************************************************************************************** MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT MAY 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 This May was yet another wet month with rainfall almost twice the 1961-1990 average. The total of 97.3mm made this the wettest May since 1983 when 106.7mm was recorded. The month started generally dry with only 1.5mm recorded up until 0900GMT on 17th. Rainfall was then recorded everyday, except for the 29th, until the end of the month with some exceptional falls noted (19.8mm and 21.8mm on the 26th and 27th, and 11.9mm falling in 1.3 hours on the 30th). Much of the rainfall in the latter half of the month was delivered by some notable thunderstorms and hail showers. Temperatures evened out at a little over the average for May at 12.3C (+0.3C). Although temperatures saw a steady climb during the first two weeks reaching both a daytime and nightime maximum on the 15th, the change to a more northerly airflow saw a sharp downturn with temperatures failing to recover to the earlier highs for the remainder of the month. Despite the wet weather which characterised the last two weeks, May's sunshine totals were respectable with about average values recorded. In fact, such was the sporadic nature of the heavy showers that even 9.7 hours managed to be recorded from the wettest day on the 27th. Temperatures: Mean Max: 16.8C Mean Min: 7.8C Mean Temp: 12.3C (+0.3C) Highest Max: 25.1C on 15th Lowest Max: 10.4C on 3rd Highest Min: 14.9C on 15th Lowest Min: 4.4C on 20th Relative Humidity: Humidities observed at 0830hrs: Max: 98% on 10th, 14th Min: 73% on 17th Mean: 86.8% Lowest RH (hygrograph record): 36% on 31st Rainfall: Total for Month: 97.3mm (mean comparison: 195.4%) Max: 21.8mm on 27th Rain Days: 15 Wet Days: 14 Duration: 67.1 hours Rainfall acidity: Lowest pH: 4.80 on 3rd Winds: Max Max Gust: 43mph on 11th Max wind speed at observation: 22mph on 27th Mean wind speed at observation: 6.7mph Max mean 24 hour wind speed: 12mph on 11th Mean mean 24 hour wind speed: 5.4mph Directions: north 4, northeast 10, east 6, southeast 1, south 2, southwest 2, west 2, northwest 2, calm 2, variable 0 Pressures: Max: 1027.6mb on 2nd Min: 995.9mb on 28th Mean: 1015.7mb Sunshine: Total: 166.1 hrs (93.8%) Most in a day: 11.1hrs on 6th No of sunless days: 2 Cloud Cover: Mean cloud cover at observation: 83.8% (6.7 oktas) Ground Observations: Lowest Grass Min: 1.4C on 20th Highest Grass Min: 13.3C on 15th Mean Grass Min: 6.4C Lowest Concrete Min: 3.9C on 20th Highest Concrete Min: 14.0C on 15th Mean Concrete Min: 8.1C Earth Temperatures: Bare Earth mean: 11.8C max: 23.5C on 15th min: 8.1C on 28th 5cm mean: 11.2C max: 16.6C on 15th min: 8.6C on 29th 10cm mean: 12.5C max: 17.2C on 16th min: 10.5C on 1st,4th,29th 20cm mean: 13.3C max: 17.6C on 16th min: 11.1C on 4th 30cm mean: 13.8C max: 18.0C on 16th min: 11.2C on 4th 40cm mean: 13.7C max: 17.0C on 17th min: 11.5C on 6th 50cm mean: 13.9C max: 16.7C on 17th min: 11.7C on 1st 100cm mean: 12.4C max: 13.5C on 17th,20th,23rd min: 10.2C on 1st Other observations: Days with fog recorded at 0830 hours: 6 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: 3 Days with hail (>=5mm) observed: 0 Days with thunder heard: 4 Days with lightning observed: 2 Gales: 0 Evaporation (tank): 77.33mm All averages refer to the period 1961-1990, except for sunshine which covers the period 1981-1990. United Kingdom Climatological Analysis - May 2000 The 1st started clear over much of the British Isles, although minimum temperatures were generally high (except for parts of NW Scotland). Fog was slow to clear in parts of E Kent and the Channel Islands. Most of the British Isles had a dry and sunny day, although cloud spread W across parts of E and s England during the day before retreating back to the E coast in the evening. (Lee-on-Solent 21C, Altnaharra -1C, Southend 7mm, Tiree 14.3h.) The 2nd dawned with cloud cover extending from the North Sea inland to the Pennines and Cent. S England; this cloud persisted for much of the day along the E coast of England, and during the afternoon spread to affect E Scotland. Elsewhere it was a generally dry day, with sunny spells (once the cloud cover in Cent S England had cleared). (Llanbedr 21C, Loch Glascarnoch 