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Posts posted by A Winter's Tale
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The readings for December 2022 but I’m suspicious of that particular station due to readings from May and October earlier that year.
There are some other readings I obtained from Starlings Roost Weather which may not be 100% accurate but I’ve included as date records. One example is the maximum of -0.5C at Braemar on October 31st. According to the Met office the official lowest October daily maximum is 0.4C at Glenmore Lodge on the 17th October 1973.
There are some other remarkable temperatures which appear to be valid. A maximum of -11.1C on the 14th November 1919 at Braemar is quite extraordinary. -13.9C on Christmas Eve 1860 at Glasgow is another.
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For January 2024 it appears some weather stations set new records for low temperatures aswell as record highs.
Record low maximum:Baltasound 0.1C 16th Jan
Islay 1.8C 17th Jan
Record low minimum:South Uist -5.0C 18th Jan
Harris -5.2C 17th Jan
Cairnwell -10.0C 17th Jan
Baltasound -10.4C 20th Jan
Achnagart -10.9C 18th Jan
Record high maximum:
Achfary 19.9C 28th JanKinlochewe 19.6C 28th Jan
Achnagart 17.5C 28th Jan
Cassley 17.5C 28th Jan
Loch Glascarnoch 17.4C 28th Jan
Altnaharra 16.9C 28th Jan
Aultbea 16.5C 28th Jan
Prestwick, Gannet 14.1C 23rd Jan
Threave 12.6C 23rd Jan
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Scotland low daily maximum extremes:
1 Jan -6.1 Braemar 1928
2 Jan -6.1 Braemar 1861
3 Jan -6.1 Braemar 1941
4 Jan -10.8 Braemar 1861
5 Jan -10.0 Edinburgh Royal Botanic 1941
6 Jan -10.0 Dall Rannoch School 1982
7 Jan -11.0 Dall Rannoch School 1982
8 Jan -10.0 Lagganila 1982
9 Jan -11.5 Grantown-on-Spey 1982
10 Jan -13.0 West Linton 1982
11 Jan -9.6 Bowhill 1982
12 Jan -11.7 Braemar 1963
13 Jan -8.9 Grantown-on-Spey 1979
14 Jan -6.1 Balmoral 1918, 1955, Kinlochewe 1955
15 Jan -6.6 Braemar 1955
16 Jan -5.0 Balmoral 1940
17 Jan -10.6 Braemar 1963
18 Jan -4.1 Braemar 1881
19 Jan -4.7 Braemar 2015
20 Jan -9.5 Perth Aerodrome 1984
21 Jan -6.1 Achnashellach 1940
22 Jan -6.1 Paisley 1940
23 Jan -6.7 Dumfries 1958
24 Jan -6.6 Braemar 1958, Keith 1984
25 Jan -8.9 Keith 1984
26 Jan -8.8 Braemar 1945
27 Jan -4.0 Dalwhinnie 1979
28 Jan -3.9 Braemar 1895
29 Jan -4.4 Stanhope Farm 1965
30 Jan -3.6 Braemar, Galashiels 1972
31 Jan -5.5 Dalwhinnie 2006
1 Feb -5.6 Balmoral 1956
2 Feb -5.5 Fettercairn 1956
3 Feb -4.6 Lairg 1980
4 Feb -6.1 Braemar 1912
5 Feb -4.5 Cassley 1979
6 Feb -3.3 Achany 1979
7 Feb -6.7 Braemar 1895
8 Feb -9.6 Braemar 1895
9 Feb -10.0 Braemar 1895
10 Feb -8.3 Braemar 1895
11 Feb -4.4 Achentoul 1970
12 Feb -5.7 Braemar 1895
13 Feb -7.1 Braemar 1860
14 Feb -5.9 Clashnoir 1979
15 Feb -9.0 Braemar 1978
16 Feb -6.7 Achentoul 1969
17 Feb -7.8 Inverurie 1969
18 Feb -6.7 Cannich 1960
19 Feb -4.5 Fyvie Castle 1978
20 Feb -3.3 Balmoral 1955, Braemar 1892, 1955
21 Feb -2.8 Fort Augustus 1955
22 Feb -6.1 Braemar 1955
23 Feb -7.7 Braemar 1955
24 Feb -3.3 Pitlochry 1963
25 Feb -2.8 Balmoral 1929
26 Feb -4.8 Keith 1986
27 Feb -4.3 Braemar 1986
28 Feb -4.9 Braemar 2018
29 Feb -0.6 Balmoral 1924
1 Mar -3.9 Corgarff Castle 2001
2 Mar -4.6 Cassley 2001
3 Mar -2.4 Glenmore Lodge 1962
4 Mar -1.7 Braemar 1862
5 Mar -1.6 Braemar, North Berwick 1942
6 Mar -3.3 Balmoral 1942
7 Mar -3.6 Braemar 1858
8 Mar -3.8 Braemar 1917
9 Mar -3.3 Braemar 1958
10 Mar -1.7 Stornoway 1874
11 Mar -2.2 Braemar 1958
12 Mar -2.2 Braemar 1937
13 Mar -1.7 Corgarff Castle, Dalwhinnie 1996, Fealar Lodge 1988
14 Mar -1.6 Braemar 1958
15 Mar -2.5 Braemar 1888
16 Mar -1.9 Braemar 1888
17 Mar -1.2 Braemar 1979, Kindrogan 2018
18 Mar -2.5 Clashnoir 1979
19 Mar -0.6 Balmoral 1930, Braemar 1867, 2013, Blythe, Camps Reservoir 1980
20 Mar -1.6 Glenmore Lodge 1980
21 Mar -2.4 Leadhills 1980
22 Mar -2.7 Braemar 1899
23 Mar -1.6 Braemar 2013
24 Mar -1.0 Leadhills 2013
25 Mar -0.8 Leadhills 2013
26 Mar -1.0 Braemar 1868, 1901
27 Mar -1.9 Braemar 1901
28 Mar -2.2 Braemar 1919
29 Mar -0.5 Knockanrock 1985
30 Mar -0.2 Braemar 1859
