Spring weather Warmest May of all time
Bonn · After April, the merry month of May has also entered Bonn’s weather history books with an average temperature of 17.5 degrees Celsius.
May 2018 was the warmest May in Bonn since weather records began in 1895. This can be seen from the current data from Bonn University’s Endenich weather station and from historical weather data. This means there were two record months in a row in Bonn – an unprecedented event. April was also the warmest April since 1895. This May, with an average temperature of 17.5 degrees, takes the top spot and has relegated May 2008 (17.1 degrees) to second place. The four warmest May months since 1895 were all recorded in this millennium. Bonn experienced its coldest May in 1941 with 9.7 degrees.
One could almost say May frosts are a thing of the past. The last one was on 3 May 1960. This year’s May was also hit by cold air: still not a late spring frost, but the temperature sank to 2.7 degrees on 2 May. The highest temperature of 30.4 degrees was recorded on 28 May.
In terms of precipitation, May came 76th in the 170-year history of rain in the city. There were 58 litres of rain per square metre. Compared to the long-term average, this was nine litres less than normal. On 13 May, 29 litres per square metre fell – a new annual record.
Due to the rainfall distribution, the sun had plenty of chances to shine. There were a total of 292 hours of sunshine – 106 hours more than the long-term average. This is third place in the 50-year history of recording the sunshine. It did not come out for 24 hours on only one day. May last year was 0.9 degrees cooler, but the maximum temperature was significantly higher at 35.1 degrees.
(Original text: Klaus Kosack / Translation: kc)