0C, Rosehearty 0.8mm, Stornoway 13.9h.) E winds on the 3rd helped maintain a veil of low cloud over the E half of England and Scotland throughout the day; by the afternoon the cloud had spread to SW England. Drizzle fell in SE of a line from Whitby to Weymouth, and in parts of E and N Scotland during the morning. Most other places had a sunny day. (St. Angelo 18C, Scarborough 8C max, Shap Fell 1C min, Coltishall 2mm, Tiree 14.5h.) The 4th was a cloudy day over much of E England, S Wales, SW England and the Channel Islands, with light drizzle in S areas (mainly during the morning). Mainly clear skies in other parts of the British Isles led to an air frost in parts of NW England and SW Scotland and a few early fog patches in Cent. Scotland, followed by warm and sunny weather (although S Ireland was rather cloudy during the morning). Later in the evening light drizzle and fog affected the Northern isles and N parts of the Outer Hebrides. (Tulloch Bridge 20C, Shap Fell -2C, Wattisham 0.8mm, Tiree 14.7h.) Overnight cloud in E and Cent. S England largely cleared by midday on the 5th, exceptin NE England where it lingered all day in places. Elsewhere there was generally little cloud and sunny spells, apart from some light drizzle and fog in the extreme NW and N parts of Scotland during the morning, and for fog in the Channel Islands until lunchtime (which reformed again before midnight). During the late afternoon and into the evening there was some cloud and light rain over S Ireland. (Bournemouth 22C, Biggar -1C, Stornoway 0.5mm, Tiree 14.5h.) The 6th dawned cloud with light rain over Ireland, where ir remained mainly cloudy (except in the E) for most of the day. Most of Britain had a warm and sunny day although by dawn thunderstorms were affecting the Channel Islands. These reached the S coast of England later in the morning. A thunderstorm caused flash floods at Wootton, Newport and Cowes on the Isle of Wight, with knee-deep water. The storms then moved generally NW to reach Avon and SW England by midnight. In N Scotland there was patchy cloud during the afternoon with fog forming along the E coast later in the evening. 13.5h of sunshine were measured at Beverley from sunrise to sunset. (London 26C, Altnaharra -1C, Jersey 6mm, Cromer 13.2h.) Patchy cloud and sunny spells occurred over the British Isles on the 7th. In S England there were thunderstorms, the heaviest being during the evening in Cent. S England. A severe thunderstorm occurred at Bracknell 1845-2045GMT, with hail falling 1925-1950GMT, up to 15 mm diameter; 53.2mm fell in the 24h ending at 0900GMT on the 8th at one Bracknell site (the heaviest 24-hour total since before 1989), while Beaufort Park recorded 65mm in 3 hours. Localised flooding resulted and the Back Lake at South Hill Park burst its banks, with shoals of ornamental fish seen swimming across the car park. Elsewhere thunder was reported from S Wales and S Ireland, and also in parts of W Scotland. Coastal fog was a problem in N and NE Scotland until mid-morning, while light rain fell in parts of W Scotland during the day. Much of the Yorkshire coast was affected by fog before midnight. 14.1h of sunshine were measured at Beverley from sunrise to sunset, while at 1400GMT the temperature at Altnaharra was 23.5C, some 10C above the average. (Eskmeals 26C, Aboyne 2C, Manston 8mm, Scarborough 13.4h.) S and E England had a cloudy start to the 8th, with patches of thick fog in NE and E England, and in E Scotland. The fog cleared during the morning but it remained generally cloudy SE of a line from Newcastle-Dorset with light rain in places in the S followed by thunderstorms in places. In Kent 30mm fell in one hour as Sevenoaks and Tnubridge experienced severe flooding after a heavy thunderstorm. Thunderstorms also occurred in S Ireland and SW England, while the remainder of the British Isles had a mainly dry and sunny day. (Shannon, Nantmor 25C, Aboyne, Strathallan, Leuchars 2C, Bracknell 66mm, Eskdalemuir 14.0h.) The 9th dawn with cloud over much of E, Cent. and S parts of England, and with fog in many places from N Yorkshire to Dorset, over S Ireland and aorund some W and N coastal areas of Scotland. The fog was slow to clear in many places (300m visibility was reported from Malin Head at 1200GMT) and visibility remained poor to moderate