************************************************************************************** MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT JUNE 2000 TEXT-ONLY VERSION Hard copy versions of this report, including graphics, can be obtained from the weather station at the following address: Pitsford Hall weather station Pitsford Hall Moulton Lane Pitsford Northampton NN6 9AX Enclosing a stamped address A4 envelope. The full register can be downloaded separately to this report from this web site. If you encounter any problems in downloading data or viewing the files, please contact the station via the answerphone on 07967 438314. For official purposes, data entries should always be double checked with the station office. ************************************************************************************** Pitsford Hall Weather Station Authority: Northamptonshire Grammar School Office: Pitsford Hall Northamptonshire Grammar School Pitsford Northampton NN6 9AX Tel. 01604 880306 (Ext 314) Fax. 01604 882212 Answerphone. 07967 438314 (local forecast and readings) E-mail office@northantsweather.org.uk Web site www.northantsweather.org.uk Registered member of the Climatological Observers Link Corporate Member of the Royal Meteorological Society Station grading: A Climatological Station No: 91012 Station Manager: M J Lewis, BSc(Hons), FRGS, FRMetS Observers: Richard Carruthers Charlie Cockrell Michael Franklin Thomas Gutteridge Robert Illingworth Technician: Mrs S West Groundsman: Mr R Green Brief Climatological Summary Three distinct periods marked the weather for June: a rather unsettled start to the month followed by a distinctly warm period around the third week and then a return to more unsettled and cool weather as the month ended. The switch between cyclonic and anticylonic conditions accounted for this rhythm. Although the active frontal systems at the start of the month brought much rain to many areas, the county escaped with only one noticeably wet day on the 3rd. Although daytime temperatures held up, overnight minima fell quite sharply after the 6th with the lowest values of 7.4C recorded on the 7th and 8th. Settled conditions generally developed from the 7th onwards with high pressure moving in noticeably from the 12th. The progression of a cold front produced some noticeable showers on the 14th and 15th, but a warming trend thereafter culminated in the hottest June day since 1995 with a maximum of 30.3C recorded on the 19th. Some heavy showers brought the mini heat wave to an abrupt conclusion on the 20th, although no thunder was reported at this station. The mean temperature was generally above average with rainfall falling substantially short (36.5%). The month was particularly sunny, helped by the clear skies under the anticyclonic conditions of mid month. Temperatures: Mean Max: 20.1C Mean Min: 11.0C Mean Temp: 15.6C (+0.6C) Highest Max: 30.3C on 19th Lowest Max: 15.2C on 24th Highest Min: 17.1C on 19th Lowest Min: 7.4C on 8th & 9th Relative Humidity: Humidities observed at 0830hrs: Max: 99% on 30th Min: 67% on 18th & 19th Mean: 81.0% Lowest RH (hygrograph record): 23% on 18th Rainfall: Total for Month 19.1mm (36.5%) Max: 4.8 on 29th Rain Days: 8 Wet Days: 7 Duration: 16.6hrs Rainfall acidity: Lowest pH: 5.87 on 3rd Winds: Max Max Gust: 30mph on 6th Max wind speed at observation: 11mph on 4th Mean wind speed at observation: 4.4 mph Max mean 24 hour wind speed: 6 mph on 6th, 11th, 12th, 22nd- 24th Mean mean 24 hour wind speed: 3.8mph Directions: north 4, northeast 3, east 4, southeast 1, south 2, southwest 6, west 3, northwest 6, calm 1, variable 0 Pressures: Max: 1029.0mb on 16th Min: 1007.8mb on 21st Mean: 1019.5mb Sunshine: Total: 156.2hrs (131.1%) Most in a day: 12.7hrs on 12th No of sunless days: 2 Cloud Cover: Mean cloud cover at observation: 78% (6.3 oktas) Ground Observations: Lowest Grass Min: 5.2C on 7th Highest Grass Min: 16.8C on 20th Mean Grass Min: 9.6C Lowest Concrete Min: 6.7C on 7th Highest Concrete Min: 15.4 on 20th Mean Concrete Min: 10.9C Earth Temperatures: Surface (grass) mean: 