March Blizzard

I think for the UK mean Mar 1962 was colder than Mar 2013, so the media are accurate in their reporting (if I'm correct). However, to ignore/omit a more important figure in the coldest March for 121 years in the CET zone, the world's oldest temperature series, seems a little odd. I can only assume that they are unaware of it.

2010 matching 1963, impressive. There is a chance we could get to about 55 or even higher by May. It would stand us in good stead for a cold November-December period to push 2013 past the 2010 value.

6.3C please.

The March 31st date record has been smashed, it was (I think) -9.8C but -12C was apparently recorded in Braemar in the early hours of this morning. The mean CET Tmin is currently -0.1C, a massive drop from about 0.5C only a week ago. Mean Tmax is still 5.8C.

There does seem to be a bit of confusion in the media on the subject. 1962 does look vulnerable. The record I'm looking for is the average CET Tmax, looking odds on to be coldest ever.

That's the UK mean for 1962, I'd imagine.

Moderate snow turning increasingly heavy here in Stockport. Accumulating on grass but not on the roads or pavements.

Chalk and Cheese. Could easily end up with a difference in the final CET between March 2012 and March 2013 of 6C, maybe as much as 6.5C! One of the warmest Marches on record followed by one of the coldest.

Up to the 24th the March minimum CET is currently 0.4C, 0.1C colder than Feb and 0.9C colder than Jan. The March maxima CET is Currently 6.2C, Just 0.3C warmer than Feb and 0.6C warmer than Jan. Against the 1961-90 averages, the minima anomaly is -1.7C. The maxima anomaly is -2.6C. This demonstrates that this month, so far, has been more notable for low maxima than low minima, yet the minima value is still notable.

I would like a sub 3C March, one for the record books. As soon as we hit April 1st mild weather has permission to arrive!

I'd imagine the BBC are using UK figures rather than CET figures. Considering UK (as a whole) temperatures only go back to the early 20th Century the "coldest March on record in 1962" statement makes sense. The 1.9C figure also makes sense as a UK temperature, Scotland and northern England nearly always drag the UK temp down below that of the CET zone.

It says colder than average January, not average Jan. The last time March was colder than January was just 5 years ago.

So we're looking likely to beat a record that has theoretically stood for 227 years? Incredible.

It's Saturday the 23rd, guys!

An unstoppable force (Atlantic) has hit a (not so) immovable object (block) and has just kept going.

Just seen the regional BBC news. Looks like being DRY for most of tomorrow, the word "downgrade" even being used. Huge let down here.

I would say the 1919 11th-31st period is even under threat. I always consider the 16th as the start of the second half of a month (except February, when its the 15th). I would say the 1919 11th-31st period is even under threat. I always consider the 16th as the start of the second half of a month (except February, when its the 15th).

Fair enough. It's also worth pointing out the first 8-9 days of this month were close to average so to get a possible sub 3C month is very impressive. I'd agree that the final third or so (as forecast) of this month is just as severe as Dec 2010 overall in terms of below average temperatures, maybe more.

I'd still rate December 2010 as relatively more severe. This March is currently about 3C below average, Dec 2010 ended up over 5C below average. It was, after all, the second coldest December on record. On topic, the average CET minima this month is 0.5C so far. Next week looks to have some very cold nights so a final average close to freezing is possible. Some places may have a sub zero average min.

When was the last sub 4C March?

It's funny how figures can deceive, one of the coldest late winter-early springs in quarter of a century yet there has been little in the way of "deep" cold in that time. It's been more consistently chilly with a lack of mild incursions. Makes you wonder about some exceptional cold/warm spells that have hidden themselves in average looking figures.

-5C minima in March is nothing special. -5C maxima in March would be record breaking.

Surely the level of cold on offer isn't too spectacular for the time of year but moreso the frequency and level of it so far south? Throughout much of the Arctic March is firmly a winter month; in some places it's colder than January and nearly always colder than December, it only answers to February. Is it a combination of the southerly tracking jet and lots of northern blocking thats bringing us and much of Europe such conditions this time around instead of staying in the arctic? I enjoy reading this thread and learning, please don't hesitate to put me in my place if im barking up the wrong tree!

Roger, is there a chance of a big downward correction at the end of the month or is it far too early to tell? We have had quite low minima so far.

The provisional March minimum CET until the 14th is 0.3C, slightly colder than February and a full 1C colder than January.