Absolute Drought?

This forum is for discussing and posting observations of short term weather events that have taken place within the last few days. It could include details of thunderstorms, snow, rainfall, hail, temperatures, etc. Please create a thread for the day, or add your comment to the existing thread if it is related to previous comments there.
Post Reply
Greg Gruner
Posts: 42
Joined: Sun Dec 13, 2015 7:36 pm
Location: Farnborough

Absolute Drought?

Post by Greg Gruner » Thu Dec 08, 2016 9:30 pm

Yesterday, December 7th, was my 15th consecutive day without measurable rainfall. This is what used to be called an "Absolute Drought", although, quite rightly, this definition has fallen into disuse. It all depends on the season and the rainfall around the 15-day dry period that counts. I recorded 37.5mm November 19-21 (storm Angus and another low), so 15 days without rainfall after such a deluge cannot be called a drought. Nevertheless, it is unusual to have 15+ consecutive dry days at this time of year.
It looks like rain is on the way for Saturday, however.

Greg Gruner
Posts: 42
Joined: Sun Dec 13, 2015 7:36 pm
Location: Farnborough

Re: Absolute Drought?

Post by Greg Gruner » Thu Dec 22, 2016 9:29 pm

The month is still looking a dry one here in Farnborough - only 6.0mm so far (monthly mean LTA is 69mm). Reading University has only had 9.1mm.
The cold front from Storm "Barbara" looks like it will bring some rain, but moving through quite quickly. The Christmas Day low looks like it will bring even less. After that, for us in the south, it looks like high pressure all the way through to the end of the month. So maybe a December in top 10 driest?

User avatar
Paul Swinhoe
Site Admin
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 2015 9:57 am
Location: Newcastle-under-Lyme
Contact:

Re: Absolute Drought?

Post by Paul Swinhoe » Sat Dec 24, 2016 3:19 pm

No absolute drought in North Staffordshire, but he autumn as been dry. Despite this it looks as though the annual total will just exceed the long term normal, as the 7 of the first 8 months of the year had above average rainfall.
Any problems with the website or forum contact me via the COL website

Paul Swinhoe
COL Webmaster

User avatar
Len Wood
Posts: 102
Joined: Sat Dec 12, 2015 8:41 pm
Location: 1 km from coast in Wembury, SW Devon

Re: Absolute Drought?

Post by Len Wood » Wed Dec 28, 2016 10:09 am

35.4 mm to 27th Dec. here.
30% of 1981-2010 average.
Len
Wembury, SW Devon coast

83 m amsl

Post Reply