January 2012 Commentary

The mild conditions experienced on New Year's Eve continued into 2012 but initially there was some heavy rain and I felt that we were going to pay for our dry 2011. But no, the next few weeks of January were again essentially dry and though the mild temperatures were broken by a brief cold spell mid-month, many days were really very pleasant for the time of year.

Towards the end of January the temperatures dipped again, though this time it started to feel like winter with cold days as well as freezing nights. This had been preceded by some more substantial rain and we experienced a flurry of snow on the 30th as the last of the mild air was pushed away.

The temperature averaged 6.4C for the month of January which made it a much milder than the last three but the Januarys of 2007 and 2008 had been even milder. However what made this January so particularly pleasant was the amount of sunshine to go with the lack of rain and I remember wondering on more than one occasion how conditions wouldn't be too bad for cricket.

The total precipitation for January was only 63 mm. which is less than half of the amount that we usually receive in this month. Perhaps water shortages this summer may become a reality?

Philip Spray