in many places throughout the day. Once the low cloud cleared most places had a warm and sunny day (exceptin the extreme N of Scotland where it stayed cloudy with some light precipitation), although during the afternoon thunderstorms broke out over S England, East Anglia and S Ireland. A short-lived funnel cloud was seen near Chelmsford around 1730GMT; local flooding occurred in W Suffolk. A storm brought 51mm in 40 minutes to Diss (Norfolk), flooding the post office and resulting in staff having to dry out hundreds of bank notes, etc; the storm lasted about 75 minutes and gave a total of 56mm. In the Nottingham area, after two days of mist/poor air quality the sun burned off low cloud in the afternoon, then between 1600-1800 a thick bluish haze descended reducing visibility to 1000m; the haze smelled strongly of chemicals/ozone, and throughout the sun shone as a faint coppery disc. By nightfall thicker mist rolled in again from the east. (Dalmally, Shannon 25C, Fair Isle 10C max, Wick 3C, St. Peter Port 33mm, Damnally 13.3h.) The 10th dawned cloudy over N Scotland and E England with fog patches over NE and E England, S Ireland, the Midlands and Cent. S England. The day was generally sunny over Ireland and W Wales once the fog had cleared, and after some light rain and drizzle over parts of scotland it beacme sunny there during the afternoon except in the NE. Over E wales and England cloud developed rapidly during the morning, with rain and thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening in S districts and the Channel Islands; the thunderstorms moved into East Anglia in the evening. In coastal Penzance the temperature had risen to a very warm 22C at 1030GMT, later rising to 24C before thunderstorms occurred; there was flash flooding at Redruth. There was also severe flooding in Mousehole; all roads through the village were closed for a time and people in the village reported never having seen rain so heavy. (Shannon, Penzance 24C, Strathallan 4C, Camborne 17mm, Tiree 12.8h.) High pressure near the N of Scotland on the 11th resulted in many clear skies over N and W Scotland and NW Ireland, with pressure reaching 1033mb at Lerwick later in the day. Cloud soon formed over most other areas of the British Isles, with rain over S England during the morning spreading further W later. Thunderstorms occured in the Channel Islands and at some coastal places in SE England. After 11 mainly sunny days with no rain, Dun Laoghaire had its first sporadic rain this afternoon (1mm). and SW Ireland was much cooler than in recent days. (Lusa 22C, Wick 1C, Guernsey 25mm, Tiree 14.9h.) The 12th started cloudy over S Ireland and all but the NW tips of England and Wales. Light rain fell in parts of S Ireland and S England during the morning, and later in N Ireland and the N Midlands as the cloud spread N. Most parts of Scotland and N England, however, has a dry and sunny day. (Lusa 24C, Aboyne 0C, Plymouth 14mm, Lerwick 15.4h.) Most of Scotland had a sunny day on the 13th despite patchy cloud which developed during the afternoon in some places. Early cloud and light rain over Ireland gradually became confined to S districts there, while over England cloud in the S soon cleared to give most places a bright day, although coastal locations in NE England remained partially cloudy and much cooler than inland areas due to the E breeze. Parts of E Ireland had mist and fog patches during the morning which lingered all day in places. The early evening brought some thunderstorms to SE England, with 20mm in 1 hour falling at Redhill in one storm. (Heathrow 25C, Altnaharra 2C, Redhill 21mm, Lerwick 15.6h.) The 14th was generally dry everywhere except over parts of Ireland and SW Scotland where it remained generally cloudy with light precipitation at times. Elsewhere, there was some early low cloud and fog in SW and Cent. S England and patchy cloudy in other areas at first which cleared (slowly in the case of the fog in the SW) to give a warm and sunny day in most places. During the afternoon further cloud developed in S and Cent. parts of England and across Wales and W Scotland, with light rain falling in SW England. 