Paul Hyett wrote:

What is it about the Gravesend site that makes it so warm?

The London MO is at least understandable, being in the middle of a heat
island.

Not 100% sure where the Gravesend site is, but the high readings could
be due in part to it being an urban site. It might also be that the area
north of the North Downs is somewhat sheltered from
southerly/southwesterly wind. However, other synoptic stations at Herne
Bay and Manston aren't representative of inland areas - Herne Bay is on
the coast and Manston is elevated. Perhaps the nearest parallel for my
site in Canterbury is the climatological station at Faversham (which is
where the record temperature was recorded two years ago).

Although I don't have standard equipment (Davis VP, which I suspect
might slightly overread temperature in hot sunshine), my readings have
been very similar (slightly above and slightly below) to those at Gravesend.

Perhaps someone with more knowledge of the station network can comment!

--
Jonathan Stott
Canterbury Weather: http://www.canterburyweather.co.uk/
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