Very significant variations in storminess have been recorded over the
last 200 years for Armagh observatory despite the sheltered inland
nature of the site. This includes evidence for increased storminess at
the end of the Little Ice Age. However, there is no evidence of
increased storminess over the last 30 years. When similar records from
other Irish stations are examined, there is some evidence of a
possible northwards movement of the storm tracks that have affected
the island of Ireland over the last 30 years."

Martin.

Number of gales in Penzance:-

8 years 1992-1999 137 - 17 per annum.
Broadly in line with the earlier date in HH Lambs 'The English
Climate'

8 years 2000-2007 (so far) 77 - 10 per annum.

Down to the more northwards tracking of most of the storms?

Last winter saw some massive seas, certainly the most consistent big
seas this century, but there were no really damaging gusts. (Strongest
I recorded 61mph, compared to 80mph on 4/1/98)

The seas were certainly damaging, but apparently the MetO weather
warnings don't cater for this. When I suggested that a warning should
have been issued at a time when Penzance prom was shut due to the
volume of sea water pouring across & into houses, and cars were being
washed off the pier at Mousehole, it was pointed out to me rather
bluntly that 'Threshold values had not been met for a coastal
location' apparently because the wind wasn't strong enough.

Graham
Penzance

Graham
Penzance