27.7C was recorded at Bristol (Totterdown) - an unofficial site. (Prestatyn 27C (possibly suspect), Altnaharra 4C, Tiree 0.5mm, Lerwick 15.0h.) The 15th began cloudy in most places with rain and showers over N Ireland and SW Scotland; minimum temperatures were consequently quite high everywhere. Early fog patches in Cent. S, E and NE England soon cleared after dawn and cloud partially dissipated over most of England and Wales to give another warm day. During the afternoon frontal cloud spread E to Ireland and W Scotland followed by evening rain, while thundery outbreaks occurred from East Anglia to NE England in the evening. In Coleraine pink/grey dust fell during the early hours. (London 27.8C, Lerwick 13C max, Aberdeen 8C min, Isle of Man 8mm, Jersey 13.6h.) Thunderstorms continued to affect parts of NE England early on the 16th; in most other places cloud spread from the W and SW during the night with winds gusting to 30kn in the SW. Rain crossed Ireland and Scotland during the day, followed by showers and cooler conditions, the rain spreading to Wales, SW and NE England by midnight. In East Anglia and parts of SE England cloud cleared during the day and there were warm, sunny spells - along with some thunderstorms in the afternoon. Light grey dust was observed in Bracknell after a trace of rain fell during the evening. (Coltishall 25C, Ballypatrick 10C max, Altnaharra 3C, West Freugh 15mm, Scarborough 14.5h.) During the 17th the cooler airstream over W parts of the British Isles on the 16th finally reached E parts. Overnight rain over Scotland and N England moved E during the day, clearing most of the E coast by midnight, to be followed by showers. Slight rain in S England overnight wwas followed by showers during the day with more persistent rain affecting much of S England and the Midlands during the afternoon and evening. In most places the lower temperatures were accentuated by a fresh breeze, and showers were of hail in E Ireland, including a 3-minute fall at Dun Laoghaire. The rain that fell overnight on 16th/17th was the first to fall in Ferryhill (Durham) since the 29th April. (Holbeach 17C, Lerwick 8C max, Altnaharra -1C min, Eskdalemuir 22mm, Eastbourne 11.9h.) The 18th began with a mixture of cloud and clear skies over the British Isles, allowing a groiund frost in some sheltered areas. The grass minimum temperature at Copley was -1.1C. Rain fell overnight for a while in parts of S England and East Anglia. Daytime weather was a mixture of sunny intervals and heavy showers, almost everywhere. Some of the showers were accompanied by hail, with thunderstorms in SE England and East Anglia during the afternoon and evening. (Lee-on-Solent 16C, Copley and Charterhall 2C, Buxton (Derbyshire) 31mm, Isle of Wight 10.4h.) The 19th was a cloudy day over much of N and E Scotland, and in E and S parts of England. Rain followed by showers affected Scotland and Northern Ireland, and there were also showers over W and SW England, with pre-dawn rain in parts of N England. Thunderstorms broke out during the afternoon over the E Midlands and East Anglia, and hail was reported from the Midlands. Following the clearance of rain from Northern Ireland, much of Ireland and Wales had a bright day until light rain and drizzle reached SW Ireland during the evening. (Poole 17C, Kirkwall 4C, Buxton (Derbyshire) 21mm, Newquay 10.9h.) This rain spread on the 20th across Ireland and into Cent. Scotland and across most of England and Wales, followed by showers over Ireland during the afternoon. The extreme N of Scotland remained generally dry, while before the cloud developed a ground frost was reported from Halesowen and Cirencester. (Gravesend 17C, Loch Glascarnoch 1C, Pembrey Sands 11mm, Bognor Regis 13.8h.) Rain continued to push E across E England and into NE Scotland on the 21st, followed by heavy showers in many places. These showers turned thundery in parts of Cent. S England during the afternoon, and hail was reported in the Worthing area. (Great Malvern 17C, Machrihanish 4C, Hastings 19mm, Penzance 10.7h.) Most areas except along the E coast of Britain had a mainly clear start to the 22nd, although by dawn cloud and light rain was pushing into SW England, S Wales and Ireland. While much of N Wales, N England and Scotland had a bright day, S England had extensive cloud for much of the day, while moderate rain spread to Ireland and W Scotland. (Poole 20C, Gloucester and Kinbrace 3C, Clacton 7mm, Isle