels. Parts of S Ireland and E England had a sunny day but it was a cold day in inland areas of N Scotland. (Camborne 10.7C, Achnagart 0.6C maximum, Shap -3.7C minimum, Manston 6.2 mm, Shoeburyness 6.7 h.)

Away from S Ireland, W Wales and SW England there was a widespread air frost by dawn on the 29th. There were some overnight showers in E Scotland and NE England (some falling as sleet or snow here), and in N Ireland, W Wales and SW England. From S Scotland S'wards there were sunny periods in many areas at times with some showers in E areas of the UK, while the cloudy areas of Scotland were cold with wintry showers in places. Cumbria and parts of NE Engand and Norfolk also had some wintry falls with 1-2 cm of lying snow in some low level areas here. Rain fell over the Channel Islands later in the day. (Camborne 9.5C, Drumalbin 0.7C maximum, Bridgefoot -7.2C minimum, Loftus 13.6 mm, Wittering 7.1 h.)

Away from SW England, S Ireland and N areas of Scotland there was a widespread air frost into the 30th. Frontal cloud led to some rain or snow in SW England and the Channel Islands, while there were also some wintry showers in E Scotland and N England overnight. It was a mostly dry and cold day for much of the British Isles. It was cloudy in S England with showers affecting the extreme S, these falling as snow on the hills. Sleet and snow showers also fell in N and E Scotland and in parts of N England. Away from N and Cent Scotland and S England it was a mainly sunny day. In Cornwall the snow brought some disruption with some schools being closed. (Tiree 7.6C, Okehampton -0.3C maximum, Santon Downham -6.6C minimum, Culdrose 37.6 mm, Shannon Airport 7.4 h.)

British Isles weather, December 2023

There was a widespread air frost into the 1st, with scattered showers along E, N and a few W coastal areas; these were wintry along the NE coast of England. Inland areas of England and Wales had some mist and fog by dawn. The day was largely bright, with sunny spells in most areas away from S Ireland. There were a few further wintry falls along NE coasts and temperatures remained below freezing in some isolated locations during the day. Snow lay 5 cm deep at Aviemore overnight. (Isles of Scilly 6.7C, Chillingham Barns -1.9C maximum, Shap -9.4C minimum, Machrihanish 12.4 mm, Camborne 7.4 h.)

There was another widespread air frost overnight into the 2nd; many places had widespread fog by dawn, especially in E England while there were a few wintry showers in N areas of the UK. Fog was slow to lift in SE England. In Wales, the W half of England and SW Scotland there were scattered showers, with sleet and snow in places. It was a sunny day in N Scotland and also in some W areas of the UK. Fog caused problems with travel - Manchester United football team's flight to Newcastle was cancelled ahead of their game in the evening as transport was disrupted in N England. Glasgow Airport had to ground all flights for several hours during the morning. Eleven football matches in the Scottish Football League were postponed due to snow and freezing temperatures. Ferry services in the Solent were suspended because of thick fog across the English Channel. Some drivers and their passengers had spent the evening/night in temporary accommodation or stuck in their cars after heavy snow in Cumbria caused widespread disruption. (Isles of Scilly 10.2C, Balmoral -4.0C maximum, Aviemore -11.0C minimum, Walney Island 16.2 mm, Leconfield 6.5 h.)

On the 3rd low pressure to the SW of the British Isles pushed frontal cloud and precipitation across the British Isles. Spells of sleet and snow pushed across Wales and England overnight, with rain in the S. Tere were a few showers in SW Scotland and Ireland. Ahead of the precipitation there was a widespread air frost, sharp over N Scotland. The snow and rain cleared E areas of England in the morning, followed by further spells of rain across Wales and England. It was drier, with a few coastal showers elsewhere and mostly bright over Scotland. Snow depths at 0600 GMT included 9 cm at Leek and 7 cm at Nottingham Weather Centre. (Isles of Scilly 12.1C, Aviemore -5.5C minimum, Altnaharra -12.5C minimum, Walney Island 27.6 mm, Stornoway 5.5 h.)

An area of low pressure moved E across N France on the 4th leading to falls of rain across England and Wales by dawn, with wintry showers in the NE. It was a mainly cloudy day across the UK during the day, with sleet and snow over high ground from N England N'wards and some wintry showers across N Scotland. Parts of SW England had some heavy and persistent rain and people living near rivers across Dorset were told to prepare for flooding. The A35, the main route through the county, was closed between Bridport and Dorchester in the afternoon due to flooding, National Highways said. A number of other road closures were also in place. In Street, 62 mm of rain fell in the 24 hours ending 1800 GMT; people in their 50's who had lived in Street all their lives had never seen rain (or flooding) like it. (Isle of Portland 10.5C, Altnaharra 1.1C maximum, Drumnadrochit -7.3C minimum, Yeovilton 51.8 mm, Thomastown 5.8 h.)