15.2C max: 21.2C on 19th min: 10C on 28th 5cm mean: 14.8C max: 19.1C on 20th min: 12.1C on 11th 10cm mean: 15.9C max: 19.7C on 20th min: 13.9C on 1st, 2nd 20cm mean: 16.5C max: 20.9C on 20th min: 14C on 2nd 30cm mean: 16.9C max: 21.1C on 20th min: 14.4C on 1st, 2nd 40cm mean: 16.6C max: 20.5C on 20th min: 14.1C on 1st 50cm mean: 16.3C max: 19.9C on 20th min: 13.2C on 30th 100cm mean: 14.8C max: 17.5C on 16th min: 13C on 1st, 5th Other observations: Days with fog recorded at 0830 hours: 0 Mean visibility: 6 (moderate, up to 7km) Days with air frosts: 0 Days with ground frosts: 0 Duration of air frost: 0 hrs Days with snow falling: 0 Days with snow lying at observation: 0 Days with hail (<5mm) observed: 0 Days with hail (>=5mm) observed: 0 Days with thunder heard: 0 Days with lightning observed: 0 Gales: 0 Evaporation (tank): 76.30mm All averages refer to the period 1961-1990, except for sunshine which covers the period 1981-1990. United Kingdom Climatological Analysis - June 2000 The 1st was a mainly cloudy day across the British Isles. Rain affected most areas during the day, with heavy falls in parts of N Wales, NW England and SW Scotland. Visibility was often poor in drizzle around Irish Sea coasts, with fog at Ronaldsway for several hours before dawn. A SW wind, force 5 to 6 in the English Channel, prevented the Dunkirk armada from sailing. (Leconfield 21C, Lerwick 5C, Capel Curig 41mm, Clacton 6.1h.) Frontal systems straddling the British Isles led to a cloudy start on the 2nd; cloud over W Scotland cleared during the morning although most other places had rain or drizzle at times during the day. By evening the clearance had reached most of Scotland, where a N to NE wind had been introduced, but thunderstorms occurred over SW Ireland. At Dun Laoghaire fog was reported with drizzle until the afternoon; the maximum temperature was just 12.6C, about 4C below average. (Herne Bay 21C, Stornoway 4C, Fishguard 17mm, Tiree 12.9h.) Clear skies over Scotland early on the 3rd resulted in a ground frost in places. At Aberdeen Dyce, -0.3C was the lowest air temperature on record for June (records started in 1941). Elsewhere, the day began cloudy with rain over N Wales, N England and the Midlands and with fog patches along Irish Sea coasts. 33.4mm fell in the 24 hours ending 0800GMT at Penistone (S Yorkshire). The rain areas hardly moved during the day, and by the evening cloudy conditions had again spread N to affect all the NW Scotland and the Northern Isles. Light rain also fell over S Ireland and SW England. There was quite a contrast in temperatures during the afternoon; at 1500GMT it was 22C at Heathrow, 8-9C over N Yorkshire and 13-17C in SW Scotland. In Nottinghamshire, a heavy thunderstorm moved N between 2130GMT and midnight; two houses were struck by lightning in Ruddington at 2200GMT, and 6.3mm of rain fell in 10 minutes at Keyworth. (London 25C, Glenlivet -1C, Scarborough 33mm, Aberdeen 16.9h.) The 4th dawned cloudy except in NW and N Scotland, and with heavy rain still falling over N Yorkshire. N Scotland clouded over during the day, and although there was a clearance over central parts of England for a while, it remained generally cloudy in most areas during the day. Rain continued to affect N England, N Ireland and parts of Scotland, while cloud cleared from SW Ireland shortly before midnight. 24-hour rainfall totals reported this morning included 65.2mm at Copley ending 0900GMT, and 72.8mm at Carlton in Coverdale ending 0700GMT (after 18.6mm in the previous 24h). East Scrafton recorded 77.5mm during the 24 hours to morning. Flooded roads were reported widely in West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Teeside and Tyne and Wear. About 700 people were evacuated as houses in Bishop Auckland and Todmorden were flooded, the Calder Valley being particularly affected. East coast mainline train services were subject to delays. (Pershore 20C, Lybster 3C, Newcastle 41mm, Stornoway 14.2h.) The 5th dawned mainly cloudy across the British Isles, with fog patches over parts of Cent. S England and light