Heatwave frequency and duration in central England since 1878

[xmetman]

Here's a graphic that might be of interest from an article I wrote today about heatwaves in the UK. 

It concludes unsurprisingly that heatwaves are on the increase as the full series linear trend bears out.

[Brian Wakem]

In your 'heatwave hype' article there is a table at the bottom of the warmest summers in the CET series.  I don't understand the anomalies column, it can't be correct as the average can't possibly be as low as 9.47C.  Unless it's the sum of the 3 month's anomalies?

Also, have you taken away the ability to comment on your site?

-- 

Brian Wakem

Lower Bourne, Farnham, Surrey

http://www.brianwakem.co.uk/weather

Live obs @ 21:50:39 : 18.3C, DP 13.6C, RH 74%, 0.0 mm

[xmetman]

Well spotted!

I may have been subtracting the winter LTA from the summer means, but hopefully all is now fixed.

It's amazing that post is one of the most popular I've written since my new start, that's because it was picked up by the anti AGW fraternity. 

It's not difficult to imagine why they saw no problem with those large summer anomalies but until you mentioned it no one as emailed me to say.

I don't allow comments because I had become a battleground for the AGW debate. 

People are still free to contact me through the contacts page. 

To be quite honest the blog is a labor of love and is not widely read.

[Julian Mayes]

I look forward to seeing the article published in Weather    :)  

- maybe combined with your summer index one.

Surprisingly low total for 1959.  Lengthy spells of fine weather but rarely intense heat?  

Julian   

[xmetman]

I don't think so - they don't like my chatty style!

Here's a table that I didn't publish of the full data my program churns out and as you can see also I keep a tally of the days above 25°C.

1959 with its lovely late summer and autumn is #12 with 16 days above 25°C, but it only achieved 9 "heatwave days" from 3 events.

25°C as a maximum in the CET series is quite an achievement, because as you know it's a composite temperature from three widely spaced stations.

Even yesterday only achieved 24.2°C (provisional).

[Jack Harrison]

Bruce.  You seem to have impressive access to historic data.  The late Philip Eden was equally impressive.  Any idea what happened to Philip’s [undoubtedly] huge archive?

Jack

[xmetman]

No I don't, but you're right.I

I bet they've been kept by a relative or maybe donated to the RMetSoc.

[Graham Easterling]

It never ceased to amaze me what information he had at his fingertips. He supplied so much data to me.

I remember once stating on USW that it was one of the days on record in Penzance. I got an email detailing all the lowest temperatures, max & min, recorded in penzance over all 3 winter months. A couple of real surprises.

A man really missed for many reasons.

Graham
Penzance

[Graham Easterling]

I seem to have omitted the word ‘coldest’ before days in Penzance

Graham
Penzance

[Julian Mayes]

Any idea what happened to Philip’s [undoubtedly] huge archive?

A good question - readers of the COL bulletins will be aware of the dispersal of his stock of instruments and journals, assembled under the auspices of the Chiltern Obs. Trust, organised by Stephen Burt and Roger Brugge. It was nice to see photos in a  recent issue of the proud new owners of these items. But I guess what Jack is referring to specifically is what must be a unique set of notes detailing his weather memory and knowledge. I am sure it will have been preserved by Stephen and Roger, electronically or otherwise. 

Julian