Local Forecasts, History & Records
Yearly Summary of Weather in Durham UK
2008 was the equal coldest year (with 2001) at Durham since 1996 (9.3°C). The 12-month average (9.25 to two decimal places) is the lowest since October 2001, and 1.51°C below the maximum 12-month running mean in May 2007. Even so, it was still the 19th warmest year at Durham since 1850! Daytime temperatures were disappointing, in August especially; nevertheless, the …
2007 was the 4th warmest year at Durham since records began in 1850 (9.83°C), equalling the 1949 figure and a value only exceeded by 2003 (9.88°C), 2006 (9.94°C) and 2004 (9.96°C). The 12-month running mean was above 10°C from January until September; the ‘year’ from June 2006 to May 2007 was the warmest on record at 10.77°C. The mean maximum …
2006 was a remarkable warm year, the second warmest on record at Durham since 1850, only a negligible 0.02°C cooler than 2004. Every month except March was above average, with the year as a whole 1.4°C above the 1961-1990 mean. The warmest ten years at Durham are now as follows (to two decimal places): Year and average temperature 2004 – …
Only 1990 and 1949 have rivalled the last four years for warmth. The extraordinary warmth of the last few years is reflected in the fact that, if we take the average of every 10-year period (1850-59, 1851-60, etc.), then the last decade (1996-2005) is the warmest on record and the first to average 9.5°C. As it happens, the coldest ‘decade’ …
2004 was another remarkably warm year, the warmest on record at Durham since records began in 1850, the mean of 9.95°C beating the previous highest (2003) by 0.05°C. It was quite a wet year too, the total of 726mm ranking 110th in a series of 153. There were far fewer hours of bright sunshine than normal, however; the total was …
For the year as a whole, 2003 was: 1) The warmest year in Durham since records began in 1850, with a rounded-up figure of 9.9°C, 1.3°C above the long-term mean (I continue to use the 1961-90 mean; the overall mean for 1850-2003 is 8.5°C). The 2-decimal figure for 2003 of 9.88°C beats 2002 (9.80°C) and 1949 (9.83°C). Remarkably, the monthly …
Overall, 2002 was a very warm year in Durham, the 2nd warmest on record (9.80°C) since 1850 and beaten only by 1949 (9.83°C). Only October fell below the long-term monthly mean. As noted above, in June and September, the 12-month running mean exceeded 10°C for the first time in Durham’s history. Of the 14 highest annual means, 8 have occurred …
Given problems with our rain gauge, the annual rainfall total of 566.3mm is only an estimate. However, if correct, this shows a dry year, the driest since 1996, 83mm below average and the 32nd driest year since 1852. If we measure to two decimal places, 2001 was the 13th warmest year on record since 1850, or equal 10th if we …