Key Facts
Here are a some intersting weather facts from the past from 2005. You might find them usefull for the pub quiz but check them first. If you see any that need updating please let us know.
Temperature Facts
The highest temperatures recorded in the UK was 38.5°C in Brogdale, near Faversham, Kent, on 10 August 2003.
The lowest temperature recorded in the UK was -27.2C at Braemar in the Grampians, on January 10 1982 and Altnaharra, Highland on 30 December 1995.
Highest and Lowest
The highest temperature recorded in the world was 58C at El Azizia in Africa, on September 13, 1922.
Amazing Wind Facts
Hurricane force winds blow at more than 72 mph, sometimes much more, and move the storm along at up to 30mph. They can travel 300 to 400 miles a day or up to 3,000 miles before it dies out.
The strongest winds ever measured (excluding tornadoes) were gusts of 372 km/h (231 mph)at Mount Washington, New Hampshire, USA on 12 April 1934.
Wind is very Powerful:
The first official hurricane warning was issued in 1847 by William Reid, the British governor of Barbados.
Amazing Sun Facts
In December 1890, Westminster in London, there was no sunshine for the entire month.
The longest continuous record of sunshine has been maintained at Kew, a district of London, England.
Rain and Storm Facts
The greatest rainfall in 24 hours in the UK was 279.4mm on the 18-19 July 1955.
In the UK, the largest amount of rain which fell in a year, was in 1954 when 6,527mm was recorded in Sprinkling Tarn.
Highest and Lowest
The greatest amount of rain recorded world wide in 24 hours was in La Reunion in the Indian Ocean, when 1825mm fell 7 and 8 January 1966.
On the upper slopes of Mt. Wai-ale-ale in Hawaii, rain falls on average on 335 days per year.
A snowfall of 25 cm (10in) is equivalent to approximately 2.5cm (1in) of rainfall.
The American, Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) proved that lightning was caused by electricity by flying a kite in a thunderstorm. At either end of the string was some metal. When the string became wet, a spark jumped from the lower key.
Humidity Facts and Figures
Seawaters cover about 70% of the Earth's surface. The oceans affect weather and climate in many ways.
The amount of water held in the atmosphere at any one time is sufficient to produce about 2.5 cm (1 in) of rain over the surface of the Earth.
Water Facts
There is about 5,000 million million tonnes of precipitation in one year.
Pressure Facts
The lowest pressure reading recorded was on September 2, 1935 on the Florida Keys, an unusual 892.3 millibars (26.35 inches of mercury). This has only been beaten by the ultra-low pressure recorded at the centre of hurricanes. On October 12, 1979 a record 870 mb of central pressure was recorded in the heart of Typhoon Tip.
The highest sea level pressure figures recorded in the world are generally from Siberia. A figure of 1075.2 millibars (31.75 inches of mercury) was recorded on 14 January, 1893 at Irkutsk, Siberia. The highest recorded air pressure, adjusted to sea-level, was 1083.8 millibars (32 inches of mercury) at Agata, Siberia, on 31 December 1968.
Highest and Lowest
The average air pressure at sea-level over the whole planet is 1013.2 millibars (29.92 inches of mercury).
Key Dates in UK Weather History
55 BC
Julius Caesar was thwarted in his first invasion of Britain because of strong north-westerly winds.
Aug-Sept 1588
The Spanish Armada was wrecked during its retreat past Scotland and Ireland.
1607
The first Frost Fair was held on the frozen river Thames in London. It had tents, sideshows and food stalls. The climate between 1550 and 1750 was known as the Little Ice Age, when winters were so cold that the Thames froze over each year for many years, permitting the Frost Fairs. The last one was held in the winter of 1813-14.
2-6 Sept 1666
The Great Fire of London, which followed a prolonged dry spell, was made worse by a strong easterly wind which fanned the flames. A drought during 1665 and 1666 had left the wooden buildings of London as dry as tinder wood making it quicker for the fire to take hold. The fire destroyed thousands of houses and public buildings, including St Paul's Cathedral.
15 May 1697
The most severe hailstorm was thought to be this one which struck Hitchin and Offley in Hertfordshire, causing at least one death, tearing up the ground and splitting oak trees in two. The hailstones were about 60 mm (2¼ in) in diameter in Hitchin and 110 mm (4¼ in) in Offley, with some reputed to be 140 mm (5½ in).
Source BBC May 2005