of Man 14.0h.) Rain over Ireland spread E and NE across the British Isles on the 23rd, clearing all but the extreme E of East Anglia by midnight. The rain was followed by showers, with a later general clearance of the cloud over scotland, N England and Wales during then evening. (Colwyn Bay 17C, Altnaharra 2C, Buxton (Derbyshire) 23mm, Lerwick 8.2h.) After a mainly clear night (except in S England) the 24th dawned with a ground frost in places. At Copley (Durham) the grass minimum temperature was -2.7C. Cloud soon spread N to much of England during the morning as anoither area of rain pushed in SW England before spreading NE to affect much of S England, the E Midlands and East Anglia during the afternoon and evening. Much of the remainder of the British Isles had a day of sunshine and showers. These were heavy in places, with hail and thunder in parts of N Ireland and Scotland. (Gravesend 18C, Aboyne 0C, Jersey 12mm, Lerwick 14.4h.) The rain in parts of S England and East Anglia cleared to the E by dawn on the 25th; the day was then generally bright in all areas aparts from bands of showers which affected many parts of the British Isles at some time. Many of the showers were light, although hail was reported in Cent. Scotland. Thunder accompanied the showers across parts of E Ireland, N England, the N Midlands and East Anglia during the afternoon and into the evening. During the evening more extensive cloud pushed NE into S Wales, SW and Cent. S England as another area of rain approached the UK. (London 17C, Altnaharra -1C, Capel Curig 16mm, Lerwick 14.4h.) A mainly clear start to the 26th over most of Scotland and Ireland led to a ground frost in places, and a touch of air frost in N Scotland. In other parts the day began cloudy, with rain over Wales, Cent. and S England. The rain, heavy in places, spread N and E during the day, extending to S Scotland. Showers broke out Ireland and Scotland, with some thunder over E Scotland and E Ireland. Maximum temperatures were quite low in many areas, with 11-15C over Ireland. (Southend 16C, Aviemore -1C, Guernsey 37mm, Tiree 13.4h.) Another clear start on the 27th over NW Scotland brought air frost to a few places. The rain area to the S continued to push E early n the day along the E coast, clearing NE England during the late morning but persisting over NE Scotland throughout the evening. In Aberdeenshire the River Keith burst its banks, and there was also some flooding in parts of Kent. Showers, heavy in places (and with some hail) affected much of the British Isles during the day, with widespread thunder over S Scotland and most of England, Wales and Ireland. During the evening another area of rain pushed NE into SW England and the Channel Islands. (Gravesend 16C, Altnaharra -1C, Cleethorpes 43mm, Tiree 14.3h.) This rain spread NE on the 28th to reach NE England and East Anglia, before clearing to give another showery day over most of England and Wales. There wer reports of localised flooding across SE England and East Anglia, particularly in Essex. It was said that wet and windy weather had also prevented several small boats from making the reunion at Dover, prior to the crossing of the English Channel on the 1st June to commemorate the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. Spells of rain over NE Scotland continued to fall for much of the day, while there was a ground frost early in the day over parts of N England and N Ireland; -4.0C was the grass minimum at Copley. There were again widespread showers over England, Wales and Ireland during the day, many of them thundery. Drifts of hail were observed lying like snow on the higher fells south of Kirkby Stephen (Northern Yorkshire Dales) in the evening. (Great Malvern 16C, Copley -0.2C, Clacton 40mm, Isle of Man 12.5h.) The 29th began with clear skies over most of England, Wales and E Ireland and with showers in W districts. These showers spread to most places as cloud developed during the day, with some thunder in E parts of Scotland, England and Ireland; 8mm diameter hail feel at Pitroddie. Clouds mostly died down during the evening, although an area of frontal cloud pushed into SW England and S Wales by midnight. (Poole 18C, Eskdalemuir 3C, Clacton 21mm, Anglesey 14.4h.) Apart from N Scotland where there were some overnight