By Mike Trigger

August 2023 had above average total rainfall but a near average number of dry days. Temperatures were also near average although there was slightly less sunshine.

August started wet and unsettled as an unusually deep low pressure centre moved from southern Ireland across the south of England. There was a brief respite on the 4th before storm Antoni brought further gales across SW England as the low tracked east towards Belgium on the 5th. Pressure then rose to bring a mostly dry period between the 6th and 12th, although weak weather systems did produce some light and patchy rain during this time more especially elsewhere in SW England. The main low pressure centre remained close to the NW of the UK but on the 13th and 14th, weather fronts associated with low pressure moving up the Bristol Channel, brought some rain across the district. Higher pressure brought two more spells of mainly dry weather between the 15th and 17th also the 19th to 23rd. During the 18th, however, storm Betty moved over southern Ireland bringing gales and rain across SW England. Temperatures reached the mid-twenties Celsius ahead of this storm on the 16th but the highest temperature for the month in many areas was associated with warm air from France on the 22nd ahead of showery outbreaks of rain on the 24th to 27th. After another brief mainly dry few days, the month ended with a very dull, wet and humid day on the 31st as Atlantic weather fronts swept east over SW England. 

In terms of statistics:

The temperature for the month averaged out around 17 Celsius, which is close to the long-term average. The warmest day was the 22nd and in some places also the 16th when temperatures widely reached 25 or 26 Celsius. Around the district most places had at least 20 days when afternoon temperatures exceeded 20 Celsius. The coldest morning was on the 7th but in places also the 25th when the temperature dropped to between 9 and 11 Celsius.

Rainfall totals in the Teignmouth and Dawlish area ranged from 55mm to 75mm, which was a little above average for August. Despite above average rain totals the number of dry days was between 16 and 20 days which is about right for August. There were around 11 days with 1mm or more of rain and one or two days with 10mm or more. The wettest day was the 31st when between 13 and 19mm of rain was recorded across the district.

Sunshine of around 190 hours was a little below the average of 210 hours and there were several windy spells including the 2nd/3rd 5th and 18th/19th.

The sea temperature at the Dawlish wave buoy was 17 or 18 Celsius for much of August.