Llansadwrn (Anglesey) Weather Diary 2004

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Times are GMT (UTC, Z). Observations at this station [ ] are 24-h 09-09 GMT, some others { } occasionally refer to 24-h 18-18 GMT, and are subject to verification and amendment.

January 2004

1st: Frontal rain, that had accumulated 17.0 mm overnight, was clearing away to the SE after 0030 GMT leaving broken cloud with showers that included falls of ice pellets. The new year dawned damp and grey with low cloud and only moderate visibility. There was standing water on some fields. Too warm for snow to fall even on the mountains where some wet patchy snow was seen lying near the cloudbase at 2100 feet on the Snowdonia Mountains. But overnight further N it was colder and there was up to 10 cm snow near Durham and deep snow in Scotland led to the closure of some roads. Some celebrations of Hogmanay were curtailed. The force 4 wind had veered NW'ly and pressure 1006 mb had just started to rise. An elongated low pressure system, lying Faeroes (986 mb) to N Scotland extending southwards, was being squeezed between high Scandinavian (1033 mb) and Atlantic (1035 mb) to the SW. A slight shower of rain then a little brightness for a time around noon and early afternoon but soon overcast again. During the night the sky partially cleared enough to give a ground frost. [Rain trace; Max 7.4C; Min 2.1C; Grass 0.5C]
2nd: A bright start to the day with only 3 oktas cloud cover. With a light SE'ly wind humidity had been as low as 67% at 01 GMT rising to 86% by 09 GMT. Pressure was 1020 mb with old low pressure and frontal cloud to the E. Pressure was high (1033 mb) both over Scandinavia and Azores. Snow on the mountains was very patchy and sparse with no continuous cover remaining except around the summit of Yr Wyddfa. The morning was sunny with the afternoon having variable amounts of cloud. Towards sunset frontal cloud was seen encroaching from the W and there was light rain at 23 GMT preceded by ice precipitation (small snow grains) that tinkled as blown against windows. The rain eased by 0330 GMT when there was some clear sky and a ground frost. [Rain 3.1 mm; Max 6.6C; Min 1.6C; Grass -1.1C]
3rd: Overcast at dawn and although there was a hole in the cover overhead at 09 GMT that was the only sky seen during the day. Pressure was little changed at 1019 mb. Cloud thickened and lowered during the morning and it became misty. The day was sunless and damp with little wind (Piche evaporation only 0.1 ml). There was drizzle, sometimes heavy with a spell of light rain around 1430 GMT. [Rain 0.4 mm; Max 6.3C; Min 1.8C; Grass -1.8C]
4th: Overcast overnight the sky started to clear at dawn leaving much high cirrus cloud at 09 GMT. There was cirrostratus to the W and low dispersing cloud to the NE. There has been no sight of the "shed" robin for the last 2 mornings. The morning was sunny with further clearance of cloud. During the afternoon it became cloudier from the W but kept dry until just before 2100 GMT. There was a log spell of drizzle, heavy at times, through the night that accumulated 1.1 mm (5.6h duration). [Rain 1.1 mm; Max 9.3C; Min 3.9C; Grass 0.2C]
5th: At midnight low A (990 mb), of Canadian origin, was over Belle Isle Strait, Newfoundland and on-track towards the UK. Here in moist warm sector air of another system the temperature had been rising in the past 24-h. At 09 GMT it was 9.3C and 100% humidity in low cloud and slight drizzle. Pressure was 1013 mb with low pressure (997 mb) just W of Ireland. For the 3rd morning the robin has not appeared for it's crumbs at the shed door. It must have died from old age, or taken by sparrowhawk that has been around for the last week, it has been regular for some years. The deepening low A was (982 mb) at 06 GMT off St. John's, Newfoundland while there was high pressure (1020 mb) Scandinavia and (1027 mb) S France and N Africa. The morning was dull and misty with the low cloud persisting and fronts associated with the low W of Ireland brought drizzle intermittent with light rain from 1500 GMT to 2300 GMT when, on a weak cold front, rain turned heavy until about 0200 GMT before dying out at 0300 GMT. By 1800 GMT the low A was (969 mb). {Hawarden, Flintshire 12.1C}. [Rain 15.7 mm; Max 10.1C; Min 4.0C; Grass 0.5C]
6th: Before dawn the sky was almost clear with bright stars and setting full moon low to the NW. The temperature was falling and reached 6.1C, the minimum, at 09 GMT. With the warm temperatures no snow had fallen over the mountains but there were still patches mainly in gullies above 2000 feet. With low (990 mb) now near Cape Wrath pressure 1010 mb was rising as a ridge of high pressure was about to cross from the W. After some patchy cloud dispersed the morning was sunny with a light W'ly wind. Windier in the afternoon (backing S'ly) but still mostly sunny. Low A was (958 mb) SE of Greenland at 18 GMT. The evening was mostly clear and very mild (temperature around 10C) but became cloudier during the night with a little drizzle around 05 GMT. [Rain 0.1 mm; Max 10.1C; Min 6.1C; Grass 4.0C]
7th: A bright but windy start to the day. Pressure 1006 mb was falling with low A (959 mb) S of Iceland dominating the weather. The S'ly wind was a gusty force 6 with the temperature on 10.1C (dewpoint 6.0 RH 76%) and went on to reach 11.0C, the warmest day of the month. A new robin has taken over the shed territory. It has bright and smart feathers so could be a young bird, possibly 'son of shed robin'. The first snowdrops are in flower. The morning kept bright but there were some cumulus clouds in the vicinity and later orographic waves developed. A little sunshine in lee-clearance in the afternoon. The evening and night was mostly clear until frontal cloud moved across. [Rain 4.2 mm; Max 11.0C; Min 4.2C; Grass 0.5C]
8th: Pressure 994 mb at midnight began to fall quickly and was 975 mb at 0900 GMT. Complex low (958 - 960 mb) was S of Iceland we were near the middle of a developing peripheral low within it's circulation, with associated front, over St. George's Channel. The wind was light SE'ly force 2, but within minutes had veered SW'ly force 6/7. There was light rain since 0630 GMT and visibility in low cloud was poor. The large area of rain crossing the UK had some heavy rain within it particularly on high ground in Wales, the SW and Scotland. Continuing mild with the temperature hardly varying from 10C. The overnight minimum of 9.0C was the warmest of the month. A wet morning (3 mm) and during strong gusts of gale force wind an ash tree, on the roadside nearby, was blown down but into the adjoining field where it did little damage. Later the wind eased a bit and there was a little sunshine as the sky partially cleared. On the high tide at 1145 GMT there was a surge (Gladstone Lock, Liverpool, POL tidal gauge 0.5 m) that tested the sea defences of islands in the Menai Strait. (The next high tide in the night passed without a surge). Dry with some sunshine in the afternoon and partial cloud in the evening and night. [Rain 4.0 mm; Max 10.3C; Min 9.0C; Grass 7.8C]
