Hottest

Note for Sunday 27th

The temperature reached 28.8°C yesterday afternoon, our hottest day of the year. Will we manage the dizzy highs of the summer of  '76?

From 02 Weather 2010

The pesky birds aren't satisfied with the food and water they get put out each day, or  re-filled several times a day in the case of their bird bath, they have to turf out our trays of germinating sweet williams.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Saturday 26th

Warm and sunny
It’s just possible that this will be the best spell of weather this summer.

At the moment with the forecast for the fine weather to continue into next week June looks set to be warmer than average but it looks likely to turn out to be another month with rainfall well below average.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Friday 25th
More fine weather
The excellent spell of weather continued today.

We visited Nunnington Hall situated in North Yorkshire by the River Rye to view the gardens and Bempton Cliffs on the coast to see the nesting seabird colonies.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Thursday 24th

More cloud
The fine spell of weather continued today despite having more cloud today.

The sunshine is ripening our strawberries by the day.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Wednesday 23rd

Fine spell continues
We had a bit less sunshine today. The spell of fine weather is forecast to continue for the next few days with no signs of any rain for the allotment and garden.

The plot this week

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Tuesday 22nd

Hottest
Tuesday turned out to be our hottest day of the year with the mercury reaching 27.2°C. We had sunshine from dawn to dusk.

The plot really does need rain now. It’s difficult to dig planting holes in the bone dry soil as we found out yesterday planting peas and squashes.

From 02 Weather 2010

The last 3 months have been dry and the chart below shows how our actual rainfall is only two thirds of expected by June.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Monday 21st

Sizzling Solstice
The morning was cloudless. In the afternoon some patchy cloud developed but it was still a beautiful day.
Our plot yesterday afternoon showing the light cloud cover. I don't know the variety of rose which has been glamorising our compost heap for many years now.

From 02 Weather 2010

Monthly Temperature Comparisons
I’ve changed the temperature comparison charts from weekly to monthly. I think this gives a better comparisons of past and present than the weekly charts. The charts below to compare our monthly temperatures this year with those of last year and the coldest and warmest temperatures for each month. The figures are mean temperatures for each day.

Table produced using data from the Met Office Hadley Centre. The data covers the period 1772 to 2009

Greenhouse v Outside Temperatures
I've also added the following spreadsheet tracking my greenhouse v outside temperatures for February and March

Warm and sunny

Note for Sunday 20th
The weather made a complete turn around today and it was a warm and sunny day. It took a while to warm up but by early afternoon it was a nice June day.

From 02 Weather 2010

Finally our kiwi flowers are starting to open. Any sort of kiwi fruit would be fantastic as it would be our very first fruit. Fingers crossed!

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Saturday 19th
Cool and Cloudy
It was the coldest day of the month with an average temperature of just 11.3°C. It’s the first time since May12th that the average temperature for the day has only reached the average daily minimum. The cloud did thin late afternoon to give a bright if cool end to the day.
We still have lots of plants growing on in our rather untidy nursery plant area at home. Next week is forecast to be fine so hopefully more plants will be transferred to the plot.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Friday 18th
Mostly cloudy
In contrast to yesterday it remained cloudy and cool today until the middle of the afternoon when the sun broke through. This gave us a pleasant late afternoon and evening.
In the greenhouse our grapes are beginning to look more like bunches of grapes.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Thursday 17th
Another glorious day
Today turned out to be slightly warmer than Wednesday with dawn to dusk sunshine and a gentle breeze.
The sky around lunchtime was a super clear blue.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Wednesday 16th
Glorious
It was a repeat of yesterday but better as following the cold start it turned out to be a glorious June day with un-broken sunshine and a light breeze.
In the greenhouse our grapevine is growing well with a tempting crop of grapes now forming. Despite my best efforts at pruning in an attempt to stop it taking over the entire greenhouse it usually escapes through the open window to do its own thing and spread over the greenhouse roof. Just to be different this year the grapevine has escaped outside whilst the Conference pear tree growing outside has managed to find a way in .

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Wednesday 16th (morning)
Following the 6.6°C overnight last night it was even colder with a low of just 5.7°C at 05:30 Wednesday morning. We are less than a week away from the summer solstice!

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Tuesday 15th
Cold overnight
The temperature fell to just 6.6°C overnight. Somewhere must have been close to a frost. Temperature trace is shown below.

