PITSFORD HALL WEATHER STATION NORTHAMPTON, UNITED KINGDOM MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2000 BRIEF CLIMATOLOGICAL ANALYSIS A very wet start as low pressure to the west moved northwards during the period of 1st - 4th. Bands of rain and showers affected many places, especially western areas. Thunder was reported from Sussex on the 3rd, however England was mostly sunny on the 4th (Pitsford had 5.5 hours of sunshine). During the period of 5th - 8th a deep low moved from SW approaches to the English Channel then to the North Sea bringing copious amounts of rain and strong winds to many areas (Pitsford had gusts of up to 31mph and rainfall of 25.6 mm on the 5th). Some of the showers became thundery on the 6th & 7th, but were mainly scattered by the 8th (no thunder recorded at Pitsford). From the 9th to the 14th low pressure moved from Iceland to Ireland, then to Scotland & the North Sea. Rain & showers affected many parts, in particular a slow moving cold front on the 11th-12th brought much wind & rain. Sunny intervals & clear skies later allowed some overnight frost. 15th - 20th After a chilly start [Pitsford recorded -1.7°C early on the 15th] a deep low off Iceland migrated to Scotland by 19th/20th bringing yet more spells of rain & showers. Later some showers turned thundery, with sleet & snow reported over northern hills. The 21st - 27th was a very wet & disturbed period as a series of Atlantic depressions passed close by (17.3mm total recorded during these dates at Pitsford). Wind & rain were the dominant themes, especially on the 21st, 25th and 27th. Thunder accompanied some of the showers later during the 25th and 26th. A gust of 92mph was recorded at Mumbles/Swansea on the 25th, although only 40mph was recorded at Pitsford. After a rather cold start it became milder later. On the 27th another depression brought rain, hill & coastal fog & very mild air from the south. The 28th - 30th was mostly very mild & cloudy. Some heavy rain affected northern England on the 28th, while more showery conditions prevailed during the 29th particularly around western coasts. As the month ended further rain spread across from the SW. Some places in Gwynedd/north Wales received more than 460mm or 18inches of rain. This was Northampton's wettest November since 1984 (98.7mm) and the second wettest since 1970 (125.7mm) STATISTICAL SUMMARY Air Temperatures The Highest Maximum: 14.8C on 28th The Lowest Maximum: 5.2C on 20th The Highest Minimum: 9.4C on 29th The Lowest Minimum: -1.7C on 15th The Mean Maximum: 10C The Mean Minimum: 3.5C The Overall Mean: 6.8C Difference from the Monthly Mean: 0.2C Relative Humidity: Highest Relative Humidity (at 0900): 98.7% on 6th and 30th Lowest Relative Humidity (at 0900): 72.4% on 14th Mean Relative Humidity (at 0900): 93.1% Dew Point: The Highest Dew Point (at 0900): 12.4C on 28th The Lowest Dew Point (at 0900): -1.1C on 14th The Mean Dew Point (at 0900): 5.4C Rainfall: Total: 95.4mm Difference from the Monthly Mean: 149.8% Duration: 68hrs Highest 24-hour fall (from 0900): 25.6mm on 5th Rain Days (>/=0.2mm): 21 Wet Days (>/=1.0mm): 17 Lowest pH: 5.5 on 4th Sunshine: Total Duration of Bright Sunshine: 69hrs Sunniest day: 7.5hrs on 12th Sunless days: 8 Cloud cover (mean at 0900): 5.6oktas (70%) Pressure (reduced to sea level): The Highest Pressure: 1011.4mb on 10th The Lowest Pressure: 973 mb on 6th Mean Pressure (recorded at 0900): 997.4mb Winds Run of wind (mean over 24 hrs): 141.4miles Mean daily wind speed: 7.7mph Highest 24-hour Wind Speed: 15.6 mph Run of wind (to date): 4240.51miles Highest Maximum Gust: 40mph on 25th Highest wind strength (at 0900): 24.2mph on 25th Mean wind strength (at 0900): 11.5mph Winds from the Following Directions: N 0, NE 1, E 1, SE 3, S 17, SW 1, W 5, NW 2, Calm 0 Ground Temperatures: Lowest Grass Minimum: -7C on 20th Mean Grass Minimum: 0.2C Lowest Concrete Minimum: -2.1C on 15th Mean Concrete Minimum: 2.5C Lowest Bare Earth Minimum: -2.5C on 15th Mean Bare Earth Minimum: 1.8C Soil/Earth Temperatures: 5cm mean: 5C 10cm mean: 5.4C 20cm mean: 6.4C 30cm mean: 7.3C 40cm mean: 7.6C 50cm mean: 8.2C 100cm mean: 9C Days with: Thunder: 0 Hail less than 0.5mm: 0 Hail greater than/equal to 0.5mm: 0 Snow or snow & rain: 0 Fog: 3 Air Frost: 1 Ground Frost: 14 Evaporation: Suspended until next summer. Observations made at 0900 UTC. Averages refer to the period 1961-1990. NOTES This weather report was compiled by Mark Cookson during his work experience placement at the weather station. Students interested in taking up similar placements should contact Careerpath Northamptonshire in the first instance.