9th: Showery towards dawn with an active trough in the W. Sferics were reported SW Ireland, SW England and Wales. At 09 GMT fresh snow had fallen on the mountains. It was lying generally at 2000 ft and as low as 1200 ft in Cwm Idwal and the Llanberis Pass. A shower of about 1 mm was just clearing away and it was bright to the W. Pressure 997 mb was rising with low (969 mb) moved N to the Faeroes joining the circulation S of Iceland. Pressure was high (1030 mb) over Gibraltar Strait and there is no Scandinavian high at the moment having been moved far to the E. There is a developing Atlantic-low (993 mb) to the SW. The temperature was just recovering from the minimum of 4.8C. The new 'shed robin' was waiting for me to arrive this morning, so he had his crumbs. He is not as tame as the previous, that used on occasions to come into the shed to help himself. The day was bright at times, with cumulus clouds in the vicinity, any precipitation being confined to the mountains. Towards sunset clouds diminished and it was less windy. Minimum temperatures (air 4.0C; ground -0.3C) occurred between 19 - 20 GMT. Thereafter temperatures rose as warm frontal cloud on low (986 mb) near the Western Isles approached. [Rain 1.0 mm; Max 9.3C; Min 4.8C; Grass 2.8C]
10th: Showery rain after midnight with the temperature continuing to rise. At 09 GMT it was 9.3C and the maximum of the past 24-h. Pressure 1005 mb was rising a little with low pressure moving N, but there was more of the same in the Atlantic to follow. The morning was dull. It was misty over the western slopes of the mountains where, following the temperature rise, any snow was confined to gully patches where it had been deeper. The wind strengthened during the morning and with descending cloud there was mist and drizzle in the afternoon. There was a spell of rain on a warm front from 2300 - 0200 GMT with the 24-h maximum temperature of 10.7C at 01 GMT. [Rain 5.2 mm; Max 10.7C; Min 4.0C; Grass -0.3C]
11th: From 0330 GMT the temperature was falling as a cold front approached. There was a moderate shower of rain and small ice pellets about 0400 GMT with the minimum temperature about 0800 GMT. At 0900 GMT with pressure on 994 mb it was still overcast. But by 0930 GMT the sky was beginning to clear as we entered an unstable strong W'ly airstream. There were well developed cumulus clouds particularly over Snowdonia with strong radar echoes and sferics reported to the W and over Ireland. A waterspout was reported seen during a thunderstorm in the Bristol Channel about 1310 GMT. The sky was described as being very dark above the spout estimated as being 2000 ft high. It moved for about 20 minutes up the Channel and inland being then classed as a tornado. No damage was reported. The morning here was bright but the f5 WSW'ly wind strengthened to force 6/7. The afternoon was cloudier with a slight shower of rain but the wind moderated by dusk. The evening and night were partially cloudy. [Rain trace; Max 6.5C; Min 5.5C; Grass 2.2C]
12th: Pressure continued to fall slowly reaching 991 mb at 09 GMT. An Atlantic wave-depression (988 mb) had reached Lands End and was expected to move up the English Channel generating strong winds through the day. Here it was a bright start to the day with little or no W'ly wind. The mountains were capped and largely obscured with a band of cloud, but over Anglesey there was much blue sky with cirrus and altocumulus clouds. The sky had been sufficiently clear for dew to form on the grass but the temperature stayed just above freezing (0.2C). The autographic raingauge needed attention so as it was a fine morning the job was put in hand. It had recently malfunctioned by not siphoning properly. The routine job took rather longer than expected. Usually a small piece of leaf debris gets stuck at the top of the siphon tube. I spotted something and usually it can be removed or washed out by pouring in clean water. This morning the obstruction was moving slightly, was tenacious and proved to be a live Forficula auricularia, an earwig. Somehow it had managed get to the top of the siphon tube possibly by climbing up the outflow tube inside the raingauge. Other possible entry points are few as the rainwater is filtered through a fine mesh and a necessary pin hole for air. Also it would have had to have been under water at some point. Equivalent human endeavours involving traversing sumps during pot holing in limestone caves come to mind. It was remarkably tenacious but I got it (live) out in the end (see photo). As the raingauge is heated, to avoid frost damage, it must have been providing a comfortable home for the winter, it usually has spiders and cluster flies. The morning turned cloudier by noon but the afternoon was mainly sunny with the cloud almost lifting off the Snowdonia Mountains. A sprinkling of ice precipitation was seen above 2700 ft on the Carneddau, Snowdon as usual remained obscured. After sunset cloud frontal encroached from the W as another low (974 mb) just W of Galway Bay, Ireland, was tracking further N. By 2200 GMT, the S'ly wind had reached gale force 8 with gusts over 50 mph, and pressure had fallen to rapidly to 981 mb setting off the Oregon storm alarm. There was a moderately heavy shower of rain before the wind moderated a little after midnight as the low tracked across the Irish Sea. (Aberporth reported a gust of 69 mph, Valley 57 mph). [Rain 4.6 mm; Max 8.6C; Min 3.9C; Grass 0.2C]
13th: Pressure was lowest 975 mb between 03 - 04 GMT then the wind veered W'ly and strengthened again touching gale force 8 with renewed strong gusts around 05 GMT. In Pembrokeshire 1500 homes had been left without electricity. By 0900 GMT with the low (970 mb) in the North Sea pressure here had risen to 982 mb with the wind force 5/6. Cloud was ragged and moderately low with mist on the lower slopes of the Snowdonia Mountains. The day brightened as cloud lifted and thinned but in the afternoon it became colder and there was some convective cloud development. At 1600 GMT there was a shower of rain and ice pellets. The night was mostly overcast. [Rain 0.6 mm; Max 7.5C; Min 4.0C; Grass 1.6C]
14th: Under grey moderately high uniform cloud the day began dull. Pressure was low 993 mb as a frontal cloud brought precipitation in from the SW. Just before 09 GMT there was light rain than fell as snow above 1500 ft on the mountains of Snowdonia where 2 cm was reported. In mid and south Wales several centimetres accumulated and 11 schools had to close. The A470 between Llanidloes and Llangurig became blocked while the A40 between Brecon and Llandovery was difficult. Later up to 8 cm of snow was reported near Crickhowell. Here there was only intermittent light rain or heavy drizzle at times. The snow was probably caused by an evaporative cooling effect, when there was little or no wind, near the centre of the low over South Wales at the time. With little mixing of the air taking place evaporation of precipitation would cause cooling enough to turn it to snow. Conditions were not right here. During the afternoon deep convective clouds moved across from Ireland and at 1515 GMT there was a moderate shower of ice pellets. The evening saw more ice pellets at 2120 GMT. {Aberporth, Ceredigion 17.5 mm; Sennybridge lowest day maximum of 1C}. [Rain 1.9 mm; Max 4.8C; Min 3.1C; Grass -0.5C]
15th: At 0430 it was a little warmer (max 4.8C) then there was some cloud clearance resulting in a touch of ground frost just before dawn. Before 09 GMT cloud approached from the W as slow-moving low (986 mb) W of Ireland approached the Irish Sea. Pressure here 1000 mb started to fall quickly and the SW'ly wind backed S and strengthened as rain started to fall by 1000 GMT. It was a wet day with rain becoming moderate to heavy by noon with areas of rain circulating the low. With rising temperature here there was no snow, but 13 cm was reported near Durham in the afternoon. By 16 GMT 17 mm rain had accumulated and further spells of rain in the night, continuing to circulating within the low pressure, brought the total to 24.6 mm by morning. {Capel Curig 40 mm}. Pressure was at its lowest 979 mb around midnight when the WSW'ly wind was touching gale force with gusts of 50 mph. [Rain 24.6 mm; Max 8.3C; Min 1.9C; Grass -0.8C]