From 02 Weather 2010

After the cold start in the morning Tuesday turned out to be a lovely sunny day.
When we arrived at the plot a blackbird was helping itself to our redcurrants which are just starting to ripen. It was time for the netting to come out!

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Monday 14th
Cold and Dull
This week is off to a cold and cloudy start. We had just a drop of overnight rain but dry through the daytime. At the mid point of the month it seems that the early promise of an excellent June is fast disappearing. The mini heat wave for the first few days of the month sent June’s average temperature rocketing to near record levels but the last week has seen the temperatures sink back to average for June. We have had some welcome rain, just about on the average for the month.
Rose Baroness Rothschild is on flower. Pity I can’t blog the perfume of our roses.

From 02 Weather 2010

Showery

Note for Sunday 13th

After Saturday it was disappointing to have another damp showery day. In all we had 7.2mm of rain bringing June’s total so far to 27.6mm around half the total for the whole month and leaving us on track for an average amount of rainfall this month.

From 02 Weather 2010

Continuing pictures of our roses in bloom this one is Evelyn.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Saturday 12th

Typically June
Saturday was another nice June day with plenty of long sunny periods.

Our roses suffered some damage from the recent rain but are putting on a good show now. Golden Wings probably suffered most but still has some lovely flowers.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Friday 11th

Big improvement
The weather was a typical June today. It was sunny and pleasantly warm. On the plot the rain of the last few days has done wonders and crops are coming on a treat.

The potatoes in the greenhouse have been moved outside to make way for a summer crop of tomatoes. It’s time to find out what sort of crop our potatoes in bags have produced.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Thursday 10th

Dull and dreary again
It wasn’t much like flaming June remaining dull, cloudy and cool all day. I did manage to sow some over wintering cauliflowers. It’s amazing that I’ve still got 2 of last years cauliflowers to clear and I’m sowing seed for cauliflowers that will be ready next May.

The dull weather gave me chance to mess around with the software for my new weather station. I’ve managed to get it talking to my PC after lots of messing about. All I’ve got to do now is sort out the terminology. The idea is to get almost live data (say every 15mins) onto my web site. The blurb says it’s easy but I’m not so sure. I’ve messed with the HTML bit and sorted out a suitable upload. I’ve just to sort out the FTP bit which is all new to me. Here’s a screen shot of the sort of thing I might be able to upload if I can sort out a host and how to FTP.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Wednesday 9th

Dull and showery
Wednesday was another dull and overcast day with some heavy showers thrown in around lunchtime for good measure. Whilst this sort of weather puts gardening activities on hold at least we won’t have to do any watering on the plot for a while.

Perhaps it’s time to put the BBQs away for the month. Click here for full article.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Tuesday 8th

Dull & overcast
It was forecast to rain most of the day and I suppose it did. It was light rain when it fell even though dark clouds threatened more serious downpours which didn’t arrive.

I encountered a few teething problems with my new weather station. It just refuses to talk to my PC. It did yesterday but not today! These things are sent to test us.

In the greenhouse my melon plants are starting to flower in their 10cm pots. I must find them a suitably warm spot to grow on and with a lot of luck produce a melon or two.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Monday 7th

Heavy Showers??
We were lucky or perhaps unlucky today in that we missed the heavy showers that were around. We did get a gentle shower in the afternoon but not the sort of heavy showers around Leeds that manage a mention on the Sky national weather forecast.
I’m trying to come to terms with my new gadget that measures solar radiation. To report 12 hours of bright sunshine today is stretching things a bit far. More investigation is needed.
I did manage to start planting out my tomato plants in the greenhouse. These are rather late this year due to germination failures and then the cold start to May.

From 02 Weather 2010

Welcome rain

Note for Sunday 6th

Today was our wettest day since the end of March. The garden and plot will appreciate the rain it always seems to beat any amount of watering.

From 02 Weather 2010

On the plot our broad beans are in flower so hopefully the rain has come at a good time for them.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Saturday 5th
BBQ weather
We made the most of good weather and had a BBQ on the plot with our plot neighbours. It did cloud over at lunchtime but cleared up mid afternoon to give another fine dry day.

The weather continues to bring the roses into flower. Elmshorn is the second of our roses into flower.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Friday 4th

More sun
More or less a repeat of yesterday. In the evening it clouded over and threatened rain but it never arrived.

