MAY 2012 IN PITLOCHRY
It was a month of contrasts, with a couple of long-term records broken.
Apart from the first 3 days, the first 3 weeks of the month left an awful lot to be desired! Daytime temperatures were well below normal, with a number of chilly nights. The 17th reached only 7.2 at best, while the 16th saw the month's lowest temperature of -1.2.
But at least there were only modest amounts of rain, 33mms in these first 3 weeks.The final 3 days of the month were much as the first 3 weeks, grey skies & low temperatures, together with 35% of the month's total rainfall.Snow could be seen on Ben Vrackie on the 18th.


BUT, it was the period between the 21st & 28th that made the big contrast in the month.as 6 of those days rose into the "mid-seventies"--with scarcely a cloud in the sky.
My elder daughter picked her Wedding date 16 months before, settling on the 26th for the big day--there's a very long range forecast that came up trumps!!
2 records, intact since at least 1976 locally, were broken, the maximum of 26.1 on the 24th & the overnight minimum of 15.0 on the previous night.
Overall, the mean maximum temperature was 15.0 (+0.2), the minimum was 4.9 (-0.3), so really very close to normal.
Rainfall at 54mms, was 88% of normal.
For myself, although statistics overall came remarkably close to normal, it will be a month I shall always remember for that beautiful hot & sunny spell which played a vital role in making a perfect day for that very special wedding.        Barry(01/06/12)