Local Forecasts, History & Records
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 …
After the heavy rain of 14th August 2023, I set about looking back on days with similar totals in Durham since I started recording here. The total for 14th August was exactly 30.0 mm, which seems a suitable total to use as a threshold. Here’s what I found: 26th September 2024 51.1mm 14th August 2023 30.0mm 17th November …
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 …
May 2023 starts in showery mood May 2023 started in a showery mood on 1st, with heavy rain and a sharp drop in temperature just after lunch. The thermometer dropped from 15.4 degC at 13:31 to 9.8 degC just an hour later. On 9th there were some very heavy showers, especially around mid-day, yielding 8.6mm in total for the day. …
Outdoor Sensor Failure Unfortunately I experienced a failure of the weather station outdoor sensor this month so I have limited direct statistics. Air pressure and rainfall were still recorded, but outside temperatures and humidity were not available from the 6th April 2023. A new sensor was fitted on 26th April, but it needs to be left to ‘soak’ to reach …
What do people search for at Durham Weather? Here at Durham Weather, we are always interested in what others are searching for when they find us. The weather is of course very seasonal, and the popularity of certain subjects obviously changes with those seasons, especially in winter, when extreme weather captures people’s attention. In the last 12 months, the most …