Last year was the warmest in Oxford since 1815, weather experts are expected to confirm today.
Dr Ian Ashpole, Observer for Oxford’s Radcliffe Meteorological Station, recorded the final measurement for 2014 at 9am today at the weather station at Green Templeton College.
Oxford University’s School of Geography and Environment expect the average annual temperature for 2014 to be more than 11.5 degrees centigrade, 1.8 degrees higher than the 200-year average of 9.7 degrees, a very significant difference in weather terms.
The previous warmest year was 2006, with an average of 11.4 degrees.
Dr Ashpole said: “While the hottest year on record may get all the headlines, it is much more important for everyone to be aware of the underlying trend. Sixteen of the 18 warmest years since 1815 have occurred since 1989. Those are extraordinary figures.
“The flip-side of the coin is that we are not getting the very cold years either. Despite the odd cold spell in recent years none of the 50 coldest years since 1815 have occurred after 1990. ”
Earlier in 2014 Dr Ashpole recorded the wettest winter for nearly 250 years, while this September was the second driest on record.
Twelve of the Septembers since 2000 have had below average rainfall with 6 experiencing less than half of the expected rain.
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