However, from the 9th May the weather turned warmer and there was endless sunshine each day from the 10th to the 13th May with cloudless skies and light winds. On the 12th there was no wind at all and 75F was recorded, the warmest day of the month.

This fine spell of weather broke on the 14th as a cyclonic spell of weather took over, along with cooler temperatures. Heavy rain fell on the morning of the 15th, which was the coldest day of the month, with a maximum temperature of only 54F. The 16th brought an improvement as 66F was recorded but the weather system was unstable, and after a sunny start on the morning of the 17th, the afternoon was very wet as a severe thunderstorm broke at 1.10pm. The 18th and 19th were mostly cloudy and dry.

High-pressure regained its hold for the rest of the month after the 20th. Another fine, warm and very sunny spell occurred between the 22nd and 24th. On the 25th the wind switched to south-west and though conditions remained warm it became cloudier and humid. The temperature didn't fall below 60F on the night of the 27th/28th, one of the highest night minima's ever recorded in May.

From the 29th the weather turned less humid, and sunny again. Very high sunshine totals were recorded on the 29th and on the 31st, but the weather turned cooler for the final day of the month.

May 2001 was a warm month with temperatures well above average. Daytime temperatures were well above normal and night-time temperatures were around average. It was warmer than May last year but it wasn't as warm as May 1998 or May 1999. Rainfall was below average, and if it wasn't for the short unsettled spell mid-month, it would have been one of the driest May's on record. It was marginally drier than May 1998 but wasn't as dry as May 1990 or 1991. Sunshine was well above average, and it was the sunniest May recorded since that of 1989.

Kevin Phillips - 3.15pm - Saturday 2nd June 2001.