Weather summaries December 2006

[Thundery wintry showers]

Cleadon Weather Summary for December 2006

Mean max: 8.2 (+0.8}

Mean min: 3.2 (+0.6)

Mean temp: 5.7 (+0.7)

Highest: 13.6C (10th)

Lowest: -2.9C (19th)

Air frosts: 6

Earlier December mean temperatures: 2005 4.5, 2004 5.6, 2003 4.8, 2002 5.5, 2001 3.8, 2000 5.5, 1999 3.9, 1998 5.4, 1997 6.0.

Thus, it was the mildest December here since 1997- the sharp frosts shortly before Christmas resulted in a smaller positive anomaly than many other parts experienced.

Precipitation: 54mm (93%)

Earlier Decembers: 2005 35mm, 2004 22mm, 2003 36mm, 2002 82mm.

Thus, it was the wettest December since 2002.

The first half of December 2006 was very mild and wet, but also quite sunny. The 16th-22nd were very sunny, with some sharp night frosts, and a very festive feel to the weather. However, it became dull, particularly from the 24th to 27th when there was no sun at all, and Christmas Day was especially gloomy. The lowest max was 2.7C on the 28th. There are gales outside as I write.

I haven't compiled the stats thoroughly yet (there's bound to be an annual summaries thread) but two notable stats I have to hand show that this was probably Cleadon's warmest year on record, and the second driest since 1989.

[Shanice]

Pollard's Hill, Surrey

December 2006 Stats:

Max Temp Avg: 10.15°C (+1.84°C)

Min Temp Avg: 5.43°C (+2.01°C)

Mean Temp Avg: 7.79°C (+1.93°C)

Highest Daytime Max Temp: 14.5°C on the 4th

Lowest Daytime Max Temp: 2.7°C on the 22nd

Highest Night Min Temp: 11.7°C on the 14th

Lowest Night Min Temp: -0.3°C on the 22nd

Highest 24 Hours Rainfall: 22mm on the 7th

Total December Rainfall: 74mm (+13.46mm)

December Mean °C Averages 1990-2006:

1990: 5.34°C

1991: 5.54°C

1992: 5.67°C

1993: 6.61°C

1994: 7.39°C

1995: 3.58°C

1996: 4.28°C

1997: 6.82°C

1998: 6.88°C

1999: 5.85°C

2000: 6.86°C

2001: 4.22°C

2002: 6.99°C

2003: 6.19°C

2004: 6.07°C

2005: 5.45°C

2006: 7.79°C

December Rainfall Totals 1993-2006:

1993: 72mm

1994: 69mm

1995: 68m

1996: 17mm

1997: 53mm

1998: 54mm

1999: 80mm

2000: 80mm

2001: 21mm

2002: 130mm

2003: 58mm

2004: 55mm

2005: 30mm

2006: 74mm

[johnholmes]

December for Cantley, Doncaster

mean temp=6.4C(4.6)

avge max=8.5C(6.9)

avge min=4.4C(2.3)

rainfall=42.2mm(Finningely average=47.7mm)

Air frosts=3(10)

ground frosts=9(15)

days with snow=nil(4 days snow and 1 lying)

days with fog at 09z=4(5)

John

[Polar Continental]

December 2006 Report.

By Paul Carfoot.

Like November, December continued with the very unsettled weather with deep low-pressure systems powering in from the Atlantic, there were some very strong winds here in Burton, especially on the night of the 3rd with gale force southerly winds affecting the area. Temperatures continued to be well above the average for early December as winds continued to blow from a southerly or westerly direction for the most part. This very unsettled and often windy weather continued until the 15th.

On the 16th high pressure became established over the UK and the weather began to settle and cool down.

Although the high built from more southerly latitudes and was of the warm type, an inversion of cold air developed quite widely over Southern England with a good deal of fog and frost. Here in Burton I from the 19th I noted 3 consecutive days of dense fog and at times this was of the freezing variety.

The 23rd saw the anticyclone drift a little east towards the continent, this had the affect of drawing winds from the ESE, the weather became overcast with low stratus here in Burton and the fog and frost lifted.

