Wind weary battered by storms
20.05.12
RESIDENTS of Wick and district endured a cold and wetter-than-normal December. However, it was for its strong winds the month was particularly memorable – it will certainly remain notorious for its frequent bouts of sustained, violent and damaging winds.
Notably, the month hosted Wick’s highest wind velocity since January 2005. These features betrayed the fundamentally “cyclonic westerly” personality of the month. In spite of it being predominately cold, Wick witnessed its warmest Christmas Day ever and the air temperature on Boxing Day was the royal burgh’s highest since records began in 1914.
Wick’s mean air temperature for December was 3.59C (38.46F), down 0.91C on the long-term number. Nevertheless, this value was decidedly balmy in comparison to the corresponding mean temperature for December 2010 of just 0.57C (33.03F), the lowest on record.
The average maximum daytime temperature for December was 5.56C (42.01F) while the seasonal norm is 7C (44.6F). The temperature reached or exceeded a mild 10C (50F) on four days.
Source: John O'Groat Journal