showers, and S England, the 30th again began clear, with air frost in parts of S Scotland and inland Ireland. Early cloud and rain in S England and the Channel Islands finally cleared to the S during the afternoon; elsewhere it was a generally mild day, but with showers over E England, Scotland and NW Ireland. Thunder was reported in places from Aberdeen to Norfolk during the showers. (Manchester 18C, Sella Ness 11C max, Eskdalemuir -1C min, Jersey 19mm, Tiree 14.6h.) The was some fog in the early hours of the 31st around Aberporth and in parts of Norfolk and Lincolnshire; in most other areas the night was mainly clear with an air frost in parts of S Scotland, until cloud pushed NE acdross Britain and Ireland followed by rain over Ireland by midday. This rain continued to move E, affecting most of Scotland and parts of E England by midnight. (Gravesend 20C, Eskdalemuir -1C, Milford Haven 6mm, Cromer 10.7h.) 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 26-27 May Heavy rain results in widespread flooding and difficult driving conditions across the county. Totals: 0830-0830 (26th) 19.8mm, 0830- 0830 (27th) 21.8mm. The latter occurred despite 9.7 hours of bright sunshine. The county escaped the worst affects of the flooding in the eastern counties which centred on Essex. 30 May Intense thunderstorm lasting 1.3 hours, deposits 11.9mm of rain. Runoff and flooding on roads as storm drains are unable to cope with volume of water. 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 MAY 2000 MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT ======================================= Wind direction -------------- North: 1 day South: 2 days East: 1 day West: 7 days North-west: 1 days North-east: 0 days South-west: 7 days South-east: 2 days Variable: 5 days Calm winds: 5 days Total: 30 days Wind speed ---------- Average wind speed (mph): 4mph Highest wind speed (mph): 16mph (25th) Temperature ----------- Average temperature: 14.7°C Highest temperature: 23.4°C (14th) Lowest temperature: 1.9°C * (18th) * This was caused by hail which fell on to the gauge! Rainfall -------- Total rainfall (mm): 76½mm Highest rainfall (mm): 23mm (29th) Air pressure ------------ Average air pressure: 1017mb Highest air pressure: 1028b (2nd) Lowest air pressure: 1007mb (18th, 27th & 28th) Station Notes The weather station has embarked on a further programme of expansion scheduled for completion during June. A second ground enclosure has been commissioned to be instrumented with a standard Stevenson screen, sheathed thermometers (maximum, minimum, wet and dry), and splayed-based raingauge. Observations from this enclosure will be made at the standard time of 0900 UTC (universal time co-ordinated or GMT) with the intention of providing data for the National Climatological Archive, part of the UK Meteorological Office. Observations at 0830 clock time will continue to provide information for the daily weather report. The 0830 hour observations are likely to retain the main set of agromet readings (i.e. soil temperatures), with the official readings at 0900 UTC focusing on air temperatures and rainfall. The current ground or agromet enclosure will also receive maintenance attention this month. The soil thermometers at depths from 5cm to 100cm, currently exposed on bare ground will be grass covered according to Met Office guidelines. Furthermore, the concrete slab will be raised to reduce the incidence of surface flooding. The angle thermometers (5cm, 10cm, 20cm and 30cm) will be transferred to a fresh bare patch in the climatological enclosure. Further training of additional volunteer observers took place this month. In addition to its student observers, the weather station can now rely on 3 trained observers during the school holidays. Anyone who would like to lend a hand in this work is invited to contact the station manager on 01604 880306. Appendix Weather Station Inventory (including equipment in active use as of 2 June 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) (Negretti and Zambra) Grass and concrete minimum thermometers (UK Met Office with calibration certificates) Hook Evaporimeter (Negretti and Zambra, used periodically) Bare Earth thermometer (Negretti and Zambra) Bare Earth Plot and Concrete Slab 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.