An historical perspective on the climate statistics

for Coventry during March 2009


Temperature

After the coldest winter for thirteen years in Coventry, March 2009
has been pleasantly spring-like at times, with the mean day time
temperature 1.8C higher than the 30-year averages for the city.

With a monthly mean temperature of 7.2C, March 2009 has been milder
than March 2008 (6.2C), but a touch cooler than March 2007 (7.3C).

Only six March months have been warmer than March 2009 in Coventry
since 1994 ( 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2007).

Looking back through the archives, we find that only five March months
have recorded below average temperatures in the city since 1987 (1995,
1996, 2001, 2006 and 2008).

Rainfall

Not only has it been a relatively mild month, but March 2009 has also
been dry with 48% less rainfall than normal in Coventry.

It has been the driest March (25.4mm) in the city since 2000 (15.2mm).

A search through the records reveals that only five months have
recorded less rainfall in Coventry since 1976 (1990, 1993, 1996, 1997
and 2000).

Sunshine

With sunshine records in Coventry dating back to 1895, we find that
March 2009 has become the sunniest March in Coventry since records
began..

We recorded 176.4hours of sunshine during March; this is 76% higher
than the 30-year city averages (1971-2000).

Steve Jackson
Bablake Weather Station
Coventry UK
www.bablakeweather.co.uk