What a month it has been, record breaking! It has been the coldest March since 1892 according to the CET (Central England Temperature) these records go back to 1659. It is the world’s longest weather series.
At the start of the month it was mildish but then March continued with the same pattern that has been around for the last few months. With the jet stream going through Spain leaving the UK on the coldest side.
This brought easterly winds all the way from Siberia it has been remarkable in the longevity. I will write another blog article later in the month about some of the possible causes. Over the globe we were one of a few spots that were colder than average. Overall +0.184C above the 30 year running average.
March ended up being the coldest month of the year so far.
Summary for March 2013 (Watford)
Temperature (°C):
Minimum -4.6 day 30
Maximum 16.8 day 05
Highest Minimum 7.6 day 07
Lowest Maximum 0.8 day 24
Air frosts 18
Rainfall (mm):
Total for month 55.8
Wettest day 9.3 day 08
High rain rate 7.2 day 07
Rain days 11
Wind (mph):
Highest Gust 16.8 day 15
Average Speed 0.2
Wind Run 182.3 miles
Gale days 0
Pressure (mb):
Maximum 1036.4 day 01
Minimum 1002.5 day 17
Snow:
Days with snow falling 17
Days with snow lying at 0900 1
Max snow height: 3cm
April Outlook
The cold weather will continue for the first 10 days of May with predominantly easterly winds which will make it very chilly. Around the middle of the month it will start to warm up and could bring a mini heatwave into the low 20’s centigrade which will be a relief to most people.
The year to date we are in a very cool period with January being the warmest month of the year so far! It has also been the coldest month of December / January / February the first time that has happened since 1975.
You can see it here on the annual anomalies chart
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