31 Mar -0.7 Glenmore Lodge 1970
1 Apr -1.1 Braemar 1917
2 Apr -0.5 Corgarff Castle 2000
3 Apr -0.6 Fealar Lodge 1990
4 Apr 0.5 Braemar 1958
5 Apr 1.0 Loch Glascarnoch 2021
6 Apr 0.0 Knockanrock 1968
7 Apr 0.8 Clashnoir 1977
8 Apr -1.0 Dalwhinnie 1975
9 Apr 0.1 Knockanrock 1975
10 Apr -0.5 Clashnoir, Dalwhinnie 1978
11 Apr 1.1 Braemar 1966
12 Apr 1.0 Dalwhinnie 1996
13 Apr 0.6 Corgarff Castle 1998
14 Apr 1.0 Corgarff Castle 1998
15 Apr 1.1 Balmoral, Gleneagles, Fettercairn, Cambs Reservoir 1966
16 Apr 0.2 Leadhills 1986
17 Apr 1.7 Balmoral 1928
18 Apr 0.8 Braemar 1859
19 Apr 0.9 Fealar Lodge 1991
20 Apr 1.7 Lerwick 1951
21 Apr 3.2 Braemar 1905
22 Apr 1.9 Baltasound 1981
23 Apr 1.1 Stornoway 1908
24 Apr 0.0 Edinburgh Blackford Hill 1908, Leadhills 1981
25 Apr 2.2 Baltasound 1985
26 Apr 1.6 Knockanrock 1989
27 Apr 0.0 Braemar 1919
28 Apr 1.1 Braemar, Balmoral 1929, Baltasound 1927
29 Apr 0.0 Balmoral 1945
30 Apr 1.5 Grantown-on-Spey 1973
1 May 1.6 Knockanrock 1979
2 May 2.0 Dalwhinnie 1982
3 May 2.4 Knockanrock 1979
4 May 2.2 Braemar 1947
5 May 3.5 Tomatin 1982
6 May 3.1 Cambs Reservoir 1982
7 May 2.7 Braemar 1924
8 May 1.6 Braemar 1917
9 May 2.2 Braemar 1917
10 May 3.3 Braemar 1917
11 May 2.7 Braemar 1923
12 May 3.9 Balmoral 1923
13 May 3.5 Whitehillocks 1993
14 May 2.6 Eskdalemuir 1993
15 May 3.3 Balmoral, Braemar 1923
16 May 2.2 Craibstone 1935
17 May 3.9 Balmoral 1935
18 May 5.0 Corgarff Castle, Boultenstone 1996
19 May 4.3 Braemar 1894
20 May 5.4 Braemar 1894
21 May 6.0 Corgarff Castle 1997
22 May 5.9 Braemar 1899
23 May 4.6 Braemar 1899
24 May 5.1 Braemar 1899
25 May 5.0 Balmoral 1923
26 May 5.0 St Kilda 1985
27 May 5.4 Tomatin 1980
28 May 5.7 Tomatin 1983
29 May 6.2 Corgarff Castle 1999
30 May 5.5 Lerwick 1962
31 May 4.9 Braemar 1902
1 Jun 5.4 Knockanrock 1975
2 Jun 5.1 Nunraw Abbey 1975
3 Jun 5.2 Braemar 1888
4 Jun 5.8 Corgarff Castle 2000
5 Jun 7.2 Balmoral 1935
6 Jun 5.7 Dalwhinnie 1977
7 Jun 7.4 Clashnoir 1977
8 Jun 7.8 Cape Wrath 1987
9 Jun 7.2 Balmoral 1958
10 Jun 6.3 Clashnoir 1977
11 Jun 5.9 Tomatin 1977
12 Jun 7.0 Braemar 1882
13 Jun 7.7 Braemar 1928, 1942
14 Jun 7.8 Lerwick 1952
15 Jun 6.5 Corgarff Castle 1994
16 Jun 7.7 Braemar 1923
17 Jun 7.8 Braemar 1903
18 Jun 8.8 Loch Glascarnoch 2015
19 Jun 7.9 Balmoral 2004
20 Jun 8.6 Leadhills 1980
21 Jun 8.5 Balmoral 1982, Knockanrock 1996, St Kilda 1984
22 Jun 8.3 Braemar 1934
23 Jun 8.3 Balmoral 1926
24 Jun 8.9 Baltasound 1918
25 Jun 7.7 Corgarff Castle 1997
26 Jun 8.5 Fair Isle 1979
27 Jun 8.3 Tomatin 1997
28 Jun 8.9 Baltasound 1989
29 Jun 7.7 Braemar 1919
30 Jun 8.0 Tomatin 1980
1 Jul 9.1 Braemar 1997
2 Jul 9.3 Braemar 1997
3 Jul 9.0 Glenmore Lodge 1978
4 Jul 8.5 Clashnoir, Tomatin 1978
5 Jul 7.5 Clashnoir 1978
6 Jul 8.7 Glenmore Lodge 1978
7 Jul 8.5 Lerwick 1978
8 Jul 8.9 Balmoral 1948
9 Jul 8.6 Loch Glascarnoch 1993
10 Jul 8.7 Loch Glascarnoch 1993
11 Jul 9.4 Cape Wrath 1978
12 Jul 9.3 Braemar 1998
13 Jul 9.4 Blyth Bridge 1965
14 Jul 8.9 Balmoral 1968
15 Jul 10.0 Cape Wrath 1962, Lerwick 1952
16 Jul 10.0 Cape Wrath 1957
17 Jul 10.3 Braemar 1903
18 Jul 9.5 Cape Wrath 1979
19 Jul 10.0 Cape Wrath 1979
20 Jul 9.6 Clashnoir 1978
21 Jul 10.1 Leadhills 1979
22 Jul 9.9 West Linton 1971
23 Jul 8.9 Balmoral 1971, Braemar 1867
24 Jul 9.6 Lerwick 1979
25 Jul 9.9 Braemar 1867, Fealar Lodge 1988
26 Jul 9.6 Braemar 1902
27 Jul 10.0 Balmoral, Braemar 1928
28 Jul 7.8 Balmoral 1965
29 Jul 8.0 Glenmore Lodge 1965
30 Jul 9.6 Braemar 1866
31 Jul 8.3 Glenlivet 1965
1 Aug 10.3 Eskdalemuir 1912
2 Aug 10.0 Baltasound 1964, Blackford Hill Edinburgh 1912
3 Aug 10.0 Lerwick 1956
4 Aug 9.7 Knockanrock 1977
5 Aug 10.4 Braemar 1902
6 Aug 9.4 Balmoral 1945
7 Aug 10.2 Braemar 1902
8 Aug 9.3 Braemar 1892
9 Aug 9.4 Corgarff Castle 1999
10 Aug 9.4 Braemar 1943
11 Aug 10.0 Braemar 1904
12 Aug 10.5 Braemar 1948, 1951
13 Aug 8.9 Braemar 1912
14 Aug 10.3 Braemar 1888
15 Aug 9.4 Braemar 1962, Balmoral 1964
16 Aug 9.0 Glenmore Lodge 1962
17 Aug 9.4 Stenness 1964
18 Aug 8.9 Lerwick 1964
19 Aug 10.0 Cape Wrath 1964
20 Aug 9.8 Braemar 1877
21 Aug 9.1 Braemar 1903
22 Aug 9.1 Ballater 1993
23 Aug 9.9 Lewick 1980
24 Aug 9.4 Balmoral 1923
