October 2010

Temperatures
(all temperatures in degrees Celsius; all averages 1961 – 1990)

Mean daily maximum: 13.0
Difference from average: -0.2

Mean daily minimum: 6.0
Difference from average: -0.3

Mean air temperature: 9.5
Difference from average: -0.3

Absolute maximum: 16.9 (7th)

Absolute minimum: -0.7 (25th)

Mean grass minimum: 2.9

Absolute grass minimum: -5.3 (25th)

Number of ground frosts: 5

Number of air frosts: 1

Mean soil temperature at 30cm depth:

Mean soil temperature at 100cm depth:

Rainfall
(all totals in millimetres; all averages 1961 – 1990)

Total for the month: 62.4
Difference from average: +9.9

Percentage of the average: 119%

Wettest day: 17.2 (3rd)

Number of rain days (>0.25mm): 14

Number of wet days (=> 1mm): 12

3-month total rainfall to 31st October: 182.6
Difference from average: +7.4

6-month rainfall total to 31st October: 343.4
Difference from average: +13.1

12-month rainfall total to 31st October: 788.8
Difference from average: +139.8

Humidity
(Averages for 09:00 hours GMT)

Relative Humidity: 84%

Sunshine
(all averages 1961 – 1990)

Total for the month: 82.8 hours
Difference from average: -10.3

Percentage of the average: 89%

Mean daily sunshine: 2.7 hours
Difference from average: -0.3

Sunniest day: 8.3 hours (20th)

Number of days with no recorded sunshine: 5

Cumulative total sunshine since 1st January: 1095.8 hours
Difference from average: -121.7

ISSN1350-483

Comments on October 2010
Temperatures were a little below average in October. Nevertheless, the 7th was the warmest October day since 1983. Rainfall was a little above average. The wettest day was the 3rd, making it an unwelcome start for new students arriving at Durham University on “Freshers’ Sunday”. The 3-month and 6-month rainfall totals remain about average but the 12-month total is still well above average. Sunshine was just below average and five days recorded none at all.

Overall, the annual total so far is well below average.

Professor Tim Burt
Department of Geography
Durham University