rain over N England. It remained cloudy all day in most places, except for NW Scotland where the cloud cleared during the morning. Scattered showers affected Ireland and parts of Britain, with more general rain for a while along the English Channel. During the evening, frontal rain pushed in W Ireland, and a funnel cloud was seen between Allonby and Maryport (Cumbria) at about 1830GMT. (Bournemouth 20C, Baltasound 4C, Hayling Island 7mm, Lerwick 12.4h.) Overnight rain in Ireland spread to Scotland and NW England by dawn on the 6th, with lighter falls across Wales and SW England. Early morning fog patches were observed in places across S England. The rain was followed by showers during the afternoon, with a fresh W wind across all by N Scotland. Later in the afternoon and into the evening there was a general clearance of cloud over all of the British Isles, except for the N half of Scotland and for some coastal area of NE England. Thunderstorms were reported from Kent to North Yorkshire during the afternoon. A funnel cloud occurred at Great Wakering, Essex, and reportedly lasted about 45 minutes from approx. 1045GMT, but never touched the ground. (Herne Bay and Holbeach 19C, Wick 1C, Kenley 13mm, Jersey 11.1h.) The 7th started dry, apart from some showers over Scotland and light rain over W Ireland. This rain lingered for much of the day, spreading to S Scotland and N England during the evening. Elsewhere, cloud tended to thicken during the day. A spell of torrential rain in Leeds from 1850 to 1915GMT caused local, short-lived flooding. (London 23C, Baltasound 4C, Tynemouth 12mm, Southend 14.1h.) Low pressure to the W of Ireland brought a warm S airflow across the British Isles on the 8th, but with rain over Ireland and W Scotland that also affected W parts of England and Wales from time to time. E England and the Channel Islands were mainly sunny, however. (Jersey 25C, Altnaharra 3C, Machrihanish 13mm, Jersey 14.9h.) The 9th dawned with light rain over SW and Centn S England associated with a shallow low. During the day this rain spread and affected most of England and Wales (thunder was heard in parts of Hampshire and Sussex). Cloud also thickened over Scotland and light rain fell here, although during the afternoon it turned showery over Ireland and W Scotland. At Dun Laoghaire persistent altostratus opacus on the 8th and 9th resulted in maxima of 14C on both days. (Norwich 24C, Eskdalemuir 4C, Carlisle 18mm, Folkestone 11.6h.) Although cloud cleared overnight in many areas, dawn on the 10th saw further frontal rain falling over W Ireland. This moved slowly E reaching W Scotland by early afternoon, and extending to E Scotland and SW England by midnight. Despite this, many parts of England had long, sunny spells. (London 21C, Shawbury 5C, South Uist 15mm, Southport 14.2h.) Cloud and lessening amounts of rain pushed E before dawn on the 11th, being followed by further rain and drizzle over Ireland during the morning. Most areas of Britain had some sunny spells, especially the Channel Islands and parts of S England, although rain and showers spread to NW England and W Scotland during the afternoon, and to SW England by midnight. (Folkestone 20C, Glenlivet 5C, Stornoway 11mm, Guernsey 14.7h.) A generally cloudy night meant that minimum temperatures were not anywhere on the 12th; SW winds blowing around a low to the W of Scotland brought rain to W districts. This rain spread to most of Scotland during the day, and although N and SW England remained cloudy (rain here was light and acompanied by fog in places), cloud largely cleared from much of E and SE England and the Midlands to give a warm sunny day here. Pressure had fallen to 999mb by midnight in N and NW Scotland, and gusts over 50kn were reported in W Scotland during the afternoon and evening. 