30/9 More sunshine

More sunshine - just a little mist in the early hours and around dawn, but once this cleared, there was wall to wall sunshine throughout.  Feeling a little cool in the shade (remember, it's late September), but there's still plenty of warmth in the direct sun, even though it's now over the other side of the equator.

Temperature 
Maximum: 17.5°C (12:32).  Minimum: 7.2°C (05:12).  Average temperature for the day: 11.9°C
Highest apparent temperature: 16.3°C (12:32).  Low apparent temperature: 6.0°C (05:12)

Wind
Highest sustained wind speed: 5.1mph (16:07).
Highest gust speed: 6.9mph (10:52), bearing 90 (E)
Dominant wind bearing: 151 (SEbS)

Pressure
Maximum: 1036.6Mb, minimum: 1033.7Mb

Humidity
Highest: 91% (07:42), lowest 55% (15:57)

Rainfall
Total for today: 0.0mm. Highest hourly rainfall: 0.0mm/hr

29/9 Same again!

Colours in the sky over Redeemer School

Yet more sunshine today as we remain well and truly underneath a large area of high pressure,  There was a slight change early on though as there was a thin layer of high cloud around at dawn.  Even so, the sun could always be seen and as it climbed, the cloud became insignificant.

It's quite cold early on now, though the temperature rose quickly, peaking this time slightly less but still a respectable 16.5°C.  Dry again, and with lighter winds today, feeling very pleasant, though the temperature dropped quickly after sunset.

Temperature 
Maximum: 16.5°C (12:42).  Minimum: 6.5°C (07:32).  Average temperature for the day: 11.5°C
Highest apparent temperature: 15.8°C (12:42).  Low apparent temperature: 4.8°C (07:52)

Wind
Highest sustained wind speed: 4.5mph (12:27).
Highest gust speed: 5.4mph (12:22), bearing 0 (N)
Dominant wind bearing: 331 (NWbN)

Pressure
Maximum: 1037.2Mb, minimum: 1035.3Mb

Humidity
Highest: 91% (08:52), lowest 63% (14:57)

Rainfall
Total for today: 0.0mm. Highest hourly rainfall: 0.0mm/hr

28/9 Sunny again!

Another cool night but no sign of the frost it was suggested we may have. If you got up at around 3am, you'd have seen a 'blood moon': a lunar eclipse where the red portion of sunlight is refracted through the Earth's atmosphere onto the Moon's surface, but other wavelengths are not. There's been many images posted online of the phenomenon, but not by me, despite the ideal viewing conditions (unusually for us...), in my view 3 o'clock is a time best appreciated in the afternoons.

Anyway, the weather... Another virtually cloudless day, again just whisps of cirrus and vapour trails blemishing a perfect blue sky on another dry and warm day, with a slightly stronger breeze throughout.

And another unusual phenomena in the evening: the thin cirrus clouds created for a time a vivid circumzenithal arc, a kind of upside-down rainbow, which again created a stir online. Whilst striking, and this one was indeed a particularly good example, these are not actually that uncommon, appearing when there's thin cirrus in the sky and the sun is at a fairly shallow angle.

Unfortunately I just had my phone with me and only captured the end of the show as the arc shrunk back to a coloured circle. (Note the bright spot in the trees in this photo is lens flare)

Temperature 
Maximum: 17.5°C (12:35).  Minimum: 5.8°C (06:54).  Average temperature for the day: 11.1°C
Highest apparent temperature: 16.5°C (16:57).  Low apparent temperature: 4.5°C (06:54)

Wind
Highest sustained wind speed: 8.7mph (11:42).
Highest gust speed: 9.8mph (12:03), bearing 90 (E)
Dominant wind bearing: 349 (NbW)

Pressure
Maximum: 1037.2Mb, minimum: 1034.8Mb

Humidity
Highest: 92% (09:39), lowest 59% (12:41)

Rainfall
Total for today: 0.0mm. Highest hourly rainfall: 0.0mm/hr

27/9 Sunny throughout

A cool start but clear skies meant the sun got to work, bringing pleasant Autumn temperatures under perfect cloudless skies. Only whisps of cirrus and lengthy vapour trails were visible throughout the day. The clear conditions persisted into the night, perfect for viewing the 'supermoon', a large full moon almost at perigee, the closest it gets to Earth in its elliptical orbit.

