It's surprising how often May, and in particular the second half of
May, is rather unpleasant: it seems that for the 6th time in 10 years
(the others being 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007) much of May (with an
emphasis on the later part of the month) is going to be not
particularly nice.

Interesting. Is this a feature of the last 10 years or so, or has it always
been?

Lamb (The English Climate) states that the 21st - 31st of May as "The
Fore-monsoon Fine Weather Period is related to frequencies of AC and S types
together 60-70%".

My birthday is at the beginning of June and my first memories (and photos)
start from the mid 70s when it seemed that the sun always shone. We used to
have tea on the lawn on that day, and the weather just seemed to be good
every year. Now I know memory is very unreliable but this fine, early June
weather seemed to decline from the mid 80s and reached a low point during
the 90s when it was often wet and cold on my birthday.

A recent recovery has taken place with 6 out of the last 8 years bringing
sunny and warm, or even hot weather on my birthday.

Hopeful thinking that the forecasts hint at something warmer and sunnier as
we go towards the end of May and this leads us into good weather in early
June as was the case in 2000, 01, 04, 06, 07 & 08.
________________
Nick.
Otter Valley, Devon
83 m amsl
http://www.ottervalley.co.uk