A Few Changes

Effective from the weather report for Saturday 8 March 2014:

1. Minimum temperature
A new thermometer is being used for recording the minimum [overnight] temperature,  which is also located several metres away from the old thermometer, and away from buildings. 
Whilst the position of the thermometer has remained unchanged since 2003 when my records began, recent readings seem to have become abnormally high.  There have been several instances of the warmest night ever, etc, since late summer 2013.  Although the last six months have seen a lot of milder than usual weather, readings seem to have exaggerated this to an unacceptable level. 
To give an example, the temperature difference between the two thermometers and locations on the first night in use, was 4.5 degs C.
Although reports and summaries will continue as normal, readers should be mindful of this change, especially in reports of comparative figures.

The thermometer reading maximum temperatures will remain the same for the time being as a false reading would be obtained on sunny days in the new location.  The discrepancies in daytime figures also do not appear to be so much of an issue as that with overnight temperature.

2. Rain and Pressure
New equipment is now also in use for reading rain amounts and air pressure.  As no rain has fallen since the new equipment was installed, a period of testing for comparison will take place when it does - although I hope that's not going to happen anytime soon!
  
3. Wind
It is hoped that wind direction, wind speed and wind chill figures will be added to the daily information soon.  Readings are still being tested for authenticity, as only high pressure has existed since installation, meaning that wind direction is variable and speed is very light, leading to zero windchill.

4. Humidity
Humidity is now also being recorded, however there is much variation throughout each 24 hour period, so it will mainly only be mentioned in monthly summaries, or in cases of a major variation from normal.

5. Thank you for reading Phil's Weather.