FEBRUARY 2012
It was the mildest February since 1998 & the driest since 1993.
The mean maximum temperature of 7.7 was 1.6 above the long-term area average, while the mean minimum temperature of 1.3 was 1.7 above the long-term average.
The month began with a cold spell, with a maximum of 0.0 on the 2nd & a minimum of -9.6 on the morning of the 3rd. though no records broken here.


The area escaped the worst of a mid-month cold spell that was concentrated over large parts of England & after the 20th, there wasn't a single air frost & only 1 very slight ground frost. The 23rd saw a new record maximum for February of 15.1 established. Daily maximum in double figures became the norm in this period.


Snow was largely conspicuous by its absence, with the heaviest fall only amounting to 5 cms. The rainfall total of 27.9mms was only 36% of the long-term normal & the wettest day only had a fall of 6.8mms. Many surfaces began to look unusually dry for the time of year


So all in all, a very easy winter month to cope with----welcome savings on heating for much of the month & less gritting & salting for the roads & pavements.