PITSFORD HALL WEATHER STATION NORTHAMPTON, UNITED KINGDOM MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT - MARCH 2004 Headline: Generally rather cold, although some days saw temperatures climb substantially above average for the time of year. Travel was disrupted at times due to snow and gales. The month opened with high pressure dominating the scene. The 1st and 2nd saw some good spells of sunshine, but clear skies overnight resulted in some particularly severe frosts (-4.0C on 1st, with -9.5C recorded on the ground). Thereafter, an unsettled spell followed with fronts bringing occasional spells of rain, culminating in some wintry showers (hail and snow) on the 7th. High pressure became re-established on the 8th. There were some sunny spells, but not as notable as some areas. The 9th probably saw the best of the sunshine with 5.3hrs. Northerly winds made it feel particularly chilly with overnight temperatures falling close to freezing. Snow showers were recorded on the 10th as the wind veered more north-easterly. Fronts crossing the cold air on the 11th and 12th triggered further falls of snow. Snow on the 12th was substantial with 6cm recorded at Pitsford Hall. Several routes across the county were rendered extremely hazardous with numerous accidents reported in the morning rush hour, including an overturned car in Chapel Brampton. However, the snow was short-lived and a rapid thaw took place during the afternoon as milder air was swept in on south-westerly winds. The county rested on the edge of a European high between the 15th and 17th. The south or south-westerly airflow was maintained allowing temperatures to rise and become notably mild by the 16th when a high of 17.5C was recorded at Pitsford. Some weak weather fronts did cross the region, but these gave only small or trace amounts of rainfall. More unsettled conditions ensued from the 18th as a complex low drifted past the UK towards Scandinavia. Winds veered towards the north-west and north becoming strong at times. In fact gusts reached or exceeded 50mph on the 18th, 20th and 21st with particularly damaging gusts of 59mph on the 20th. A gust of 85mph was recorded at Brixworth. Trees were uprooted and dangerous driving conditions were reported on the county's roads. Several garden centres closed to ensure public safety and the Cobblers’ clash with Huddersfield was abandoned. With the winds from the north it turned colder with a return of ground frosts overnight. The 26th to the 29th was a generally dull period with little sunshine. A weak front brought some patchy rain on the 27th and 28th. However, as the month came to a close it became exceptionally mild and sunny. There was some early morning mist and fog, but this soon cleared. 19.2C was recorded on the 31st, well above the average for the end of March. Air Temperatures The Highest Maximum: 19.2C on 31st The Lowest Maximum: 4.8C on 11th The Highest Minimum: 9.7C on 16th The Lowest Minimum: -4.0C on 1st The Mean Maximum: 10.7C The Mean Minimum: 2.7C The Overall Mean: 6.7C Difference from the Monthly Mean: -0.8C Relative Humidity: Highest Relative Humidity (at 0900): 98.7% on 4th Lowest Relative Humidity (at 0900): 67.1% on 21st Mean Relative Humidity (at 0900): 87.3% Dew Point: The Highest Dew Point (at 0900): 10.7C on 16th & 20th The Lowest Dew Point (at 0900): -5.1C on 1st The Mean Dew Point (at 0900): 3.7C Rainfall: Total: 35.1mm Difference from the Monthly Mean: 78.0% Duration: 28.2hrs Highest 24 hour fall (from 0900): 12.5mm on 12th Rain Days (>/=0.2mm): 18 Wet Days (>/=1.0mm): 9 Sunshine: Total Duration of Bright Sunshine: 98.9hrs Sunniest day: 8.8hrs on 1st Days without sunshine: 4 Cloud cover (mean at 0900): 6.9oktas (86.3%) Pressure (reduced to sea level): The Highest Pressure: 1035.4mb on 9th The Lowest Pressure: 998.9mb on 21st Mean Pressure (recorded at 0900): 1018.4mb Winds Run of wind (mean over 24 hrs): 126.2miles Mean daily wind speed: 6.8mph Run of wind (to date): 3911.6miles Highest Maximum Gust: 59mph on 20th Highest wind strength (at 0900): 34.6mph on 19th Mean wind strength (at 0900): 9.2mph Winds from the Following Directions: N 8 NE 3 E 0 SE 3 S 8 SW 1 W 1 NW 4 Calm 0 Ground Temperatures: Lowest Grass Minimum: -9.5C on 1st Mean Grass Minimum: -1.0C Lowest Concrete Minimum: -6.4C on 1st Mean Concrete Minimum: 1.1C Lowest Bare Earth Minimum: -3.6C on 3rd Mean Bare Earth Minimum: 2.0C Soil/Earth Temperatures: Surface mean: 5.6 C 5cm mean: 5.0 C 10cm mean: 5.2 C 20cm mean: 5.7 C 30cm mean: 5.8 C 40cm mean: 5.7 C 50cm mean: 5.9 C 100cm mean: 5.6 C Days with: Thunder: 0 Hail less than 0.5mm: 2 Hail greater than/equal to 0.5mm: 0 Snow or snow & rain: 4: 7th, 10th, 11th & 12th Snow lying: 1: 12th Fog 3 Air frost: 5 Duration of air frost: 20.0hrs Ground frost: 18 Gales: 1: 19th