25.1C at Dun Laoghaire was the highest June temperature there since 1995, although at nearby Dublin mist and cloud kept the temperature down to 24C. (Coltishall 26C, Kirkwall 8C, Lusa 25mm, Herne Bay 11.0h.) The 13th dawned mainly cloudy with SW winds and rain over N England and W Scotland. The wind was gusty over W Scotland during the morning, with 87kn at North Rona at 0400GMT, and gales over the N half of Scotland. At Lerwick the pressure fell to 989.8mb at 0900GMT, due to a reportedly record-breaking low pressure for June of 966mb near the Faeroes. (The lowest June pressure recorded in the British Isles since 1870 was 976.8mb at Wick on 4-5 June 1944.) At Fair Isle a gust of 68 kn at 0930GMT and a 10-min mean wind of 54kn were both a new June record. Two people were killed when a boat overturned in high winds in Irvine harbour. There was also light rain over S England and the Midlands during the morning, which became confined to SW England in the afternoon. Winds eased and cloud cleared gradually over Scotland during the late morning, and much of the British isles (apart from S England) then had a sunny day. (Herne Bay 24C, Lochcarron 5C, Loch Glascarnoch 32mm, Aberdeen 15.1h.) It was cloudy on the 14th over much of England, Wales, Ireland and S Scotland due to a frontal system that ran through this area from W to E. Spells of light rain and drizzle occurred in places, with fog forming around the coasts of S Wales and parts of SW England. Heavier rain fell in parts of N Wales and the N Midlands, while during the evening a S movement of the system led to clearing skies over N England and in parts of Northern Ireland. Scotland had a generally brighter, if cooler, day. (Gravesend 23C, Aboyne 5C, Trawscoed 20mm, Aberdeen 13.2h.) The 15th began cloudy over much of England, Wales and Ireland with coastal fog in Wales and SW England, and light rain or drizzle in places. This dull weather persisted in most areas, with fog lingering in a few places. The precipitation did mainly clear, however, and there was a partial clearance of cloud by midnight over England, before more widespread fog formed in SW England and S Wales. Over Scotland the weather was much brighter with sunny spells, although some showers were reported. (Southampton 22C, Aboyne 2C, Loch Glascarnoch 6mm, Leuchars 15.2h.) Fog formed before dawn on the 16th over SW and Cent. S England and S Wales. However, this soon cleared along with cloud cover over E areas of Britain to give a mainly sunny day. Parts of Kent and East Anglia remained cloudy, however, until the evening, and some coastal fog reformed in SW England before midnight. Warm weather reached S Ireland and the Channel Islands. (Jersey 26C, Altnaharra 0C, Sennybridge 0.2mm, Morecambe 14.9h.) A warm S airflow brought summery weather to much of England on the 17th. However, bands of cloud and rain spread across Ireland and Scotland during the day, although precipitation amounts were generally small. Fog patches were observed during the day around Irish Sea coasts with more extensive and thicker fog in the Northern Isles later in the evening. (Leeds 29C, Lerwick 6C, Stornoway 5mm, Southend 16.0h.) Fog patches again lingered in the Northern Isles and around Irish Sea coasts on the 18th, which was cloudy over Ireland and Scotland with light rain. Much of England and Wales had an almost cloudfree day with many reports of temperatures reaching 30C. During the afternoon the humidity fell sharply in a line from London to Bristol, with Heathrow reporting a temperature of 30C and a dew point of 1C at 1500GMT; in contrast, dew points were closer to 10-13C along the S coast and in the Midlands. At Bristol Totterdown 31.9C was the highest reading since 31 July 1999, while in Maidenhead there had only been one warmer day (in 1996) this early in the summer since at least 1953. 