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April 2008 was a cool month with rainfall only just above average and can be counted in average category. Once again average temperature was below normal and if it wasn’t for the very warm start to the month and a warm/mild spell towards the end it would have come in well below the average. The month once again beat January with the number of days of Snow falling and even managed a brief overnight cover which is very rare these days. The first Thunder of the year was also recorded on the 27th during a weak Thundery shower.
The Month wasn’t particularly windy with 48 mph being the highest recorded gust on the 2nd. Wind speeds after that only just crept above 40 MPH once. Winds were mainly from the South West although a more Northerly flow commenced from the 16th to the 23rd. A Shorter North Westerly outbreak lasted from the 5th to the 7th.
April began with a very warm spell with temperatures in the low to mid teens and 15.5C on the 3rd was the highest recorded until the 22nd When 16.5C was recorded two days running. After the 3rd Temperatures fell away quickly and a cool spell started lasting from the 5th to the 20th. During this period Hail Sleet and Snow occurred with two air frosts and plenty of ground frosts. The lowest overnight low was early in this period being -3.3C on the 6th. Warmer air returned on the 21st and after that it became warm but showery. The highest tempo of the month 19C was recorded on the 26th. AS Low pressure moved in it became cooler again but still on the mild side.
Rainfall was above average with rain being recorded on most days. The highest amount being a 15.3 mm recorded on the 29th while the next was a dismal 9.0 mm on the 16th. Overall there wasn’t any notable rain during the month.
The month recorded three air frosts the hardest being on the 6th. The other Air frosts were slight. Ground frosts occurred on 14 days the lowest being on the 6th, 14th and 15th with -4.9C recorded.
Snowfall was again put the rest of Winter to shame with Snow or Sleet falling on six days and slight overnight covering on two days. A few Showers produced notable hail with a brief covering before melting away in the Sun.
May will start on a cool/average manner with Showers or longer periods of rain. After that a warmer spell is likely with temperatures well above average and slight chance of some Thundery weather. There is a hint that Northerly blocking could well return during the 2nd half bringing cool showery weather. Overall I expect May to halt the run of below average months and will be above average temp wise but below average once again in rainfall.
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