16th: Overcast at dawn with low ragged clouds and moderate convection developing. Just before 09 GMT there was a shower of rain and ice pellets. Pressure 992 mb was rising with yesterday's low (975 mb) moved into the North Sea. The wind was light NW'ly. As the last of the frontal cloud moved E the morning brightened and there was sunshine by 1100 GMT but the mountains remained shrouded in cloud all day. A mainly sunny afternoon but convective clouds moved across and gave a shower of ice pellets about 1830 GMT. A mostly clear night and with moderate freezing on the ground the road gritters were out to salt the roads. [Rain 0.5 mm; Max 7.2C; Min 4.1C; Grass 2.6C]
17th: A bright morning with cloud over the mountains breaking up at 0900 GMT with wide crepuscular rays seen in the Nant Ffrancon Pass. Fresh snow was lying at 2250 ft but lower at 1650 ft at the head of the Pass. Pressure was 1002 mb with slack pressure gradient over the UK. Pressure was high (1024 mb) W of Iberia. The day was mostly sunny with a light NE'ly breeze. The evening and night was mostly clear with air temperature falling to 0.1C with a moderate ground frost -4.2C. {Rhyl 13 mm}. [Rain 0.0 mm; Max 5.3C; Min 1.3C; Grass -2.5C]
18th: Cloudier by dawn and there was a vivid 'sailors' warning' red sky. At 09 GMT the sky overhead had thin high cloud but there were clouds over Snowdonia and the approach of frontal cloud in the NW. Pressure was high 1026 mb in a ridge extending from the Azores (1032 mb) high. During the morning low cloud lifted off the mountains giving a clear view of the snow covered range. Cloud thickened from the NW during the afternoon as rain over Scotland edged S. By 1500 GMT it reached here and there was fine drizzle as visibility deteriorated but amounts were small. Temperatures rose during the 24-h with the maximum of 8.1C recorded just before 09 GMT the next morning. [Rain 0.9 mm; Max 8.1C; Min 0.1C; Grass -4.2C]
19th: A dull and misty start to the day with a spell of rain leading up to 09 GMT contributing most to the 0.9 mm for the past 24-h. Pressure 1019 mb had fallen between low pressure (994 mb) Iceland, low (993 mb) Sweden and high pressure (1033 mb) in FitzRoy near Cape Finisterre. Isobars were moderately tight here with the W'ly wind force force 4. The new robin within days is much tamer and comes into the shed for crumbs when I make the observations. He has taken over this position and chases off any intruders. The day kept misty in low cloud with only moderate visibility. In the Scottish Highlands it was a very wet day under a slow-moving front {60.7 mm} falling at Loch Glascarnoch. The night kept overcast with mist and fine drizzle at times. [Rain 3.0 mm; Max 9.8C; Min 1.0C; Grass -0.3C]
20th: Light rain from 0630 GMT continuous at 0900 GMT contributed mostly to the 3.0 mm recorded. Pressure was 1018 mb still in the ridge from slowly declining high (1029 mb) Iberia Peninsular. Atlantic low pressure systems were to the W while a low S Baltic had associated fronts bringing the rain down the spine of the UK, but snow to much of Europe especially Germany. High (1022 mb) of small area was over N Scandinavia. The day was wet and misty with a light W'ly breeze. The rain that turned moderate during the morning ceased at 1500 GMT but it remained overcast. [Rain 6.3 mm; Max 8.8C; Min 7.8C; Grass 7.4C]
21st: Overcast but no measurable rain through the night. It had been a very damp 24-h with zero evaporation and relative humidity at or near 100%. Little variation in temperature but becoming cooler with the minimum 6.0C at 0900 GMT. Pressure was 1021 mb with the persistent ridge over the UK. The Scandinavian high (1025 mb) had built a little and was extending S over Europe. Sometimes these highs can develop and block the westerly run of Atlantic-lows and, at this time of year, lead to some cold 'continental' weather somewhat lacking recently. The day was overcast, sunless and dull with little or no wind. There was little or no precipitation to be seen anywhere {Lerwick, Shetland 9 mm}. [Rain 0.6 mm; Max 8.5C; Min 6.0C; Grass 5.3C]
22nd: During the night the wind strengthened from the S and there was a little rain around 05 GMT. Little temperature range in the past 24-h from minimum 6.0C at 09 GMT yesterday to maximum 8.5C at 09 GMT today. Pressure 1009 mb was falling with complex low pressure and frontal systems moving in from the W. There was a large area of rain covering S Snowdonia, the Midlands and the South West. Here some early spots of rain dried up but the morning kept overcast. It was brighter in the lee of the mountains on the mainland in Llanfairfechan and Conwy. At Colwyn Bay the temperature rose to 14C and there were 3.6h sunshine, both highest in the UK. Here the afternoon did brighten up later and cloud cleared from the mountains. The air was very clear and fine views were seen in later afternoon sunshine. There were just some small patches of snow remaining mainly above 3000 ft. By evening further cloud encroached from the W. Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, was wettest with {22.4 mm}. [Rain 0.2 mm; Max 10.1C; Min 6.0C; Grass 5.3C]
23rd: A vivid red sky above the mountains to foretell of approaching frontal rain stretching from SW Approaches up St George's Channel and Irish Sea to the Western Isles of Scotland. But it was still dry at 0900 GMT but it had become overcast. Pressure was 1010 mb with low (970 mb) SE Iceland. A weak area of low pressure was over France. The Scandinavian high (1027 mb) is sinking S towards the Adriatic while high (1026 mb) is off Iberia. It began to rain by 1145 GMT, light at first but was moderate at times in the afternoon, ceasing about 1900 GMT. The S'ly wind veered WNW by 2100 GMT by when the sky had almost cleared and there was a ground frost. [Rain 7.8 mm; Max 9.2C; Min C; Grass C]
24th: A sunny start to the day with altocumulus clouds dispersing overhead. Pressure was 1016 mb and we were in a cooler but showery W'ly airflow. There were some clouds mainly in the W and over the mountains but they kept away here and the day was dry. During the afternoon convection increased and some well developed clouds were seen to the W and over the mountains that were mostly obscured all day. As the sun set crepuscular rays were seen behind the then decaying cumulus clouds. The night was mostly clear with water deposits and additional dew freezing on the grass. [Rain trace (dew/fr); Max 8.7C; Min 2.7C; Grass -1.5C]
25th: The grass was white with frost lasting well into the morning in shady places. The sky had 6 oktars of mainly cirrus clouds at 09 GMT but these dispersed during the morning. Storm cocks (mistle thrushes) were singing strongly high in the trees establishing there territories, there are 2 or 3 pairs locally. They have been singing from dawn every day for the past week even in the rain. Great spotted woodpeckers were drumming close by and being answered by more distant birds. Pressure 1014 mb was little changed but high pressure (1022 mb) was building to the W and stretching N to Greenland (1030 mb). Pressure was also high (1025 mb) N Russia but low (986 mb) to the N of the UK. This could bring cold wintry weather down from the N over the next week. The morning was mainly sunny at first; by noon there were showers of sleet with the temperature on 3.0C. These fell as snow on high ground and at 1400 GMT, when clearing, a reasonable covering of snow was seen on Foel-fras, Carnedd Llewelyn and Yr Wyddfa. With the sky mostly clear at dusk with the grass minimum falling to -3.4C moisture on grass and paths was soon frozen. [Rain 1.2 mm; Max 4.6C; Min 1.1C; Grass -3.4C]
