1924 Rather Dull and Wet. A Poor Summer.
In the year that Vladimir Lenin died and Petrograd was renamed Leningrad, Ramsay McDonald became the first Labour British Prime Minster. and the car company Mercedes-Benz car was born with the merger of 2 companies owned by Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz. In the music world, Paul Whiteman's Concert Band gave the first performance of George Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue'.
Weather Notes:-
31st May - Over 120mm of rain fell at Ludlow (Shropshire).
22nd July - Wisley (Surrey) recorded 103mm of rain.
18th August - Nearly 239mm of rain (including melted hail) fell at Cannington (Somerset). Of this, 205mm fell in just 5 hours.
In London...
January - Rather mild with above average rainfall and sunshine.
The first 10 days of January were mostly cold with frosty nights and a little sleet and snow. The maximum temperature on the 9th was only minus 0.2°C. During the second week, the weather became mild and changeable. The temperature on the 12th exceeded 11°C. The remainder of the month was generally unsettled with rain bands alternating with spells of sunshine. Most of the rain and drizzle was light, but on the 21st nearly 14mm of rain was measured.
February - Very dull, dry and rather cold.
There was a changeable and mild start to the month, and the temperature on the 6th exceeded 10°C. It then became more settled but rather dull and misty. There were a few clear, frosty nights and early on the15th the minimum temperature was below minus 4°C. There was a little sleet and snow, and on the 17th the maximum temperature was only 1.6°C. Measurable rain fell on 8 days during February, and the wettest day, the 27th, had a meagre 2mm of rain.
March - Cold, dry and sunny.
There was some cold, but changeable weather during the early part of March. On the 6th, over 5mm of rain was recorded. A spell of settled weather followed with plenty of sunshine and no measurable rain between the 7th and 22nd. There were several frosty nights and some chilly days although it became milder by the fourth week. The temperature rose above 14°C.on the 24th, but there was a wintry end to the month, and the maximum on the 27th was only 5.2°C.
April - Dull, wet and rather cold.
The first half of April was cold and showery with several frosty nights. The showers were often wintry with sleet or snow falling on 6 separate days. The coldest weather occurred during the second week, and the maximum temperature on the 11th was only 3.9°C. There were some warmer days later in the month, and on the 21st it was sunny with an afternoon temperature close to 22°C. The heaviest rain in this changeable month occurred on the 30th with 18mm falling.
May - Rather warm and wet with below average sunshine.
The beginning of the month was sunny at times, but generally unsettled and cool, with ground frosts during the first week, and maximum temperatures on both 5th and 8th of only 12.0°C. There were 8 days with thunder reported during May, and nearly 8mm of rain fell on the 10th. However, despite the thundery nature of the month, no heavy falls of rain were recorded, It became warmer from around mid month, and the temperature on the 17th rose above 24°C.
June - Very wet with below average sunshine and slightly below normal temperatures.
On the opening day of this changeable month nearly 25mm of rain was recorded. Further heavy rain occurred during the first 3 weeks, and at times it was very cool. The maximum temperature on the 13th was only 13.1°C. Towards the end of the month it was sunnier, but still not entirely settled, although temperatures rose above average. On the 26th there was sunshine throughout the day and this helped to lift the afternoon temperature above 25°C.
July - Wet, rather cool and sunny.
Early July was rather cool and changeable, but there were some sunny spells. The second week was very warm, and although largely sunny at first, it became cloudier and humid with some thundery rain. The temperature almost reached 30°C. on the 12th, and the 14th was sunny all day. However, nearly 27mm of rain fell on the 17th, and the remainder of the month was rather cool and unsettled. The maximum temperature on the 28th was only 15.7°C.
August - Cool and dull with above average rainfall.
There were no warm spells during this very unsettled and cool month. There was a hint of summer during the second week, with a day of sunshine on the 9th, and an afternoon temperature of 24°C. on the 11th. This warmer interlude was followed by lower temperatures during the third week, and towards the end of the month it became very cool at times. The temperature only reached 15.2°C. on the 24th, and on the 30th nearly 8mm of rain was measured.
September - Wet and rather dull with below average temperatures.
September was unsettled and it was frequently rather cool, cloudy and wet. A brief warmer and sunnier interlude occurred at the end of the first week, and on the 6th the temperature rose to 22°C. After a sunny day on the 8th, the changeable pattern continued. Amounts of rain were mostly small, but late in the month it was occasionally very cool. windy and wet. The maximum temperature was only 13.4°C. on the 25th, and on the 30th nearly 18mm of rain was recorded.
October - Very dull and wet with above average temperatures.