Potatoes caught by the frost are now recovering well. These are Sarpo Mira a blight resistant variety which certainly survived the blight last year when all other potatoes succumbed. Just a little weeding required.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Thursday 3rd

Summer’s back
It was another very nice summer’s day today. I’m gradually updating my weather station information. Today was the first full day of recording sunshine amounts. The amounts will be added to the daily charts at the moment.

Meteorologically June is the start of summer and our rose Jacqueline du Pré is out to welcome its arrival.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Wednesday 2nd

More like it!
After a dull and dreary day yesterday it was more like summer today. It was sunny most of the day and pleasantly warm with just a gentle breeze.

Ferns in the garden are growing well despite the dry weather.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Tuesday 1st

Dull and damp
Today was a repeat of last Saturday. It was cloudy all day with spells of drizzle or light rain, I’m not sure of the difference, but in the end just 1.4mm of rainfall. The poor weather gave me the chance to tidy up the records for May and add them to our web site. The details can be found by clicking here.

In the greenhouse it’s good growing weather. I sowed some 2 year old alpine strawberries (Mignonette) seed on the 18th May. As it was old seed I sprinkled it rather thickly expecting poor germination. It’s not the case and the seed has germinated well. Tiny fingers will be needed to prick it out!

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Monday 31st

Average
The month has given us some highs and lows but it went out on a very average note. Temperatures were around average and some sunshine made it a pleasant enough day. It was obvious on the plot though that the 5mm or so of rainfall on Saturday had done little to ease the dry conditions.
Our strawberries are now protected with straw and all that we need now are some ripe strawberries. I think we will need to be patient for a couple of weeks longer.

From 02 Weather 2010

 

Windy

Note for Sunday 30th

There were some sunny periods today but it was windy rather spoiling the day. We also must have had more light rain overnight. Every drop helps at the moment.

From 02 Weather 2010

In the garden our medlar is on flower, which must be one of the last fruit crops to flower. More details on medlars can be found here. We are still waiting to see if our Kiwi will flower on the plot. Our fig plant is only just coming into leaf and so must still have to flower. I’m not sure about figs; I think the fig itself is some sort of flower.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Saturday 29th

Light rain
It was cloudy all day today with spells of light rain on and off throughout the day. At the moment any rain is welcome for the garden and plot but 5.5mm was a bit disappointing after such a dull and cloudy day.

Our plan of having some salad leaves, radish and spring onions at home rather than on the plot paid off today. We harvested salad leaves and radish from the greenhouse. The poor weather put us off visiting the plot.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Friday 28th

A drop of rain
We had a drop of rain overnight. It was only 2.1mm, not a great deal and not the watering the plot and garden needs.

We planted out winter cabbage on the plot. Each cabbage plant planting hole filled with water before planting to give it a fighting chance in the dry conditions. The forecast is for heavy rain tomorrow so we resisted the temptation to water any other plants

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Thursday 27th

Cooling down
The temperature is on a steady decline after the highs of last week. I think the heat of last weeks makes us feel the cool even more.

In the greenhouse things are now growing very quickly. The temperature in the greenhouse remains good for growing even over night. At this time of year plants get more than 16 hours of daylight each day. The cold frame is full of plants getting accustomed to outdoor life, and more waiting to take their turn. So some planting out in the plot is needed cold weather or not. It is almost June and I’m worrying about cold overnight temperatures!

In the greenhouse our grapes look like having a good crop.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Wednesday 26th

Cloudy
It was a disappointingly cloudy day today. The clouds were thick enough by late afternoon to give some very light drizzle which was not enough to record on my rain gauge. It’s the fourth occasion this month that just light drizzle has fallen but in insufficient amounts to be recorded. It’s certainly not enough to have any effect on our very dry garden and plot. Temperatures are now back to average for late May.

Note for Tuesday 25th

Was that summer?
It was much cooler today with temperatures 10°C below those of recent days. It was cloudy too making it feel even cooler after the warmth of the last week. It’s 20 days now without rain although showers are forecast over the next few days. It’s also a Bank Holiday weekend coming up so I’m sure rain must be on its way.

