Depressions tracking across the UK brought widespread rain between the 6th and the 8th. The 6th was a dull, cool, miserable day. It produced the lowest day-time temperature of the month, 61F. The following day, the 7th, started fine but this didn't last for long as thick banks of cloud produced very wet weather that afternoon, and extremely sharp bursts of rain were recorded between 2pm and 5pm. This was the wettest day of what has been a generally dry summer so far. The 8th was also unsettled but had a fine night. There was further heavy rain on the evening of the 9th though again, that followed a fine and sunny afternoon.

A transitory ridge brought a fine day for the 10th, but there was heavy rain on the 12th. Southerly winds brought a brief spell of hot and humid weather on the 14th and 15th. 86F was recorded on the 15th, the highest temperature of the year so far. Night temperatures were high, with minimum temperatures of 63F and 64F being recorded on the 14th and 15th. There was a severe thunderstorm which lasted an hour from 3pm on the 15th and a thunderbolt was heard on the evening of the 16th. The 17th was pleasant and sunny and the following day overcast with a few sunny spells, but thunder was heard at 3pm on the afternoon of the 19th. Despite this, no rain occurred.

A generally southerly airflow prevailed from the 20th to the 25th. The weather became more settled under high pressure, and three lovely days were recorded on the 20th, 21st and 22nd. After showers on the 24th, no rain fell for the rest of the month, and another strong anti-cyclone, replacing the previous one that had just broken down, brought further fine, sunny weather between the 27th and the 29th. The 30th was overcast but the final day, after a dull start, had a fine afternoon.

The month can thus be summed up as having an unsettled and at times, thundery first half, but generally dry and settled second half. Rainfall was slightly above average, but that varied around the UK, due to thunderstorms and heavy downpours which were often local in nature. The heavy falls on the 6th-7th, and 15th and 16th increased the amount during the month. Both night and day-time temperatures were above average.

Kevin Phillips – 8.15pm - Friday 7th September 2001.