By Mike Trigger

Compared to average, September 2023 was much warmer, had higher rainfall amounts and lower sunshine hours.

After a little rain on the 1st, high pressure moved across SW England bringing six days of very warm and sunny weather. Following a hot day on the 9th, thundery showers moved north from Biscay overnight, clearing to allow a return to fine and rather warm weather through to mid-month. On the 16th and 17th a series of troughs moved north from France. The troughs brought thunderstorms with heavy or violent rain across the district causing quite widespread flooding. Rain rates through the middle of the 17th reached 35mm per hour across Dawlish and Teignmouth but over the hills around Dawlish Water and towards Kenton, rain rates reached 70mm per hour. (The Met Office defines the rain rate for a violent shower as being above 50mm per hour). Much of the remainder of the month was unsettled and at times windy as Atlantic weather systems spread from the west. On the 27th storm Agnes, which contained the remains of tropical storm Margot, moved across southern Ireland and on the 28th moved across southern Scotland. The storm brought some rain across the district but associated strong wind and gales remained further north. The month ended with high pressure developing over southern England.

In terms of statistics:

The temperature for the month averaged out a little over 17 Celsius, that's over 2 degrees above the long-term average. The warmest day was the 9th when temperatures widely reached 25 to 28 Celsius with a few sheltered gardens reporting around 30 Celsius. Around the district many places had 16 to 20 days when afternoon temperatures exceeded 20 Celsius and between 1 and about 8 days when 25 Celsius was reached. The coldest morning was on the 23rd when the temperature dropped to around 7 or 8 Celsius, although Netherton dipped to almost 3 Celsius for that one morning.

Rainfall totals in the Teignmouth and Dawlish area ranged from 70mm to 90mm, well above the average of around 60mm. Near Netherton and along the Dawlish Water catchment as well as over the hills near Kenton, rainfall totals reached 120 to 150mm over half of which fell on the 17th which of course was the wettest day on the month. Despite above average rainfall there were 8 to 10 days with 1mm or more of rain which is close to the average and the number of dry days (around 15) was only slightly below the average.

There were several windy spells including the 19/20th 24th and 27th. Sunshine estimated at around 150 hours was a little below the average of 160 hours.

The sea temperature at the Dawlish wave buoy rose to over 20 Celsius during the very warm spell earlier in the month falling back to 17 Celsius after the 22nd.