ALTHOUGH never very cold, there was a distinct lack of warm spells this April. It was therefore a chilly month, averaging 1C (2F) below normal. This difference was fairly modest, yet it was the coolest April since 1989. Only one other April in my 18 years of records here at Carlton, near Stokesley, in 1986, was colder - appreciably too, at around 2C (3.5F) lower than the mean.

It was the fourth consecutive cooler than usual month. This is an almost unheard of run in these days of so-called "global warming" and, in fact, the longest such period since July to December in 1993. Consequently, despite the abundance of April showers, most plant growth is well behind what we anticipate in late spring.

It was also quite a cloudy month with some spots having less sunshine than in March. This is a rare event at this time of the year, when the length of daylight is increasing rapidly.

April was wet, though relatively dry when compared to April 2000 when we were drenched with more than twice this year's accumulation. That was the wettest of any month in my data, at least until last November.

Spring months tend to be amongst the drier ones during the year in our part of the world. Longer term observations at a few local sites, with figures going back 30 years or more, suggest that low-lying parts should typically receive a little below 50mm (2in) during April.

Indeed, this is what I found in the 14 years up to and including 1997. But, with 141mm (5.6in) in 1998 and 169mm (6.7in) in 2000, my April "average" is now well over 60mm. So, this April's total represents roughly 170pc of what we should expect, rather than the 130pc when compared to my 18-year mean.

The month began in a very unsettled mood. Depressions tracked east across northern England four times during the first ten days. Briefly, ahead of the first, southerly winds dragged some warm air up from France to give the warmest day of the month on the 2nd.

During this period, there were a few fine days, notably April Fool's Day, but many spells of rain, heavy at times, particularly early on the 4th. To the north of the lows and for a time behind them, it was cold enough for sleet, even at low levels. By the end of the first week, with a month's ration of rain having fallen already, it was looking as though this April was having a go at breaking last April's record haul.

About the 10th, high pressure built between Biscay and Greenland resulting in a showery, north-westerly airstream across the country. This was briefly interrupted both on Easter Saturday and the following Tuesday by fronts crossing Britain from the west. The latter was followed by even colder northerlies, which brought frequent wintry showers, especially for the east of our region.

Temperatures in these dropped rapidly before recovering in the sunshine that followed. For example, on the 18th at Carlton, the mercury was generally in the order of 6C (43F), but, by the end of a sudden hail shower at about 3.30pm, it was just 0.7C (33F). As the wind dropped out overnight on the 20th-21st, clearing skies led to a late, widespread, sharp frost.

The next week or so was again very changeable, with low pressure systems milling around or to the south of the British Isles. These brought further rain at times, accompanied occasionally by hail and the odd rumble of thunder. The last depression eventually transferred into the North Sea during the final weekend, allowing another plunge of northerlies from lunchtime on the Sunday.

APRIL TEMPERATURES

& RAINFALL

at CARLTON in CLEVELAND

Mean max: 10.4C, 51F, (-1C, -2F)

Mean min: 3C, 37.5F, (-0.9C, -1.5F)

Highest: 17.5C, 63.5F, 2nd

Lowest: -2.4C, 27.5F, 21st

Total rainfall: 83mm, 3.25in (+22mm, +0.9in)

Wettest day: 21mm (0.8in), 3rd

No of rain days, with 0.2mm (0.01in) or more: 20 (+5)

(Figures in brackets show the

difference from the 17-year mean, 1984-2000)