25 Aug 9.4 Leadhills 1956
26 Aug 9.4 Stornoway 1919
27 Aug 10.1 Fair Isle, Lerwick 1979
28 Aug 9.1 Cromdale 2011
29 Aug 9.4 Grantown-on-Spey, Tomatin 1986
30 Aug 9.5 Clashnoir 1978
31 Aug 8.5 Braemar 1881
1 Sep 8.8 Braemar 1915
2 Sep 5.8 Braemar 1860
3 Sep 9.4 Braemar 1956, Tomatin 1984
4 Sep 7.7 Braemar 1925
5 Sep 7.5 Balmoral 1982
6 Sep 8.3 Lerwick 1983
7 Sep 8.2 Gartly 1985
8 Sep 8.3 Baltasound 1964, Glenmore Lodge 1965
9 Sep 6.8 Leadhills 1976
10 Sep 8.0 Glenmore Lodge 1976
11 Sep 7.5 Tomatin 1983
12 Sep 8.6 Braemar 1876, 1887, 1903, Tomatin 1983
13 Sep 7.2 Braemar 1913
14 Sep 7.8 Balmoral 1918
15 Sep 6.6 Braemar 1918
16 Sep 6.1 Balmoral 1918
17 Sep 6.7 Stornoway 1922
18 Sep 6.6 Braemar 1952
19 Sep 6.3 Fealar Lodge 1990
20 Sep 7.7 Kirkwall 1990
21 Sep 4.6 Glenmore Lodge 1979
22 Sep 5.6 Balmoral 1927
23 Sep 6.1 Braemar 1893
24 Sep 7.1 Braemar 1893, Leadhills 1990
25 Sep 6.5 Leadhills 1974
26 Sep 5.5 Strathdearn Dalarossie 2007
27 Sep 5.4 Glenmore Lodge, Leadhills 1975
28 Sep 6.1 Braemar 1974
29 Sep 4.4 Braemar 1915
30 Sep 6.1 Balmoral 1954
1 Oct 5.1 Braemar 1888
2 Oct 5.3 Braemar 1888
3 Oct 4.7 Loch Glascarnoch 1994
4 Oct 4.7 Gordon Castle 1888
5 Oct 4.3 Braemar 1888
6 Oct 3.1 Braemar 1888
7 Oct 2.8 Marchmont 1917
8 Oct 4.6 Knockanrock 1987
9 Oct 4.7 Fealar Lodge 1987
10 Oct 2.1 Braemar 1860
11 Oct 2.2 Braemar 1860
12 Oct 2.7 Braemar 1860
13 Oct 3.8 Braemar 1932
14 Oct 2.9 Braemar 1900
15 Oct 2.0 Knockanrock 1993
16 Oct 2.9 Carterhouse 1992
17 Oct 0.4 Glenmore Lodge 1973
18 Oct 2.0 Glenmore Lodge 1973
19 Oct 1.7 Stornoway 1880
20 Oct 1.6 Glenmore Lodge 1970
21 Oct -0.2 Braemar 1859
22 Oct 0.9 Braemar 1859
23 Oct 1.4 Glenmore Lodge 1964
24 Oct 1.1 Braemar 1931
25 Oct 1.7 Balmoral 1949
26 Oct 1.7 Wick 1948
27 Oct 1.1 Braemar 1890
28 Oct 1.4 Braemar 1865
29 Oct 1.1 Balmoral 1931
30 Oct 1.4 Auchen Castle 1992
31 Oct -0.5 Braemar 1859
1 Nov 0.5 Braemar 1930
2 Nov 1.6 Braemar 1922
3 Nov -2.2 Braemar 1860
4 Nov -0.6 Braemar 1968
5 Nov 1.0 Braemar 1878
6 Nov 0.1 Dalwhinnie 1984
7 Nov 0.0 Balmoral 1921, 1927
8 Nov 0.0 Braemar 1927
9 Nov -1.1 Dunning 1964
10 Nov -1.1 Balmoral 1966
11 Nov -1.1 Braemar 1919
12 Nov -1.1 Braemar 1919
13 Nov -1.1 Braemar 1919
14 Nov -11.1 Braemar 1919
15 Nov -1.4 Gordon Castle 1919
16 Nov -1.1 Braemar 1955
17 Nov -2.2 Fort Augustus 1947
18 Nov -3.3 Paisley 1915
19 Nov -2.2 Glasgow 1862
20 Nov -3.3 Lauder 1962
21 Nov -2.2 Glentress 1962
22 Nov -4.2 Kindrogan 1993
23 Nov -5.3 Aviemore 1993
24 Nov -4.3 Dingwall, Kiltarlity 1993
25 Nov -5.5 Braemar 1952
26 Nov -2.8 Glenmore Lodge 1973
27 Nov -4.0 Braemar 1890
28 Nov -5.6 Leadhills 1969
29 Nov -11.1 Braemar 1912
30 Nov -6.7 Altnaharra 2010
1 Dec -11.5 Altnaharra 2010
2 Dec -7.1 Cassley 2010
3 Dec -6.5 Fyvie Castle 2010
4 Dec -2.6 Braemar 1879
5 Dec -4.6 Cromdale 2016
6 Dec -5.0 Braemar 1913
7 Dec -8.9 Tyndrum 2010
8 Dec -7.5 Carlisle 2010
9 Dec -5.3 Stanhope Farm 1981
10 Dec -4.5 Dall Rannoch School 1981
11 Dec -5.2 Abbotsinch 1981
12 Dec -10.1 Penicuik 2022
13 Dec -5.9 Floors Castle 2022
14 Dec -6.5 Tummel Bridge 1989
15 Dec -6.5 Keith 1981
16 Dec -11.2 Braemar 1981
17 Dec -10.5 West Linton 1981
18 Dec -8.9 Braemar 1859
19 Dec -4.7 Gordon Castle 1886
20 Dec -7.3 Threave 2010
21 Dec -13.8 Altnaharra 2010
22 Dec -13.6 Altnaharra 2010
23 Dec -6.1 Tyndrum 2010
24 Dec -13.9 Glasgow 1860
25 Dec -12.8 Glasgow 1860
26 Dec -10.8 Tomatin 1995
27 Dec -13.3 Braemar 1995
28 Dec -13.0 Balmoral 1995
29 Dec -15.9 Fyvie Castle 1995
30 Dec -8.8 Strathconon 1978
31 Dec -7.4 Kindrogan 1978
I omitted some date records which didn’t seem plausible or were recorded at a station (such as Dawyck Botanic Gardens) with questionable readings.
The date records omitted include:
25 May 4.7* Dawyck Botanic Garden 2022
5 Jul 7.0* Faskally 2023
11 Jul 8.9* Faskally 2023
5 Oct 3.1* Durris 2022
18 Oct 1.8* Dawyck Botanic Garden 2022
7 Dec -11.4* Dawyck Botanic Garden 2010
13 Dec -6.0* Dawyck Botanic Garden 2022
14 Dec -8.6* Dawyck Botanic Garden 2022
I’ve excluded mountain stations such as Cairngorm Summit.
I am not 100% certain about the accuracy of all the date records but I’m confident the majority are valid.
