Weather in the Highlands

The weather is such a big talking point and here in the UK we do love to moan about it but just think of the poor people in Japan. We might get rain, wind, cold and not so great summers but at least our houses and families remain intact. Our thoughts are with all those in Japan who have lost loved ones, homes and businesses.

So what has the weather been like here over the past 3 months??

Temperatures:
December 2010 - average temperature was -4 degrees, it only went above freezing on the 30th Dec. and 1st Jan. before it dropped back to freezing, then rising in mid Jan. to +3 degrees on average.
We had a warmer spell for a few days around the 14th Jan., when it was over 10 degrees.

February 2011 - very consistent at around -3 degrees in the day and dropping to freezing at night, by the end of Feb. it had risen to an average of 8 degrees and only dropped below freezing on 2 nights in the last 3 weeks.

Wind:
Wind in contrast to the temperature has been very consistent, with only 2 windy spells lasting for a couple of days. Even then, by normal winter standards was not much, the average sped of 18 mph, with the occasional gust of up to 35-50 mph.

Rain & Snow:
We started Dec. with a very dry period with snow on the 20th which stayed on the ground for over a month, although we didn't have it nearly as bad as other areas at the beg. of Dec.
There were 2 more significant falls in the 2nd & 3rd weeks of Jan. Then as the temperature climbed the snow turned to rain at sea level and was only falling as snow above 400 metres.
So on the clear days we had lovely alpine weather, not many see! Scotland at its very best!!
The rest of Feb. and early March have been quite dry with heavy showers when it did rain. Ave 105 mm of rain in the last 30 days, most falling in 7 of those days. Jan. was wetter at 169mm but generally it felt drier due, I think, to the snowfall.

Sunshine:
Sunshine was not to be seen much during the cold snap but now the nights are getting longer, its light till 6.30pm and the clocks go forward soon, its seems much brighter.
We have had some very sunny days even thought the BBC says we haven't!
Don't always believe the forecast!!!!