Metoffice 1981-2010 Averages

[reef]

After a long wait, the MetOffice have finally finished compiling the latest 1981-2010 averages:

http://www.metoffice...te/uk/averages/

At present a few fields are missing, but temperatures, rainfall, sunshine, frost days and snow days are all complete.

Apart from the obvious increase in mean temperatures of generally around 0.2-0.3C compared to the older 1971-2000 average, rainfall is marginally higher and frost and snow days lower, but what is most notable is how sunshine levels have gradually being increasing over the decades. Taking my location for example:

Annual Sunshine hours

1961-1990: 1420

1971-2000: 1477

1981-2010: 1546

The increases are similar almost everywhere.

Very interesting indeed and not an unwelcome trend for many I imagine.

[TonyH]

After a long wait, the MetOffice have finally finished compiling the latest 1981-2010 averages:

http://www.metoffice...te/uk/averages/

At present a few fields are missing, but temperatures, rainfall, sunshine, frost days and snow days are all complete.

Apart from the obvious increase in mean temperatures of generally around 0.2-0.3C compared to the older 1971-2000 average, rainfall is marginally higher and frost and snow days lower, but what is most notable is how sunshine levels have gradually being increasing over the decades. Taking my location for example:

Annual Sunshine hours

1961-1990: 1420

1971-2000: 1477

1981-2010: 1546

The increases are similar almost everywhere.

Very interesting indeed and not an unwelcome trend for many I imagine.

Except of course in Telford and Aberdeen

[Evening thunder]

I noticed these were out at last and had a little browse the other day.

As well as those changes reef noted I also noticed the mean temps for December went down, with average snow lying days increasing, probably partly due to December 2010.

I wonder if it's just random coincidence causing the increase in average sunshine hours, or if there is actually a reason for this like maybe improvements in air quality over the years maybe?

I was a bit disappointed though that it looks like they won't publish a 1981-2010 average in thunder days at all though, as I was looking forward to seeing that and I had heard rumours of maybe a more detailed map but apparently not.

I also noticed for July and August for my particular valley mean max temps had actually decreased slightly on the mapped averages, with the '21-22C' colour retreating from the valley a bit and moving inland slightly. despite increasing almost everywhere else. I wonder if that was real due to more southerly flows/sea breezes or if it's just the way the means were calculated?

[robbie69]

We get loads of sunshine hours in Stoke, unfortunately it is always in winter.

[Interitus]

After a long wait, the MetOffice have finally finished compiling the latest 1981-2010 averages:

Apart from the obvious increase in mean temperatures of generally around 0.2-0.3C compared to the older 1971-2000 average, rainfall is marginally higher and frost and snow days lower,

Of course this actually represents the differences between 1971-80 and 2001-10.

[The PIT]

Darn it will have redo my web site.

[Gavin P]

I wonder if they'll start setting the CET against 81-10 from next year?

[Isolated Frost]

Not all is lost! Durham is 0.35c colder in December in 1981-2010 than it was in 1971-2000!

What do you mean I'm clutching at straws?!...

[Aaron]

Oh dear.. Braemar will soon have London averages.