Typical anticyclonic gloom then prevailed for the next 4 days, but it remained dry and on the cool side.

The 27th saw the high slipping slowly away SE; this allowed fronts from the Atlantic to make inroads in to the country, and some light rain set in here in Burton.

This herald a very stormy end to the month, with deep low pressure systems running towards the British Isles bringing gales and heavy rain taking us in to 2007.

Summary.

Generally a very mild month. Ironically the coldest spell of weather was introduced by a warm Euro High. Here in Burton from the 16th to the 22nd, we had 7 consecutive nights frost and 3 nights of freezing fog as an inversion of cold air developed.

Stats below are calculated using the average of the mean monthly maximum and the mean monthly minimum.

Average maximum temperature = 8.2c

Average minimum temperature = 3.9c

Mean temperature = 6.26c + 1.16c above the 1971 – 2000 CET average.

Warmest day on the 30th = 13.2c

Coldest day on the 21st = 0.8c

Warmest night on the 14th = 11.5c

Coldest night on the 22nd = -1.8c

Ground Frosts = 7

Air frost = 4

Thunderstorms = 0

Wettest day on the 30th = 14mm

Rainfall total = 68mm

Year total rainfall 515mm

[The PIT]

You find all the data from here.

http://www.sheffieldweather.co.uk/html/weather__data.html

Anyway this very mild December ensured we recorded the warmest year ever here at 12.1C.

[Red Raven]

December was a very wet month with 199% of the average, also 1.6 C warmer than normal. Full summary of the year, graphs and all, at http://www.lortonweather.co.uk/Analysis-2006.htm

[Osbourne One-Nil]

Average daily maximum 7.2º

Highest daily maximum 11.7º (29th)

Lowest daily maximum -1.6º (24th)

Average daily minimum 1.2º

Highest daily minimum 6.7º (14th)

Lowest daily minimum -3.9º (19th & 24th)

Mean temperature 4.6º

Total rainfall 247.3mm

No. of wet days (more than 0.2mm) twenty

Wettest day 41.2mm (4th)

Highest wind gust 61mph (3rd)

Highest wind gust

[johnholmes]

for PC

Hi Paul, my apologies for starting the New Year with a winge!

you quote this

Mean temperature = 6.26c + 1.16c above the 1971 – 2000 CET average

Why to 2 decimal places?

Your original data is to one.

Therefore you should keep to 1 decimal place.

So many people seem to feel its more 'accurate'. It is not.

Your mean is 6.3C and its 1.2C above the average.

No official weather department gives data of temperature, actual, average, mean, to more than one.

regards

John

[Andy Bown]

This December, being the 4th I've recorded temperatures, came out at 1.50c above that 4 year average which included this year's figure (without which it was about 2c above the previous 3 year mean!).

Part of me wishes that the freezing fog and then stubborn cold cloud from 19th-26th hadn't happened, because the remarkable mildness would have been even more noteworthy. That week provided no max higher than 5c and also the lowest temperature of the month.

Average max = 8.70c (highest = 14c on 6th, 14th & 29th)

Average min = 3.83c (lowest = -5c on 21st)

Mean = 6.26c

Dry days = 11

Precipitation days = 20 (of which 1 = sleet)

Rainfall = 106mm

[Polar Continental]

for PC

Hi Paul, my apologies for starting the New Year with a winge!

you quote this

Mean temperature = 6.26c + 1.16c above the 1971 – 2000 CET average

Why to 2 decimal places?

Your original data is to one.

Therefore you should keep to 1 decimal place.

So many people seem to feel its more 'accurate'. It is not.

Your mean is 6.3C and its 1.2C above the average.

No official weather department gives data of temperature, actual, average, mean, to more than one.

regards

John

Hi John, yes i know mate, i used my normal spread sheet for working out all stats and just copied them over with making the adjustment, will amend if not to late.

Paul

[Summer of '47]

The first half of the month was dominated by wind and rain, with settled weather at a premium. The 9th was the best sunny day of the month. As HP took over it became much brighter and frosty from the 16th to 22nd. From the 23rd anticyclonic gloom took over and there was little sunshine for the remainder of the month. Very stormy and unsettled end to the month...as we all know

In summary the month was milder and wetter than average and certainly with below average sunshine thanks to the long sunless period around Xmas. There was no snow.

