Weather log January 2026

 Weather log January 2026

Key

WW = West Wales

Mids = Midlands

Lwn = Llanwnnen

AG = Aldermans Green, Coventry

CL = Church Lawford

LL = Long Lawford

ROW = Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

Nott= Nottingham

CITE = Coton-in-the-Elms, Derbyshire

CC = Capel Curig, Snowdonia

MH = Milford Haven

Carms = Carmarthenshire

Pembs = Pembrokeshire

COL = Climatological Observers Link

PWS = Personal weather station

MO = Met Office

NRW = National Resources Wales

EA = Environment Agency

est = estimated

inc = including

cf = compared with

srb = since records began

CC = Chiffchaff
WW= Willow Warbler
ST = Song Thrush
BB = Blackbird

VW = very wet, W = wet, RW = rather wet, A = average, RD = rather dry, D = dry, VD = very dry

Cold and wintry start to 2026:

Fri 2nd overnight rain turned to snow in places, a sprinkling for Rugby and Coventry, a few cm Brum and Black Country, also much ice.

Sat 3rd brief snow shower gave a new sprinkle at Rugby station just after midnight. Further wintry showers affecting Wales today giving coverings in places. NW Wales reportedly a foot in places (rainfall equivalents close on 2 inches for Snowdonia). Must have a snow cover back home as many showers there on the radar not draining through the Vue (frozen snow or ice). Carmarthen golf course has a thin covering (4 miles NW of the town). Driving home sprinkling of snow as far as Redditch (M42) then all clear to near Brecon. Slight covering then much of the rest of the way, deepest above Cwmann looked 2 inches, with 2cm on our back lawn at 8pm.

Sun 4th snow shower streamer direct hit for Ceredigion overnight into this morning gave a fresh 7cm on  the lawns (total depth 9cm and so not quite the deepest since 2010). Roads blocked this morning including coast road near Llanrhystud, Temple Bar abandoned cars and on the way to Carmarthen. T1 buses cancelled today. Photos of close on a foot of snow in the Deiniolen are of Snowdonia. Severe frost in places, minima Pershore -7.9c, Tirabad -7.3c, CITE -6.1c, CL & Trawsgoed -5.7c, Coventry -4.5c, Lwn -3.1c, MH +1.8c. Cold by day with a partial thaw here; maxima Tirabad +0.6c, CL 1.8c, Trawsgoed 2.8c, Cov 3.1c, Lwn 3.2c, Market Bosworth 3.6c, Pershore 5.2c, MH 6.2c. Mids  generally snow free and sunny today.

Mon 5th 2cm fresh snow this morning with a general 9 or 10cm over the back lawn therefore marginally the greatest snow depth since December 2010. Severe frost quite widely, minima Tirabad -10.3c, Shawbury -9.4c, Pershore -7.9c, Lwn -6.4c, Trawsgoed -5.7c, Cov -4.3c, CL & Coleshill -4.2c, Hereford -3.3c, Aberdaron +0.7c. Many coastal areas affected by snow Cardigan Bay today, road blocked by stuck vehicles Llanarth and at several places on the Lampeter to Carmarthen road this morning. Maximum 0.9c the coldest day at Llanwnnen since Dec 2022 (max -1.8c), other maxima Tirabad -0.9c, CL & Coleshill +0.9c, Cov 1.1c, Pershore & Shobdon 3.3c, MH 4.5c. Unbroken sun parts of Mids (Nott & Wellesbourne 7.2 hrs).

Tue 6th widespread hard frost, minima Tirabad -10.3c, Swyddffynnon -9.3c, Shawbury -9.2c, Pershore -8.4c, Trawsgoed -7.8c, Lwn -7.4c, CL -6.4c, Cov -5.5c, Hereford -3.9c, Aberdaron +0.4c; snow showers overnight a fresh 2cm, general level a good 10cm now, thaw set in afternoon with some light rain and sleet. Maxima higher for some Hereford 6.9c, Cov & Lwn 3.9c, Market Bosworth 3.8c. 

Wed 7th continuous thaw today with max 5.8c, this morning the fourth successive day of snow lying here probably not by tomorrow though. Maxima MH 8.6c, Cov 5.5c. 

Thu 8th most lying snow gone by morning after it got milder overnight close to 6c. Storm Goretti then arrived into SW England later in the day bringing a red warning for wind there. Here rain from early afternoon turned to sleet as colder NE winds started and there was wet snow at times during the evening. A slushy inch on the lawns mid evening thereafter a slow thaw with rain and sleet showers overnight into Friday. 

