Gentle October with interludes of rain

Greater than half of the UK’s ten warmest Octobers on document have occurred for the reason that yr 2000, as October 2022 continues this yr’s theme of being hotter than common.  

In line with provisional Met Workplace statistics, the common imply temperature for October 2022 was 11.5°C, with a very hot conclusion serving to the month to turn out to be the seventh warmest October in a sequence which works again to 1884.

The statistics imply that six of the ten warmest Octobers on document for the UK have occurred for the reason that flip of the century, because the affect of human-induced local weather change will be seen throughout long-term recorded information.

As well as, common most and minimal temperatures for the UK for October had been effectively above common and entered at equal-sixth and equal-fifth of their respective data.  

Common most temperatures had been significantly excessive throughout central southern England and East Anglia. England had its equal-fourth warmest October on document, with 12.6°C. Wales had its equal-fifth warmest October by the identical measurement with 12.0°C, whereas Scotland had its equal-eighth warmest, with 9.7°C.  

Michael Kendon, of the Nationwide Local weather Info Centre, stated: “October was already proving to be a heat month however there have been some very delicate situations late within the month with 22.9°C at Kew Gardens on 29 October. 

“The place of the jet stream late within the month helped shift temperature up, as a southwesterly airflow invited heat air over Europe on to UK shores. It also needs to be famous that France and Spain additionally recorded temperatures effectively above their common for the time of yr, which was partly accountable for the heat of the air we had been bringing in late within the month. 

“What has been significantly uncommon about this October is the persistent above common temperatures – significantly throughout the southern half of the UK. Most temperatures have been above common on on daily basis of the month – at all times reaching the mid-teens.” 

The delicate October continues 2022’s run of each month thus far this yr being hotter than common. The primary ten months of 2022 are the warmest on document, monitoring forward of 2014’s warmest yr on document for the UK. Temperature statistics will proceed to be monitored significantly intently by means of November and December.  

Close to-average rain for a lot of, however nonetheless a dry yr

Barely above common rainfall for the UK in October did little to impression the dry yr thus far for some areas.  

In 2022 thus far, East Anglia has seen simply 52% (328mm) of its common rainfall for the entire yr. You’d count on this proportion to be at 83% on the conclusion of October. This implies counties together with Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent and East Sussex have obtained solely round half their annual rainfall, in some locations much less, with solely two months of the yr to go.  

On the conclusion of October, you’d count on rainfall quantities to be at 83% of their long-term common for the whole yr. For the UK, it’s at the moment at 67% (780mm), however for England it’s at solely 60% (523mm), and in addition at solely 60% for Wales (881mm). 

October’s rain itself was barely above common for the UK, with Northern Eire exceeding its long-term common rainfall by greater than 50%. The UK’s determine of 141mm was 15% greater than common. Extra granular figures had been pretty unremarkable, although Northern Eire’s 176mm was 54% greater than its common, whereas Scotland had 16% extra rainfall than common, with 196mm falling.  

Regardless of the near-average rain in October, this yr continues to be a lot drier than common, particularly within the south.  

The Senior Director of Coverage, Analysis and Campaigns on the Client Council for Water Mike Keil stated: “There’s nonetheless quite a lot of rainfall wanted to replenish our water assets after the extremely scorching and dry summer season. Saving water is at all times factor to do, regardless of the climate – it helps folks lower your expenses, protects the atmosphere and reduces carbon emissions.” 

Sunny October for many

October was sunny for many, though Scotland and Northern Eire had been barely duller than common.

The UK noticed 14% extra sunshine than common, with 105 hours of sunshine within the month.  

England had 129 hours of sunshine (26% greater than common), Wales 104 hours (14% greater than common). Conversely, Scotland had 69 hours of sunshine (7% lower than common) and Northern Eire 73 hours (14% lower than common).