Temperature 
Maximum: 17.4°C (12:38).  Minimum: 4.2°C (07:18).  Average temperature for the day: 9.9°C
Highest apparent temperature: 16.3°C (12:43).  Low apparent temperature: 2.6°C (07:18)

Wind
Highest sustained wind speed: 4.8mph (13:13).
Highest gust speed: 6.0mph (13:58), bearing 270 (W)
Dominant wind bearing: 321 (NWbN)

Pressure
Maximum: 1036.1Mb, minimum: 1030.8Mb

Humidity
Highest: 90% (08:48), lowest 54% (12:43)

Rainfall
Total for today: 0.0mm. Highest hourly rainfall: 0.0mm/hr

26/9 A fine day but with stubborn cloud cover

A clear and cold start without a cloud, but during the morning a layer of convection cloud developed, which pegged back the temperatures and spoiled what would have been a lovely day.  At the coast in Southport, where we spent the day, there was much more sunshine, just a scattering of fair weather cloud for a time.  Back at Oakdale, by evening the cloud thinned and broke, leaving clear skies, giving a good view of the almost-full "supermoon", and allowing temperatures to fall.

Temperature 
Maximum: 16.3°C (15:08).  Minimum: 6.4°C (08:03).  Average temperature for the day: 11.0°C
Highest apparent temperature: 15.5°C (15:28).  Low apparent temperature: 5.2°C (04:38)

Wind
Highest sustained wind speed: 3.8mph (13:38).
Highest gust speed: 3.8mph (12:48), bearing 315 (NW)
Dominant wind bearing: 313 (NW)

Pressure
Maximum: 1030.9Mb, minimum: 1026.1Mb

Humidity
Highest: 92% (09:33), lowest 54% (16:18)

Rainfall
Total for today: 0.0mm. Highest hourly rainfall: 0.0mm/hr

25/9 Cloudy but improving throughout

An all but dry day, still quite cloudy and still a breeze too, but the cloud cover began to thin during the afternoon so that by evening there were some good clear spells.  Pressure is climbing steadily and a good weekend is forecast.

Temperature 
Maximum: 14.6°C (12:28).  Minimum: 9.7°C (02:38).  Average temperature for the day: 11.3°C
Highest apparent temperature: 11.6°C (14:08).  Low apparent temperature: 7.5°C (02:23)

Wind
Highest sustained wind speed: 10.6mph (13:48).
Highest gust speed: 15.2mph (13:48), bearing 225 (SW)
Dominant wind bearing: 240 (SWbW)

Pressure
Maximum: 1026.2Mb, minimum: 1014.9Mb

Humidity
Highest: 85% (02:03), lowest 59% (12:33)

Rainfall
Total for today: 0.3mm. Highest hourly rainfall: 0.3mm/hr (10:18)

24/9 Heavy showers drying later

Some heavy showers during the night, gradually easing during the morning, leaving a dry afternoon. Still generally overcast with some dark clouds and a stiff breeze, but pressure is on the rise and a fine settled spell is forecast for the weekend.

Temperature 
Maximum: 13.3°C (15:13).  Minimum: 8.7°C (08:33).  Average temperature for the day: 11.2°C
Highest apparent temperature: 11.8°C (00:03).  Low apparent temperature: 6.6°C (08:23)

Wind
Highest sustained wind speed: 14.4mph (12:13).
Highest gust speed: 17.4mph (12:03), bearing 315 (NW)
Dominant wind bearing: 292 (WNW)

Pressure
Maximum: 1014.9Mb, minimum: 1006.2Mb

Humidity
Highest: 88% (00:28), lowest 66% (15:23)

Rainfall
Total for today: 12.9mm. Highest hourly rainfall: 4.5mm/hr (04:08)

23/9 Fine and dry start but rain later

Starting dry and fine with plenty of blue sky and a noticeable chill in the air.  Cloud building throughout the morning, enough to bring several showers during the afternoon and again into the evening.  Staying cool throughout.

Temperature 
Maximum: 13.9°C (12:18).  Minimum: 8.3°C (06:33).  Average temperature for the day: 11.8°C
Highest apparent temperature: 13.1°C (20:08).  Low apparent temperature: 5.8°C (07:18)

Wind
Highest sustained wind speed: 8.1mph (11:43).
Highest gust speed: 9.2mph (00:43), bearing 315 (NW)
Dominant wind bearing: 239 (SWbW)

Pressure
Maximum: 1009.4Mb, minimum: 1006.8Mb

Humidity
Highest: 89% (21:48), lowest 65% (13:13)

Rainfall
Total for today: 3.3mm. Highest hourly rainfall: 2.1mm/hr (17:08)

22/9 Damp start to a reasonable day

A damp start, some rain overnight then cloudy by morning with the odd spot of drizzle.  Slowly turning brighter with some nice spells of blue sky and sunshine, with always a few towering shower clouds around. Staying dry into the evening with some clear patches forming, giving a good view of the gibbous moon.