During the 5th rain spread into S Scotland and Northern Ireland, later moving away and clearing to the E. Some inland areas of Eire and Scotland had an early air frost. Much of England was cloudy, as rain gradually becoming confined to the SE. There were a few wintry showers in E areas of Scotland and over high ground in N England. CrossCountry Trains said heavy flooding blocked lines between Edinburgh Waverley and Newcastle. There was also flooding on the line between Taunton and Westbury in SW Engand. In Somerset, several secondary schools opened late on Tuesday and at least four primaries were closed due to flooding. (Scolton Country Park 9.4C, Resallach -1.1C maximum, Altnaharra -10.4C minimum, Blencathra 24.4 mm, Aberdaron 5.5 h.)

Overnight into the 6th it was largely dry although by dawn rain had spread from the W into parts of Ireland. Mist and fog developed by dawn in many Cent and E areas of England and this was slow to clear in places. By the evening the rain had spread into E Ireland, Wales and SW England. There was an early air frost across much of Britain away from SW England and S Wales while it was a sunny day in E areas of the England and Scotland, ahead of the frontal cloud. (Isles of Scilly 11.5C, Lentran -4.1C maximum, Altnaharra -11.7C minimum, Murlough 19.0 mm, Tibenham Airfield 6.9 h.)

Into the 7th rain spread to most areas of the UK by dawn, with hill snow in N England and Scotland as the rain met cold air. Bands of rain affected most areas, apart from NW Scotland, during the day and these were accompanied by thunder in the Thames Valley in the early evening. Snow across Scotland turned to rain as temperatures rose from the SW. Heavy rain in the SW caused some problems in and around Somerset. A landslip above the Crewkerne tunnel entrance in Somerset due to sustained heavy rain meant services between Salisbury and Exeter were halted and some roads in the county were blocked by flooding. Wincanton races were called off due to "significant rainfall". It was a dull day away from S Ireland. (Porthmadog 12.8C, Spadeadam 3.9C maximum, Tain Range -5.5C minimum, Threave 54.4 mm, Cork Airport 3.8 h.)

Weather on the 8th was dominated by an area of low pressure that spread E into N Ireland by the evening (centre 984 mb). Rain cleared from E areas of Scotland and England overnight, to be followed by showers in N and W areas of the British Isles. Heavy rain affected parts of N Ireland, S Scotland and N England later as the low pressure area arrived. East Anglia and parts of S England had a sunny once some early mist had cleared elsewhere the day was generally cloudy. (Swanage 12.9C, Lentran 5.0C maximum, Drumnadrochit -0.2C minimum, Lake Vyrnwy 25.8 mm, Manston 5.3 h.)

Low pressure (storm Erin) slowly crossed E'wards from N Ireland towards SE Scotland by the evening of the 9th. Overnight an area of rain cleared E'wards from Scotland, while another area of widespread (and in places, heavy) rain pushed NE'wards from the SW reaching S and Cent Scotland by midday. Windy conditions and gales followed the rain across Ireland, N England and S Scotland while a few showers followed the rain in S areas. There were a number of road closures and diversions in place due to the weather - including the Antrim Coast Road at Glenarm, which was closed due to flooding and a landslide. Fallen trees also caused transport problems in parts of Ireland. Temperatures across the S half of England and Wales were generally around 12-14C during the day. (Hurn 14.3C, Baltasound 5.8C maximum, Lentran 2.6C minimum, Blencathra 38.4 mm, Cork Airport 5.1 h.)

A depression (storm Fergus) moved into Cent Ireland during the 10th (centre 979 mb at 1800 GMT). There was some rain and showers overnight in NE Scotland, while by dawn rain had spread NE'wards across much of Ireland. A mostly cloudy day followed with rain, heavy in places, extending E'wards. It turned windy in some W and S areas of the British Isles, and as the rain cleared S Ireland there were some sunny spells here. It was a mild day over England, Wales and Ireland in the SW/W'ly flow. Am unconfirmed tornado caused significant damage in a village in the Republic of Ireland; buildings and cars were damaged and boats overturned in Leitrim along the River Shannon. (Exeter Airport 14.3C, Aviemore 4.6C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch 1.9C minimum, Derrylin Cornahoule 32.0 mm, Cork Airport 5.1 h.)