26th: A bright but misty start to the day with inversion in the Menai Strait. Overhead dispersing altocumulus with cirrostratus to the W and NE. At 09 GMT there was a light NE'ly with the temperature on 1.2C. Pressure was 1007 mb with slow-moving low (986 mb) and fronts and rain over Brittany. Cold polar air has reached Scotland with wintry showers in the N. The morning was bright with hazy sunshine. In the afternoon cumulus clouds built up over Liverpool Bay and in the W later where a cumulonimbus was spotted. Some clear spells at first at night with a shower of snow pellets close to 21 GMT.[Rain 0.2 mm; Max 4.3C; Min 1.0C; Grass -1.8C]
27th: Cloudier by dawn, with frost melted, but the cloud had lifted over Snowdonia revealing a light covering of snow generally at 2000 ft but as low as 1000 ft at Ogwen Cottage (Cwm Idwal). Pressure was 1013 mb with low (990 mb) Norwegian coast and high (1033 mb) Greenland with ridge to Wales. Complex low pressure was over France, Germany and the Mediterranean. It has been very cold with snow in Turkey; the Bosporus and Dardanelles were closed to shipping because of storms. The morning here was mostly cloudy with a N'ly breeze. Light snow showers, coming in off the Irish Sea, began to affect the NW corner of the island reaching here by 1112 GMT . Snow showers were also working their way down the E coast of England. But the morning brightened and the afternoon was sunny. Showers continued to move down through North Channel but kept to the W of the island. A cold front over Shetland between 11-12 GMT {6.4 mm} reached the Isle of Man at 1800 GMT. Although the temperature at 1900 GMT was near 0.0C, but when it reached here it had warmed over the Irish Sea and rose to 2.8C, so that precipitation fell as rain. But we did have a moderate fall of snow pellets, that almost covered the ground, in a blustery shower at 2300 GMT . Further E snow fell in Manchester and in SE England falls between 6-10 cm were reported. With maximums of 4.3C today and yesterday were the coldest of the month. {Tenby, Pembrokeshire 6.8h; Pembrey Sands, Carmarthenshire 9C} [Rain 2.7 mm; Max 4.3C; Min 0.9C; Grass -1.4C]
28th: No further showers after midnight and cloud was clearing after dawn giving a bright start. Too cold for the mistle thrushes to sing but the great spotted woodpecker was hard at it drumming on his favourite branch of mature pine. There was a scattering of snow pellets remaining on the grass; on the mountains snow cover was only sparse at 1500 ft. Pressure was 1008 mb with Greenland high (1025 mb) stretching to Cape Finisterre. To the E a line of low pressure centres stretched from N Norwegian Sea down the North Sea to Dover. A succession of fronts, another over Scotland at 06 GMT, and troughs were all moving S bringing the wintry weather. The morning here was bright with a moderate to fresh NW'ly wind. The front arrived about 1345 GMT. There was rain at first then, as the temperature fell rapidly from near 5.0C to -1.0C, a burst of snow pellets before turning to snow. The wind became a gusty force 6/7 blowing the snow almost horizontally for about 30 minutes. As the front moved on S it became active with thunder and lightning reported. The front reached the French coastline at 20 GMT. Several places including Yorkshire, the Midlands, the East Anglia and South saw most snow. Road and air travel was disrupted with some people unable to return home after the day's work. From 1600 GMT here the sky began to clear giving a cold night with a minimum -2.1C with -6.5C on the grass. [Rain 1.5 mm; Max 5.0C; Min -0.4C; Grass -4.5C]
29th: An almost clear sky and a sunny morning. Overnight temperatures air -2.1C and grass -6.5C were the lowest of the month. A little remnant snow was still lying on the grass, well below the 50% cover necessary to record 'lying snow'. There was only thin cover on the mountains, above an average of 1200 ft, and was sparser in places as low as 400 ft. Pressure was 1011 mb in a ridge lying to the SW from high (1021 mb) Spain. There were several centres of low pressure in the North Sea with frontal wave still giving snow to the N of Scotland.. It was a sunny day on Anglesey, with a light to moderate NW'ly breeze, but became cloudier by evening. [Rain 3.1 mm; Max 7.3C; Min -2.1C; Grass -6.5C]
30th: Overnight the air temperature minimum was 2.0C while there was a slight ground frost -1.2C after dusk before it became warmer. Introducing a change in the pattern low (957 mb), S of Greenland at 06 GMT, was bringing frontal cloud and warm sector air in from the SW. Ahead were fronts and troughs that brought intermittent rain from 04 GMT. Pressure was 1002 mb at 09 GMT and falling slowly but remains high over the Alps and North Africa. The temperature had risen to 5.5C and visibility was poor obscuring the mountains where snowmelt was rapid. The wind was a moderate SW'ly that strengthened to f6 through the day. By afternoon the rain turned moderate to heavy and continued all night, accumulating 27.6 mm by morning, the wettest day of the month. {Capel Curig 27.0 mm}.[Rain 27.6 mm; Max 10.1C; Min -1.4C; Grass -4.8C]
31st: It was still raining and in the low cloud and mist across the island visibility was very poor. Water was standing on the ground with a large pool in the middle of the 'old cricket field' opposite the weather station. Pressure had fallen to 980 mb as Atlantic low 971 mb (with frontal triple point) tracked across Galway Bay, Ireland. At 06 GMT there was a warm front over Wales, giving heavy rain over mountains and mid Wales, while the following cold front just reached Valentia, SW Ireland. Other slow-moving occluded fronts were over Scotland where it was still cold enough to give heavy snow, with 10-20 cm reported. Pressure went down to 997 mb in the afternoon as the low tracked across the Irish Sea. Strongest winds were in the SW with gale to storm force winds in the English Channel. The day here was wet with over 12 mm rain falling until 1800 GMT. {Capel Curig 74.2 mm} [Rain 17.8 mm; Max 10.4C; Min 5.4C; Grass 4.7C]

February 2004

1st: A minimum of 4.8C around midnight then warmer again as a further spell of rain from 01 - 0245 GMT produced another 5 mm. Then a clear slow around dawn but it was already cloudier at 0900 GMT. Pressure was 1005 mb with yesterday's low already over the Baltic. Low (979 mb) to the NW Scotland but another Atlantic-low (976 mb) is heading our way. The morning was dull with a strengthening f5 SW'ly wind. By 1300 GMT there were blustery showers of rain until 1800 GMT. As the low deepened (969 mb) and headed NE it brought a warm front in from the SW. There was moderate rain (3.0 mm/h) from 0300 GMT until just after 07 GMT. [Rain 20.3 mm; Max 10.5C; Min 4.8C; Grass 3.3C]