Temperature 
Maximum: 15.0°C (12:38).  Minimum: 8.5°C (05:48).  Average temperature for the day: 11.0°C
Highest apparent temperature: 13.4°C (12:38).  Low apparent temperature: 7.7°C (02:03)

Wind
Highest sustained wind speed: 10.9mph (16:23).
Highest gust speed: 15.2mph (17:08), bearing 270 (W)
Dominant wind bearing: 305 (NWbW)

Pressure
Maximum: 1006.8Mb, minimum: 999.3Mb

Humidity
Highest: 92% (05:23), lowest 67% (12:43)

Rainfall
Total for today: 3.3mm. Highest hourly rainfall: 3.0mm/hr (03:28)

21/9 Rain, brightening later but then heavy showers

A wet start with rain during the night, and still spots of rain during rush hour.  Staying overcast with more rain showers during the morning but gradually clearing Ito the afternoon with some sunny spells developing. By late evening, rain was around again with one or two showers, some heavy. Temperatures slightly on the cool side.

Temperature 
Maximum: 14.0°C (13:58).  Minimum: 9.8°C (23:58).  Average temperature for the day: 11.9°C
Highest apparent temperature: 12.0°C (11:43).  Low apparent temperature: 8.6°C (05:13)

Wind
Highest sustained wind speed: 10.4mph (15:48).
Highest gust speed: 13.0mph (14:13), bearing 270 (W)
Dominant wind bearing: 259 (WbS)

Pressure
Maximum: 1016.3Mb, minimum: 1001.5Mb

Humidity
Highest: 89% (08:43), lowest 72% (16:08)

Rainfall
Total for today: 10.5mm. Highest hourly rainfall: 3.6mm/hr (09:53)

20/9 Mist, then sun, but then a change

A misty start again, and once again lifting and breaking to give some good sunny spells by mid morning. However, there's a change on the way as a veil of high cloud gradually set in, followed by thicker cloud that gave some slight fine drizzle by about 7pm.

Temperature 
Maximum: 15.4°C (14:43).  Minimum: 6.2°C (06:18).  Average temperature for the day: 11.1°C
Highest apparent temperature: 14.6°C (14:38).  Low apparent temperature: 5.0°C (06:18)

Wind
Highest sustained wind speed: 7.1mph (23:58).
Highest gust speed: 9.2mph (21:48), bearing 180 (S)
Dominant wind bearing: 185 (S)

Pressure
Maximum: 1025.4Mb, minimum: 1016.2Mb

Humidity
Highest: 92% (07:58), lowest 69% (14:43)

Rainfall
Total for today: 0.3mm. Highest hourly rainfall: 0.3mm/hr (08:28)

19/9 Sunshine after a misty start

Misty start, soon lifting to low cloud, then quickly breaking up and dispersing.  Plenty of sunshine following for the rest of the day, and with light winds feeling very pleasant.

Temperature 
Maximum: 17.9°C (12:33).  Minimum: 6.9°C (02:28).  Average temperature for the day: 11.9°C
Highest apparent temperature: 17.2°C (12:33).  Low apparent temperature: 5.8°C (02:28)

Wind
Highest sustained wind speed: 7.1mph (15:23).
Highest gust speed: 9.8mph (15:23), bearing 315 (NW)
Dominant wind bearing: 11 (NbE)

Pressure
Maximum: 1025.6Mb, minimum: 1019.7Mb

Humidity
Highest: 92% (07:23), lowest 62% (16:43)

Rainfall
Total for today: 0.0mm. Highest hourly rainfall: 0.0mm/hr

Drizzle to start but brightening

Heavy drizzle to start from a thick layer of stratus cloud.  By 11 o'clock the cloud layer quickly started to break up as the air pressure continued to rise, allowing spells of sunshine.  The fine weather continued throughout the rest of the day, with plenty blue skies and sunshine.

Temperature 
Maximum: 17.0°C (16:48).  Minimum: 8.2°C (03:28).  Average temperature for the day: 11.9°C
Highest apparent temperature: 16.2°C (16:48).  Low apparent temperature: 6.9°C (01:48)

Wind
Highest sustained wind speed: 4.0mph (17:03).
Highest gust speed: 5.4mph (14:38), bearing 90 (E)
Dominant wind bearing: 13 (NbE)

Pressure
Maximum: 1019.8Mb, minimum: 1003.7Mb

Humidity
Highest: 90% (08:48), lowest 60% (16:23)

Rainfall
Total for today: 2.4mm. Highest hourly rainfall: 1.2mm/hr (09:03)

A cloudy but dry day

In contrast to yesterday, today has been cloudy throughout with little sign of the sun until evening. Throughout, the skies have been filled with stratus (thick layer of unbroken cloud) or stratocumulus (a layer of lumps or rolls of cloud with occasional breaks in between).  By evening the cloud breaks became more pronounced allowing some sunlight through.  Despite the cloud, dry all day here, although there were one or two showers elsewhere in the county.