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March 2006 was memorable for a remarkable snowfall on the 12th which was one of the largest snowfalls I’ve experienced. I didn’t get to measure it however at Bishopton the depth was 22cm - the highest snow depth in the Glasgow area since Dec 2000. The snow cover didn’t last long as milder Atlantic air arrived. The month as a whole was pretty cold - especially the first half.
I don’t have too many memories of Mar 2010 though I remember experiencing thundersnow for the first when driving near Fintry where a lot of snow had fallen at the end of the month. I can remember snow cover lasting into April on the Campsie Fells after a long, cold winter.
March 2012 was a very mild and dry month with an exceptional spell of early warmth around the 25th-28th with 20C recorded at Glasgow airport on the 26th and 27th.
March 2013 was a truly extraordinary month. The only days when maxima exceeded 10C were the first two days which was the last of a very fine settled spell at the end of February. Around a third of the way from the month it turned colder with snow showers arriving from the east and a depth of 2cm on the 10th. A very low temperature of -8C was recorded at Glasgow airport on 12th. This was followed by 16 consecutive days of maxima no higher than 6C from the 16th to 31st. A maximum of 1C on the 23rd was the coldest since 1980. It was a very snow period was snow falling on 13 out of 14 days from the 17th-30th. Despite this there was snow cover on only 5 days in that period with depths no greater than inch (which melted after sunrise). An inch of snow on the morning of the 28th remains the latest date I’ve recorded lying snow. The overall mean temperature at Glasgow airport was 2.6C (0.9C lower than the second coldest since 1973). With most of the cold weather occurring after mid month it was a reminder of how winter can make its presence felt so late in the season.
I quite liked March 2015 which was quite mixed with some sunshine, showers and was quite chilly at times. On the 3rd snow showers from the west brought 4cm.
2018 is best remembered for the Beast from the east. Most of the snow fell on the 28th Feb but the depth on the morning of 1st March was 26cm - the highest depth I recorded since I started in 2010. December 2010 was the last time I recorded a similar depth. 26cm is possibly an underestimate and Bishopton recorded 46cm. The snow was very powdery and the drifts were the most impressive I’ve experienced here. The maximum temperature on the 1st was 0C at Glasgow airport - the coldest for March in over 50 years of records. Despite the low temperatures the snow melted in the sunlight which resulted in icicles. It took around a day for traffic to return on some of the main roads. The first few days were quite cloudy with some light snow in the easterly wind. The first 4 days had maxima no higher than 2c and by the 4th the depth was 17cm - the 5th day with a depth of at least 6 inches. The snow cover was largely gone by the 6th with the arrival of less cold weather though it remained chilly throughout the rest of the month. I remember some nice spells of chilly and bright early Spring conditions. On the 18th cold and snow from the east returned with a fall of 5cm. This is the latest I’ve recorded a 2 inch snowfall (2017/18 was also the only time I’ve recorded 2 inch falls in December, January, February and March).
March 2022 was a very fine month with a lot of sunshine. The nights were quite cold with plenty of frosts and a low of -7C on the 7th. The 19th-28th saw notable maximum temperatures reminiscent of 2012. 17C was recorded on the 19th, 15C+ recorded 22nd to 28th with a high of 19C on the 23rd. It turned colder at the end of the month with some snow.
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I don’t have many clear weather memories of February in the 00s which stand out. I have a memory of deep snow cover at my grandparent’s and then being stuck on the M8 when travelling home during what I believe was the snowfall at the end of Feb 2001.
