May 2010

During the month of May most of the United Kingdom received approximately 62% of its average rainfall, and here at Hurstbourne Tarrant a similar proportion fell, as 39.9 mm. ( 1.57 ins.) was recorded, which represented 63.8% of the expected 62.5 mm. ( 2.46 ins.). This was the second successive month of the rainfall being below its monthly mean and combined with the fact of following on from the harshest winter experienced for a number of years, it is not surprising that many plants have been rather slow in growing this spring.

Of the sixteen days which registered precipitation throughout May, just two of them had significant totals to relate, namely the 16th. with 13.3 mm. ( 0.52 ins.), and the 1st; when 7.4 mm. ( 0.29 ins.) fell.

Cold nights were a regular feature until the 18th. when southerly winds lifted temperatures. Quite a number of nights during this initial period recorded air frosts as the month concluded with a figure of 6, this being the highest May total since 1996, when 8 were entered in the annals. At dawn on 20th June (incidentally 21st was the longest day) a temperature of 3 degrees centigrade (37 f) was recorded. This was the lowest June temperature since 2005 With a temperature as low as this it was just possible that pocket and ground frost occurred.

From the archives. For the month of May to experience cold weather is not that unusual, as in 1941 temperatures in East Anglia fell frequently to minus 8°C.( 17.6°F.) or minus 9°C.( 15.8°F.), between the 4th. and 11th.

Weather lore. With St. Swithin’s Day celebrated on the 15th. July, there are a few lore’s that are attached to the date, one of which is: “Till St. Swithin’s Day be past, Apples are not fit to taste.” The origin of this saying really means that apples should be Christened on St. Swithin’s Day, my mother-in-law, Mrs. Ivy Briant was a firm believer of this.

However, there is another date that used to be associated with a spell of rain and that is St. Mary’s Day, 2nd. July. It is stated that if it rains on this particular day then it will rain for a month.

Trevor Wheeler.