Into the 11th there were areas of rain across Wales and N England, with showery falls in many areas close to the E coast of Britain. During the day most of the rain and showers became confined to N and E areas of Scotland, while other most areas of Britain and E Ireland having a day with sunny spells. Much of England, Wales and Ireland had a mild day. Although in the evening a band of frontal rain spread E'wards across Ireland and then into Wales and SW England. (Bude 13.4C, Altnaharra 2.0C maximum, Tyndrum -2.2C minimum, Bingley 14.6 mm, Leeming 6.4 h.)

Into the 12th spells of heavy and persistent rain across E Ireland, SW England and Wales moved E'wards and then N'wards across the UK. Heavy showers spread into SW areas by dawn. The precipitation was due to an area of low pressure that pushed slowly E'wards across S areas of Ireland and the UK centre 991 mb over SW Wales at 1200 GMT. The day was largely cloudy and unsettled with spells of rain and blustery showers pushing eastwards, some thundery in areas of S England. It was generally a dry day across Ireland and W Scotland. There were sferics in the afternoon in parts of Cent S and SE England. Teachers were given heart checks in hospital after a school was struck by lightning; four teachers were reportedly using IT equipment when they received "mild electric shocks" at Priory School in Southsea, Hampshire. (Herstmonceux 12.6C, Lerwick 4.3C maximum, Baltasound -3.1C minimum, Capel Curig 36.2 mm, Exeter Airport 2.0 h.)

The depression (centre 993 mb over East Anglia at 0000 GMT) moved away E'wards on the 13th and it was a cold night across N Scotland. Overnight, showers became increasingly confined to E areas of Britain and continued to fall here in many areas during the day. There were spells of sunshine during the day in much of the W half of the British Isles although falls of light rain and drizzle affected much of Ireland and later, W Scotland - in the evening. (Scolton Country Park 10.7C, Cassley 0.1C maximum, Altnaharra -7.0C minimum, Inverbervie 16.0 mm, Katesbridge 6.0 h.)

Overnight into the 14th an area of rain spread E'wards across most N and W areas of the British Isles; by dawn it had reached E areas of Scotland and NE England and during the day it continued to push E'wards across Cent an S areas of England, although falls were most light here. Scattered showers followed the rain in W areas and there were a few sunny spells mixed with the showers in places. (Plymouth Kinterbury Point 12.9C, Fylingdales 5.9C maximum, Redesdale Camp -4.2C minimum, Aultbea 12.8 mm, Boulmer 5.1 h.)

The 15th dawned cool in some Cent areas of England, after a night that gave some showery falls in W Scotland and N Ireland. High pressure built from the S during the day by 1800 GMT MSL pressure was close to 1040 mb along the English Channel. There were further showers falls across N and W Scotland during the day and it was a cloudy, albeit mild, day in most areas. (Kinlochewe 13.1C, Fylingdales 6.1C maximum, Benson -0.3C minimum, Cassley 12.2 mm, Bude 1.8 h.)

Pressure remained high in S areas on the 16th but pressure gradients were large across N areas of Britain. Overnight it was largely cloudy, with some showers in W areas of the British Isles and some patchy frontal rain in E areas. During the day it was mostly cloudy, turning windy across the British Isles in the afternoon. There was some heavy frontal rain across NW Scotland with the best of any sunshine being over E England. Trains and ferry services were cancelled in parts of N Scotland for 24-48 hours as a weather warning for very heavy rain came into effect in parts of Scotland. It was a mild day with maximum temperatures above 10C in most areas. (Hereford 14.1C, Lake Vyrnwy 8.5C maximum, Hurn 1.7C minimum, Kinlochewe 89.2 mm, Waddington 6.2 h.)

The 17th dawned with heavy rain falling across NW and N Scotland it was mostly dry overnight elsewhere except form some light showers in W areas of the British Isles. During the day the main rain area moved into SW Scotland, N Ireland and NW England. It remained windy in N areas and was rather cloudy, except over parts of E England and East Anglia. (Tain Range 14.7C, Okehampton 8.2C maximum, Rochdale 4.2C minimum, Achnagart 71.6 mm, Manston 6.9 h.)

Into the 18th there were spells of rain across Ireland, Wales, N England and SW Scotland and these spread SE'wards during the day with additional falls across N areas of Scotland. It was a cloudy day almost everywhere, but mostly mild (Hawarden 14.8C, Lerwick 8.5C maximum, Fyvie Castle 2.1C minimum, Capel Curig 37.2 mm, Dyce 1.1 h.)