I can remember the sunshine in early Feb 2008. While staying a few nights in Oban one day was warm with temperatures of around 15C and we spent the afternoon at the beach.
My strongest memory of February weather in the 00s was 2009. It was the first time I had experienced a cold spell which lasted nearly two weeks. The snowfall on the 2nd was the largest since Mar 2006. Sadly it was all gone the following day as forecast of overnight snow ended up as rain. On the 4th a fall of snow brought a dusting. The frontal snowfall on the evening of the 8th was the most significant of the cold spell. I think there was another fall of snow around the 12th.
I have vague memories of Feb 2010 being generally cold with some snow at the end of the month.
Feb 2013 had a couple of snow falls early in the month. A north westerly brought an inch of the snow and lightning late on the 3rd. A frontal snowfall on the 8th was the largest of the winter with 8cm. The highlight of the month was the second half of the month which was largely calm, settled, dry and sunny. The transition from winter to Spring was very evident with temperates climbing during the day to after frosty nights with minima as low as -7C. Elements of both seasons was evident in terms of the quality of light with a wintry element still present but the stronger sunlight and longer daylight also becoming more clear. There were some fantastic sunsets during this period - a very fine period of late winter weather.
The first week of Feb 2015 had around an inch of snow cover following the snowfall at the end of January. This period was quite sunny aswell. There was an impressive sunset across Scotland on the 7th.
2018 is best remembered for the beast from the east. Overall it was a decent winter month with a few snowfalls bringing a covering of snow earlier in the month. It was generally cold and sunny month too. The end of the month was remarkable. The snow really started to get going late on the 27th with an inch by the end of the day. It continued into the 28th and the Met office issued a red warning for heavy snow. By the end of the day the depth was 23cm and another 3cm was added early on 1st March. This depth is the highest I’ve recorded since I started measuring in 2010. Prior to 2010, the only snowfalls this century that rival 2018 were Dec 2000 and Mar 2006. The remarkable thing about 28th February was the maximum temperature at Glasgow airport was -3C. In records going back to 1973 this was coldest maximum temperature during the second half of winter. For it to happen on the final day of winter was extraordinary as well as the heavy snow and strong winds which accompanied the low temperatures. The spectacle of whiteouts, freezing cold powdery snow which drifted, and a bitter wind chill is an experience I’ll never forget.
Feb 2021 was a month of two halves. Initially it was quite unpleasant with a lot of wet weather as the weather started to transition to something colder. Snow from the easterly started on the 7th. 6cm fell on the 8th and the depth peaked at 11cm the following day. The following days were cold and sunny. The stronger sun reduced the snow cover somewhat however the period 8-14th February had at least 5cm of snow on the ground at some point. It would be difficult for snow to last so long in sunny conditions after this point in the winter. It was a notably cold period a daily mean of -4.5c on the 11th at Glasgow airport the lowest in available records dating back to 1973. In addition, only two days in the last 50 years have recorded lower maxima (3 days with highs of 0C) and minima (-11C on the 11th). This was a very ideal period of winter weather. If you can’t have a protracted severe cold spell like 2010 or a major snowfall like 2018 then a spell like Feb 2021 is the next best thing: a fall of 10cm, up to a week of 5cm accompanied with sunshine, daytime highs struggling to get above freezing and a sub -10c low. The month as a whole didn’t turn out too cold as the final two weeks were very mild but sunny.
It’s difficult to choose one month as my favourite. It’s a choice between 2013, 2018 and 2021.
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I can’t think of many Januaries which stand out prior to 2010. 2009 I recall was pretty seasonal - especially the first few days.
2010 was probably the most memorable largely because of the persistent low temperatures and snow cover during the first half of the winter. Most of the snow had fallen on 19 Dec 2009 although there was a top up early on the 5th January. The 8th January was the first very cold day I can remember with a high of -6C and a minimum of -12C at Glasgow airport. I can’t remember exactly when the snow cover disappeared but I remember it was rather sudden and unexpected. The rest of the month was generally cold with some snow. At Glasgow airport it was the coldest January since 1987 with a mean of 1.1C.
January 2013 was an immensely frustrating month. The first couple of weeks were mild before it turned colder around mid month. January 2013 remains the last time Glasgow airport had 14 consecutive days of maxima 5C or less. The lowest temperatures were unimpressive with a maxima of 1C and minima of -4C. Snow fell on 9 days but it mostly struggled to settle. There was snow cover on 4 days with a depth no greater than a slushy cm. 2013 was no 2010!
2015 is pretty close to 2010 in terms of my favourite January. Like 2013 the first ten days were largely mild with some stormy weather at times. It started to turn colder with some snow around Jan 10th with a cm of snow late on the 13th. Then on the 16th snow showers from the west brought 6cm of snow. Around 3-5cm of snow stayed on the ground until the 23rd. From the 16th to the 22nd the temperature didn’t exceed 4C at Glasgow airport with 19th-21st the coldest days with highs of 0 to 1C and lows of -5 to -7C. The period was also accompanied with quite a lot of nice mid winter sunshine. Snow returned late on the 28th and I think I saw some lighting flashes that evening. On the morning of the 29th there was a depth of 7cm. Over an inch of snow would remain on the ground until the 4th February with the snow disappearing on the 8th. This period was also pretty sunny. From the 13th Jan to 8th Feb there were 22 days with snow cover at some point, 16 with 2cm+ and 10 with around 5cm. Definitely one of my favourite spells of winter weather.
Jan 2018 wasn’t bad either. The first few weeks were quite cold overall. At the beginning of the month it was quite settled a low of -9C on the 8th was the lowest temperature at Glasgow airport since Dec 2010. The period 15-21 Jan was pretty snowy. The 16th was very snowy with 9cm - the highest depth since 2010. Over the following days the snow cover was reduced with depths varying from 3-7cm (depending on where I measured). It was quite frustrating as the wet snow showers often alternated between melting and adding to the existing snow cover. On the 21st the cold spell came to an end with a frontal snowfall. The depth was 10cm after a fresh fall of 5cm. While not as impressive as 2018 there were 7 days with over an inch of lying snow. The remainder of the month was milder and unsettled.
