Year of rain but not much shine
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Perthshire is getting wetter and warmer, according to weather watcher Norman Pedgrift.
Norman, who has been recording conditions for the Met Office every day since 1968, said 2019 was a year characterised by a dry winter and wet summer.
But the annual rainfall of 908mm was above the 30-year average of 856.
And the average temperature was 0.3°C above the 30 year average of 8.9°C.
In his annual report to the PA, he said: “It was a little chilly in January and it was unusually dry, so much so it was the driest recorded here in over 50 years.
“February too was a dry month and following a cold start from the 13th it became very mild.
“The first half of March brought us our first wet spell of the year, but over the last two weeks less than one millimetre fell. Then with a warm and reasonably dry April hopes were rising for a good late spring and hopefully, summer too.
“To an extent the temperatures from May to August did not disappoint, but falls of rain became more frequent and heavier, August being particularly wet.
“The associated cloudiness prevented any prolonged spell of dry and sunny weather.
“From mid-July to mid-August we had over 180mm, almost three times the average.
“Only after schools returned did rainfall become more normal. But then in four weeks from September 22 we had a further wet spell with 115mm.
“After mid-October temperatures dropped markedly and November was virtually as cold as a normal December.
“When it came though, December turned mild and there was no snow – which of course may not have pleased everyone.
“Thankfully however, we largely escaped the prolonged heavy rainfalls and associated severe floods of southern Scotland, north Wales and Pennine districts.”
Extremes in 2019: Hottest day 26.1°C, July 23; coldest day - -8.5°C, February 1; wettest day - 29.2mm, August 4.
Extremes since 1968: Hottest day - 31.6°C, June 28, 2018; coldest day - -19.7°C, January 11, 1982; wettest day - 81.6mm, July 26, 1985.