Rutlandweather
 December is normally associated with Christmas, and often very little else. It is normally the mildest of the 3 winter months, having a mean temperatures similar to those of March. Although, of course, the daylight is much shorter this month. Last year was therefore a bit of an exception with its snow and frost. So one of the most frequently asked questions for forecasters to answer is ‘Will it be a white Christmas’? In the exceptionally severe December of 1981 snow was frequent and frosts severe, but although snow was lying over nearly the whole of the country on Christmas Day none actually fell, so the punters who went for a white Christmas lost out. Last year we had two inches of nearly full snow cover but none actually fell, so punters lost out again. Even though it was a beautiful crisp and bright day. Generally though December is a fairly mild but stormy month in Rutland, of course there are also frosts and fogs - but the amount of snow lying and falling is generally less than March. There are more white Easters than there are white Christmasses.! The average Rutland winter temperatures in the winter months are Dec 4.5C (40F) Jan 2.5C (36F) and February 4.0C (39F). But as a general guide watch the wind direction should it get into the north or east prolonged cold spells may occur this month, northerlies are not too bad, they bring cold frosty weather but generally not to much snow. Easterlies on the other hand may bring a lot of cloud and heavy snow - but these tend to be rare in December (Famous last words). But , `‘When the wind is in the East, blows no good for man nor beast’ is a good winter guide so watch that weather vane! November 2011 was mild. Thus bringing to an end a very mild and sunny autumn The overall temperature was well above normal for the month as a whole, but rainfall was lamentably low again with only 24.2mm (0.95 inches), with sunshine above average. December looks as though it should stay fairly mild as mild winters often follow mild and dry autumns. But January and February are normally our coldest and snowiest months so there is a way to go yet. Issued Sunday 04 December 2011. Please note these forecasts are for interest and educational purposes only. They should not be used commercially or operationally. |