In the year that Nikita Khruschev became leader of the Soviet Union following the death of Joseph Stalin, Edmund Hilary and Sherpa Tenzing made the first successful ascent of Mount Everest and the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II took place at Westminster Abbey. In the world of music, Frankie Laine dominated the British Charts with 3 Number Ones and a total of 28 weeks in the top spot. His hit 'I Believe' was a chart topper for 18 consecutive weeks. Weather Notes:- 31st January - Severe north to northwest gales, low pressure and high tides combined to produce devastating floods in parts of eastern England. Much loss of life occurred, with the Netherlands suffering an even greater disaster. 28th March - Over 75mm of rain fell across a large area of south and central Wales, including over 107mm at LLangurig (Powys). 16th June - Thunderstorms produced some localised torrential downpours in northern England, including over 170mm at Sedbergh (Cumbria).
In London...
Temperature
10.6°C
Rainfall
499.1 mm
Warmest
31.2°C
Sunshine
1585 hrs
Coldest
-3.8°C
January - Dry, dull and rather cold.
Mean Temperature
3.5°C
Monthly Highest
13.4°C
Total Rain
22 mm
Monthly Lowest
-3.8°C
Total Sun
34 hrs
The first week of January was mostly cold and changeable with a mixture of rain, sleet and snow. On the 6th, nearly 12mm of rain was measured, and on the 7th the maximum temperature was only 1.9°C. During the second week, the weather became mainly dry, and although some overnight frosts occurred, days generally became less cold. There were many dry and cloudy days, but the end of month was unsettled and mild, and the 31st was a windy day.
February - Rather dry with near normal temperatures and sunshine.
Mean Temperature
4.4°C
Monthly Highest
13.9°C
Total Rain
29 mm
Monthly Lowest
-3.3°C
Total Sun
62 hrs
The first half of February was fairly unsettled but rainfall amounts were small and although rather cloudy at times there were some clear and frosty nights. On the 10th, nearly 12mm of rain fell, and this was followed by a cold interlude with a little snow. On both the 14th and 15th, the temperature only reached 1.8°C. At the end of the third week it became mild with plenty of sunshine. No measurable rain fell after the 19th, and on the 27th the temperature almost reached 14°C.
March - Very dry with below average temperatures and near normal sunshine.
Mean Temperature
5.9°C
Monthly Highest
19.4°C
Total Rain
11 mm
Monthly Lowest
-2.8°C
Total Sun
110 hrs
There was no measurable rain during the first 25 days of March, but at times it was cloudy. The first week was particularly dull and misty, and the maximum temperature on the 5th was only 4.9°C. The second and third weeks were brighter and milder but with several frosty nights. The temperature rose above 19°C. on the 25th but then the weather became rather changeable. On the 30th, over 5mm of rain fell, but the last day of the month was mostly sunny.
April - Rather cold and wet with above average sunshine.
Mean Temperature
8.6°C
Monthly Highest
17.8°C
Total Rain
56 mm
Monthly Lowest
0.6°C
Total Sun
171 hrs
The first half of April was changeable, although amounts of rain were generally small. It was windy at times and temperatures were mostly below average. On the 6th, the maximum temperature was only 8.3°C. Towards the end of the third week, it became mainly fine and it became warmer. On the 22nd, it was sunny all day and the afternoon temperature almost reached 18°C. The last week of April was cooler and unsettled. On the 30th, over 16mm of rain fell.
May - Rather warm and sunny with below average rainfall.
Mean Temperature
13.4°C
Monthly Highest
30.1°C
Total Rain
39 mm
Monthly Lowest
2.4°C
Total Sun
240 hrs
The 1st of May was dull and cold with rain at times. The maximum temperature was only 9.1°C. and nearly 8mm of rain were recorded. The 3rd was a sunny day, and much of the first fortnight was then dry with sunny periods. Temperatures were mostly above average, although ground frost occurred on some nights during the second week. After mid month, the weather was changeable, but it became warm at times, and on the 25th, the temperature rose above 30°C.
June - Rather cool and dull with slightly above average rainfall.
