Weather Summaries

The Weather of February 2010

Coldest February since 1986; drier than normal almost everywhere, very sunny in west and south
February was the third successive month with mean temperatures well below normal. After a relatively mild start, the weather pattern reverted to that of much of the previous winter months, with an airstream of Arctic origin bringing widespread frosts and spells of sleet or snow at times. Mean air temperatures this month were around two degrees below normal and it was the coldest February everywhere since 1986. Mean minimum temperatures of between -1°C and +2°C were between two and three degrees below normal and they were the lowest for February in some places for over 40 years. Air frost was very frequent from the 9th onwards and was severe at times; there were between 17 and 21 air frosts during the month at inland stations compared with the normal range for February in these areas of between five and nine. Rainfall totals for the month were below normal almost everywhere and were only around half of the normal for February in many places. The heaviest falls at most stations were during the first week, particularly on the 4th. Much of the precipitation during the second half of the month was wintry in nature, with some accumulation of snow in northern and upland areas. There was a total of between 7 and 12 wetdays generally (days with 1mm or more rainfall), compared with the normal range for February of between 11 and 15 wetdays. Sunshine totals varied widely; while it was relatively dull in the east, sunshine was again well above normal at some western and southern stations, for the fourth successive month. The period around mid-month was particularly sunny and it was the sunniest February for over 40 years in the south and southwest.

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