2nd: Dull grey uniform cloud and very poor visibility. It had stopped raining; the S'ly wind was force 6/7 but it did not stop the 'storm cock' singing about 0710 GMT. The ground was waterlogged and local roads were awash with runoff from adjoining fields. Pressure was 1008 mb with the Atlantic-low 965 mb heading towards NW Scotland. High (1032 mb) was building across North Africa, where a large dust storm in the Bodele Depression had crossed from Chad into Niger. Raised dust was blowing W into the Atlantic and could head N past the Iberian Peninsula towards Brittany and here. Here a dull, sunless, damp and windy mild day. At Colwyn Bay in the lee of the mountains there was 3.1h sunshine and the temperature reached 14C. There was rain from 1900 GMT and turned moderate to heavy from 2000 GMT continuing through the night. Traces of dust were observed (20 GMT), and intermittently during the rain, it's source was investigated and and most likely to have been of North African origin. The accumulated 33.4 mm rainfall was the wettest 24-h in the month. The SSW'ly wind reached gale force 8 during the evening with gusts of 50 mph. {Church Fenton 15C; Isle of Lusa 40 mm} [Rain 33.4 mm; Max 12.0C; Min 7.7C; Grass 5.2C]
¤ 3rd: At midnight low (962 mb) was S of Iceland with others in its wake. Overnight rainfall of 33.4 mm brought the total here for the past 4 days to 99 mm, 06 GMT on 30 January to 06 GMT today. Rainfall totals range from 46 mm in the Isle of Man to 204 mm in Capel Curig. Pressure was hardly changed at 1006 mb. The temperature at 09 GMT was a mild 11.4C and soon reached 12.5C, the warmest of the month. The SSW wind had again reached gale force, trees were being blown over in the area. A tall tree was left 'hung up' at 45° dangerously across the driveway to Gadlys. The sky was uniformly grey and visibility was poor. With river levels rising 32 warnings of floods were issued in Wales. At risk were the rivers Severn, Wye, Vyrnwy, Mawddach and Conwy. There was widespread disruption in North Wales. All roads into Llanrwst, Gwynedd, were flooded and 4 primary and the secondary school in the Conwy Valley closed. There was a tidal surge around the coasts, on top of the 8.0 m tide at 0930 GMT, that held back water in the Conwy and other estuaries. In 5 feet of rising water 3 men were rescued by RAF helicopter from a submerging car transporter at Llanrwst. Flooding at Trefriw took place when flood defences were breached trapping people in their homes. Gales continued during the morning, and had not moderated by afternoon, although there had not been heavy rain. Further rain was, however, forecast for later. In the afternoon 'Best Boy' John, with heavy farm equipment, made safe the tree suspended across the driveway. The night was mainly misty with a little drizzle but no heavy precipitation until morning. {Capel Curig 167 mm} [Rain 14.0 mm; Max 12.5C; Min 10.1C; Grass 9.5C]
4th: Rain from 06 GMT turned heavy from 07 GMT giving another 14 mm by 09 GMT. It had been another mild night, minimum 10.2C the warmest of the month, and the storm cocks were singing! Traces of a light reddish-brown coloured dust were being deposited on my 'clean' observing surfaces. The dust originated from the ongoing storms in North Africa, and were confirmed by backward trajectory analysis using the HYSPLIT model at NOAA ARL Website. The dust was probably picked up by parcels of air near the Atlantic-coast in southern Morocco between 00 and 06 GMT on the 2nd. It was transported in a westerly direction N of the Canary Islands at midnight on the 3rd then very rapidly NE past the Iberian Peninsula. It was W of Brest at 00 GMT on the 4th before moving up St. George's Channel to be deposited in Llansadwrn at 09 GMT. Although the level of the Conwy had fallen, some people Trefriw some people were still trapped in their houses. The A470 was closed between Llanrwst and Dolwyddelan as well as the B5106 at Trefriw. With more heavy rain and the high tide at 0945 GMT levels rose again during the day. There was a lot of water on the marsh at Malltraeth and the drainage channels were full. On the high tide water was higher than the gates protecting the fresh water pool. This filled with water and was within a whisker of flooding the road the landward side of the Cob. Pressure was 1011 mb with low (984 mb) to the SSW with complex frontal cloud, and triple point, slow-moving over the Irish Sea. The deluge continued with another 16.0 mm rain here by 15 GMT, but 86 mm fell at Capel Curig bringing the total there to 385 mm (15 inches). There was major disruption in Wales; 8 roads were closed in Gwynedd and 6 in Powys. There was flooding in the Tawe Valley and houses in Llandeilo were inundated. North Wales was cut off during the afternoon with all roads closed or difficult. The A55 was closed at Aber-Tai Meibon with traffic to and from Bangor at a standstill. The A5 was closed at Corwen, and was almost impassable at Betws-y-Coed. The A 4085 between Waunfawr and Rhydd Du was also closed. There was no further rain overnight. {Capel Curig 95 mm. [Rain 16.0 mm; Max 11.7C; Min 10.2C; Grass 9.5C]

The diagram above right shows rainfall accumulated at selected stations in North Wales and Isle of Man during the period 06 GMT on the 30th January to 06 GMT on the 5th February. It shows the huge amount (more than a foot) of rain received at Capel Curig compared with surrounding stations. Capel Curig received 393 mm (15.5 inches) over the period; the 116 mm (4.6 inches) in Llansadwrn was quite enough.

March 2004

1st: After a frosty night, with the grass minimum reading -5.9C the lowest of the month, there was hoar frost glistening in the early sunshine. Snow was still lying (55% locally at the weather station) and on the SE corner of the island (see TERRA satellite image). Much of the high ground in Wales remained snow covered. Pressure 1035 mb had risen as we were near the centre of the UK high. The temperature at 09 GMT was -0.3C (dewpoint -3.4C), and it was calm, while on Yr Wyddfa summit it was -6.8C rising. It was another sunny day with the temperature rising to 8.6C thawing more snow; on Yr Wyddfa the warmest I saw recorded by the AWS was -0.6C at 1500 GMT. The cold weather has slowed the previously advanced development garden daffodils, but some were out in the garden in time for St David's Day. Crocuses were covered in snow 4 days ago but have emerged undamaged. Haze (pollution smoke) increased through the day and could be seen to the west after a light purple-coloured sunset. Later high cloud moved in from the W. [Rain 0.0 mm; Max 8.6C; Min -1.8C; Grass -5.9C]
2nd: Overnight the minimum temperature was -2.0C, the lowest of the month. But it was a bright morning with red and purple sunrise at 0712 GMT. There was thin high broken cloud at 25000 ft and visibility was poor in smoke haze. Pressure 1033 mb was falling as the high (1037 mb) was drifting SE to Normandy and low (956 mb) SW of Iceland was making it's presence felt. Tightening isobars were to the W of Ireland and the wind here, S'ly force 3/4, was beginning to pick up. Although the day was overcast it kept dry and with a maximum of 7.1C remnants of snow continued to thaw. [Rain trace; Max 7.1C; Min -2.0C; Grass -5.5C]
3rd: The maturing Icelandic low (963 mb) was just W of Iceland at midnight. Overnight it was windier and there was no frost. It was a grey but dry dawn and the frontal rain over the Irish Sea did not reach here until 0835 GMT. Pressure was 1021 mb, the temperature 6.5C and the wind S'ly force 4/5. The showery light rain, would be falling as snow on the summits of Snowdonia where the temperature was still -1.8C, ended with a burst around 1030 GMT. Just remnant patches of snow here, but on the mountains, although now much sparser, was lying about 800 ft but there was a thaw later in the day. A dull day with a further spell of rain from 19 - 20 GMT leaving an overcast and mild night. [Rain 2.1 mm; Max 8.2C; Min 2.8C; Grass 2.3C]