January 2021 was the coldest month at Glasgow airport since Dec 2010 with a mean of 1.3C. It also saw the coldest temperature since 2010 with a low of -11C on the 9th. The cold weather at the end of December continued to the 9th Jan. It wasn’t a snowy period but a fall of snow on the 7th brought 4cm. The rest of the month saw more falls of snow but only slight coverings. The period was most notable for the absence of mild days (only 5 days with maxima 7C+).
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A temperature of 19.2C has been recorded at Kinlochewe. This is a record winter temperature for Scotland and a record January temperature for the UK.
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After last night’s snow showers the snow cover this morning was the most I had during the spell after the dusting from previous falls. It was a nice spell of winter weather with crisp winter sunshine during the day, harsh frosts overnight and a dusting of snow - which is probably the next best type of winter weather after the winter wonderland scenes experienced further north. The pictures from parts of northern Scotland were really fantastic and I take it this cold spell was unusually snowy even by the highland’s standards. The next time there’s a potent northerly I might be tempted to have a weekend away in the highlands to catch the snow!
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A lovely winter’s day with Glasgow airport recording a high of 2C after a low of -9C. I suspect if yesterday had delivered in terms of snow sub -10C would have been possible. Yesterday’s snow flattered to deceive after a big build up (a little like this cold spell sine might say) but it wasn’t that surprising as it appeared the precipitation would likely miss the central belt to the south (and if it had stayed further north it probably would have been a snow-rain event anyway). What was more surprising was how the Met office and BBC expected more snow than was likely to happen. It’s fair to say the Met Office hasn’t had the best of winters: underestimating falls of snow and a storm in December and overestimating snow on Tuesday. So far this cold spell reminds me a lot of late January 2019 which saw similar temperatures here and snow cover was no better than a dusting with one snow fall not producing as much as hoped. Hopefully February turns out differently than 2019!
Looking at the weather stations across Scotland it appears pretty much all of Scotland had maxima below 3C. Around 20 stations failed to get above freezing (mainly in the highlands) and Dalwhinnie has struggled to get above -6C so far after an overnight low of -14C.- 10
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1 hour ago, damianslaw said:I'd say high chance of ice days Wed and Thursday in central Scotland. Minimal solar heating throughout Jan, not until mid Feb does it start to have an affect. Ice days can easily be achiebed well into March in the right conditions.
Looking at the records for Glasgow airport going back to 1973 it’s very clear ice days are more easily achieved in the first half of winter.
Number of days with maxima -0.5C or lower:
November 7
December 52
1-15 Jan 15
16-31 Jan 6
Feb 2
Obviously the figures for the first half of winter are distorted by the cold spells in 1979, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1995, 2000, 2009 and 2010 and there has been a lack of notable cold spells occurring after mid January in the last 50 years. The number of days with maxima below -0.5C is almost the same for November as the second half of winter and there have been more days with maxima below -6C in the first half of winter than -0.5C in the second. I think this emphasises how difficult it becomes to achieve low maxima as winter progresses.
The days which recorded such maxima mid January onwards are: 18 Jan 1975 (-1), 17 Jan 1977 (-1), 31 Jan 1977 (-1), 15 Feb 1979 (-1), 20 Jan 1984 (-2), 30 Jan 2006 (-1), 20 Jan 2011 (-1), 28 Feb 2018 (-3). It just goes to show how extreme the beast from the east was to achieve such as low temperature so late in the season and accompanied with heavy snow and strong winds. It will be interesting to see if 2024 can join the list of the rare number of days post 15th January with maxima no higher than -1C.
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A very cold evening after a fine sunny winter’s day. Glasgow airport already down to -5C after a high of 2C. Last night’s snow shower left a dusting which has remained and is certainly more than I would expect from a northerly.
As for tomorrow I’m not expecting much more than an inch at best though I suspect some places where precipitation is heaviest and with some height there could be 5-10cm. It’s very much a nowcasting situation. While tomorrow doesn’t appear likely to be a memorable snow fest hopefully most of us will have a decent covering that lasts for a few days.
After tomorrow it seems we could be in for some low temperatures (particularly at night). I’m sceptical of ice days in central Scotland as they are rarer in the second half of winter. However low night time minima is possible (especially if there is snow cover and light winds). The Met office are hinting at sub -10C for Glasgow which would be pretty notable should it happen.
So while this cold spell is not the classic we hoped for it’s better than having no cold spell. Much of northern Scotland have experienced frequent snow showers with drifting lying snow and hopefully tomorrow this of us in central Scotland will join in on the action.
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Fluffy snowflakes falling now instead of graupel.
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A shower has arrived which appears to be light graupel. Encouraging to see showers making it this far south already.
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2 hours ago, Glaswegianblizzard said:Are we looking at a potential 2009/10 style cold spell here (which we are probably overdue if we don’t count the BFTE in 2018?), or is it looking less sustained than that?
My phone was earlier showing temps in Glasgow of around -12 during next week, but these have since been replaced with around -6/-7.
Popped into the model thread, absolutely nothing of use on display in there…
At the moment it looks like this cold spell will be closer to Dec 2022 and Feb 2021 than 2009/10. The models are showing a week long cold spell which is a decent length but obviously not as impressive as the two week+ spells in 2010. Since then there haven’t been too many cold spells longer than a week. Here’s a list of spells with 7+ consecutive days of 5c or lower maxima at Glasgow airport: Jan 2011 (7), Jan-Feb 2012 (9), Nov-Dec 2012 (9), Jan 2013 (14), Mar 2013 (8), Jan 2015 (7), Jan-Feb 2015 (7), Jan 2016 (9), Jan 2018 (7), Feb-Mar 2018 (9), Dec 2020-Jan 2021 (13), Jan-Feb 2021 (10), Feb 2021 (8), Dec 2022 (10).
