October 2024 in Durham and the UK
Ah, October in the UK—a month where the weather often feels like it’s playing a game of “guess what’s next.” In 2024, October didn’t disappoint, serving up a mix of sunshine, showers, and a few surprises.
A Tale of Two Halves
The month kicked off with a blend of wet and dry spells. Early October saw rain sweeping across the Midlands and East Anglia, giving gardens a good drink. But, as if to keep us on our toes, high-pressure systems moved in, bringing settled conditions and a touch of autumnal calm.
Storm Ashley Makes an Entrance
Just when we thought we had the weather figured out, along came Storm Ashley—the first named storm of the 2024/25 season. Developing rapidly over the Atlantic, Ashley brought wet and windy conditions between the 20th and 21st, especially hitting the north and west. Winds reached up to 80 mph, causing travel disruptions and reminding us that Mother Nature likes to keep things interesting.
Temperature Twists and Turns
Temperatures in October were a bit of a rollercoaster. Londoners basked in an unseasonably warm 22.5°C on the 16th, while folks in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, shivered with a high of just 5.6°C on the 13th. The lowest minimum temperature recorded was -4.1°C in Braemar and Aboyne, both in Aberdeenshire, on the 3rd and 14th, respectively.
Sunshine and Showers
Sunshine was a bit of a mixed bag. While Northern Ireland and Wales enjoyed average sunshine hours, Scotland’s west was a bit gloomier compared to its east. England saw more sunshine in the north than the south, with the UK overall clocking in at 97% of the average monthly sunshine hours.
Flooding Fiascos
October didn’t just bring wind and rain; it also delivered some unwelcome flooding. On the 1st, Cambridgeshire faced floods in Peterborough and St Ives, with the River Great Ouse reaching record levels. These floods caused disruptions and served as a soggy reminder of the UK’s vulnerability to such events.
A Glimpse Ahead
As October wrapped up, high-pressure systems began to build, hinting at more settled conditions for early November.
However, the UK’s weather is nothing if not unpredictable, so it’s always wise to keep an umbrella handy.
A little late this month, but here are the numbers for October 2024 in Durham
Mean Temp: 10.6 degC (+0.6)
Mean Max : 14.0 (+0.5)
Mean Min : 7.8 (+1.3)
Absolute Max : 17.9 degC on Oct 28th
Absolute Min : 2.0 degC on Oct 14th
Air Frosts : 0 (-1)
Total Rain : 68.0 mm (+4.6)
Wettest Day : 22.3 mm on Oct 9th
Rain Days : 18 (+6)
Average per rain day : 3.8 mm
Barometer Max : 1033.2 mb on Oct 22nd
Barometer Min : 992.2 mb on Oct 9th
Barometer Mean : 1015.8 mb
So, how did October’s weather impact your plans? Did you find yourself caught in a downpour or basking in unexpected sunshine? Share your experiences—I’d love to hear your stories!
