[quote=JPG;16926]I have noted recently from the oft-quoted CET figures that February 1986 was an
exceptionally cold, but dry, month.

It happened to be the month that I last moved house. I recall a couple of
things about that month. The very low absolute humidity caused more static
electricity build-up when working in our new house than I have known since
(except in N American hotels in winter) - all of our family were subjected to
frequent electric shocks.

Notable also were day after day of very low maxima, often below freezing. One
result of the cold weather was that all of our house-plants, kept overnight in
the mover's pantechnicon, were lost to frost except for the umbrella plant.

We still have the umbrella plant - it seems to take no end of abuse and thrive;
in faCt this year we have left it outside and it seems to be unaffected by frost
- it should be re-classiified as hardy IMO.

JPG[I have just joined,because of this post which brings back many memories for me. I live in the village of Whitwick in NW Leics and At the time worked at Dunlop Pr in Shepshed,about 4 miles away. I remember that we only had a dusting of snow,more like grains,which persisted throughout the month,the harsh wind,blowing it about.I sometimes walked home from work during the month in the bitter wind though I seem to remember unbroken sunshine.I kept a weather diary around this time just based on observations rather than instruments,sadly I threw this away but I believe that this is the only calender month I can remember without any rain,though the summer days of '76 seemed rainless for weeks on end I can't be sure about the nights.As I said there wasn't any rain but there was a dusting of snow.I think it may have rained on March the 1st however.The reason that Feb '86 sticks in my mind is that my cat,Susies' health deteriorated throughout the month and she died aged sixteen,though I must admit I can't be precise about the date. I was just 21 and still take a keen interest in weather to this day.steve johnson/QUOTE]