By Mike Trigger

March 2023, after a dry but chilly first week the month became very wet and mild.

High pressure over Britain brought largely dry but rather chilly weather across the district for the first week, and was very much a continuation of the exceptionally dry weather in February. From the 8th it was all change as Atlantic weather systems swept across southern England. These first weather systems brought over half a month's rain in just two days as low pressure tracked east over SW England. After a brief lull on the 10th, further Atlantic depressions moved towards the UK bringing milder temperatures associated with frequent southwest winds, rather cloudy skies and periods of rain. There was a little respite on the 19th and 26th as temporary ridges of higher pressure produced a few drier days. The month ended with storm Mathis (named by MeteoFrance) moving east over southern England and producing another wet period.

In terms of statistics:

Despite a cold start to the month the average temperature was between 8 and 9 Celsius, almost a degree above the 1961 to 2010 long term average for March. The highest temperature of the month was between 15 and 16 Celsius and occurred in different parts of the district between the 18th and 25th. The coldest night occurred on the 3rd of the month in all parts when lowest values ranged from just above freezing in most places to as low as minus 1.3 Celsius in Exminster and minus 3 Celsius in Netherton. Most parts avoided an air frost although temperatures in the early part of the month were low enough for a possible ground frost. Exminster only had one air frost, but Nertherton, which is in a valley that slopes down towards the North, recorded an air frost on six nights.

Rainfall total in the Dawlish area ranged from 120 to 160mm but near the Teign estuary across to Exeter values of 150 to almost 200mm where recorded. This was about two and in places three times the average rainfall expected in March and goes some way to making up for the very dry February. There were around 8 dry days (average 15), 20 days with 1mm or more of rain (average 11), between 4 and 7 days with 10mm or more (average 2 or 3 days) and 1 or 2 days with 20mm or more.

There were windy periods on several days including the 9th 10th 13th 22nd 23rd 25th and 31st.

Sunshine was estimated to be between 50 and 90 hours, that's half to two thirds of the long term average of 123 hours.

The sea temperature at the Dawlish wave buoy increased from 8 Celsius at the start of March to 10 Celsius at the end.