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The weather in March The weather in March
(5 months later)
March was marked by a protracted spell of high pressure mid-month, bookended by wetter weather in the first and last weeks. These wet spells took rainfall totals above the long term average for England and Wales, whilst Scotland and Northern Ireland fell some way short. A named storm fell within each of these wet weeks; Jake rolled through on 1 March, but with fairly limited impact, whilst Katie brought widespread disruption to southern Britain on the night of 27 March. Temperatures were fairly unremarkable for many areas, with the Central England Temperature (CET) a shade below average, although Scotland did have a milder-than-average March.March was marked by a protracted spell of high pressure mid-month, bookended by wetter weather in the first and last weeks. These wet spells took rainfall totals above the long term average for England and Wales, whilst Scotland and Northern Ireland fell some way short. A named storm fell within each of these wet weeks; Jake rolled through on 1 March, but with fairly limited impact, whilst Katie brought widespread disruption to southern Britain on the night of 27 March. Temperatures were fairly unremarkable for many areas, with the Central England Temperature (CET) a shade below average, although Scotland did have a milder-than-average March.
TemperaturesTemperatures
The average CET was 5.9C, which was 0.7C below the 1981-2010 average. The mean temperature in Scotland was 5.4C, 1.2C above average. This was because high pressure saw mild air move across Scotland, whereas, further south, chilly continental air drifted in. The lowest temperature of the month was –8C, recorded twice at Altnaharra, Sutherland, on 10 and 31 March. The highest temperature was 19C, at Braemar, Aberdeenshire, on 17 March.The average CET was 5.9C, which was 0.7C below the 1981-2010 average. The mean temperature in Scotland was 5.4C, 1.2C above average. This was because high pressure saw mild air move across Scotland, whereas, further south, chilly continental air drifted in. The lowest temperature of the month was –8C, recorded twice at Altnaharra, Sutherland, on 10 and 31 March. The highest temperature was 19C, at Braemar, Aberdeenshire, on 17 March.
Related: Sun gives way to storms as Easter Sunday weather reverts to type
RainfallRainfall
England and Wales had a wet month, exacerbated by storm Katie late in the month. The averaged rainfall amount for England and Wales was 139% of average, with figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland coming out as 75% and 81% respectively. These figures demonstrate that northern areas were more often under the influence of high pressure through the month.England and Wales had a wet month, exacerbated by storm Katie late in the month. The averaged rainfall amount for England and Wales was 139% of average, with figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland coming out as 75% and 81% respectively. These figures demonstrate that northern areas were more often under the influence of high pressure through the month.
SunshineSunshine
Sunshine was fairly close to average across all areas. There were stubbornly cloudy days across many areas for a time through the middle part of the month, as high pressure pushed cloudy air in from the North Sea; conversely, as the weather turned more unsettled later in the month, polar air masses brought some welcome sunshine. Sunshine across England and Wales was 108% of the average; for Scotland it was 99% of average, and for Northern Ireland, 93%.Sunshine was fairly close to average across all areas. There were stubbornly cloudy days across many areas for a time through the middle part of the month, as high pressure pushed cloudy air in from the North Sea; conversely, as the weather turned more unsettled later in the month, polar air masses brought some welcome sunshine. Sunshine across England and Wales was 108% of the average; for Scotland it was 99% of average, and for Northern Ireland, 93%.
WindsWinds
Two named storms occurred in March. The second one, Katie, affected many southern areas on 28 March, causing disruption, and was the strongest storm of the cool season in some areas. The highest wind gust was recorded at the very exposed Needles Old Battery, on the Isle of Wight, at 106mph. More typical high wind gusts included 79mph at the Isle of Portland, Dorset, and 74mph at Southampton, Hampshire.Two named storms occurred in March. The second one, Katie, affected many southern areas on 28 March, causing disruption, and was the strongest storm of the cool season in some areas. The highest wind gust was recorded at the very exposed Needles Old Battery, on the Isle of Wight, at 106mph. More typical high wind gusts included 79mph at the Isle of Portland, Dorset, and 74mph at Southampton, Hampshire.