28C was reported from Shannon Airport. Thunder occurred over parts of W Ireland and W Scotland during the late evening. (Barbourne 33C, Aboyne 7C, Stornoway 10mm, Bristol 15.5h.) The 19th started clear over much of the British Isles, although by dawn fog was pushing E into the English Channel and affecting Cornwall and the Channel Islands. The minimum temperature at Bracknell (Roman Wood) was 18.7C, which was 2.3C warmer than any previous June night since records began in 1989. Early cloud over Scotland and W Ireland spread to affect N England with some light rain in places, especially in S Scotland during the evening. There also were scattered thunderstorms over W parts of scotland during the morning. Parts of the W end of the English Channel remained foggy for much of the day; elsewhere over England and Wales there were increasing amounts of cloud during the day, with high temperatures from NE England to the Midlands and SE England. At Torteval (Guernsey) the temperature at 1400GMT was 14C in sea fog - 24 hours previously the reading had been 29C. Central London had it's warmest June night since 1976. (Coltishall 33C, Waterstein 7C, Baltasound 17mm, Cleethorpes 16.1h.) Fog in SW England cleared as light rain over Scotland and rain over SW England overnight spread to affect most parts of the British Isles during the 20th, as a sequence of troughs crossed S Britain in particular. The rain was thundery in parts of Cent. S England during the morning, over Northern Ireland and W Scotland during the afternoon, and in SE England during the late afternoon and evening. One person was struck by lightning atop the roof of Watford Boys Grammar School during the late morning. According to London Electricity the power cut that affected west London (and indirectly affected many BBC programmes) was caused by a lightning bolt at 1720GMT. In parts of S England there was little sunshine and much of the day was dull with poor visibility. (Herne Bay 27C, Lerwick 7C, Swanage 14mm, Margate 11.7h.) The 21st dawned cloudy in most parts with light rain in W England, Wales and SW Scotland. The precipitation turned showery as the day progressed, and was accompanied by a fresh S to SW wind in many places, gusting to over 30kn around S coasts. (Lowestoft 21C, Kirkwall 9C, Capel Curig 17mm, Tiree 8.4h.) Low pressure over N parts and associated fronts and troughs brought spells of rain and showers to most districts on the 22nd. Winds gradually veered to the W and NW as pressure rose later in the day. During the late afternoon there were thunderstorms over E Scotland, and there were reports of a tornado at Strichen and a waterspout off the north east coast of Aberdeen, spawned by these storms. (Lowestoft 20C, Atnaharra 5C, Capel Curig 47mm, Folkestone 12.9h.) Low pressure of N Scotland on the 23rd gave Scotland a mainly cloudy day with spells of rain. Elsewhere the day was generally cloudy with some light rain or showers, especially over Ireland, and few sunny intervals. Winds became generally NW during the day with gusts to 40kn in parts of the NW, while rising pressure led to a temporary clearance of the cloud across parts of E Ireland, Wales and S England during the evening. At Dun Laoghaire pressure rose 20mb in the 36hours to 1700GMT. (Southampton 21C, Fair Isle 8C, Kirkwall 8mm, Newcastle 6.4h.) The 24th dawned cloudy over much of Scotland and E England; elsewhere it clouded over during the morning and there were spells of light rain or showers in many parts of the British Isles during the day. During the evening there was a general clearance of cloud over Ireland, W Scotland and Wales - this lasted until around dawn. (Poole 20C, Drumalbin 6C, Leuchars 10mm, Tenby 8.4h.) Despite the presence of high pressure over most areas on the 25th, parts of E Scotland and E and NW England were affected by frontal cloud and rain; at 0900GMT Manchester Airport was reporting continuous moderate rain and a pressure of 1022.4mb. Cloud cleared over W Scotland later in the morning, and the clearance spread to S Scotland and NW England during the day. as pressure rose to 1025.8mb at Stornoway by midnight. In most other parts of the British isles, cloud amounts were genarlly variable. (Poole 21C, Tulloch Bridge 2C, Southport 12mm, Leuchars 12.7h.) High pressure continued to extend S during the 26th, with the result that precipitation amounts were small everywhere; MSL pressure rose to almost 1027mb over parts of E Scotland and E England. Despite the presence of high pressure cloud was still quite persistent over parts of E and SE England until late