These web pages are a source of information for those interested in the climate of the UK.
Those interested in climate change and predictions of future climates
should also visit the Climate Change web pages.
May 2009
Mean temperatures were between 0.5 °C and 1.5 °C above the 1971-2000
normal throughout the UK, with increasing warmth toward the east coast of
England. Rainfall was above normal in north-west England, Northern Ireland
and much of Scotland, with most of north-west Scotland receiving more than
160% of the long-term May average. By contrast, it was drier in southern
England, with East Anglia and the south-east receiving less than 75%. Elsewhere,
rainfall was mostly close to average. Sunshine was generally around normal
in the south-west, Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England
but above average elsewhere; indeed, May was a notably sunny month across
the north and east of Scotland with 150% of normal sunshine in a few spots.
A maximum temperature of 26.9 °C was recorded at Solent (Hampshire)
on the 31st. Kinlochewe and Cassley (both Highland) each recorded a maximum
temperature of 26.5 °C on the 29th. Kinbrace (Highland) recorded a
minimum temperature of -4.7 °C on the 11th. 46.8 mm of rainfall was
recorded at Tyndrum (Perthshire) on the 6th.
Monthly assessment | Actual and anomaly maps | Regional values