Coldest March since 1962

[Summer Sun]

The Met office have issued this today

This March is set to be the coldest since 1962 in the UK in the national record dating back to 1910, according to provisional Met Office statistic. From 1 to 26 March the UK mean temperature was 2.5 °C, which is three degrees below the long term average. This also makes it joint 4^th coldest on record in the UK.

Looking at individual countries, March 2013 is likely to be the 4^th coldest on record for England, joint third coldest for Wales, joint 8^th coldest for Scotland and 6^th coldest for Northern Ireland.

Clearly March has been extremely cold and snowy and joins 2006, 2001, 1995, 1987, 1979, 1970 and 1962 as years when March saw some significant snowfall.

Once all the figures are in, it's possible that the December to March period for 2012/13 will be comparable with 2010/11, 2009/10 or winters in the mid-1980s.

Throughout the cold spell which started at the end of January Met Office forecasts and warnings have given accurate and timely advice to the public, emergency services and business across the UK.

Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme on 12 March, Catherine Brookes of the Highways Agency, said about significant snowfall: "We knew this was coming. It was forecast, we had plans in place and we followed them. All of our resources were available and we have been gritting continually."

The cold weather is expected to continue through the Easter weekend and into April. You can stay up-to-date with Met office forecasts and warnings online, through our mobile apps, Facebook and Twitter, and through TV and radio broadcasts.

The full month figures for March 2013 will be available later next week and a summary of the month will be issued soon after.

http://www.metoffice...arch-statistics

Edited March 28, 2013 by Gavin.

[johnholmes]

yes what Gavin has posted is the official Met O view as of today, it really is a month to remember and tell the grand kids about!

Not the snowfest of winter 1947 or 62-63 but a pretty notable March with 1962 as the last similar March looking likely. Also interesting to read what TM has posted with 50+ years of observing in his area-weather reports thread.

[West is Best]

What I'm intrigued by is the mix-and-match use of data some reports are giving. Sky News and BBC, fed by the MetO, both employed the 1.9C figure to say this won't beat 1962, when using this month's CET.

Actually against the only series that has historicity and gravitas, the CET, this month is quite likely to be colder than 1962. The unadjusted figure currently stands at 3.1C up to 27th. With four more cold days/nights to input there's a chance this month will equal or be colder than the 2.8C of 1962, especially after adjustment.

[johnholmes]

To put my area into perspective

the last 8 days (Thur-Thur) the mean is 1.7C

The mean for RAF Finningley 1942-1995 for

December was 4.6C

January 3.5C

February 3.7C

My figures over a 17 year period are on average about 1.5C higher.

March so far has a mean of 3.4C compared to my 16 year average(2013 cannot yet be used) of 7.5C

I have had 12 days with snow falling (often only very slight) and 5 days of lying snow (Met O definition=more than 50% cover at 0900 clock time)

going back to the Finningley averages for snow falling and lying over the winter period (Dec-Feb) they were 18 and 9 respectively.

using any of the above and the true nature of this month in this area becomes very apparent.

and another!

Temperatures over 10C, just two so far, 12.3C on the 2nd and 10.1C on the third.

and another then I'll shut up

Currently the mean here is some 4.4C below my 16/17 year average for March.

Put that alongside the 16/17 year averages for January and February, IF this depth of cold had occurred in those months and you get 0.7 and 1.1C

so yes a very cold month here and with well above average snowfall

tara

Edited March 28, 2013 by johnholmes

[Cheshire Freeze]

What I'm intrigued by is the mix-and-match use of data some reports are giving. Sky News and BBC, fed by the MetO, both employed the 1.9C figure to say this won't beat 1962, when using this month's CET.

Actually against the only series that has historicity and gravitas, the CET, this month is quite likely to be colder than 1962. The unadjusted figure currently stands at 3.1C up to 27th. With four more cold days/nights to input there's a chance this month will equal or be colder than the 2.8C of 1962, especially after adjustment.

Yes, after adjustments it's looking colder than March 1962 but the Metoffice, for some reason, seem reluctant to even suggest this possibility.

[Aaron]

For my back yard (MTD)..

Mean 1.7C

Mean max 4.2C

Mean min -0.7C

Air frosts: 18

Snow falling: 16

Snow lying (>50%): 9

Ice days: 2

Days above 10C: 0

[Guest pjl20101]

Yes, after adjustments it's looking colder than March 1962 but the Metoffice, for some reason, seem reluctant to even suggest this possibility.

Personally CC I blame the very strong -NAO signs for this extroadinary month. Also the QBO changeover hasn't helped either of why this month has behaved like it has. It isn't just us that have suffered as a lot of europe have done the same as well.