Despite two colder and drier spells, February ended up slightly milder and slightly wetter than average. Low pressure over Ireland and the south of England brought mild southwest winds and rain across the Teignmouth and Dawlish district. From the 6th, as low pressure moved away over France, easterly winds extended over the district resulting in a drier but cold period with frequent frosts. Atlantic frontal systems edged in from the west returning much milder south to southwest winds and leading to a rather wet and unsettled period between the 14th and 20th with exceptionally mild temperatures up until the 25th. High pressure developed across SW England for the last few days of the month, bringing chilly nights but warm and sunny days.

[H2The rainfall statistics[.H2]

In terms of statistics:

Rainfall for the month totalled around 80mm in the Dawlish and Teignmouth area, which was a little above the 30 year long-term average (LTA) of 72mm, although rainfall totals over the hills in the west of the district were nearer 100mm. There were around 14 wet days which is above the LTA of 10 wet days and there were slightly fewer dry days. The wettest day was the 20th with around 15mm of rain recorded in many places and there were two or three days when rainfall totals were over 10mm.

The month's warmest and coldest days

The temperature for the month averaged out between 6 and 7 Celsius, fractionally above the LTA of 6.4 Celsius. The highest temperature of around 15 Celsius was on the 24th and the lowest, typically around minus 1 Celsius, was in the cold spell between the 6th and 13th. For most places the coldest morning was on the 10th although Netherton recorded minus 3 Celsius on the 6th. The average number of frosts at Teignmouth is four nights and although some coastal areas had fewer frosts, inland, there were as many as eight nights with an air frost.

The sea temperature at the Dawlish Wave Buoy started and ended the month around 9 Celsius having dipped to 7 Celsius in the middle of the month.

Long term average sunshine is around 84 hours at Teignmouth. The electronically recorded value at Dawlish and Teignmouth was 70 to 80 hours which compares fairly well with other locations in SW England which recorded slightly below average sunshine. The Teignmouth Den sunshine figure is not currently available.

It was windy on several days especially on the 8th, 9th, 11th 12th and 13th.