This snapshot, taken on 18/10/2011, shows web content selected for preservation by The National Archives. External links, forms and search boxes may not work in archived websites.

We are developing our new website. Please take a look at our new beta site and let us know what you think.

UK climate summaries

These web pages are a source of information for those interested in the climate of the UK. The pages are updated each month to reflect the latest month’s weather across the UK. A timetable for publication of the climate summaries is available below.

Timing of summaries and statistics

Those interested in climate change and predictions of future climates should also visit the Climate Change web pages.

UK last month

September 2011

A changeable ‘westerly’ weather type prevailed for most of the month with showers or longer spells of rain, especially in the north-west. There were also some strong winds at times. The last week saw a fine, very warm spell with some exceptionally high temperatures for the time of year.

The mean temperature was 1.5 °C above the 1971-2000 average and provisionally it was the warmest September since 2006 and the equal-sixth warmest in the last 100 years. Most of England saw below average rainfall, with the Midlands, East Anglia, Kent and other eastern areas recording less than half the normal amount. This was the seventh consecutive dry month in the Midlands. In contrast, the western Highlands of Scotland and parts of north-west England recorded over 150% of average. Sunshine amounts varied from somewhat below normal over western Scotland and Northern Ireland to above normal in East Anglia.

A maximum temperature of 29.2 °C was recorded at Cambridge and Sutton Bonington (Nottinghamshire) on the 30th. A minimum temperature of -0.4 °C was recorded at Tyndrum (Stirling) early on the 15th. In the 24 hours ending at 0900 on the 6th, 79.6 mm of rainfall was recorded at Capel Curig (Conwy). A wind gust of 87 mph was recorded at Needles Old Battery (Isle of Wight) on the 6th.

Monthly assessment | Regional values

Monthly, seasonal and annual summaries

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001

Graphs, maps and data sets





Homogenous series based on selected station data

Central England Temperature (series begins in 1659).

UK Regional Precipitation (series begins in 1766).