Royston (Iceni) Weather Station

Daily Weather Observations - March 2004

(All Times GMT)

Differences from average:

Differences from average shown in red. Reference periods used are as follows: Temperature 30 Years 1973/2002; rainfall 30 Years 1971/2000; sunshine 30 Years 1971/2000.

(*The differences from average quoted during the course of the month relate to the cumulative daily averages up to the date of the last observation, not the averages for the month as a whole)

Additional Data:

Rainfall Duration  31.8 hours

Air Frost Duration  19.0 hours

Graphs and Charts:

Click on the following links to view this month's graphs and charts.....

1. Daily Maximum, Minimum & Grass Minimum Temperatures 

2. Daily Maximum & Minimum Temperatures (with 30 Year Comparative Means) 

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

6. Daily Maximum Gust & 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.  Rainfall Intensity & Duration

March 2004 Weather Review:

......and click on the link below for a text report of the March 2004 weather in Royston

March 2004 Weather Review

March (since 1973) at Royston (Iceni) Weather Station:

Mean day maximum temperature (30 years 1973/2002) 10.1°C

Mean night minimum temperature (30 years 1973/2002) 3.3°C

Highest temperature 21.6°C (17th March 1990); lowest temperature -6.6°C (3rd March 1986)

Lowest grass minimum temperature -13.7°C (3rd March 1986)

Warmest March 1997 (Mean temperature 9.1°C); coldest March 1987 (Mean temperature 4.3°C)

Average March rainfall (30 years 1971/2000) 42.5 mm

Wettest March 1979 (Rainfall 97.8 mm); driest March 1997 (Rainfall 8.1 mm)

Wettest Day 2nd March 1995 (Rainfall 30.1 mm);

Highest number of "rain days" (0.2 mm or more) 25 (1981); lowest number of "rain days" 5 (1990)

Highest number of days with thunder 2 (1986, 1995)

Highest number of air frosts 15 (1987)

Highest number of ground frosts 21 (1987)

Highest number of days with snow falling 11 (1979)

Highest number of days with snow lying (ground with more than 50% snow cover @ 0900 GMT) 4 (1986)

This picture illustrates the effects of sun and shade, and differing aspect, on the opposite sides of a shallow valley. In this view, as seen at Burloes, Royston on 1st March 2004 at 0939 GMT, remnants of the snowfall in the last few days of February persist on this partially shaded northward facing slope, whilst on the other side of the shallow valley the southward facing slope is clear of snow (as is much of the surrounding countryside). After an overnight minimum of -3.7°C, the temperature has risen rapidly to -0.1°C in sunny and calm conditions. Total sunshine for the day was 8.8 hours.	The skies around Royston in the afternoon of 13th March 2004 were dominated by striking cumulus clouds, examples of which are shown in this photograph taken at 1419 GMT. The crest of the East Anglian Heights forms the horizon in this southward facing view from a vantage point approximately 1 km south of Royston. The two prominent communications masts visible on the ridge form major landmarks which can be seen from over a wide area by both day and night. The temperature is 10.7°C, and the wind south-westerly, of mean speed 5 knots, gusting to 14 knots. (Photo: Daniel Barker, Stevenage)	The lack of any golfers is the only clue to the weather conditions in this seemingly tranquil scene in bright sunshine on the golf course at Therfield Heath, Royston on 20th March 2004 at 1628 GMT. In fact, just standing up in this exposed position was an achievement in the gale force winds which were affecting the area. A gust of 71 mph had been recorded at 1610 GMT and here winds of over 60 mph are still being experienced. Blowing topsoil is reducing visibility over the adjacent south Cambridgeshire Plain (not pictured) and chalk dust can be seen billowing from the quarry at Odsey.

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(This page last updated 8th April 2004 1949 GMT)