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The weather in February The weather in February
(6 months later)
February was one of the few “normal” months of recent months. Most areas were milder and wetter than average, but not to the exceptional degree of earlier in the winter. Once again the south-east of the UK was drier than the north-west, and eastern England had below-average rainfall. It was the coldest month of the winter, typically for an El Niño season. The average Central England Temperature (CET) for the winter as a whole was provisionally 6.73C, following the warmth of December. There has been no significantly warmer winter in over 350 years on this CET series (statistically, 1868-9 was very slightly warmer at 6.77C).February was one of the few “normal” months of recent months. Most areas were milder and wetter than average, but not to the exceptional degree of earlier in the winter. Once again the south-east of the UK was drier than the north-west, and eastern England had below-average rainfall. It was the coldest month of the winter, typically for an El Niño season. The average Central England Temperature (CET) for the winter as a whole was provisionally 6.73C, following the warmth of December. There has been no significantly warmer winter in over 350 years on this CET series (statistically, 1868-9 was very slightly warmer at 6.77C).
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TemperaturesTemperatures
The average CET was 5.1C, 0.7C above the 1981-2010 average. The mean temperature in Scotland was just 2.9C however, only 0.1C above average. Scotland was quite a lot colder than England and Wales for the second successive month due to the greater frequency of Polar air masses here. The lowest temperature of the month was –14C at Braemar, Aberdeenshire early on 14 February. The highest temperature was 16C on 21 February at Exeter Airport.The average CET was 5.1C, 0.7C above the 1981-2010 average. The mean temperature in Scotland was just 2.9C however, only 0.1C above average. Scotland was quite a lot colder than England and Wales for the second successive month due to the greater frequency of Polar air masses here. The lowest temperature of the month was –14C at Braemar, Aberdeenshire early on 14 February. The highest temperature was 16C on 21 February at Exeter Airport.
RainfallRainfall
Most areas had a moderately wet month but, once again, with the prevalence of westerly winds, there was a gradient from a wetter-than-average west of the UK to a slightly drier-than-average eastern England, as shown on the graphic. The England and Wales average rainfall was 121% of average. The equivalent figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland were 119% and 126% respectively. However, the latter part of the month provided a welcome respite from heavy rain for most of the UK.Most areas had a moderately wet month but, once again, with the prevalence of westerly winds, there was a gradient from a wetter-than-average west of the UK to a slightly drier-than-average eastern England, as shown on the graphic. The England and Wales average rainfall was 121% of average. The equivalent figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland were 119% and 126% respectively. However, the latter part of the month provided a welcome respite from heavy rain for most of the UK.
SunshineSunshine
February was a moderately sunny month in most areas. Unsettled winter months are often quite sunny and February was a good example of this tendency. Total sunshine averaged 85 hours across England and Wales and a quite respectable 77 hours across Scotland. Northern Ireland was slightly below average at 73 hours.February was a moderately sunny month in most areas. Unsettled winter months are often quite sunny and February was a good example of this tendency. Total sunshine averaged 85 hours across England and Wales and a quite respectable 77 hours across Scotland. Northern Ireland was slightly below average at 73 hours.
WindsWinds
There were two named storms in February; Henry on the 1st and 2nd and Imogen on the 8th. Like other storms this winter, Henry gave the strongest winds over northern Britain. The highest low-level wind gust for Henry was 90mph at South Uist in the Western Isles. By contrast, Imogen tracked across southern Britain and the highest gusts exceeded 80mph on the coasts of South Wales and southern England.There were two named storms in February; Henry on the 1st and 2nd and Imogen on the 8th. Like other storms this winter, Henry gave the strongest winds over northern Britain. The highest low-level wind gust for Henry was 90mph at South Uist in the Western Isles. By contrast, Imogen tracked across southern Britain and the highest gusts exceeded 80mph on the coasts of South Wales and southern England.