Fri 9th measured 31.4mm here this morning and so had the temperature been a couple of degrees lower a foot of snow may have fallen and it is likely some of the hills had such amounts in mid Wales. Birmingham & Black Country had 4 to 6 inches, Coleshill MO 3cm max depth, Coventry likewise just an inch or so and little or no snow in Stratford. 2 or 3 inches rainfall equivalent for the area between Cardigan/ Newcastle Emlyn & Carmarthen. 0900 totals: Aberporth 33.3mm (wettest MO), Coleshill 27mm. NRW  Maenclochog 57mm, Llechryd 53mm, Pencader 40mm.

Sub 11th max 11.6c the first day above average (7c) since Dec 23rd and the mildest day since December 11th. Not nice though as damp, drizzle and rather windy.

First half of January was rather cold, rainfall very variable with around average to rather dull sunshine

Most of the Midlands has been wet/ very wet so far, a few places above the whole January average while much more variable across WW ranging from rather dry to very wet.

Temperatures running around a degree below average.

Rainfall totals 1st to 0900 16th:

Valley c 45mm (average)

CC c 120mm (r dry)

Aberdaron c 40mm (ave)

Trawsgoed c 80mm (RW)

Aberporth c 60mm (wet)

Llanwnnen 109.1mm (v wet)

PS c 38mm (RD)

MH c 65mm (RW)

Nottingham c 65mm (v wet)

Shawbury c 45mm (wet)

Coleshill c 50mm (wet)

Coventry 45.4mm (wet)

CL 45.6mm (wet)

Pershore c 50mm (VW)

Hereford c 35mm (ave)

KN (EA) 48.6mm

Sunshine 1st to 15th: Lwn 23 hrs (ave), Bablake 30 hrs (ave).

Sat 17th Porthmadog max 12.2c mildest in UK, Aberdaron 7.0 hrs sunniest. Lwn 9.4c sunny intervals, also Pershore 10.8c.

Mon 26th/ Tue 27th named storm Chandra gave copious rain to much of southern England with some bad flooding. Here at Lwn 43.8mm measured 0900 27th becoming the wettest January day (beating 40.8mm from 2008). Widely between 1 and 2 inches WW and over an parts of W Mids. Wettest MO to midnight; ROW 32.8mm, Libanus 31.8mm (Lwn 28mm midnight to midnight). Gusts over 60mph for exposed parts of Wales (PS 67mph).

Nature notes

Fri 2nd Caldecote Park, Rugby first Snowdrop flowers appearing. Rookery active LL.

Mon 5th Carmarthen park:  mini Daffs close to flowering.

Tue 6th Carmarthen park: Stonechat was very close at first (5 metres) and near the bandstand then cycle track.

Wed 7th first drumming GSW this morning with snow thaw underway.

Thu 8th 3 Mistle Thrush, Starlings, a S Thrush and Blackbird enjoying the snow free lawn today.

Mid month first Snowdrops out Grannell lane and end of our garden. Rookery very active Uni. GSW heard drumming more often 

Fri 16th Aberystwyth: Daffs well up in places as Plas Crug where will be out soon, a few Snowdrops and Crocus out there. S Thrush full pelt song by Morrisons.

Mon 19th walking back from garage Song Thrush singing strongly, Great Tits calling, Dunnock singing, few Snowdrops amongst the litter.

Late month plenty of Snowdrops out inc local lanes. Magnolia buds swollen. Birds active and vocal generally.

Sun 25th RSPB birdwatch: BT 16, GT 4, CT 2, 6 HS Starling 3, Magpie, Robin, BB, GSW, Nuthatch, Dunnock, Chaffinch.

Late month: southern forestry Darragh blow being cleared now at the top, track as yet untouched though. Saw a Goshawk driving up past the care home.

Summary Jan 2026

Rainfall varying between rather dry and very wet; average temperatures; sunshine dull to average

Most places above average rain, NW & mid Wales mainly average to rather wet, SW Wales widely wet. Parts of the Mids over twice average. Llanwnnen had its wettest January of the past 21 years (previous 238mm 2008). Coventry dullest Jan since 1997  (when 42 hours).

