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WRITTEN NARRATIVE OF THE WEATHER OF APRIL 2003
The month was rather like the April of 12 months ago, as the first three weeks were rainless and like 12 months ago, there was an cooler and unsettled final week. The month was also comfortably warmer than average, like April last year, and was the warmest April recorded for 16 years, since that of 1987. Yet, unlike the warm and sunny start to April last year, the 1st was cool and unsettled. The 2nd was sunny but cool, as was the 3rd. Pressure rose again though, and a anti-cyclone lay over or close to the UK between the 2nd and the 9th. Good sunshine totals were recorded but the lowest maximum temperature of the month occurred on the 9th, with 47F. Sharp overnight frosts occurred between the 8th and the 12th, but the 11th and 12th also recorded good sunshine amounts.
From the 12th to the 17th the British Isles were sandwiched between low pressure off South-West Ireland and high pressure over the Baltic, resulting in a warm, south-westerly airflow over the country. Temperatures increased from the 13th. The weather also became clear and sunny and 77F was recorded on the 16th, which was the warmest April day recorded since, coincidentally, 16th April 1949, which was on Easter Saturday that year. The 16th to the 18th were like July, rather than April. Four years ago, on 16th April, there was three and a half inches of snow which lasted throughout the day. The temperature didn't exceed 37F, which shows the variety of weather which months such as March, April and May can serve up.
After the 19th, the airflow backed North-Easterly and the weather became cooler. The maximum on the 20th was 52F. The 23rd was fine and sunny, but atlantic disturbances crowssed the country at frequent intervals from the 24th onwards. Rain fell on the 24th and 25th. Though the 26th brought about a break, as it was dry and sunny, the 27th had showers, and the 28th was very wet. Further showers fell on the 29th, though the 30th was dry and sunny again.
Whilst the month, weatherwise, was similar to April 2002, it was also similar to April 1997. It was slightly wetter than last year, but was sunnier, by 16 hours, and was the sunniest April recorded since 1990. Daytime temperature, in particular, was well above average, despite the cool start to the month, being 3.5C warmer than normal. Night-time temperatures were marginally warmer than average, but the mild nights in the final week were off-shot by some cold and frosty nights earlier in the month.
Kevin Phillips - 4.35pm - Saturday 3rd May 2003.
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