Mean Temperature
15.0°C
Monthly Highest
26.2°C
Total Rain
46 mm
Monthly Lowest
6.8°C
Total Sun
174 hrs
The beginning of June was very cool . The 2nd and 3rd were both particularly dull, damp and unseasonably cold days. On the 3rd, the maximum temperature was only 11.0°C. Temperature levels then recovered somewhat but it remained rather cool, often rather cloudy, and occasionally showery. On the 15th, nearly 17mm of rain fell. During the last week of June it became very warm and sunny for a while, and the temperature on the 26th exceeded 26°C.
July - Cool and wet with near normal sunshine.
Mean Temperature
16.4°C
Monthly Highest
24.7°C
Total Rain
92 mm
Monthly Lowest
10.3°C
Total Sun
203 hrs
There were some fine days during the first week, and the 5th was sunny with the temperature near 25°C. The remainder of the month was changeable as a series of Atlantic frontal systems crossed the country bringing bands of rain. There were sunny spells and a few showers between rain bands, and temperatures mainly stayed below normal. After a dry start, the 31st became a wet day with over 17mm of rain falling and a maximum temperature of only 16.2°C.
August - Sunny and rather dry with temperatures close to average.
Mean Temperature
17.4°C
Monthly Highest
31.2°C
Total Rain
44 mm
Monthly Lowest
8.4°C
Total Sun
240 hrs
There was no measurable rain during the first 17 days of August and much of the period was sunny. Temperatures were near, or slightly below, average at first, but during the second week it became very warm or hot. The temperature on the 12th exceeded 31°C., but it then became cooler, and during the third week the weather turned unsettled and occasionally windy. On the 20th, over 16mm of rain fell and on the 22nd the highest temperature was only 17.9°C.
September - Sunny with slightly below average temperatures and near normal rainfall.
Mean Temperature
14.4°C
Monthly Highest
23.8°C
Total Rain
51 mm
Monthly Lowest
7.6°C
Total Sun
184 hrs
The opening fortnight of September was mainly dry with sunny periods. It was fairly warm at times, and on the 8th the afternoon temperature was close to 24°C. At the end of the second week it became cooler, and after mid month the weather became more changeable. On the 17th, over 12mm of rain fell, and it stayed unsettled during the remainder of the month as Atlantic frontal systems crossed the country. On the 28th, the maximum temperature was only 15.2°C.
October - Rather dull with temperatures and rainfall close to nomal.
Mean Temperature
10.9°C
Monthly Highest
20.3°C
Total Rain
58 mm
Monthly Lowest
1.6°C
Total Sun
81 hrs
The 1st of October was humid and warm with the temperature exceeding 20°C. There were further rather warm and sunny days during the opening week of October, but then the weather became unsettled and less warm. On the 13th, nearly 22mm of rain fell, but although the second half of the month was often cloudier and cooler, there were still several dry days. The last week was rather windy, and on the 28th the highest temperature was only 11.0°C.
November - Dry and mild with average sunshine.
Mean Temperature
8.4°C
Monthly Highest
13.7°C
Total Rain
38 mm
Monthly Lowest
-0.1°C
Total Sun
53 hrs
The 1st day of the month was wet with nearly 28mm of rain falling. It then became rather cold and mostly dry with sunny periods and slight overnight frosts. During the second week, there were further dry days and it became milder. The maximum temperature on the 13th was nearly 14°C. The mild weather persisted until the end of the third week, but it then became rather cool and cloudy, The maximum temperature on both the 22nd and 23rd, was only 7.5°C.
December - Very dry, mild and dull.
Mean Temperature
8.0°C
Monthly Highest
15.1°C
Total Rain
13 mm
Monthly Lowest
-0.3°C
Total Sun
33 hrs
The first 3 weeks of December were rather cloudy, and with winds blowing from the south it was mostly very mild. On the 4th, the temperature exceeded 15°C. During the fourth week, it was less mild and on the night of the 20th/21st the only frost of the month occurred. There were a few sunny spells, but generally cloud persisted. Rainfall amounts were mostly small, but on the 30th over 4mm of rain was recorded, with the temperature only reaching 5.7°C.