Rainfall totals Jan 2026

Valley, Anglesey 88mm (118%)

Aberdaron, Llyn Peninsular 105mm (125%)

Trawsgoed, Ceredigion 131mm (average)

Aberporth, near Llangrannog 127mm (141%)

Llanwnnen 239.0mm (156%/ 166% Falc)

Pembrey Sands, Carms c 120mm (rather wet)

Milford Haven, Pembs 166mm (152%)

Nottingham 120mm (203%)

Shawbury, Salop 84mm (146%)

Coleshill 105mm (165%)

Coventry, Bablake School 87.2mm (145%)

CL, Warks 76.6mm (137%)

Pershore, Worc 92mm (164%)

Hereford 107mm (159%)

King's Newnham EA gauge (near Rugby) 83.4mm

National Resources Wales (NRW) rain gauges Jan 2026

Llyn Cefni, Ynys Mon 109mm (ave)

Bethesda Quarry (Gwynedd) 213mm (ave)

Cwm Dyli (Snowdonia) 247mm (RD)

Abersoch (Llyn Peninsular) 105mm (ave)

Corris (near Machynlleth) 215mm (ave)

Bow Street (near Aberystwyth) 97mm (ave)

Pontrhydfendigaid (near Tregaron, Ceredigion) 164mm (ave)

Rhos Ymryson (near Gorscoch and 5 miles NW of Lwn) 206mm (wet)

Cellan (2 miles NE of Lampeter) 218mm (wet)

Pencader (Carms)  281mm (v wet)

Abergorlech (Brechfa Forest, Carms) 217mm (r wet)

Rhydargaeau (Carms) 221mm (RW)

Garnswllt (near Ammanford, Carms) 185mm (RW)

Felinfoel (near Llanelli, Carms) 173mm (RW)

Southgate, Gower 147mm (RW)

Ferwig (near Cardigan) 139mm (RW)

Maenclochog (near Preselis, Pembs) 268mm (VW)

Tenby (Pembs) 143mm (wet)

Bolton Hill (near Haverfordwest, Pembs) 143mm (RW)

COL stations rainfall 

Llansadwrn 108mm (104%)

Ludlow, Salop 118mm (157%)

Alvechurch, Worc 151mm (202%)

Warstock, Brum 141mm (200%)

Hinckley 93.8mm (153%)

Towcester, Northants 106mm (165%)

Sunshine totals Jan 2026

Valley 70 hrs (105%)

Aberdaron 60 hrs (99%)

Aberporth 52 hrs (84%)

Llanwnnen estimated  45 hrs (102%)

Nottingham 45 hrs (80%)

Shawbury 46 hrs (87%)

Coventry, Bablake School 43 hrs (68%)

Shobdon 56 hrs

COL stations sun

Ludlow 45 hrs (77%)

Alvechurch 41 hrs (69%)

Towcester 76 hrs 

Weather log December 2025

Weather log December 2025

Key

WW = West Wales

Mids = Midlands

Lwn = Llanwnnen

AG = Aldermans Green, Coventry

CL = Church Lawford

LL = Long Lawford

ROW = Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

Nott= Nottingham

CITE = Coton-in-the-Elms, Derbyshire

CC = Capel Curig, Snowdonia

MH = Milford Haven

Carms = Carmarthenshire

Pembs = Pembrokeshire

COL = Climatological Observers Link

PWS = Personal weather station

MO = Met Office

NRW = National Resources Wales

EA = Environment Agency

est = estimated

inc = including

cf = compared with

srb = since records began

CC = Chiffchaff
WW= Willow Warbler
ST = Song Thrush
BB = Blackbird

VW = very wet, W = wet, RW = rather wet, A = average, RD = rather dry, D = dry, VD = very dry

Unsettled start to Winter 2025 continuing from November:

Mon 1st wet and windy Wales widely 1 to 2 inches with over 4 inches for some hilly areas. Wettest Cwm Dyli (NRW) 127mm (24 hours to 2100) also Capel Curig 73mm (wettest UK MO). 

Fri 5th wet pm WW 1-2 inches in places, Whitechurch 31mm  (wettest MO UK); Lwn 35mm 0900 6th.

13th day over 25mm here at Llanwnnen this year equalling the record from 2021 which was though not an especially wet year (total 1432mm).

Tue 9th named storm Bram the first proper storm of the season, gusts over 70mph in exposed locations, estimated at least 55mph here at Lwn. Copious rain for much of Wales too, widely 1 - 2 inches and over 3 inches in some hilly areas. Much flooding in Carmarthenshire and Carmarthen again as last month. Rainfall NRW (midnight): Treherbert 86.4mm, Abergorlech 71.6mm, Cellan 43.8mm. Llanwnnen 32.4 mm (0900).

Pretty sure I heard a rumble of thunder just past 0900 (nearest sferics 9 miles east). A very mild day indeed, some places already above 14c by dawn (temperature rose after midnight). Llanwnnen max 13.4c the mildest Dec day since 2016 (14.3c and the record still), other max: Rhyl 16.3c, Shawbury 15.6c, CC 15.2c, Trawsgoed 15.0c, Cov 13.7c, Aberdaron 13.3c.

