Calm

-2C

-1.8, dew -5.0 (the latter is unusual for here). The overnight low so far is also -1.8 and yesterday's high was 2.4.

I note that the traditionally coldest spot in the SE, Benson in Oxfordshire, is at -7.5C

There’s not as much at the beach but it’s still impressive.

https://online.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/Webcam/images/beach.jpg 

Yes, the dryness is very concerning indeed. Last year's very large rainfall deficit was never even close to being completely made up despite a very wet November and the wet start to December, and this year is also starting off on a very dry note at the very time when we badly need to be getting some sustained rainfall in order to replenish our rivers and reservoirs, otherwise I can only see some very serious issues ahead with water scarcity when it comes to the spring and summer which would then be likely to be even more severe than what we witnessed last year especially if we don't start to get that much needed rainfall soon.

For that reason, this is actually the worst possible time for us to be under a northerly because as a result of the shelter from the hills to our north, that just usually always results in it being completely bone dry here at this time of the year unless the wind veers more towards the NE and allows some of the showery activity to come further in towards Edinburgh from off the North Sea. That is sadly not the case on this occasion though.

Meanwhile back on topic, yesterday was our coldest day of the winter so far with a maximum temperature of 2.3°C at Edinburgh Gogarbank where a total of 3.8 hours of sunshine was recorded. Last night was then our coldest night of this year so far as the temperature at Edinburgh Gogarbank dropped to -3.4°C.

However, this has now brought us into yet another bright and sunny start to yet another day (could this year possibly be another year like last year in which the Sun just will not stop shining?) with the temperature as I write, still at around -3°C here in Edinburgh. As it is now after the start of the new official observation day at 09:00 UTC, this means that an official air frost will already be recorded for the coming night as well, regardless of what actually goes on to happen.

Overnight low was -5.3c, which is my lowest for at least 2 years and may be a bit premature but gives a strong possibility of me having recorded my lowest winter temperature in January for 3 years in a row. Given January had for a few years been routinely mild and wet, the fact the last 3 have had noticeable cold spells is a pleasing result!

(There are loads of deeper areas where the snow has drifted)

I love this line Michael from your post above. Great to read this in the current conditions thread 😎

No idea what causes it but I don't think I've ever had a uniform temp drop, there's always a late afternoon/early evening hump. 

I suspect whatever cloud makes it way here from tonight's feature will scupper a properly cold night, which as it looks unlikely to drop any snow on me is 'irritating'. 

There has been some cloud around at times during today and even a light snow shower which left a slight dusting of snow on the ground. However, there has also been plenty of sunshine at times with a total of 3.6 hours of sunshine being recorded for today at Edinburgh Gogarbank. We're not yet even a quarter of the way through this month but we've had almost a quarter of our 1991-2020 January average sunshine during this month already and since we have now entered the time of year when the length of daylight is now increasing (thereby also increasing the amount of available sunshine), this month as it stands is currently on course to be sunnier than average.

Today wasn't cold enough to give us an official ice day, but it was our coldest day of this winter so far with a maximum temperature of 1.4°C at Edinburgh Gogarbank.

As I write, it's still quite early in the evening but the temperature has already dropped to around -3°C here in Edinburgh under clear skies.

Yesterday's high was 2.0.

-4.0c and clear now, low -4.8c.