afternoon, although most areas has sunny spells, with little cloud over parts of Wales and NW England. (Jersey 22C, Loch Glascarnoch 1C, Spadeadam 2mm, Morecambe 15.2h.) Much of England, Wales and Ireland had clear skies before dawn on the 27th, and fog patches formed in parts of E England. Scotland was generally cloudy throughout the day, with light rain over NE parts during the evening. High cloud spread over S England and Ireland during the morning, with low cloud forming later as winds turned to a generally SE/E direction during the day; this reduced sunshine amounts in all but some parts of W Wales and NW England. A 30cm- square block of ice that crashed through the roof of a house in Loughton (Essex) is believed to have fallen from a passing aircraft. Thunderstorms moved E into the Channel Islands during the evening. (Cardiff 24C, Redesdale 2C, Isle of Portland 0.5mm, Anglesey 16.2h.) There were mainly clear skies at first on the 28th over Ireland, Wales, SW England and NW England, while much of Scotland and E parts of England had a cloudy start in the E airflow; the Channel Islands reported some overnight rain. Cloud over N Scotland cleared gradually during the day, although it remained cloudy (and cool) in much of the E half of England and SE Scotland, where low cloud was thick enough to spawn some light drizzle. Elsewhere cloud amounts were variable with warm conditions in NW England and Wales. (Cardiff 24C, Aberdeen 4C, Jersey 5mm, Anglesey 13.9h.) Cloud cover across the British Isles generally increased overnight witht the 29th dawning cloudy in most parts except NW Scotland, where it remained bright for most of the day. There were light amounts of rain in some E and N parts of England during the day, although during the evening there was some heavier rain with a thunderstorm in the Heathrow/E Berkshire area. Coastal fog formed around parts of Cornwall and SW Ireland during the afternoon and evening. Low cloud and an E wind made for a cool day in NE England, with 11.1C being the maximum at Farsley (Leeds). (Cardiff 25C, Glenlivet 3C, Ross-on-Wye 8mm, Stornoway 15.5h.) The 30th had a cool start in parts of N England, with the grass minimum temperature at Copley falling to -2.3C. Much of England, S Ireland and parts of Scotland had a mainly cloudy day, with rain in N Scotland and across the central area of England. Rain fell during the evening in SW England and S Ireland. There were sunny spells across Wales, NW England and SW Scotland. (Cardiff 25C, Copley and Spadeadam 3C, Church Lawford 19mm, Tenby 11.5h.) Information contained in the Climatological Summary supplied courtesy of Roger Brugge, Climatological Observers Link. Notable Weather Events in Northamptonshire The following report is taken from the weather station's web site 17-19 June Heat wave affects the county. Air maxima: 26.1C on 17th, 29.4C on 18th and 30.3 on 19th, the hottest June day in Northampton since 1995 (30.6C). Sunshine totals: 12.7hrs on 17th, 12.5hrs on 18th and 12.2hrs on 19th. Reports from Other Stations Reports received from Pitsford Hall weather station's network of weather enthusiasts across Northamptonshire. The weather station is not responsible for any inaccuracy contained in these reports. They are supplied for interest only. From Jeremy Borrett, Wilby: WILBY'S JUNE 2000 MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT ======================================== Report from 1st June 2000 to 30th June 2000. Wind direction -------------- North: 0 days South: 6 days East: 1 day West: 3 days North-west: 6 days North-east: 0 days South-west: 1 day South-east: 2 days Variable: 2 days Calm winds: 6 days Total: 27 days Wind speed ---------- Average wind speed (mph): 3mph Highest wind speed (mph): 20mph (21st) Temperature ----------- Average temperature: 18.3°C Highest temperature: 28.2°C (19th) Lowest temperature: 8.9°C (7th) Rainfall -------- Total rainfall (mm): 26mm Highest rainfall (mm): 10mm (29th) Air pressure ------------ Average air pressure: 1020mb Highest air pressure: 1028mb (16th) Lowest air pressure: 1009mb (21st) Station Notes Work on the new climatological enclosure is now nearing completion. The enclosure, laid out to Meteorological Office requirements, comprises a standard Stevenson screen containing sheathed maximum, minimum, dry-bulb and wet-bulb thermometers, a Met Office standard raingauge, grass minimum thermometer, bare patch with angle-type soil thermometers (5cm, 10cm, 20cm and 30cm). Observations will be made from this enclosure at the standard hour for climatological observations, 0900 UTC, from 1st August 2000. Observations from the rooftop and agro-met enclosures will continue to be made at 0900hrs local time for the early morning weather report. During the winter months, when both sets of observations are made at 0900 UTC, the weather report will comprise temperature and rainfall readings from the climatological enclosure. From 1st July 2000, the weather station adopted Metform3100 for the recording of climatological observations. This system now forms the basis of the daily weather report and the published registers (to appear in this report from next month). Adoption of this system has necessitated a number of procedural changes: Discontinued observations: Maximum Gust Cloud types The following observations continue to be recorded, but are not reported daily: Sea level pressure & tendency Relative Humidity Mean 24 hour wind speed (now reported daily as 'Run of Wind') The following observations have been added: Present Weather (according to the 99point Synop code) Weather Diary (encoded using the Beaufort Lettering system - published next month) Wind Speed in knots at observation. Appendix Weather Station Inventory (including equipment in active use as of 2 July 2000) Rooftop Enclosure and Office Standard Stevenson screen containing Mahogany mounted maximum and minimum thermometers (Casella type) Large pattern Stevenson screen containing Sheathed pattern maximum and minimum thermometers (UK Met Office with calibration certificates) Sheathed pattern wet and dry bulb thermometers (UK Met Office with calibration certificates) Thermograph (UK Met Office) Hair Hygrograph (UK Met Office) Campbell-Stokes Sunshine Recorder (UK Met Office MKII) - summer months (repositioned during the winter) Snowdon-type pattern raingauge (UK Met Office) British Association pattern raingauge (for recording rainfall acidity) Tilting syphon rainfall recorder (UK Met Office MKI) Wind vane (UK Met Office) Totalising Cup-Counter Anemometer (UK Met Office, mounted on 5m mast) Digital wind direction system (Digitar, for determination of maximum gust) Fortin-pattern mercury barometer Open-scale micro-barograph (UK Met Office) High resolution digital pH meter (Hanna) Three networked PCs with modem links and dedicated fax/phone line Agromet Enclosure Soil thermometers (5cm, 10cm, 20cm, 30cm, 40cm, 50cm, 100cm - all beneath grass) (Negretti and Zambra) Grass and concrete minimum thermometers (UK Met Office with calibration certificates) Hook Evaporimeter (Negretti and Zambra, used periodically) Surface (grass) thermometer (Negretti and Zambra) Bare Patch and Concrete Slab Climatological Enclosure Standard Stevenson screen containing Sheathed maximum and minimum thermometers Sheathed ordinary thermometers (constituting wet and dry bulb hygrometer) Standard Met Office raingauge Bare Patch and soil thermometers (5cm,10cm,20cm,30cm - angle type exposed over bare soil) Grass minimum thermometer South Boundary Enclosure This enclosure is used between September and March only for the recording of winter sunshine using the Campbell-Stokes sunshine recorder normally located at the rooftop site. Archive Weather records from 1880 to the present from a wide variety of locations throughout Northamptonshire are held in the archive adjacent to the station office. Access to these records is by appointment only through the station office Monday to Friday, 8.40am to 5.20pm. The station also holds corporate access rights to additional records held by the Northamptonshire Natural History Society, The Humfrey Rooms, Castillian Terrace, Northampton.