AFTER the poor summer of 2009, the weather pattern changed, bringing us blocking anticyclones which diverted normal Atlantic autumnal weather well away from our shores. The warm pool of air over the near Continent and the hot weather over France and Spain continued to pump northwards bringing us a warmer, drier and sunnier autumn than usual. This enabled the farming community to catch up for lost time.

Out in the countryside hips and berries are plentiful, the larder full for incoming migrant birds, the foliage of certain trees radiate in the mellow early morning-tide and eventide light. A thick mantle of fallen leaves adorn the forest floor where small mammals and other wildlife prepare for winter hibernation.

Strands of white mist and shallow fog enhances the English countryside at the paling of the dawn time sky, in this autumn season of mist and mellow fruitfulness. Many say that numerous berries during autumn indicate a long cold winter, this is not true, it just means that the seasons prior to autumn was ideal for pollination.

Next Week: The Autumn Scene Part 3

Glossary: Fogbow: A rainbow formed in fog. Because of the small size of water droplets in fog, the reflected and refracted light rays overlap and the rainbow colours merge back into a very bright white bow.

Weather for coming week Monday 2nd November-Friday 6th November

A mobile weather pattern from off the Atlantic.

Rain Monday Night early Tuesday and again on Friday, the remainder of the week will bring sunshine and local showers, although Monday will be mainly dry. Windy at times with temperatures still average or somewhat above average.

Frost free nights.

Maximum temperature 12-14c 54-57f.
Minimum temperature 4-8c 39-46f.

Last Week's Observations (Monday-Sunday)

Highest day temperature...........19.9c on Wednesday 28th October

Lowest night temperature............6.4c on Wednesday 28th October

Wettest day...................................1.4 mm on Monday 26th October