Monthly Mean Temp: 6.9 ºC

Average max: 9.0 ºC ..... 1.3C ABOVE average

Average min: 5.0 ºC ..... 1.4C ABOVE average

Highest max: 13.6 ºC ( 4th )

Lowest max: 2.5 ºC ( 20th )

Lowest min: -3.7 ºC ( 20th )

Highest min: 12.3 ºC ( 5th )

No.of Days with air frost: 6 days

Low Wind Chill: -3.7 ºC ( 20th )

Low THW Heat Index: -3.7 ºC ( 20th )

High THW Heat Index: 12.8 ºC ( 4th )

High THSW Sun Index: 13.4 ºC ( 30th )

Lowest RH%: 55 % ( 6th )

Lowest DP: -4.8 ºC ( 20th )

Highest DP: 11.4 ºC ( 4th )

Rain total: 93.2 mm (126% of Average)

Wettest day: 19.8 mm ( 30th )

Rain Days ( measurable ): 15

Rain Days ( >= 1.0mm ): 13

High Rain Rate: 107.7 mm/hr ( 7th )

EvapoTranspiration Total: 15.1 mm

Wind Speed Average: 3.3 mph

Wind Speed high gust: 35 mph ( 30th )

Wind Dominant Direction: SSW (67%) followed by ESE, W, SE

Mean Barometer: 1019.2 hPa

Low Barometer: 981.7 hPa ( 8th )

High Barometer: 1043.5 hPa ( 22nd )

Sunshine: 13.0 hours calculated with limited sensor exposure, estimate 40 hrs actual monthly total ( below average)

Sunniest Day: 1st with 1.5 hrs recorded, probably c. 8 hrs actual

* average at this site 1984 - 2005

Full daily details & stats here: http://www.tonbridge-weather.org.uk/2006/dec2006.htm

[paul tall]

Ave Max : 8.1ºC

Ave Min : 3.0ºC

Mean : 5.5ºC

High Max : 13.8ºC (14th)

Low Max : -0.4ºC (21st)

High Min : 8.4ºC (1st)

Low Min : -4.8ºC (21st)

Ice days : 1 (21st)

Air frost : 6

Rain : 71mm

Snow obs 9am : 0

[reef]

Hedon, East Yorkshire.

December 2006

Warmest Max: 13.2°C (on 14/12/06)

Coldest Max: 2.4°C (on 21/12/06)

Warmest Min: 10.9°C (on 14/12/06)

Coldest Min: -1.1°C (on 22/12/06)

Average Max: 8.5°C (+1.0°C Above 1971-2000 Average)

Average Min: 4.2°C (+1.9°C Above 1971-2000 Average)

Overall Average: 6.4°C (+1.5°C Above 1971-2000 Average)

Rain: 43.4mm (83% Of Normal)

Wettest Day: 15th (9.8mm)

Air Frosts: 2

Days with Snow: 0

Snow lying at 0900: 0 days

Dry Days: 8

Wet Days: 23

Days With Rain >1.0mm: 10

Thunderstorms: 0

An almost uniformly mild and zonal month broken only by a week long cold anticylonic spell before christmas. Despite such a zonal setup, it was drier than average, mostly as a result of preciptation dying out over the pennines.

The first half of the month was exceptionally mild, averaging 8.2°C and containing 9 days with double digit maxima. The 15th was a very warm day, reaching 13.2°C and falling no lower than 10.9°C, making it the warmest December day since I began recording.

From the 17th it then turned colder, though it took until the 21st to record the first air frost of the winter after a low maxima of 2.4°C. At first it was clear and

sunny, but as the high pressure took hold it then became exceptionally foggy, especially at night. As the anticyclone then gradually sank southwards, it turned more gloomy, with overcast skies and drizzle.

The final week saw a return to zonal conditions, with further heavy rain and gale force winds. As a result, the month finished up the warmest December since I began recording.