It was a wet night into the 19th across S Ireland, Wales and in Cent and S areas of England, but largely dry and cool in places across N and Cent Scotland. Across England and Wales the rain gave way to sunny spells in the afternoon. Across Ireland and Scotland it was windy with showers, these being wintry over some N hills. (Hurn 12.9C, Dalwhinnie 4.9C maximum, Aboyne -0.8C minimum, Gogerddan 32.8 mm, Dublin Airport 5.5 h.)

Pressure was high in S areas on the 20th (1024 mb in SW Ireland at 1800 GMT) but a depression named storm Pia (centre 979 mb close to the Faroes at 1800 GMT) led to windy condition in N areas. Overnight, showers turned into more general rain across Scotland and N Ireland and a mostly cloudy day followed in all areas as the rain extended across the W half of England and Wales by the evening. Away from the Northern Isles it was a mostly mild day. (Leuchars 12.3C, Baltasound 4.4C maximum, Lerwick 0.9C minimum, Achnagart 32.4 mm, East Malling 1.7 h.)

By 0600 GMT on the 21st storm Pia had lowered the MSL pressure to 966.2 mb at Baltasound. It was a windy day across Scotland and N England as a result with outbreaks of rain clearing to blustery showers and clear spells across the N half of the British Isles. There were some showery falls in most other areas of the British Isles during the day. Storm Pia led to gusts of 80 mph on Shetland and in some N areas schools were closed due to the storm-force winds. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said more than 2000 customers were affected by power cuts in rural areas, including parts of South Uist, the Isle of Lewis and Orkney. Multiple power cuts have also been reported across Dumfries and Galloway. Trains between Edinburgh and England were cancelled and there was disruption on the ferries. Later in the day rain turned to snow in some N areas of Scotland. Rainbow-coloured nacreous clouds were seen across the East of England for the first time in seven years; they are rarely seen in the UK because of the exceptional conditions needed, forming above 20 km. The clouds, sometimes referred to as "mother-of-pearl" because of their colours, were seen across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Hertfordshire. (Teddington Bushy Park 14.6C, Lerwick 4.2C maximum, Lerwick 3.3C minimum, Cassley 35.4 mm, Boulmer 4.1 h.)

A slow-moving set of cold fronts across Scotland and N England on the 22nd marked the boundary between mild air to the S and cooler conditions to the N. As these fronts pushed S they gave some showery rain as far S as the Midlands and East Anglia; there was little sunshine during the day and it was a cold day across N Scotland with temperatures remaining below 4C in some areas. It was a windy day in most areas; showers fell as snow across the Northern Isles overnight and during the day, with wintry falls at low levels in some parts of N Scotland during the day. (Swanage 12.7C, Lerwick 1.9C maximum, Baltasound -3.6C minimum, Achnagart 24.4 mm, Odiham 3.1 h.)

The 23rd was a generally mild and breezy day. Patchy overnight air frosts were confined to the N half of Scotland, while there was some rain further S in Scotland, N England and N Ireland overnight due to a warm front. Rain fell as snow in parts of N and NE Scotland overnight and during the day. There was some rain in Cent and S Scotland during the day, with another area of frontal rain spreading E across Ireland later in the day. It was a cloudy day in most areas. Snow lay 6 cm deep in Altnaharra at 1200 GMT. (Murlough 13.5C, Aboyne 1.1C maximum, Lerwick -0.3C minimum, Resallach 63.4 mm, Manston 3.4 h.)

Overnight into the 24th frontal rain spread E across Ireland and W areas of Britain, the rain becoming patchier as it moved E. It was windy across N areas throughout the day with MSL pressure falling to 968 mb at Lerwick later in the day. The day was mostly cloudy away from E Scotland with rain or showers in Ireland and W areas of the UK but mainly dry elsewhere. The Met Office said it was the warmest Christmas Eve in the UK since 1997 with 15.3C at Heathrow and Cippenham; the records remains that set back in 1931 when 15.5C was recorded in Aberdeen and Banff. (Heathrow 15.3C, Dalwhinnie 7.6C maximum, Tain Range 0.4C minimum, Capel Curig 40.6 mm, Dyce3.6 h.)