Temperature 
Maximum: 15.8°C (13:23).  Minimum: 4.7°C (07:03).  Average temperature for the day: 10.3°C
Highest apparent temperature: 13.5°C (12:38).  Low apparent temperature: 3.2°C (07:03)

Wind
Highest sustained wind speed: 9.4mph (13:58).
Highest gust speed: 9.8mph (13:48), bearing 315 (NW)
Dominant wind bearing: 315 (NW)

Pressure
Maximum: 1003.9Mb, minimum: 990.6Mb

Humidity
Highest: 93% (09:08), lowest 60% (13:33)

Rainfall
Total for today: 0.0mm. Highest hourly rainfall: 0.0mm/hr

Blue skies and sunshine throughout

Cool and damp first thing, but blue skies from the word 'go' meant the temperatures climbed quickly, reaching respectable levels throughout the bulk of the day.  Light winds and few clouds throughout as the forecasted bank of cloud and rain stayed well to the south, and as the low pressure system linked to the bad weather is set to track north east and well away from us, the next few days are set fair too.

Temperature
Maximum: 17.4°C (12:38).  Minimum: 4.0°C (07:14).  Average temperature for the day: 10.3°C
Highest apparent temperature: 15.8°C (12:38).  Low apparent temperature: 2.4°C (07:14)

Wind
Highest sustained wind speed: 5.6mph (11:33).
Highest gust speed: 7.6mph (11:28), bearing 360 (N)
Dominant wind bearing: 338 (NNW)

Pressure
Maximum: 995.4Mb, minimum: 989.2Mb

Humidity
Highest: 93% (09:34), lowest 46% (12:43)

Rainfall
Total for today: 0.0mm. Highest hourly rainfall: 0.0mm/hr 

Generally overcast but mainly dry

Generally cloudy throughout, with one or two angry clouds around for much of the day.  The rain wasn't particularly heavy and all came during the night; during daylight hours it stayed dry if not especially warm.  Turning breezy for a time during the afternoon, but winds dying away in the evening as skies cleared, which also allowed temperatures to drop.

Temperature 
Maximum: 16.3°C (12:44).  Minimum: 7.3°C (23:04).  Average temperature for the day: 11.9°C
Highest apparent temperature: 13.9°C (12:39).  Low apparent temperature: 5.9°C (23:19)

Wind
Highest sustained wind speed: 10.7mph (15:19).
Highest gust speed: 13.6mph (15:14), bearing 315 (NW)
Dominant wind bearing: 256 (WbS)

Pressure
Maximum: 996.1Mb, minimum: 989.7Mb

Humidity
Highest: 92% (06:19), lowest 66% (12:49)

Rainfall
Total for today: 3.6mm. Highest hourly rainfall: 3.6mm/hr (00:04)

In between low pressure

Well the dry, fine weather from last week has truly departed now, and we're back in a run of Atlantic weather with a series of low pressures all jostling for position.  There's more energy in the sky with no view of the clouds staying the same for very long, but despite this, today has been mainly dry. Winds haven't been excessive either, and whilst the thermometer has been a little disappointing, we must remember we are now in mid-September.

Temperature 
Maximum: 15.6°C (12:44).  Minimum: 6.6°C (03:08).  Average temperature for the day: 10.8°C
Highest apparent temperature: 14.9°C (12:44).  Low apparent temperature: 5.3°C (03:08)

Wind
Highest sustained wind speed: 5.8mph (20:54).
Highest gust speed: 9.2mph (19:29), bearing 135 (SE)
Dominant wind bearing: 151 (SEbS)

Pressure
Maximum: 999.9Mb, minimum: 989.9Mb

Humidity
Highest: 90% (09:39), lowest 69% (12:59)

Rainfall
Total for today: 5.4mm. Highest hourly rainfall: 3.6mm/hr (23:59)

A reasonable day

Today was much improved over the forecast, particularly the forecast given a couple of days ago. Plenty of cloud for a while during the morning, but throughout there were signs of the sun, and during the afternoon the sun came out for long spells.  Always some dark and broody clouds about, but all in all not a bad day.

Temperature 
Maximum: 18.3°C (12:48).  Minimum: 8.6°C (04:03).  Average temperature for the day: 12.4°C
Highest apparent temperature: 16.5°C (16:28).  Low apparent temperature: 6.0°C (07:23)

Wind
Highest sustained wind speed: 7.4mph (13:43).
Highest gust speed: 9.8mph (13:58), bearing 180 (S)
Dominant wind bearing: 183 (S)

Pressure
Maximum: 1007.0Mb, minimum: 999.9Mb

Humidity
Highest: 86% (04:33), lowest 52% (12:48)

Rainfall
Total for today: 0.0mm. Highest hourly rainfall: 0.0mm/hr