We’ve got lots of vegetables and flowers in the cold frame ready for planting out on the plot. It would be so much easier after some rain avoiding the necessity to keep the young plants watered.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Monday 24th

Sunny
It was another very pleasant May day with lots of sunshine especially in the afternoon. It wasn’t a repeat of the previous couple of days of exceptionally high temperatures and by late afternoon some of the clouds were dark and threatening rain. It never arrived and the dry spells continues. It’s now 19 days since we had any measurable rain and that was only 0.7mm making up the total rainfall for May.
We visited the RSPB reserve at Fairburn Ings in the afternoon. We seemed to be the only visitors who didn’t spot the kingfishers.

From 02 Weather 2010

 

Crazy month

Note for Sunday 23rd

It was another scorcher today. A week or so ago the problem was frosty nights some of which were the coldest recorded May nights for 40 years as highlighted on Paul Hudson’s blog .

From 02 Weather 2010

That’s all changed now and we are getting some of, if not the highest average temperatures recorded in May over the last 230 years. I recorded an average temperature of 22.2°C for 23rd May against the highest May average I can find of 21.2°C for the 29th May 1780. So there it is from one of the coldest nights to hottest days in just over a couple of weeks.

Data from the Met Office Hadley Centre.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Saturday 22nd

It was another scorcher today with cloudless skies. The last 3 days have resulted in the warmest averages temperatures of the year all above 19.0°C. Locally our expected daily average for July is 18°C so it's possibly we may not better these values through summer.

Despite the dry weather the grass paths on the plot continue to grow and need regular mowing. It was hot work yesterday.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Friday 21st
Phew!

Today was a scorcher. If we’re lucky enough to get plenty of days like this through the next 3 summer months we will have had a good summer. Perhaps we’ll be looking back in September remembering we had some hot days at the end of May – let’s hope not. It goes without saying that it was the hottest day of the year with a high of 25.4°C.

When we last left the plot we broke some leaves over our cauliflowers curds to protect against any hot sunshine. It’s a good job we did. Hopefully our cauliflowers will be ready for the weekend.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Thursday 20th

Summer time
It might be mid May but it could have been mid summer today. It was warm first thing in the morning. The morning was a bit cloudy but by mid-day it was mostly sunny and very warm in the afternoon. It was the warmest day of the year with an afternoon temperature of 23.9°C.

It was the first time this year that it felt safe to water my greenhouse plants in the evening with the prospect of a mild night rather than a frosty one.

The potatoes frosted last week are making a recovery pushing through new green leaves amongst the blackened frosted ones. I’m hoping they’ll remain frost free now!!

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Wednesday 19th
Cloudy and warm

It was much cloudier today with only a few sunny intervals throughout the day. It was warm all day. The overnight temperature remained in double figure. This should help plants on the plot to start their summer burst of growth. I’m never happy as we could do with a drop of rain. So far we have had no significant rainfall in May, following on from a dry April. I will probably regret this statement over the coming summer months!

At last plants in the greenhouse are growing well. My squash plants are now ready for hardening off in the cold frame before planting out on the plot in the next few weeks.

From 02 Weather 2010

Note for Tuesday 18th
Continuing warm
The good start to the week continued. The sparkling morning sunshine was replaced by some cloud at lunchtime but there were plenty of sunny intervals in the afternoon and evening.

We were planting out a variety of brassicas on the plot and I couldn’t help thinking how nice it would be if that was all that had to be done. But it’s not that easy. Immediately after planting our brassicas have to be protected from ravenous Wood Pigeons which can devastate a crop over night reducing carefully nurtured plants to skeletons. It’s like frost damage; plants eventually recover and produce a worthwhile crop but so much later. So I cover them from the start to prevent this. Click here for more details.

From 02 Weather 2010

As the plot’s really dry at the moment I’m hoping slugs and snails won’t be an immediate threat to the plants as the top of the soil resembles a desert more than an allotment plot.

Note for Monday 17th

Sunny and warm
It was a good start to the week. We had some decent spells of sunshine and it was pleasantly warm after the cold start to the month. Some forecasts are for the fine weather to last for around a week. We are now moving into the longest dry spell of the year with no recorded rainfall for the last 11 days.

On the plot our comfrey is growing well and it’s time I was starting the “comfrey still” again to produce some liquid fertiliser. Some comfrey will be left to grow as bees love the flowers.

From 02 Weather 2010