Page 24 - April 2024 Newsletter

WEATHER WATCH: FEBRUARY 2024

‘February fill-dyke’ certainly lived up to its name this year. And not
only dykes were filled but also water butts, underground aquifers
and reservoirs. However, the rains caused major problems to
farmers, homeowners and drivers as the ground became
saturated and rivers overflowed. Fields and roads were flooded.
The bridge at Offchurch was closed on at least three occasions.
Across the UK record rainfall totals were logged. In Offchurch
142.4 mm of rain fell, over three times the average of 42.2 mm,
making this the
wettest February in
the village since
records began 26
years ago. The good
news is that the
ground is now
irrigated to a
considerable depth,
which should ensure good tree growth and possibly no ‘hosepipe
bans’ this year. However, despite all the rain there were 8 dry days
this month.

It was a very mild
month; the average
temperature was 8.1°C,
which is 3.2°C above
the average for the area
and has set a record for
the warmest February
since records began.
The highest daytime temperature was 16.7°C on the 15th. Most
nights were also mild with just two air frosts and 11 grass frosts.
The coldest night was the 25th when the temperature fell to just -
2.3°C.

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