WEATHER REPORT, DECEMBER,
1961/62
1961
T h e weather during the first week of December was marked by light breezes from the South-West and West. Minimum air temperatures were generally above freezing point. Tbe weather continued damp, cloudy and rather mild with maximum air temperature reaching 59.5°F. (15°C.) on 12th December, and minimum temperatures all over 35°F. (2°C.). Winds were mainly from the South-West, accompanied by considerable cloud cover. 15th December saw the start of a cold, clear, rather drv spell during which winds were mostly Easterly. Min imum temperatures feil to below 20°F. (—6.5°C.) and maximum temperatures rose to 35°F. (2°C.). T h e ground was frozen daily between 15th and 29th, except for 20th to 22nd inclusive, when warm winds were accompanied by a complete cloud cover and a slight rise in temperature. Maximum temperatures rose to 47°F. (8°C.) in the closing days of the month, which were cloudy, with sleet and rain. Summary Total precipitation 2.9" falling on 14 days. Mean minimum air temperature 37°F. (3°C.) (recorded over 24 days). Mean maximum air temperature 43°F. (6°C.) (recorded over 25 days). Light wind breeze on most days, but no strong winds. No snow cover. Air frost on 10 days. Note :—The recording site at the Ipswich Civic College was moved from a roof site to ground level in the middle of the month, with a consequent three days' gap in recording and a possible discrepancy between temperature readings at the beginning and end of the month. JANUARY,
1962
Westerly and South-Westerly winds dominated the month's weather, Westerly winds being experienced on 13 days and SouthWesterlies on 11 days of the month. Generally these winds were associated with considerable or complete cloud cover, and were light or moderate, except for a South-Westerly gale on 1 Ith January. Enough snow feil on 3Ist December and Ist January to cause a snow cover of 2i", but it thawed on 3rd January and no further snow feil until 3Ist.
106
WEATHER
REPORT
The month was generally dull, damp and cloudy, a complete cloud cover being recorded at at least one reading on 18 days, and at both readings on 12 days. On 28th the wind direction became North-Easterly and the next three days were bright, crisp and sunny in contrast to the rather dull weather characterising the rest of the month. Summarv Mean minimum air temperature 35°F. (2°C.). Mean maximum air temperature 47°F. (8°C.). Absolute minimum air temperature 21.4°F. (—6°C.) on Ist January. Absolute maximum air temperature 57°F. (14°C.) on lOth January. Eight days over 50°F. (10°C.) at 14.00 hours. Total precipitation 2.1". Snov. cover on four days. Air frost on eight days. FEBRUARY,
1962
On Ist February. 0.5" of precipitation was recorded, some of this amount being due to snow, which was intermittent with heavy rain. This was the wettest day of an otherwise drier month. The opening days were cold, sunny and breezy, maximum temperatures reaching 56"F. (13°C.) on 12th, when strong West and South-West winds were recorded. Snow showers accompanied North and North-West winds on 14th, whilst maximum temperatures feil to 36.5°F. (2.5°C.). Temperatures rose again to 50°F. (10°C.) on 15th, and variable, fairly cold, cloudy weather persisted for two or three days. After 21st there came a dry spell with winds from North-East and East. Yery cold weather was experienced, but it was generally cloudy. Düring this period maximum temperatures dropped from 45°F. (7°C.) to 34.2°F. (1.2°C.), whilst minimum temperatures were mainly below freezing point, reaching 22.8°F. (—5°C.) on 27th. Snow feil on 25th, 26th and 27th, forming small drifts rather than continuous cover. Summary. Mean minimum air temperatures 35°F. (2°C.). Mean maximum air temperature 46°F. (8°C.). Absolute minimum air temperature 22.8°F. (—5°C. below 32°F. (0°C.).
Ten days
WEATHER REPORT
107
Absolute maximum air temperature 56°F. (13°C.). above 50°F. (10°C.).
Five davs
Rain feil on 12 days, mi:xed with snow on three days. Total precipitation 2". Air frost on eight days. MARCH,
1962
A cold month on which temperatures reached an absolute minimum of 22°F. (—5.5°C.), with 16 days below freezing point. On only three days was the maximum temperature at or above 50°F. (10°C.), although an absolute maximum of 58°F. (14.5°C.) was recorded on 29th. The first four days were dull and cloudy with North-Westerly winds and temperatures principally below 40°F. (4.5°C.). Three frosty days with sunny periods were followed by two or three days of dull, overcast and slightly warmer weather. Next came a long, dry period during which winds were variable, but most frequently from the North-East. Conditions were generally cold and clear, but alternately dull and sunny periods occurred frequently by day. Air frost was recorded on at least three nights. This period came to a close on 28th a showery, day. The last three days of March were rainy or showery and dull, but comparatively mild. Summary Mean minimum air temperature 32°F. (0°C.), recorded over 29 days. Mean maximum air temperature 44°F. (6.5°C.), recorded over 29 days. Absolute minimum air temperature 22°F. Absolute maximum air temperature 58°F. Total precipitation 1.6". 17 completely snow cover on five days. Air frost on five peratures ranged from 35°F. (2°C.) to 42°F.
(—5.5°C). (14.5°C.). dry days. Partial days. Earth tem(5.5°C.).
Recorded at Ipswich Civic College weather Station. SHEILA
CHAPMAN.