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January 2013

The month was one of some contrasts. It began very mild with little rain for England and Wales and temperatures significantly above average for the time of year. By mid-month it had turned significantly colder across most of the country. A succession of weather systems meeting this cold air led to a period of significant snowfall across much of the country causing considerable disruption between 18th and 25th. A change to milder, wetter, windy conditions in the last few days of the month led to a rapid thaw and some localised flooding.

The UK mean temperature was 3.3 °C which is 0.4 °C below the 1981-2010 average. Scotland was marginally warmer than average, but England and Wales were colder. January was slightly drier than average in most areas, with the exception of Northern Ireland and a few localised areas in England and Wales. The UK overall had 88% of the average January rainfall. It was also a rather dull month with 79% of the long term average. Northern Ireland, southern and eastern Scotland, north west England and north Wales were particularly dull.

A maximum temperature of 14.5 °C was recorded at Colwyn Bay (Conwy) on the 2nd and again at Hawarden (Flintshire) on the 29th. A minimum temperature of -13.6 °C was recorded at Buntingford (Hertfordshire) early on the 22nd. In the 24 hours ending at 0900 on the 30th, 57.4 mm of rain fell at Capel Curig (Conwy). A wind gust of 86 mph was recorded at Fair Isle during the 30th. At 0900 GMT on the 23rd, a snow-depth of 40 cm was measured at Balmoral (Aberdeenshire).

Monthly assessment | Regional values