This month was changeable with large amounts of cloud and brief sunny intervals. Daytime temperatures were close to average, although cloud cover kept nights mild. A very mild interlude during the second week was accompanied by a maximum temperature of 20°C. on the 13th. There was some windy, wet and cold weather towards the end of October. Around 16mm of rain fell on the 21st, and the maximum temperature on the 25th was only 8.4°C.
November - Dull and rather mild with below average rainfall.
There was some very mild weather early in November, and the maximum temperature on the 1st was above 15°C.. It became rather cold late in the first week, and after a largely sunny day on the 4th, the first frost of the autumn occurred. It became milder again, but also windy and wet. On the 12th, nearly 17mm of rain fell. There was another short colder interlude during the third week, with the temperature only reaching 4.6°C. on the 17th. Milder weather then returned.
December - Mild and rather wet with above average sunshine.
The month was changeable, and the first week was mild. On the 5th the temperature almost reached 13°C. During the second week some very dense, persistent fog formed with visibilities down to 5m at times. On the 10th and 11th the temperature hovered around freezing with a maximum of just 1.1°C. on the 11th. Sunshine, alternating with rain bands, returned at the end of the second week, and although rain was often light, nearly 19mm fell on the 27th.
31st May - Over 120mm of rain fell at Ludlow (Shropshire).
22nd July - Wisley (Surrey) recorded 103mm of rain.
18th August - Nearly 239mm of rain (including melted hail) fell at Cannington (Somerset). Of this, 205mm fell in just 5 hours.
In London...
| Temperature | 10.3°C | Rainfall | 787.1 mm | Warmest | 29.9°C |
| Sunshine | 1391 hrs | Coldest | -4.5°C |
January - Rather mild with above average rainfall and sunshine.
| Mean Temperature | 5.2°C | ||
| Monthly Highest | 11.1°C | Total Rain | 64 mm |
| Monthly Lowest | -3.1°C | Total Sun | 54 hrs |
The first 10 days of January were mostly cold with frosty nights and a little sleet and snow. The maximum temperature on the 9th was only minus 0.2°C. During the second week, the weather became mild and changeable. The temperature on the 12th exceeded 11°C. The remainder of the month was generally unsettled with rain bands alternating with spells of sunshine. Most of the rain and drizzle was light, but on the 21st nearly 14mm of rain was measured.
February - Very dull, dry and rather cold.
| Mean Temperature | 3.3°C | ||
| Monthly Highest | 10.6°C | Total Rain | 10 mm |
| Monthly Lowest | -4.5°C | Total Sun | 37 hrs |
There was a changeable and mild start to the month, and the temperature on the 6th exceeded 10°C. It then became more settled but rather dull and misty. There were a few clear, frosty nights and early on the15th the minimum temperature was below minus 4°C. There was a little sleet and snow, and on the 17th the maximum temperature was only 1.6°C. Measurable rain fell on 8 days during February, and the wettest day, the 27th, had a meagre 2mm of rain.
March - Cold, dry and sunny.
| Mean Temperature | 5.2°C | ||
| Monthly Highest | 14.5°C | Total Rain | 11 mm |
| Monthly Lowest | -3.1°C | Total Sun | 154 hrs |
There was some cold, but changeable weather during the early part of March. On the 6th, over 5mm of rain was recorded. A spell of settled weather followed with plenty of sunshine and no measurable rain between the 7th and 22nd. There were several frosty nights and some chilly days although it became milder by the fourth week. The temperature rose above 14°C.on the 24th, but there was a wintry end to the month, and the maximum on the 27th was only 5.2°C.
April - Dull, wet and rather cold.
| Mean Temperature | 8.2°C | ||
| Monthly Highest | 21.8°C | Total Rain | 86 mm |
| Monthly Lowest | -1.5°C | Total Sun | 123 hrs |
The first half of April was cold and showery with several frosty nights. The showers were often wintry with sleet or snow falling on 6 separate days. The coldest weather occurred during the second week, and the maximum temperature on the 11th was only 3.9°C. There were some warmer days later in the month, and on the 21st it was sunny with an afternoon temperature close to 22°C. The heaviest rain in this changeable month occurred on the 30th with 18mm falling.
May - Rather warm and wet with below average sunshine.
| Mean Temperature | 13.3°C | ||
| Monthly Highest | 24.1°C | Total Rain | 61 mm |
| Monthly Lowest | 3.1°C | Total Sun | 184 hrs |
The beginning of the month was sunny at times, but generally unsettled and cool, with ground frosts during the first week, and maximum temperatures on both 5th and 8th of only 12.0°C. There were 8 days with thunder reported during May, and nearly 8mm of rain fell on the 10th. However, despite the thundery nature of the month, no heavy falls of rain were recorded, It became warmer from around mid month, and the temperature on the 17th rose above 24°C.
