To exterminate the cold
THIS year has been extreme, in more ways than one – the weather being one of them. But it was understandably drowned out by much bigger head- spinning headlines.
Here’s a recap: JANUARY was unremarkable given that FEBRUARY ended up being the wettest on record, with many places having up to three times their average monthly rainfall.
Storm Ciara brought widespread travel disruption with gusts of wind in excess of 80mph along with torrential rain. Gusts blew up near 100mph in the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Wight. Hot on its heels was Storm Dennis the following weekend – with a month’s worth of rain falling in 24 hours and widespread gales.
Spring 2020 was the sunniest in over 100 years. MARCH marked the start of lockdown and coincided with crystal- clear blue skies. Freezing cold, frosty nights melted into mild, sunny days – which set the pattern for the rest of spring.
APRIL and MAY were drier and warmer than average for huge areas of the UK. May was one of the sunniest months ever on record, with temperatures peaking near 84F ( 29C) – making it feel more like midsummer. February had more rain than March, April and May combined.
After the amazing spring, summer was wetter and warmer than average. JUNE saw temperatures in excess of 91F ( 33C) along with muggy, humid air triggering frequent, intense thunderstorms. Heavy rain led to flooding in several locations and a landslip in Scotland.
JULY was unexceptional until the end of the month when temperatures soared at the start of a record- breaking heatwave into August. July 31 was one of the hottest days recorded at near 100F ( 38C) – but it was a one- day wonder in an otherwise cooler than average July.
The UK had its hottest AUGUST days since 2003 – and the longest heatwave since the 1990s – with the longevity and intensity of heat rivalling the summer of 1976. Temperatures exceeded 93F ( 34C) for six days in a row along with recordbreaking tropical- feeling nights not falling below 68F ( 20C). The heat and humidity sparked huge thunderstorms with intense, gusty winds and hail. Unusually, August was also impacted by two storms – Ellen and Francis – in quick succession, bringing unseasonable windy weather.
After a quiet SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER more than made up for it with Storm Alex and non- stop rain through the first weekend – bringing the wettest day ever recorded on October 3.
After milder than usual air through much of NOVEMBER, there were reports of thundersnow in Scotland at the start of DECEMBER. Much colder air crept in just in time for Christmas, with festive frost and ice as well as a dusting of snow in some places for the final week of 2020.
The cold air looks to be locked into the start of the new year – just as another lockdown looms.