4th: With all the snow melted the tape measure was put to another use; bluebell leaves were up to 15 cm long in the wood. It was brightening slowly at 09 GMT with the temperature on 7.4C. The mountain snow looked rather sad with only patchy cover above 2500 ft with some as low as 1000 ft. Pressure was 1018 mb with a cold front clearing slowly SE; there was complex low pressure in the Bay of Biscay with rain affecting the Channel Islands. The sky continued to clear during the morning and the afternoon turned sunny with a maximum of 12.6C. On the mountains, where temperatures went above freezing for the first time for several days, more snow melted. Later cumulus clouds developed to the E with several rain and hail showers over the Flintshire/Cheshire border as convection increased. Mr David Small reported that 'at Deeside we watched for about 5-10 minutes (about 1530 GMT) as a funnel cloud formed under the cloud base, probably about a couple of hundred feet in length. It seemed to be over the Shotwick Fields just west of the Deeside Industrial Park.' Soon after heavy hail showers were also reported over parts of Chester and on the A55 near Holywell. In the evening David Small also reported seeing, through patchy cirrus cloud, double halos around the moon. But the night here became misty with low cloud and fog by morning. [Trace/fog; Max 12.6C; Min 5.8C; Grass 4.9C]
5th: At dawn visibility was less than 100 m (code 1) but was starting to clear at 09 GMT. The temperature was 6.6C with 100% relative humidity and calm. Pressure had risen a touch to 1020 mb with high (1023 mb) W of Ireland approaching. By noon it was mostly sunny but low cloud and mist moved in from the sea in the afternoon. At 22 GMT almost full moon was just visible through the then fog (<100 m). [Rain trace/fog; Max 8.8C; Min 5.0C; Grass 1.5C]
6th: Just before dawn (0530 GMT) the fog began to clear and temperatures fell to their lowest giving a ground frost (-1.2C on the grass). By 0630 GMT shallow mist had formed on the fields but this cleared away just before 09 GMT. The sky at that point (3 oktas) there were cirrus and contrails overhead with cumulus were seen to the S and SW. Soon after 09 GMT cumulus clouds formed overhead and by 0930 GMT were well developed. A precipitating cumulonimbus was seen to the S heading for the mountains where, with temperatures just below freezing on the summits, there were showers of snow. Pressure was 1023 mb with high (1028 mb) close to SW Ireland. By noon there were some sunny spells but cumulus were still well-developed in the vicinity. In East Anglia and SE England convection was such that sferics were recorded in the afternoon. There was a slight shower of rain here at 1830 GMT. During the night the sky cleared and there was, with a bright full moon, a touch of ground frost. [Rain 0.2 mm; Max 10.7C; Min 2.2C; Grass -1.2C]
7th: A weak trough passed over about 06 GMT and had reached Birmingham by 09 GMT. Here the sky had almost cleared with some cumulus clouds to the S and W. Pressure was 1025 mb with high (1031 mb) near Valentia (Ireland). It was a mostly sunny day with a moderate (f4) N'ly breeze. It was cloudier around noon before the sky cleared in the afternoon. Cumulus clouds persisted over Snowdonia where there were snow showers on Snowdon and Carnedd Llewelyn. The evening was clear with dew but no frost by 2200 GMT although the road gritter had just passed. The night was clear with little or no wind. [Rain trace/dew; Max 9.0C; Min 3.0C; Grass -0.5C]
8th: Very heavy overnight dew had frozen white on the grass. This was soon melting in the morning sunshine. With the high (1039 mb) slow-moving over the UK pressure here was 1036 mb. Low (985 mb) S of Greenland had frontal cloud stretching down past W of Ireland. Stratiform cloud from over the North Sea affected most of S England with convective clouds developing later (see satellite image 1). Here there was a slight E'ly wind and although visibility was good it is was very hazy. The morning was sunny with a little stratocumulus, and cumulus clouds over the mountains. Just after noon it was cloudier (at most 4 oktas) just to the W of here as NE'ly air converged with SW'ly air (see satellite image 2) , but this cleared by 16 GMT. The W had the best of the sunshine with Valley reporting {9.0 h} but beaten by the Isle of Man {10.4 h}. Haze thickened through the day so that by dusk visibility was poor. Sunset was a pinkish-peach colour, as was the twilight, and the moon over the Carneddau at 21 GMT it was the same colour but when higher became whiter. These colours are because of fine particles, including dust, in the atmosphere at the moment. [Rain trace/fr; Max 10.2C; Min C; Grass C]
9th: A clear sky at night led to air (-0.8C) and ground frosts (-5.1C). Initial dew formation was much less than the previous night but there was deposition of hoar frost, directly from moisture in the air. This was covering plants, shrubs and rain gauges as well frozen dew on the grass. Hazy sunshine with a light NE'ly breeze and at 09 GMT a temperature of 2.5C soon melted the frost. Pressure 1036 mb was unchanged with the high (1042 mb) now over Scandinavia with a ridge to the UK. Deepened low (972 mb) was S of Greenland with associated fronts poised W of Ireland. The wind kept light NE/W'ly all day but cloud again developed in the afternoon as the wind became SW/W'ly on the west coast. Later the cloud dispersed and there was a colourful sunset and twilight and with clear sky at night turned frosty. [Rain 0.0 mm; Max 8.8C; Min -0.8C; Grass -5.1C]
10th: Clear before dawn the sky became rapidly cloudy from the E just before 09 GMT; you had to out early to catch the overnight frost as it had by then all melted. Pressure was 1032 mb under the influence of high (1044 mb) S Norway. Complex low-pressure S of Iceland with frontal cloud was still waiting W of Ireland. The morning, still hazy, was occasionally brighter as the medium level cloud, predominately altostratus and altocumulus, varied in cover and began to disperse at 1045 GMT. There were a few sunny spells, with crepuscular rays were seen to the S, but it was cloudier again by noon. Wintry showers were affecting NE England and these moved across Liverpool Bay. At 1300 GMT there was a flurry of snow; this was followed by several slight showers snow pellets and further snow flurries until 1530 GMT. Towards dusk the sky began to clear and there was clear sky and air and ground frosts at 20 GMT. [Rain trace; Max C; Min -1.2C; Grass -5.7C]
11th: With frontal cloud approaching from the W around midnight there was a small increase in temperature. The wind veered SE'ly and strengthened. At 0900 GMT the temperature was 2.7C (63% RH; dewpoint -3.5C) with the wind force 3/4 SE. Pressure 1014 mb was falling with low (970 mb) SW of Iceland. At 06 GMT occluded front was just W of Ireland, with developing triple point off Lands End tracking towards Brest. Rain was falling over Ireland (wintry precipitation in N reported), the SW where it turned to heavy snow on Dartmoor and into the Irish Sea. Here it was nearly overcast and dry; even the melted frost on the grass had dried off in the wind. Some bright spells during the morning with the maximum reaching 5.6C that was the lowest of the month. With falling pressure it became windier in the afternoon but kept dry until about 1700 GMT when slight rain turning to sleet arrived. Amounts of precipitation, intermittent sleet and sometimes snow, were small here but more fell on the Snowdonia Mountains, and ceased only after midnight. The night remained mostly cloudy. [Rain 0.3 mm; Max 5.6C; Min -0.4C; Grass -4.3C]
