Penzance - unusually big diurnal temperature range.

[Graham Easterling]

The 11th October was a beautiful day with virtually unbroken sunshine until mid afternoon. This, combined with near calm conditions resulted in:-

Minimum 5.7C

Maximum 17.4C

In this maritime location the diurnal range of 11.7C was the highest in October since 11.8C on 26th 2010.

The greatest diurnal range I've recorded in October was 13.1C on 12th 1999. (Minimum 3.7C, Maximum 16.8C).

Turned into a pleasant day today with spells of sunshine, through thin frontal cloud, and very light winds. Maximum 17.1C. Superb visibility. The individual islands on Scilly really sharp from the top of the hills just west of Penzance, so visibility must have been >50 miles. 

Yesterday was dull & dreary with steady rain in the evening, 5.4mm in total.

Graham

Penzance

[Len W]

Diurnal range 9.7 degC here on that date.

Nothing unusual.

Had 12.6 degC on 17th Sep this year.

4.7 mm in 24 hrs to 1800 today.

Need a lot more to fill the reservoirs.

Len

Wembury

[Graham Easterling]

Indeed, despite September being wet across Cornwall, Cornwall's largest reservoir, 18% full! The lowest it's been since it filled up following construction.

Here in Penzance September was very wet, 151mm, yet it's made virtually no impact on nearby Drift dam, which feeds Penzance. The previous 10 month period was so incredibly dry. 

It makes you wonder what would have happened had September not been wet. They seem to leave it very late introducing a hosepipe ban, which as a result has had very limited effect. There's been no need to water anything since they introduced it! I noticed on Spotlight SW Waters 'Drought Officer' refused to answer direct questions on leakage compared with historical levels, despite Ben asking her the same question 3 times in different ways. She did say it was a very good question. 

Graham

Penzance