Dr Phil Smith Consistent with a warming trend, England experienced the second hottest May ever, a heatwave in the last week reaching a record May peak of 35.1oC at Kew Gardens, London. Fortunately, it wasn’t quite as hot here, though Crosby reported a blistering 33oC on 25th. It was also a relatively dry month, Rachael...
Dr Phil Smith Fortunately, we had a few showers early in the month but not a drop of rain fell after 17th April. According to Rachael Park’s rain gauge, Formby had just 15.5 mm, about a third of the expected amount. This spring drought was also experienced in most of the UK, with high pressure...
Dr Phil Smith Following a mild winter, March 2026 was the 10th warmest since records began in 1884. According to the Met Office, rainfall patterns continued to show strong month to month variability. Rachael Parks measured 53 mm of precipitation in her Formby garden, about 30% below average for March. There were 14 rain-days but...
Philip H. Smith, January 2026 Dr Phil Smith has recently completd the below Green Beach report. This year is the 40th Anniverary of their origin and the article provides a summary of what is known about the origin, formation and the biodiversity of these fabulous nature ‘hotspots’ located between between Birkdale and Ainsdale.