There is the chance the cold spell could be extended as there is uncertainty concerning the strength of the high pressure over Greenland, the possibility of a wedge of high pressure persisting to our north as well as cold weather being difficult to shift.
The duration of cold temperatures is only one factor in determining the magnitude of a cold spell. The depth of cold is another. According to the GFS 06z we could be looking at 4-5 days with widespread maxima of 0C or lower which is pretty notable. In the past 50 years at Glasgow airport there have only been two days with maxima -2C or lower in the second half of winter (there’s a chance we could see such a temperature during this spell). There’s also the chance of notable minima - especially in the highlands and parts of the southern uplands - as the charts posted on this thread showed last night. I think we lows of -15 to -20C are quite likely in the highlands (-20C a possibility) and in central Scotland we could see -7 to -12C.
With regards to snow it’s too early to tell but I’d say most places north of Dundee should be in the firing line of most showers. In such set ups, for most inland places we are relying on features popping up out of nowhere to deliver a surprise. It’s possible this cold spell could be predominately dry like Dec 2022 but even the spell provided a decent fall here towards the end. Also there’s always the chance of a battleground snowfall during the breakdown. Looking at the models there is a feature which could bring snow (should the warm sector play ball) to western and central areas although I suspect it may end up tracking further south to impact SW Scotland and NW England.
So, while this cold spell may not (yet) be a repeat of 2010 as some charts promised over a week ago this still looks like a reasonable cold spell and at the moment the signs are positive for the rest of winter. This winter has already produced a couple of decent falls so I’d take one big fall of 10cm+ or a smaller fall which leaves a few cm lasting for a few days. Despite the complaints from some in the model thread about the lack of snow (primarily for southern England) Scotland is in a decent position to experience snow and hopefully we’ll enjoy widespread snow cover.
The charts at the moment remind me a little of late Dec 2000 which lasted for little more than a week. At Glasgow airport there were 5 consecutive ice days, a low of -11C and one fall of snow dumped around 20cm in the area. It’s an example of how cold spells don’t need to be prolonged to pack a punch. And you don’t need stonking high latitude blocking to produce impactful winter weather. Looking through the archives of some of the notable periods of winter weather it’s striking how quite a lot of the charts are not that impressive at face value (at least by the standards set by some in the model thread).
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Apparently the latest run from the ECM is a disaster according to some on the model thread. Well, it appears they may be on to something as it looks a disaster for travelling across Scotland.
Still lots of uncertainty regarding specifics but there are lots of reasons to be optimistic for Scotland experiencing a cold and potentially snowy weather in the heart of winter. Potentially, this month could end up with a sub zero mean temperature for Scotland should the cold persist into the last third of the month.
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Top 30 In Scotland:
Dec 2010 -1.7
Jan 2010 0.2
Dec 1995 0.3
Feb 2010 0.4
Dec 2009 0.5
Jan 2021 0.6
Feb 1994 1.3
Jan 2001 1.3
Mar 2013 1.3
Feb 1996 1.4
Dec 2022 1.6
Feb 2018 1.6
Dec 1996 1.7
Dec 1999 1.9
Feb 2001 1.9
Jan 1995 2.0
Jan 1997 2.0
Jan 2011 2.1
Jan 2018 2.1
Feb 2013 2.2
Feb 2016 2.2
Dec 2008 2.3
Dec 2012 2.3
Mar 2018 2.3
Jan 1994 2.4
Mar 2001 2.4
Dec 2001 2.4
Mar 2006 2.4
Jan 2019 2.4
Jan 2009 2.5
Jan 2015 2.5
Feb 2021 2.5
Interestingly, despite the notable periods of weather which occurred during this months, Dec 2000, Feb 2009 and Jan 2013 fail to make the list and Feb 2021 will miss out should this month record a mean of 2.4 or less.
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Well the 2nd day of December produced a surprise snowfall and the 2nd last day of December delivered one of the most surprising snow events I can recall. In recent years frontal snow-rain events have struggled to result in anything more than a brief covering. The lack of a warning by the Met office suggested more of the same but ultimately up to 7cm of snow fell which is the most for a frontal event here since 2013. The downside of most frontal snowfalls is how rare it is for snow cover to last and today is no different. However the excitement of seeing the snow pelting it down and readily accumulating makes it worth it - even more so when it’s unexpected - and a proper frontal snowfall was well overdue.
Despite how mild December 2023 has been it’s remarkable I’ve seen more 2 inch + snowfalls than in December 2010 - in fact I can’t recall this happening before in December. The winter of 2021/22 was similar in terms of over delivering decent falls of snow in an otherwise poor winter.
Hopefully 2024 can offer more sustained periods of winter weather. The models so far today appear to be more optimistic about the prospects of cold and possibly snowy weather commencing the second week of January. I’m expecting January to be much colder than December though it wouldn’t surprise if it doesn’t surpass this month’s snowfalls. Having already experienced a couple of decent falls I’m looking forward to more sustained snow cover or at least some fine, crisp winter conditions instead of the Atlantic driven weather of late. At the moment it looks like we could have a lot to look forward to as we enter the new year.
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The second surprise snowfall of the month with 4.5cm so far - easily best frontal snowfall event since 2018.
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Around 5-5.5cm which is pretty impressive considering the Met office expected 1-3cm above 200m.
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A nice surprise snowfall to start winter. Around 3.5-4cm of snow after yesterday’s maximum of -1C. Winter 2023/24 has delivered more in just over 24hrs than some entire winters. Hopefully a sign of things to come.
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After a cold few days we are set for even colder weather to end November and December. The early winter period isn’t renowned for cold and settled conditions (it has been particularly rare in the years since 2010) so it’s refreshing for winter to start on a seasonal note for the second year in a row.
Currently the cold spell appears to be a lesser version of last December with a shorter duration and it’s unlikely we’ll get back to back days of maxima widely well below freezing and minima below -10C.