12th: A dull overcast morning. A sprinkling of snow was lying generally at 600 ft on the mountains, but reported to be almost down to the shore at Abergwyngregin. Pressure was 1000 mb with frontal low (998 mb) in the Bay of Biscay off Brest, with moderate snow over South Wales and on the Brecon Beacons where 12 cm snow was reported. Pressure was high (1040 mb) E Baltic. The morning was dull and grey with a few spots of rain at 1030 GMT that developed into intermittent slight rain from noon. Most rain was between 13 - 14 GMT, then there were some sunny spells before becoming overcast once more at 17 GMT. The night was mostly cloudy with a further shower of rain around 03 GMT followed by a touch of ground frost before dawn. (Precipitation amounts 06-06 GMT Plymouth 35 mm; Camborne 29 mm; Newquay 25 mm; Scilly Is. 15 mm; Milford Haven 13 mm). [Rain 1.0 mm; Max 7.8C; Min 1.4C; Grass -0.7C]
13th: With the low (1003 mb) moved on to the S North Sea pressure 1004 mb had risen and the wind veered SW'ly force 3. The sky was clearing after early showers with much cirrus above. Cumulus clouds were in the vicinity and over the mountains where they were already beginning to tower. Fresh snow, from early showers, was seen as low as 1000 ft on the Carneddau and near Ogwen with Snowdon obscured. As yesterday this would soon thaw but leave the longer standing snow beds at least for a while. Low (980 mb) SW of Iceland was deepening and moving rapidly E towards the N of the UK. The morning was bright with occasional sunny spells that lasted into the afternoon. From 1530 GMT there were blustery showers of rain, that were wintry on the mountains, with the wind increasing to force 5. Rain continued until 22 GMT. [Rain 10.4 mm; Max 10.6C; Min 2.8C; Grass -0.5C]
14th: Strengthening S'ly wind and more rain from 04 GMT turning moderate then heavy from 08 GMT. Rainfall for the past 24-h at 09 GMT was 10.4 mm with a further 4.5 mm by 10 GMT. There was more than 8 mm rain in the 2 hr (08 - 10 GMT) with water standing in puddles on the grass. Local roads were awash with water and the A5025 near Llansadwrn was partially flooded. At 09 GMT with the wind force 7 touching gale force 8 at times, before and after, pressure had fallen to 999 mb as the low (972 mb) approached the Western Isles of Scotland. Rain was falling over most of the W from Plymouth to Fort William. The rain and wind eased a little during the morning. Pressure remained low and steady until about 14 GMT when the wind veered WSW'ly and strengthened. There was a 0.6 m tidal surge measured at the POL Gladstone Lock Gauge on the afternoon tide (Liverpool 1649 GMT). There were some bright spells with a little sunshine. Dry overnight with the strong wind continuing. [Rain 4.4 mm; Max 11.2C; Min C; Grass C]
15th: Overcast with poor visibility. Pressure was steady on 1014 mb with low 980 mb) now Norwegian Sea and complex Atlantic low-pressure systems and fronts stacked up W of Ireland and over the Irish Sea. A mild night with the temperature on 9.0C at 09 GMT and a force 6/7 SSW'ly wind. There was soon a blustery shower of rain that led to more persistent rain by 1015 GMT to noon. More rain at 17 GMT that turned to showers before a spell of moderate to heavy rain from 2100 GMT to midnight. [Rain 12.2 mm; Max 11.0C; Min 7.0C; Grass 4.4C]
16th: Mist and drizzle after midnight, coastal and hill fog, and by dawn the wind had freshened. Overnight the minimum was 8.7C, the warmest of the month. At 09 GMT the SSW'ly was force 7 with a grey overcast sky with somewhat improved visibility (4 km) as the drizzle had ceased. Pressure was 1017 mb, with complex low-pressure centres (990 mb) to the NW, and closely packed isobars over Ireland and Irish Sea. The morning was dull and windy but it became brighter in the afternoon especially in the lee of the mountains and over the Menai Strait. Most of the island to the W and N remained shrouded in low cloud and mist. {Valley 0.0 h sunshine}. By 1800 GMT it was cloudier with the approach of a weak cold front. There was rain from 1930 - 2200 GMT with the rest of the night in low cloud and mist. [Rain 3.2 mm; Max 11.5C; Min 8.7C; Grass 8.4C]
17th: Today the weather station took part in the Great UK Weather Watch Day. Additional observations were made throughout the day and reported to the MetLinkInternational Weather Project. At dawn we were still shrouded in low cloud and mist but this started to lift and clear before 09 GMT. Low (972 mb) was near the Faeroes but pressure here 1022 mb was rising under the influence of high pressure to the S. The morning was bright with the sun shining through cirrostratus clouds. At noon a halo was seen around the sun. Cumulus clouds started developing over the Snowdonia Mountains from about 1030 GMT and a line of stratocumulus persisted well into the afternoon. The cirrostratus cleared and the convective clouds over Snowdonia diminished by 17 GMT. The sky cleared during the evening and dew formed on the grass. [Rain 0.0 mm; Max 12.5C; Min 6.9C; Grass 5.0C]
18th: A cloudy start to the day but there was some brightness just before 09 GMT. The buds on the horse chestnut have begun to open high in the tree. Pressure 1015 mb was falling as low (977 mb) SE Iceland tracked E. The cold front seen on yesterday,satellite image was over Ireland where there was some rain. The wind had backed S'ly and strengthened to force 5/6. The cold front passed over between 12 - 13 GMT ; there was a 3C temperature fall and 3 mm rainfall. The afternoon was showery with convective cumulus clouds in the vicinity and particularly over Snowdonia where there was some ice precipitation on the summits. At 18 GMT with pressure here 1011 mb frontal wave low (1001 mb) was deepening W of Ireland to (997 mb) by midnight when it was still W of Valentia. [Rain 13.8 mm; Max 10.5C; Min 6.0C; Grass 4.5C]
19th: At midnight pressure here was still 1010 mb but then started falling quickly to 994 mb by 06 GMT as the low (986 mb) tracked across Northern Ireland.. The SW'ly wind here had reached gale force 8/ 9. There was moderate to heavy rain from 02 GMT to 05 GMT on the warm front; the temperature was 6C but rose quickly to 9.7C at 07 GMT. The Britannia Bridge was closed to high-sided vehicles and a speed restriction placed on others. Some ferries out of Holyhead were cancelled. In a violent squall at 0730 GMT several trees were blown down, or trunks sheared off near the ground. One of the old trees on the Gadlys 'old cricket field' was uprooted, but was already dead! Gusts of 80 mph in North Wales were reported by Michael Fish in the weather report during the BBC Today programme . With passage of the cold front by 09 GMT the temperature had fallen again to 6.6C and pressure 996 mb had started to rise; the wind had veered W'ly force 6. There was some standing water at the weather station and a torrent of water seen falling above Cwm Idwal. There was a surge on the tide in the Cefni Estuary at 07 GMT 3 hours ahead of the high tide due at 1010 GMT. Driven on by the gale-force wind a large amount of rough water was rushing under Malltraeth Bridge into the River Cefni. Later in Liverpool, at the POL tide gauge at Gladstone Lock, an 0.8 m surge was measured. Although the river outflow was impeded on this occasion rainfall was not heavy enough to cause problems here, or on the Conwy River. The morning was bright between threatening clouds. By afternoon cumulus clouds were towering over the weather station and there was a light shower of small ice pellets at 1430 GMT. By evening the sky was overcast. At 18 GMT pressure here had risen to 1007 mb with the low (981 mb) in the W North Sea. There were further frontal wave lows (994 mb) S of Greenland just waiting to track across to soon give us more wind and rain. There was moderate rain from 2300 to 02 GMT and the temperature rose 3C between 0130 and 0230 GMT as we entered a warmer airflow. {Capel Curig 35 mm, Lake Vyrnwy 26 mm}. [Rain 4.6 mm; Max 10.0C; Min 5.7C; Grass 3.0C]
