By Mike Trigger

January 2023 rainfall totals were around 30% higher than average. The temperature for the month was close to the 30-year average despite more frequent days with a frost. Sunshine was above average.

The first half of January 2023 was mostly unsettled as wet and at times windy weather spread across SW England. This was associated with a run of Atlantic low pressure weather systems and winds frequently from a west or southwest direction. Notably wet days were the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 15th. On the night of the 15th into the 16th a low-pressure system moved SE across Devon bringing some snow across the hills and moors as colder air moved in from the north. On the 18th cold showery northwest winds brought a temporary covering of soft hail and snow to parts of Dawlish as well as higher parts of the district. From the 19th high pressure took charge of the weather patterns and because of the cold air across the district this was the start of a rather frosty period for many parts of the district. Although this second half of the month was mostly dry there where a few days with some showery rain associated with weak fronts that moved around the high. Milder air and a return of westerly winds reached the area near the end of the month.

In terms of statistics:

The average temperature for the month was around 6 or 7 Celsius, which is close to the thirty year average for January. The highest temperature of the month was around 14 Celsius, occurring on the 4th. There were frequent frosts in the second half of the month with the coldest mornings on the 21st or 25th when a low of minus 3 Celsius was quite widespread and values as low as minus 5 Celsius were recorded in the Netherton and Exminster area. Even coastal areas experienced air frost on these days. On average there are around 4 nights with an air frost in January, but this year there were between 6 and 9 night frosts although near Exminster and Netherton there were 10 and 13 days, respectively.

Rainfall totals were typically between 100 and 160mm, that's about 30% more than average. The wettest days were the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 15th with 40 to 60mm falling on 14th and 15th combined. Despite being a wetter than average month in terms of rainfall totals, there were between 11 and 15 dry days, which is close to the average. There were between 12 and 16 days with recorded rain of 1mm or more (average around 13) and 2 to 5 days with 10mm or more and a few days with 20mm or more.

Strong winds occurred on the 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 11th, 12th and 13th

Sunshine was estimated to be above the average of 65 hours with between 70 and 80 hours.

The sea temperature off Dawlish was just below 9 Celsius at the end of the month.