Coldest Christmas Days – 2010 is up there!

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This list has been compiled from CET records after we experienced the coldest December for more than a century in Durham. In a climate that has shown a seemingly inexorable rise in temperature, December 2010 came as a huge shock to the system.

Christmas Day 2010 ranks third in a series going back to 1772, marginally behind 1830.

Coldest Christmas Days on the CET record

-10.8 degC   1796

-6.6 degC   1830

-5.9 degC   2010

-5.8 degC   1878

-5.1 degC   1779

November 2010 also contained one of the coldest ever days recorded in that calendar month, coming in at -4.0 degC on 28th. It also ranks 3rd in all-time cold November days.

The Coldest Christmas Day in Durham

This record is held by December 25th 1860. The minimum was -16.4 degC, and never rose above -4.6 degC for the 24hr duration, giving an average for the day of -10.5 degC.

Christmas days are often romanticised on Christmas cards as being cold and snowy, but that really is a legacy from Dickens and the 19th century. In reality, snow on Christmas Day is getting less common, but people still try to beat the bookies every year.


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About Durham Weather

I'm Dave O'Hara, a Weather Nut since 1974. I've been interested in recording local North East weather for the past 50+ years. I present my ramblings here and invite anyone to comment or ask questions.