Jan Summary

  
                   SUMMARY OF JANUARY 2014

VERY WET,  DAYTIME TEMPERATURES NEAR NORMAL, NIGHTS MILD,

DULL,    LOW AMOUNTS OF SUNSHINE,  FEW FROSTS,  LITTLE SNOW


January 2014 had 213% of normal rainfall, the total being 232.7mms.  It was the 4th wettest January in 60 years of local records.  Only in 1974,1993,& 2008 was January wetter. However, none of the 3 wetter Januarys was preceded by a very wet December as was the case this year & when adding together the 2 months, we get an astonishing figure of 473mms ( equivalent to half of the average amount that can be expected in an average whole year).

All the cloud & rain associated with this year's exceptionally wet January, inevitably had repercussions on other aspects of the weather.  Night- times were 2 degrees above normal & the number of air frosts was unusually low- just 8.  The lowest temperature during January was -4.0 (12th): one usually expects lower in Highland glens.  Snow was largely conspicuous by its absence, though with much of our rain falling in temperatures between 2 & 4 degrees, the higher hills round & about had
considerably more snow falling & lying in their lower temperatures. 

Daytime temperatures (normally referred to as the maximum) came out as spot-on average. Not unusually in winter, some maximum temperatures occurred overnight.

So, weather wise, an interesting month, though frustrating for those who like frosty, though dry & sunny conditions. Unfortunately, there are no signs for the time being of  anything that could be described as dry & settled.
                                                                                                 Barry (01/02/14 )