January 1958

[Weather-history]

The second half of January was very interesting with a wide variation in temperatures in a short space of time.

On the 20th, a potent Arctic airstream pushed southwards across the UK bringing heavy snowfalls and severe frosts

This cold snowy spell continued until the 24th with polar lows and troughs in the flow bringing further heavy snowfalls and a general snowcover.

Under clear skies and a slack pressure gradient, frosts were severe and a low of -21.7C was recorded at Grantown on Spey on the 25th.

A low pressure to the west of the UK pumped up a very mild southerly across the UK and temperatures rapidly rose into double figures and with the fohn effect a maximum of 17.2C was recorded at Aber. The following day was record breakingly mild with 18.3C recorded at Aber, the highest January maximum ever recorded in the UK.

The weather turned cooler again at the end of the month.

25th: -21.7C

26th: 17.2C

27th: 18.3C

The CET ended as 3.4

[Thundery wintry showers]

One of my favourite historic months, that one; interesting as usual to see the stats.

[Weather-history]

50 years ago today......it is really amazing how quickly it develops

Not a sign of it

Then.....

Edited January 19, 2008 by Mr_Data

[Weather-history]

Here's the first of several Times articles on this wintry spell

21st January 1958 edition

Edited January 19, 2008 by Mr_Data

[Weather-history]

From the 22nd January edition

[damianslaw]

A good example of one of many 'switcharounds' in the weather from extreme cold to extreme mild in the space of a few days.

Extreme spells are normally attributed to unusual synoptics and therefore changes in conditions are very pronounced hence why we can jump from one extreme to another.

It further shows how looking beyond a few days can be in vein as conditions can suddenly change- another lesson for us all when making long term predictions.

[Weather-history]

From the 23rd January ediiton

[Weather-history]

From the 24th January edition, the cold spell goes on...

[Weather-history]

The thaw begins.....