In terms of snow last December’s cold spell was dry with most of the snow confined to northern Scotland - although I enjoyed a decent fall towards the end of the spell. This year looks largely the same with largely dry conditions and snow showers predominantly affecting northern and eastern parts of Scotland. As always with cold spells there’s the chance of surprises coming out of nowhere. Here in the Glasgow area I’ll be happy to see the first snow flakes of the season though I have my fingers crossed for at least a covering.
The model thread has been very up and down over the last few days (what’s new) over details of the length of the cold weather and snow prospects. It does seem unlikely that the cold weather will not persist beyond Dec 5th though past experience suggests we should not underestimate the ability for cold spells to last longer than initially expected - especially with a lot of cold air across Europe.
The fact we are experiencing this cold spell in spite of unfavourable factors boded well for later in the winter so even if things turn less cold by mid December I expect it won’t be long before we see a return of seasonal weather.
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21st Century Winters - rank from favourite to least favourite
in Historic Weather
Posted
With the meteorological winter coming to end I’ve been thinking about my favourite and least favourite winters of the first quarter of the 21st Century.
My memory of winner weather goes back to 1999/00 though it’s fairly patchy up to 2004/05.
When it comes to ranking winters I consider the quality of highlights (largest snowfall, lowest temperatures, longest duration of low temperatures and snow cover, coldest month), the winter as a whole (total number and distribution of days with falling/lying snow, low temperatures and the overall mean temperature) and in the absence of seasonal winter weather I also consider sunshine, variety, interesting weather events such as storms and very mild temperatures.
I’ve included cold and snowy weather outside the meteorological winter.
Starting in November 2010 I’ve been keeping records of snowfalls and depths. Snow depth data for nearby stations has been helpful for winters before 2010/11 - especially the early 00s.
2009/10 - The coldest winter I’ve experienced with cold weather throughout and lasting into Spring. The cold spell of mid Dec-mid Han was very notable and snow lay on the ground for more than 20 days (the longest duration I’ve experienced) after a decent fall on 20 Dec. There was a white (and sunny) Christmas and some very low temperatures at times. The second half of winter wasn’t as eventful but remained cold with some snow (which settled at times). Snow patches lasted on Campsie Fells until early May (thanks to snow in late Mar) and the final snowfall on May 10th (latest date I’ve seen snow) ended a remarkable season.
2010/2011 - Very cold and snowy thanks to the historic period of winter weather of late November and December 2010. This rank a the most exceptional period of weather I’ve experienced (26 Nov-8 Dec probably my favourite spell of weather). There were a couple of significant snowfalls (28 Nov and 6 Dec) with accumulations up to 25cm. Early December saw the lowest temperatures I’ve experienced while late December saw a remarkable spell of very low temperatures. There was a white Christmas before the cold conditions ended. The rest of the winter was more ordinary but there were some further snowfalls which settled and January was a seasonal month.
2018/19 - Cold and snowy with episodes of cold and wintry weather from late November to early April. I recorded six 2 inch + snowfalls (occurring in Dec, Jan x2, Feb, Mar) which is the highest I’ve recorded for a winter. There was a surprise last minute white Christmas and a decent snowy period after mid Jan. The highlight was the Beast from the East 28 Feb/1 Mar with the highest snow depth I’ve recorded (26cm). Combined with low temperatures, wind chill and drifting this ranks as one of the most exceptional weather events I’ve experienced. There was another snowy easterly later in March.
2000/01 - Cold with generally cold conditions from late December into March. Notable cold spell late December with White Christmas, significant snowfall on 27th (around 25cm) and some very low temperatures. Some snow and low temperatures late Feb/early Mar.
2020/21 - Cold with generally cold conditions late December to mid February. Memorable cold spell early February with decent snowfall and some low temperatures (accompanied with sunshine).
2014/15 - Average temperatures, the highlight was mid Jan-early Feb with up to 20 days of lying snow as a result of two decent snowfalls.
2012/13 - Cold with episodes of cold weather throughout from late October lasting well into Spring. Early snow on October 26 (earliest I’ve recorded) , cold late Nov-early Dec, prolonged cold spell in January with not a lot of accumulating snow, some decent falls early Feb, fine settled conditions late Feb. Notable prolonged cold March 2013 with snow falling in many days and the latest dates I’ve recorded lying snow (28 Mar).
2008/09 - Quite cold with on and off periods of cold weather from late October. Some cold late Nov/early Dec, settled cold conditions late Dec/early Jan. The highlight was the noteworthy cold spell in early February which produced a couple of decent snowfalls.
2005/06 - Average winter with not a lot of snow. Snow late November, cold Christmas and early March with the highlight of season being the significant snowfall on March 12th (around 20cm).
2001/02 - Average, quite cold December, rest of the winter was milder with some days with settling snow.
2004/05 - Mild though there was a White Christmas, decent snowfall on Jan and some settling snow in late Feb/early March.
1999/00 - Quite cold and snowy December, the rest of the winter was mild with not much snow.
2022/23 - Average despite some notable cold weather in December. Little snow other than a decent fall in December. Snow less second half of winter, some snow in March.
2011/12 - Milder than average, unsettled with a couple of notable storms. Couple of decent falls in December.
2002/03 - Average with some snow in early Feb.
2023/2024 - Mild, unsettled and stormy at times. Very little snow despite two decent falls in December.
2021/22 - Mild, quiet December and January and very little snow other than a couple of a decent falls.
2015/16 - Mild and very wet with little snow. A decent fall of snow in mid January and some wintry weather in April.
2018/19 - Mild and quiet with little snow. Some notable mild weather in February.
2019/20 - Mild with little snow, very wet - especially February. Snow on May 10th joint latest I’ve experienced.
2003/04 - I can’t remember much about this winter - it appears there wasn’t much worth remembering in terms of snow.
2007/08 - Mild with little snow. Some mild sunshine in February, cold conditions in Spring at times.
2006/07 - Very Mild with some stormy conditions and not much snow.
2016/17 - Very Mild and uneventful with little snow. November was cold and a snowfall on the 8th saw the earliest snow cover I’ve recorded.
2013/14 - Mild and very wet and stormy. Not a lot of snow and very little in the way of snow cover other than a couple of brief dustings.