Weather Report

WEATHER REPORT by

SHEILA CHAPMAN,

Ipswich

Civic

College

IT should be noted that no records are available for Weekends.

DECEMBER,

1962.

Most of the month was mild during the day, maximum temperatures reaching 57°F. (14°C.) on 12th, a warm week with no temperatures below 40°F. (9.5°C.). However, minimum temperatures dropped to 19.5°F. (—7°C.) on one night, the highest minimum temperature was 39.3°F. (4°C.) and minimum temperatures feil below 32°F. (0°C.) on eight out of fourteen days on which readings were taken.

There was a good deal of cloud, most days being wholly or partially cloudy, though there was intermitent sunshine. This characteristic was coupled with winds mainly from North-West, West and South and variable pressure conditions. Pressure rose steadily from 20th onwards and by 22nd and 23rd was high.

Records ceased because of the Christmas vacation before the onset of the main period of frost and snow, but sleet was observed on 13th and frost on 3rd, 17th and 20th. Fog occurred on 5th.

Average maximum temperatures—44.6°F. (6.8°C.).

Average minimum temperatures—30.99°F. (—0.75°C.).

Total Rainfall—1.075".

JANUARY,

1963.

Recording recommenced on 8th January.

During this month maximum temperatures never exceeded 45°F. (7°C.) but except on 25th did not fall below freezing point and were mainly in the mid 30's F. (0°-2.5°C.) Minimum temperatures feil rapidly from 34.2°F. (1°C.) on the 9th to 10.6°F. (—9.5°C.) on lOth. Heavy snow had fallen on the last day of December and snow lay on the ground most of the month often to a depth of 1" or 2" round the Station. The ground was frozen throughout the month except for a thaw starting in the period between 28th and 30th January.

The month was cold with steady High Pressure.

Winds were most frequently from North-East, accompanied by cloud and freezing temperatures. During the thaw period, North-West winds were prevalent.

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WEATHER REPORT

Average maximum temperatures—35.15°F. (1.5C.).

Average minimum temperatures—20.016°F. (—6.75°C.).

Total rainfall—0.775".

FEBRUARY.

Maximum air temperatures were below40°F. (4.5°C.) throughout the month except on 28th when they rose to 43.5°F. (6°C.).

Generally they were between 30° and 35° F. (—2° and 2.5°C.) falling below freezing point between Ist and 4th of the month.

Minimum air temperatures were between 25° and 28°F. (—4° and —2°C.) but feil to 17.5°F. (—7.5°C.) on 27th. Snow lay on frozen ground until 25th when the ground thawed slightly in the middle of the day for a few days. There was no appreciable rainfall, but snow feil on eight or nine days. Pressure was inclined to be Low and winds were dominantly Easterly in direction during the month, principally from South-East in the last few days. Whilst, in the early days, these winds were accompanied by clear skies, most of the month was cloudy and hazy. Misty weather with poor visibility characterised the last week.

Average maximum temperatures—36.6°F. (2.3°C.).

Average minimum temperatures—25.2°F. (—4.0° C.).

Total rainfall—0.005".

MARCH.

Maximum air temperatures rose steadily throughout March, starting at 43°F. (6°C.) on Ist and were mainly in the lower 50's F. (10° to 12.5°C.) rising occasionally to 58° or 59°F. (15°C.).

Minimum temperatures were 18°F. (—8°C.) at the beginning of the month, rising to the lower 40's F. (4.5° to 7°C.) during the first week and these temperatures were maintained except for a drop of some 6°F. (3.5°C.) between 22nd and 29th. Between Ist and 1 Ith winds were from South-East, changing to SouthWest on 12th, the direction being largely maintained until 18th.

This period was breezy with moderate cloud cover. The SouthWest winds brought cloudy weather. During the rest of the month wind direction was variable but with considerable cloud cover although visibility was good throughout the month. Atmospheric pressure was moderate to high in the second half of the month.

WEATHER REPORT

269

Four hours of sunshine was recorded each day of the first week except on 2nd and 3rd which had 1 \ hours each. Little sunshine was recorded during the remaining weeks.

Rainfall was higher than in the preceding snowy months but, since three quarters of the month's rainfall was recorded on 28th and 29th, the month was generally dry. Nevertheless the soil was consistently damp, probably because of a slow thaw after prolonged ground freezing.

Average maximum temperatures—49.04°F. (9.3°C.).

Average minimum temperatures—34.23°F. (1.0°C.).

Total rainfall—1.615".

APRIL.

Because of the Easter vacation readings are available only between Ist and 5th and 22nd to 30th inclusive. April was rather wetter than the previous months with some 2" of rainfall recorded including that falling during the holiday period.

Some thirteen hours of sunshine were noted with generally good visibility, but considerable cloud cover. Rainy periods were usually accompanied by winds from North-West and NorthNorth-West. Winds were moderate to fresh, variable in direction but dominantly Easterly on 5th and 22nd to 26th inclusive.

Pressure remained fairly high for most of the month. Temperatures tended to rise steadily reaching a maximum of 64°F. (17.75°C.) on 30th. The nights, however, were cold but minimum temperatures rose from 29°F. (—1.6°C.) at the beginning of the month to 43.5°F. (6.4C.) towards the close.

Average maximum temperatures—53.4°F. (11.9°C.).

Average minimum temperatures—38.27°F. (3.48°C.).