Diary of Highlights

1st to 4th
An unsettled start to the month with low pressure crossing the British Isles bringing rain or showers. Some of the showers were heavy and thundery at times with 32.4 mm of rain at Capel Curig (Gwynedd) and a tornado reported near the south east coast of England on the 1st. Generally mild, with a high of 19.1 °C recorded at Marham (Norfolk) on the 2nd. The showers eased as the low pressure moved away north eastwards introducing a cooler feel with north westerly winds.

5th - 6th
Another area of low pressure moved across the UK with strong winds and gusts close to 60 m.p.h on the Isle of Wight on the 5th and 6th. Bands of rain or showers affected all areas and 31.0 mm of rain fell on the 6th at Kenley (Surrey). Temperatures were again above average with 19.2 °C recorded on 6th at Coningsby (Lincolnshire).

7th - 9th
With high pressure generally to the south, it was a dry and quiet few days for many with some warm sunshine at times. With winds now round to the south or south west a high of 21.6 °C was recorded at Northolt (London) on the 9th. However, heavy showers and thunderstorms broke out in parts of the south east and East Anglia late in the afternoon and evening on the 9th.

10th - 12th
The warm theme continued with winds from between the south east and south west helping the temperature up to 20 °C across large areas of England and Wales and a maximum of 21.6 °C at Pershore (Worcestershire) on the 10th. An area of heavy thunderstorms overnight left south Wales and south west England with local flooding and 25.4 mm of rain at Trawscoed (Dyfed) by the 11th. The band of thunderstorms continued to cross the rest of England and Wales during the 11th leaving Wittering (Cambridgeshire) with 20.0 mm. By the 12th most places had become dry with more warm sunshine developing with a temperature of 19.5 °C recorded at Saunton Sands (Devon).

13th - 16th
High pressure dominated generally to the east, bringing further warm south or south easterly winds. Overnight mist and fog affected many places, especially northern and eastern parts overnight on the 13th, 14th and 15th. Meanwhile towards the south west bands of heavy showers and thunderstorms left Camborne (Cornwall) with 17.4 mm of rain on 16th, while the temperature reached 20.1 °C at Northolt (London) on the same day.

17th - 19th
Winds from the south and south west continued to bring above average temperatures. Falling pressure to the south west brought more in the way of rain and showers. 19 °C was recorded at Weybourne (Norfolk) on the 17th and 18th. Bands of heavy showers and thunderstorms swept up from the south with Larkhill (Wiltshire) measuring 33.8 mm on the 19th.

20th - 25th
Temperatures slowly fell but were still above average. Low pressure remained to the south west bringing bands of rain and showers, heavy at times. Thundery rain was reported in parts of southern England and south Wales on the 23rd. A maximum temperature of 18.5 °C was recorded at Northolt (London) on the 21st, whilst 31.6 mm of rain fell at Herstmonceux (East Sussex) on the 23rd.

26th - 28th
With areas of low pressure passing to the north or northwest, bands of rain and showers affected most places and temperatures were above average. It was very windy across northern England on the 26th. As the wind eased there was overnight ground frost in sheltered places on the morning of the 28th.

29th - 31st
More settled conditions and sunshine on the 29th and 30th brought a pleasant few days for the end of October. A high of 19.7 °C was recorded in Cardinham (Cornwall) on the 29th and 18.9 °C at Hawarden (Clwyd) on the 30th. A deep area of low pressure moved east towards Scandinavia during the 31st, as a fragmenting band of rain moved southwards followed by showers. This front brought increasingly cold air to northern England, whilst much of Wales and the southern half of England held on to average or warmer temperatures. It became much colder than of late overnight as winds finally went round to the north.