Apart from being exceptionally sunny in west Cornwall over the last 6 weeks
(300 hours of sun in May alone), it has also been exceptionally warm.

Normally maximum temperatures are held down here in May/early June, as we
are surrounded by sea which, at this time of year, can only be described as
cold!

During May my average maximum temperature was 18.05 (a new record).
Even more exceptional has been the number of days 20 degrees. These are
very common July-September, but normally rare before mid-June. (Last year
saw a record 85 days 20 degrees, only 5 of which occurred prior to 8th
June.)

However, up until today (7th June) there have been 15 days with a maximum
20 degrees. This compares with:-

1992 - 8
1993 - 4
1994 - 0
1995 - 5
1996 - 2
1997 - 8
1998 - 7
1999 - 1
2000 - 3
2001 - 7
2002 - 2
2003 - 5

So easily a new record.

This must be in part due to the effect of the prolonged sunshine on the
surface sea temperature. Currently almost 15 degrees off Land's End, and 16
degrees in the shallow waters of Mount's Bay. Way above normal for the time
of year.


Graham
Penzance
Holiday Cottage www.easterling.freeserve.co.uk
Penzance Weather www.easterling.freeserve.co.uk/weather.html