The 25th was cloudy and breezy for much of the British Isles with a mild start across S and Cent areas of England, Wales and Ireland. There were outbreaks of rain at times in most areas, heavy at times in the afternoon. Snow or sleet fell at lower levels in N and E Scotland later in the day. The Met Office also provisionally confirmed the highest daily minimum temperature for Christmas Day on record, at 12.4C recorded at Exeter Airport and East Malling - beating the previous record of 11.5C measured at Waddon in 1983. 13.6C at Exeter Airport, during the day was the highest temperature on the 25th since 2016. (Exeter Airport 13.6C, Aviemore 1.6C maximum, Aboyne -2.1C minimum, Dunstaffnage 27.8 mm, Kirkwall 0.6 h.)

By dawn on the 26th bands of frontal rain had generally cleared E to the North Sea, although a few showery falls persisted in W areas; elsewhere, skies tended to clear after the rain. The day was largely dry with sunny spells in most areas; there were some wintry showers in N Scotland while later in the day further frontal rain spread into Ireland and SW areas of England and Wales. It was a cool day across N Scotland. (Isles of Scilly 11.9C, Tulloch Bridge 1.2C maximum, Tulloch Bridge -3.7C minimum, Cassley 12.0 mm, Dyce 5.5 h.)

By 0600 GMT on the 27th MSL pressure had fallen to 985 mb in NW Ireland Storm Gerrit. Overnight a large area of rain spread NE'wards to affect most areas by dawn, with snow falling over high ground in N England and in parts of Scotland. It turned windy in most areas and there was an air frost ahead of the rain across much of Scotland; the Northern Isles remained dry by dawn. The day continued wet and windy in most areas, with snow over the higher ground of Scotland. Towards the evening, the rain will start to clear from the west, and be replaced by blustery showers. Later, the rain was replaced by showers from the W. Travellers faced disruption on the roads, railways and ferries as Storm Gerrit brought snow and heavy rain to Scotland. The A9 was closed in both directions by snow at Dalnaspidal, and between Dunkeld and Ballinluig due to flooding. Fallen trees and floods led to road closures on the A82 near Fort William and in West Dunbartonshire. ScotRail said there was "widespread disruption" to services, with no trains running north of Dundee or Perth for much of the day. Around a hundred homes were damaged after a "localised tornado" tore through the Tameside area of Greater Manchester. Police declared a major incident at about 2345 GMT, with roofs torn off houses, trees being blown down and walls collapsing. (Bude 14.2C, Lentran 3.6C maximum, Braemar -6.2C minimum, Achnagart 65.8 mm, Cork Airport 1.8 h.)

Into the 28th it remained windy and blustery with a mix of clear spells and showers, which were heavy in places. It was a mild night in S England while pressure remained low during the night and day across N Scotland (with a low centred at 970 mb near Shetland at 0600 GMT). There were bright spells and blustery showers during the day that continued to move E'wards, and it remained windy. It was mild across much of Ireland, Wales and England although it remained dull across S England. (Swanage 13.1C, Lerwick 3.8C maximum, Fyvie Castle -0.3C minimum, Tyndrum 41.0 mm, Cork Airport 4.4 h.)

Pressure remained low across N Scotland on the 29th although the main centre moved E'wards. It was a mild night in S areas of the British Isles, with rain and showers mainly across Ireland, Wales and Scotland. These turned wintry across N Scotland, with further wintry falls during the day over high ground in N Ireland, N Wales and N Scotland. (Swanage 12.7C, Dalwhinnie 1.8C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch 0.0C minimum, Machrihanish 31.8 mm, Cork Airport 5.1 h.)

Overnight into the 30th any showers tended to die out, except in parts of NE Scotland, while another area of frontal rain spread across Ireland, Wales and W areas of England by dawn. The rain, accompanied by strong winds, moved NE'wards during the day, with heavy falls in places. The rain turned to sleet and snow as it met cold air across parts of N Ireland, N England and Scotland during the day. The SE corner of England tended to turn drier during the day, but it remained dull in most areas. (Bude 13.0C, Lentran 3.1C maximum Dalwhinnie -5.5C minimum, Scolton Country Park 33.8 mm, Shannon Airport 1.4 h.)

Overnight into the 31st widespread rain moved E'wards across the UK, with some heavy falls across the Midlands and S areas of England. Clearing skies led to an air frost in parts of N and Cent Scotland. Showers in W areas spread E during the day over Ireland, Wales and England while there was some heavy rain across the Northern Isles. Mainland Scotland had a largely dry day, with some sunshine. (Hurn 11.4C, Braemar 2.4C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch -2.5C minimum, Fair Isle 25.2 mm, Charterhall 5.1 h.)


Last updated 12 March 2024.