An historical perspective of the climate statistics

for Coventry during February 2011



Temperature

With a mean monthly temperature of 6.5C, this has been the mildest
February in Coventry since 2002 (7.0C).

Only three February months have been milder than February 2011 since
1990 (1997, 1998 and 2002), and only five have been warmer than this
year in the past 50 years.

Looking even further back in the archives, we find that only 10
February months have been milder than 2011 since 1892, with February
1990 being the warmest at 7.6C.

There were only three air frosts during February 2011, the lowest
number of February frosts since 1990 (1).

• 5th the mildest night of February 2011 recorded an overnight minimum
temperature of 10.5C, making this the warmest February night in
Coventry since 2004 (11.7C).

• 20th the coldest day of the month recorded a maximum temperature of
3.8C, making this the highest such value since 2000 (6.5C).


Rainfall

The February rain fall total (57.2mm) was 29% higher than the 30-year
average for Coventry (1981-2010).

It was the wettest month in the city since August 2010 (126.8mm),
bringing to an end five consecutive months in Coventry with rainfall
totals below normal.

Only August 2010 has recorded a positive rainfall anomaly in the city
in the past twelve months.

Snow fell in Coventry on only one day during February 2011 (14th), and
that fell as sleet accompanied by ice pellets, and was barely
perceptible to the untrained eye! This is the lowest incidence of
February snow in the city since 1997 (0).



Sunshine

For the third year running, the February sunshine total (48.6 hours)
was well below average (62%) for Coventry over the past 30 years
(1981-2010).

February 2011 has become the dullest month at this time of year since
1982 (36.5 hours).

It has also been the dullest first two months of any year in Coventry
since 1996.

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