Royston (Iceni) Weather Station

Daily Weather Observations - December 2000

Differences from average shown in red. Reference periods used - Temperature 25 Years 1973/1997; Rainfall 35 Years 1956/1990; Sunshine 30 Years 1961/1990.

This month's graphs and charts may be viewed by clicking on the links below......

1. Daily Maximum, Minimum, and Grass Minimum Temperatures

2. Daily Maximum and Minimum Temperatures (with 25 Year Comparative Means)

3. Daily Earth (30 cms depth) Temperature @ 0900 GMT 4. Daily Rainfall 5. Daily Sunshine

6. Daily Maximum Gust and Mean Wind Speed 7. Daily Wind Direction @ 0900 GMT

8. Daily Mean MSL Air Pressure 9. Daily Mean Relative Humidity 10.Thermograph 11. Barograph

12. Hygrograph 13. Anemograph 14. Wind Direction 15. Sunshine Duration 16. Hyetograph

........and for a text report of the December 2000 weather click on the link below

December 2000 Weather Review

December (since 1972) at Royston (Iceni) Weather Station:

Mean day maximum temperature (25 years 1973/1997) 7.1°C

Mean night minimum temperature (25 years 1973/1997) 3.0°C

Highest temperature 15.1°C (2nd December 1985); lowest temperature -9.8°C (29th December 1995)

Lowest grass minimum temperature -14.6°C (13th December 1981)

Warmest December 1974 (Mean temperature 7.8°C); coldest December 1981 (Mean temperature 0.4°C)

Average December rainfall (35 years 1961/1995) 52.8 mm

Wettest December 1989 (Rainfall 122.4 mm); driest December 1991 (Rainfall 10.3 mm)

Wettest Day 27th December 1979 (Rainfall 31.5 mm);

Highest number of "rain days" (0.2 mm or more) 22 (1978); lowest number of "rain days" 8 (1991)

Highest number of days with thunder 3 (1989)

Highest number of air frosts 20 (1981)

Highest number of ground frosts 25 (1981)

Highest number of days with snow falling 10 (1981)

Highest number of days with snow lying (ground with more than 50% snow cover @ 0900 GMT) 23 (1981)

In the early hours of 28th December 2000 a relatively narrow band of snow moved eastwards across England and by the 0900 GMT observation hour had given Royston an 8 cm level depth of snow. The minimum and grass minimum temperatures dropped to their lowest values since the previous winter, but at -2.9°C and -6.0°C respectively were not exceptional. A maximum temperature of only 0.5°C was recorded during the day, and this was followed by a minimum temperature of -5.1°C (and a grass minimum temperature of -8.5°C) the following night. This was the most significant snowfall in >>>>>>>>	>>>> Royston for 5 years, but this is more a reflection of the comparatively mild conditions of the intervening period rather than indicating a particularly heavy snowfall. The first picture shows the eastern approach to Royston on the old A505 Newmarket Road at approximately 1015 GMT. As can be seen the traffic has hardly made any impression on the snow on the road. By the time the middle photograph was taken some 45 minutes later the cloud from the weather front had cleared and brilliant sunshine illuminated the landscape. This is an example of minor drifting in the moderate westerly >>>>>>>>	>>>> breeze found on a farm track at Lowerfield, near Royston. The picture was taken against the sun which highlights the glistening snow crystals. The third photograph is of the 800 year old St. John the Baptist Church in Melbourn Street, Royston taken at approximately 1430 GMT from a north-westerly direction. The sun is still shining and by the end of the day had registered 4.6 hours duration. Some 1 km to the west, Therfield Heath is thronged with people taking advantage of the snow and the slopes for a rare chance to bring out their toboggans and enjoy an afternoon in the clear air.

Click here for December 2000 picture supplement (12 additional photographs of snow scenes in and around Royston)

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(This page last updated 27th January 2001 2023 GMT)