Central southern England has recorded its driest start to April since records began, Met Office figures show.
Just 2.3mm of rain fell on central southern England – 4% of the 52.6mm average for the month.
“The figure equals the previous low, recorded in 1912, and follows the driest March ever recorded,” a Met Office spokesman said.
Other areas have also recorded extremely low precipitation. East Anglia, at 3.3mm, has had the second driest April since 1910, slightly higher than the record low in 2007. And England’s north-east, at 9mm, was close to the record low of 6mm recorded in 1912, the Met Office said.
http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2011/04/28/126532/Driest-April-since-records-began.htm
It may be bad news for farmers and crops but having just taken an early morning tour of my neighbours front gardens, it seems to have done wonders for producing an early flower show. Many plants are blooming around 2/3 weeks early and looking splendid. Both these photos were taken at around 8am this morning.
Love to hear of any plants that are appearing very early in your garden on this sunny May Day?
May 1st, 2011 at 10:14 pm
I will have nothing left for summer – even the roses and lupins are flowering now – my big euphorbia has been flowering since February
May 3rd, 2011 at 6:50 pm
It certainly seems to be gearing up for a testing summer for all gardeners!
May 4th, 2011 at 8:50 am
A record hot and dry April is apparently to be followed
by wetter june.
Thats why I love gardening so much- it is a new adventure every day!