June - Very wet with below average sunshine and slightly below normal temperatures.
| Mean Temperature | 15.7°C | ||
| Monthly Highest | 25.5°C | Total Rain | 88 mm |
| Monthly Lowest | 6.9°C | Total Sun | 198 hrs |
On the opening day of this changeable month nearly 25mm of rain was recorded. Further heavy rain occurred during the first 3 weeks, and at times it was very cool. The maximum temperature on the 13th was only 13.1°C. Towards the end of the month it was sunnier, but still not entirely settled, although temperatures rose above average. On the 26th there was sunshine throughout the day and this helped to lift the afternoon temperature above 25°C.
July - Wet, rather cool and sunny.
| Mean Temperature | 16.7°C | ||
| Monthly Highest | 29.9°C | Total Rain | 95 mm |
| Monthly Lowest | 7.4°C | Total Sun | 229 hrs |
Early July was rather cool and changeable, but there were some sunny spells. The second week was very warm, and although largely sunny at first, it became cloudier and humid with some thundery rain. The temperature almost reached 30°C. on the 12th, and the 14th was sunny all day. However, nearly 27mm of rain fell on the 17th, and the remainder of the month was rather cool and unsettled. The maximum temperature on the 28th was only 15.7°C.
August - Cool and dull with above average rainfall.
| Mean Temperature | 15.3°C | ||
| Monthly Highest | 24.0°C | Total Rain | 63 mm |
| Monthly Lowest | 8.0°C | Total Sun | 147 hrs |
There were no warm spells during this very unsettled and cool month. There was a hint of summer during the second week, with a day of sunshine on the 9th, and an afternoon temperature of 24°C. on the 11th. This warmer interlude was followed by lower temperatures during the third week, and towards the end of the month it became very cool at times. The temperature only reached 15.2°C. on the 24th, and on the 30th nearly 8mm of rain was measured.
September - Wet and rather dull with below average temperatures.
| Mean Temperature | 14.4°C | ||
| Monthly Highest | 22.0°C | Total Rain | 75 mm |
| Monthly Lowest | 5.2°C | Total Sun | 117 hrs |
September was unsettled and it was frequently rather cool, cloudy and wet. A brief warmer and sunnier interlude occurred at the end of the first week, and on the 6th the temperature rose to 22°C. After a sunny day on the 8th, the changeable pattern continued. Amounts of rain were mostly small, but late in the month it was occasionally very cool. windy and wet. The maximum temperature was only 13.4°C. on the 25th, and on the 30th nearly 18mm of rain was recorded.
October - Very dull and wet with above average temperatures.
| Mean Temperature | 11.2°C | ||
| Monthly Highest | 20.0°C | Total Rain | 92 mm |
| Monthly Lowest | 0.7°C | Total Sun | 61 hrs |
This month was changeable with large amounts of cloud and brief sunny intervals. Daytime temperatures were close to average, although cloud cover kept nights mild. A very mild interlude during the second week was accompanied by a maximum temperature of 20°C. on the 13th. There was some windy, wet and cold weather towards the end of October. Around 16mm of rain fell on the 21st, and the maximum temperature on the 25th was only 8.4°C.
November - Dull and rather mild with below average rainfall.
| Mean Temperature | 7.9°C | ||
| Monthly Highest | 15.6°C | Total Rain | 58 mm |
| Monthly Lowest | -2.8°C | Total Sun | 41 hrs |
There was some very mild weather early in November, and the maximum temperature on the 1st was above 15°C.. It became rather cold late in the first week, and after a largely sunny day on the 4th, the first frost of the autumn occurred. It became milder again, but also windy and wet. On the 12th, nearly 17mm of rain fell. There was another short colder interlude during the third week, with the temperature only reaching 4.6°C. on the 17th. Milder weather then returned.
December - Mild and rather wet with above average sunshine.
| Mean Temperature | 6.6°C | ||
| Monthly Highest | 12.7°C | Total Rain | 72 mm |
| Monthly Lowest | -0.7°C | Total Sun | 46 hrs |
The month was changeable, and the first week was mild. On the 5th the temperature almost reached 13°C. During the second week some very dense, persistent fog formed with visibilities down to 5m at times. On the 10th and 11th the temperature hovered around freezing with a maximum of just 1.1°C. on the 11th. Sunshine, alternating with rain bands, returned at the end of the second week, and although rain was often light, nearly 19mm fell on the 27th.
