DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT LAST MARCH WAS LIKE?


Well, in several aspects it was quite exceptional, perhaps a once in a lifetime experience.

1.The average maximum temperature at 13.0 degrees was by far & away the highest in records going back to 1976 (The normal being 8.4).

2.The highest temperature in March 2012 was 21.7 (recorded on both the 26th & 27th. The previous record high was 17.6 back in 2003.

3.It was the driest March locally since at least 1954. Only 11.7mms fell, just 14% of the long-term average

4. The highest rainfall total of the wettest day was only 2.5mms. & 19 days had no measurable rain at all.


SO WHAT'S ON THE HORIZON FOR THIS MARCH?

(Daily updates of the longer-term outlook can be found by pressing the LINK to the Met. Office Site)
PLEASE NOTE THAT LONG_TERM FORECASTING IS EXPERIMENTAL & OFTEN LEAVES MUCH TO BE DESIRED.

Continuing mostly dry & settled throughout the first week & perhaps a day or two beyond. After that, things are likely to become rather more unsettled, with more cloud, stronger winds & an increased likelihood of some rain, though some dry spells & some sunshine can still be expected.

During the 2nd half of the month, it is likely to be colder than normal, with winds frequently in the E or SE. However, it looks likely that rainfall amounts will be below normal, with probably little in the way of frost or snowfall at normal altitudes.


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