Diary of Highlights

1st - 5th
The first couple of days of the month were characterised by low pressure to the northwest of the UK, bringing a period of rain to many parts followed by bright and showery conditions. Pressure then began to build across the south, allowing a largely dry and settled spell of weather to develop. With winds blowing from a southerly direction, it became increasingly warm. Central London recorded a maximum of 28 °C on the 4th, notable for early May.

6th - 9th
An Atlantic low pressure system drifted across the south of the UK, bring a further spell of wet weather with occasional thunderstorms. Some notable rainfall totals were reported. Manston (Kent) recorded 20 mm in the 12 hours to 10 PM on the 6th. As the rain band settled across the east of the UK, further notable rainfall totals were recorded at Holbeach (Lincolnshire) and Wattisham (Suffolk), 40 mm and 34 mm respectively.

10th - 12th
Pressure once again increased across much of the UK bringing plenty of dry, sunny and warm weather. However, the warm weather triggered some thunderstorms, most significant on the 10th when an organised cluster of storms developed across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Hampshire and drifted slowly west. Frequent lightning and hail were reported. Coastal fog was also a feature in the southwest, and on the 10th limited the temperature at Camborne (Cornwall) to just 11 °C while a sunny Southampton recorded 24 °C. A thundery shower gave Hawarden (Flintshire) over an inch of rain (29 mm) on the 12th.

13th - 16th
Generally turning cooler and unsettled, with a mixture of sunny spells and showers. Some of the showers were heavy and thundery, particularly on the 13th when Pershore (Worcestershire) recorded almost an inch of rain (22 mm) in the 12 hours to 10 PM.

17th - 22nd
A succession of Atlantic low pressure systems gave a decidedly unsettled period of weather to England and Wales. Heavy rain fell across many areas, locally thundery, while winds became strong at times with coastal gales. The rain was particularly heavy across the Welsh hills and mountains, with Capel Curig recording 37 mm on the 17th. Notable gusts during this period included 55 knots at Mumbles (Swansea) on the 18th and 58 knots at Lee-on-Solent (Hampshire). Temperatures were disappointingly cool.

23rd - 31st
The first few days saw weather fronts spreading in from the west to bring further spells of rain. However, at least the strong winds began to abate. Wales and western England saw the lion's share of the rain, with Pembrey Sands (Carmarthenshire), Trawscoed (Ceredigion) and Buxton (Derbyshire) all recording an inch or more. The final days of the month saw pressure rising from the west, allowing the weather to become more settled across Wales and the west of England. However, eastern areas were affected by heavy showers, locally thundery with some hail, and a cool northerly wind. Parts of East Anglia ended the month on a cold note, with just 10 °C recorded at Cromer (Norfolk) on the 31st. Some inland areas suffered overnight ground frost.