Main content

A mild start for October, but turning fresher

Derek Brockway

Little Haven by Mandy Llewellyn

It's been a remarkable month with above average temperatures making the warmest September in Wales since 2006. It's also been sunnier than normal with Wales being the sunniest part of the UK.

This month has also been very dry. In fact it's the second driest September in Wales since records began in 1910.

Rainfall amounts varied across the country. Hawarden in Flintshire and Eglwyswen in Pembrokeshire only had a few milimetres of rain. 

Anglesey (RAF Valley) recorded its driest September since 1986but at St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan around 20mm was recorded. 

Ray Garner, who runs a weather station at Llanfynydd in Carmarthenshire, recorded a total of 18.8mm in September, 19% of the expected average of 97.1mm.

This is the lowest rainfall for any month since he started taking measurements in 1996!

The driest September in Wales was in 1957 when only 11.7mm of rain fell. 

The dry and warm conditions this month have been caused by the jet stream which has been positioned to the north of the UK.

This has allowed high pressure to dominate our weather for much of the month.

Some farmers and gardeners are desperate for rain becasue it's been so dry and there is a big change on the way.

The jet stream will move further south next week and that means the weather will turn much more unsettled and cooler.

Brecon Beacons reservoir by Lance Tucker

Low pressure will take control bringing rain, showers and stronger winds. 

October will start off mild but it will turn much fresher over the weekend and more autumnal next week.

Blog comments will be available here in future. Find out more.

More Posts

Next

The tales of two orphans