20th: It was quiet until about 03 GMT when the slates started to rattle. By 09 GMT with pressure 993 mb was falling quickly and the SW'ly was blowing force 8. Complex low (976 mb) was NW of Ireland tracking towards N Scotland. The storm cock was singing well while I was making the observations. He had been since first light, but he was singing on the sheltered side of the trees this morning! The temperature was 10.0C with 100% relative humidity; visibility was poor. With another high tide this morning another surge was expected. At Malltraeth it was higher than yesterday, but there was no flooding reported when it reached high point about 1040 GMT. At the POL tide gauge at Gladstone Lock, an 0.5 m surge was measured at 1100 GMT and a 1.4 m surge at low water at 1755 GMT. A very windy morning, with strong gusts with 66 mph being reported at Bangor Harbour and 70 mph at Aberporth, but little in the way of rainfall until a blustery shower at 1245 GMT. Pressure 990 mb had bottomed and the wind veered W'ly and again reached gale force 8/9 with more strong gusts. The afternoon then became sunny with an almost clear sky and the temperature reached 12.8C. Convective shower activity continued in the W; a shower at the rugby match in Lansdowne Road, Ireland where Ireland (who won) were playing Italy, spotted the TV lenses about 1445-50 GMT then crossed the Irish Sea to reach here at 1553 GMT. If this was the same shower it gives some idea of the speed of movement of the clouds today; distance travelled was about 88 miles. Trajectory analysis (HYSPLIT, NOAA ARL) seems to confirm that parcels of air arriving here were over Dublin just over an hour before arriving here. At Twickenham, Wales (who lost) were playing England. Otherwise it was a dry day with the precipitation not wetting the rain gauge bottle. Mostly cloudy at night becoming a little less windy by morning. [Rain trace mm; Max 12.8C; Min 6.3C; Grass 4.3C]
21st: Overcast at first as a line of shower clouds passed over, but no precipitation here, then brightening by 09 GMT. Pressure was 998 mb with the strong W'ly airflow continuing. The wind strengthened again to force 5 as the sky stated to clear. It is a drying wind; potential evapotranspiration from grass measured by lysimeter was 4 mm during the last 24-h. The morning was bright with sunny spells then cloudier with a little showery rain with a few small ice pellets about 1330 GMT. Further sunny spells later led to a partly cloudy night with a touch of ground frost.. As can sometimes be the way, we missed the results of the further development of the convective clouds over many parts of Britain. Shoppers in Manchester had to struggle against the wind while 40 rowers were left floundering in the Thames as 140 boats got into difficulty in strong winds and rough water. Elsewhere there were downpours of rain and hail together with thunder and lightning. In recent days 3 lives have been lost due to weather related events. [Rain 0.4 mm; Max 10.6C; Min 5.4C; Grass 2.7C]
22nd: A light fall of ice pellets at 0650 GMT then it became brighter. But there were cumulus clouds in the vicinity and some were already showing some moderate towers. Pressure 1013 mb at 09 GMT was rising and we were into the colder air with the wind veered NW'ly. High (1041 mb) was to the SW with low (988 mb) well to the N of Scotland. Showery troughs were lying over Wales and western Scotland. The morning was occasionally bright and although cumulus cloud built up it kept dry here. With rising temperatures the yellow flowers of celandines have appeared in the garden and along grass verges and sunny banks. Hedgerows are looking patchily white with flowers of the blackthorn which is still leafless. Hawthorn, that produces its leaves before the flowers, is starting to look green. Interspersed with blackthorn it results in the hedgerows looking patchy at this time of year. Catkins are hanging on hazel and the goat willow has flowers starting to open as well. Alexanders is also starting to flower and there are masses of primroses. In the greenhouse the buds of our Black Hamburg grape have opened. In the afternoon fresh snow was seen on Carnedd Dafydd above 2800 ft, the other summits remained obscured in cloud. It was clear at first after dark with a touch of ground frost but turned cloudier before midnight. [Rain 1.0 mm; Max 10.4C; Min C; Grass C]
23rd: There was a moderate shower around 04 GMT before the sky started to slowly clear. At 09 GMT with 4 oktas cover there was stratocumulus and cumulus clouds that were sometimes well-developed mainly confined to Snowdonia. Pressure 1019 mb continues to rise with high (1033 mb) forming S of Iceland. The morning was bright with cumulus clouds persisting. By noon convection had increased and there were cumulonimbus clouds over Caernarfon where there was rain about 1330 GMT. Although convection continued until late in the afternoon there was not rain here. The night was dry too although mainly cloudy. [Rain 0.0 mm; Max 8.5C; Min 3.0C; Grass -0.2C]
24th: A bright start to the day with convective cumulus clouds building up during the morning. Pressure was 1029 mb with the high (1043 mb) W of Ireland intensifying a little through the day. Again it kept dry with a moderate N'ly breeze. The temperature reached 8.6C by 1300 GMT. There was light snow on the summits of Carnedd Llewelyn and C, Dafydd at 2800 ft and on Snowdon at 2500 ft. The temperature indicated by the AWS was between -1.5C and -0.7C through the day. The end of the afternoon was fairly clear but it was becoming cloudier after sunset. Frontal cloud associated with a weak low (1011 mb) N of Iceland was lying to the NW and encroached during the night.[Rain 1.2 mm; Max 8.6C; Min 3.1C; Grass 1.0C]
25th: Light rain on the occluded front from 0315 to 0530 GMT followed by slight showers up to 09 GMT. Pressure 1021 mb had fallen with weak low (1018 mb) now in the North Sea. But the Atlantic-high W of Ireland was unchanged at 1043 mb. The morning was blustery, with a fresh NE'ly wind, and started to brighten by 1015 GMT. The afternoon became sunny as the sky cleared over Anglesey. With dry soils farmers were busy near the village ploughing fields in preparation for spring-sown crops. But dense cloud orographic wave clouds formations persisted over Snowdonia until late in the day (photographs and satellite image are within 8 minutes of each other). To the S there was more convection with hail showers being reported. The evening was clear, following a blood-red sunset, with dew forming on the grass and a touch of frost. [Rain trace; Max 8.8C; Min 4.0C; Grass 0.5C]
26th: Overcast at dawn as another weak warm front encroached from the NW. This was working its way round the high-pressure (1038 mb) still sitting W of Ireland. Here pressure 1027 mb had risen a little but despite this, just before 09 GMT, there was some drizzle from the moderately hig