Local Forecasts, History & Records
All posts on Durham Weather
February 2024 was very mild but generally wet. On the Central England Temperature (CET) scale (since 1658), at 7.8 ºC, it was the second mildest on record, beaten only by 1779 (7.9), and was warmer than the long-term March average. On the UK wide scale it was the second warmest February since 1884 (6.3) C, after 1998 (6.8C). On Thursday 15th …
January 2024. An eventful month. The month opened as a wild one, with Storm Henk on 2nd January bringing damaging winds. There was a cold northerly outbreak mid-month. There were frequent snow showers, particularly across northern and northeastern Scotland, but they also affected the south. The lowest temperture of the spell was -14.0 at Dalwhinnie on the morning of the …
December 2023. Overall very mild. The cold spell in November 2023 persisted into the first week. The lowest temperature of the month, -12.5, was observed at Altnaharra on the 3rd; even Cornwall saw some sharp frosts (-4.7 ay Culdrose on the 2nd). There was heavy snow on the 3rd affecting the Lake District, particulaly the Ambleside region., East Midlands, and …
November 2023 overall saw about average temperatures. The first two weeks were mild and unsettled. It then became rather more settled; it was still mild in the south, but the final ten days were much colder as winds turned to the north, introducing Arctic air. The start of the month continued October’s wet and windy theme with Storm Ciaran bringing …
Mild at first, then cool and very wet (Storm Babet) The very first day of October 2023 delivered a 20 degC marker, which was the highest of the month. It remained very mild until 10th when it became much cooler. The first 10 days averaged 14.7 degC, with a mean max of 17.7 degC. It felt quite balmy. It was …
Severe weather events in Durham, North East England Just for a bit of fun, I asked ChatGPT to compile a Top 10 of severe weather events for North East England. I don’t think it did a bad job overall. The weather is such a fascinating subject, isn’t it? Now, let me dive into the meteorological history of the North East …
October is the month when we really notice the reduction in daylight and the approach of winter. Sunrise is 7:08am on the 1st of the month, with the sun setting at 18:43pm. The sunrise gets later until 28th October when it doesn’t rise until 8:00am. Then the clocks go back on the 29th October and it’s back to 7:02am! Unfortunately, …
As so often happens, the weather completely changes in September. The first 10 days in September 2023 averaged 18.5 degC. That would be judged as excellent for a summer month. It was in fact a record breaking heatwave and the highest temperature of the year was recorded during it. This is the first time this has happened since 1962. The …
The poor weather of July 2023 extended into August. There was little respite from the rain, except for a drier week from 6th-13th. Temperatures during the same period were unimpressive, which made it feel less summery than it should have done. Either side of this dry period, there were heavy rains. On the 14th August 2023, there was what can …
We are getting so used to elevated temperatures that occasionally a month comes along that throws a spanner in the works. The worst time that it can possibly happen is in Summer. Against the backdrop of fierce temperatures in Southern Europe and USA, good old Britain gets a swing in the opposite direction. After a record-breaking June, July 2023 has …
June 2023 started cool. The high pressure cell was still in the wrong place for us in Durham, dragging in an Easterly component of wind from the cold North Sea. The long dry spell was ongoing at the beginning of June, with only 0.1 mm of rain to 10th June, and only one day with rain since 19th May 2023 …
Exploring the Serene Beauty of England’s River Wear Nestled within the picturesque landscapes of Northeast England, between the Tyne to the North and the Tees to the South, the River Wear winds its way through stunning valleys, historic cities, and charming countryside. With its rich heritage, diverse wildlife, and tranquil ambiance, the River Wear has become a beloved natural treasure …