By Mike Trigger

September was a little warmer, wetter and cloudier than average.

A low pressure centre moving south from Iceland and another over NW France combined to produce a persistent area of low pressure to the SW of Ireland. This brought a series of weather fronts across SW England resulting in a wet and breezy spell of weather from the 3rd to the 9th. The 4th and 5th were especially wet with over an inch of rain across the district including thunderstorms and associated heavy rain on the 5th. The low eventually weakened and moved east over England to be followed by the briefest of ridges. A further area of low pressure brought a weather front across the district on the 13th and this lingered into the 14th. High pressure then developed to the west, edging across SW England on the 18th and lasting until the 25th apart from a weakening cold front which crossed the area on the 22nd. From the 26th cold fronts accompanied by strong W to NW winds spread south over the country bringing an unsettled end to the month.

 In terms of statistics:

The average temperature for the month was between 15 and 16 Celsius, slightly above the 30 year average. The highest temperatures occurred in the early or middle part of the month although there was a more prolonged warm spell centred on the 22nd. Top temperatures were between 22 and 25 Celsius in most parts. The lowest temperature for many was on the morning of the 17th with typical lows of around 5 to 7 Celsius although the last night or two of the month saw the temperature dipping to 2 Celsius in the Netherton area, which was just about low enough for a touch of ground frost.

Rainfall totals were typically between 60 and 70mm which was slightly above average for September. The wettest day was either the 4 or 5th with accumulations over the two days around 30mm. There were between 13 and 17 dry days across the district and between 9 and 12 days with 1mm or more of rain.

Sunshine estimated at around 145 hours was below the average of 160 hours.

The sea temperature at the Dawlish wave buoy decreased from 19 Celsius at the start of the month to 16 Celsius by the 30th.