Sun 14th wet for NW Wales in  particular, while Mids mostly dry. Cwm Dyli 103.6m wettest gauge in UK to midnight. Garnswllt (near Ammanford) 37mm, Llanwnnen 10mm to midnight.

Mon 15th yet another day over an inch here at Lwn (15th of the year) as 28.5mm fell 24 hours to 0900 in a persistent but never heavy fall since midday yesterday (highest hourly rate just 4mm). Some parts of Wales saw considerably more (over 4 inches). 24 hours to 0900 today: Honister Pass (Lake District) had 188mm (360mm in 48 hours). Wales: Cwm Dyli 112mm, Ystradowen (near Brynaman) 97mm, Abergorlech 67mm, Whitechurch 62mm, Cellan 25mm.

First half of December has been very mild, wet or very wet and rather dull.

Generally 2 or 3c above December average. Much of WW and parts of the Midlands have already exceeded the whole month average by the half-way point. All areas on the dull side.

Rainfall totals 1st to 0900 16th:

Lwn 173.6mm (whole month average reached)

Cov 53.6mm (v wet)

CL 61.6mm (whole month average)

NRW: Cwm Dyli 441mm, Abergorlech 306mm, Pencader 279mm.

Sun totals 1st - 15th:

Lwn 15 hours (r dull)

Cov 21 hrs (dull)

Wed 17th another wet one for Wales in particular, widely around an inch and 3 inches for some hilly areas. Whitechurch ( Pembs) 48mm wettest MO site in UK. NRW Cwm Dyli 76.8mm, Ystradowen (near Brynaman) 67.6mm, Abergorlech 54.4mm; a more modest 22mm by midnight here at Lwn.

Thu 18th wet day Midlands this time an inch locally (Coleshill 23.4mm wettest MO of Midlands).

Met Office saying it has the been the UK's sunniest year on record (beating 2003), for Wales only sixth sunniest. Over 1600 hours to date the UK average.

The Christmas period was very sunny (particularly WW), rather cold with night frosts:

Christmas Eve (Wed) Aberporth 6.9 hours sunniest in UK (Lwn est 6 hours).

Christmas Day (Thu) Widespread grass frost with air frost for some, minim Whitechurch -2.8c, Lwn -1.4c, Cov +2.5c, Porthmadog & Valley 3.3c. Lwn shade frost persisted all day (max 4.7c); other max Nantyglo (Valleys) 2.0c, Swyddffynnon 4.3c, Nott 5.0c, Pershore 6.2c, CL & Cov 5.1c, PS 6.5c, Cardiff BP 6.9c. Unbroken sun most of WW and parts of Mids: Aberporth 7.0 hrs (sunniest in UK again), Lwn est near 7 hrs, Wellesbourne 6.6 hrs, Cov 5.9 hrs.

Boxing Day (Fri) widespread grass frost and local air frost again. Sunny and rather cold for most, shade frost still persisting in our back garden. Maxima generally 5 or 6c: Nantyglo 2.2c, Cov 5.2c, Lwn 5.5c. Aberporth 6.9 hrs sunniest place in UK for third successive day; here at Lwn 18 hours for the Christmas period (24th - 26th) after est 6 hours today. 

Sat 27th maxima up to around average today 6 - 9c, still sunny WW.

Rather cold finale to 2025 with further frosts:

New Years Eve (Wed); Severe frost in places, minimum -7.7c here at Llanwnnen the equal coldest night of 2025 (also -7.7c in November).

Nature notes

Early month: Honeysuckles leafing. Fresh growth continuing/ resumed after the sharp frosts of late November and mild start to December. A few Daffs poking up.

Thu 4th Aberaeron fresh growth and flowering inc Roses and Cranesbill, especially notable the profuse yellow flowers covering the shrub at the Craft Centre (had noticed that it had died off earlier in Autumn but now thinks it is Spring!). Several bees making the most of the pollen bonanza. Aberaeron would not have had the severe frost of inland last month.

Thu 11th Squabbling Mistle Thrushes in the Holly (2/3). 

Mid month recent birdsong, Mistle Thrushes, Song Thrush, Wren, Starlings singing their heads off! Song Thrush pretty much full on song mid month. BB spikes appearing all around the garden now.

Mon 22nd Daffs well up end of Bro Grannell (usual place they are earliest).

Sunny chilly Christmas with swarms of Winter Gnats enjoying the sun: 

Winter gnats

Late month: first Primroses flowering in the garden; Daff spikes up across the road (never seen so early).

New Years Eve (Wed) Long Lawford: Blackbirds singing on a cold dusk (not full on song), also Tits and Robins vocal.

Summary December 2025

Very mild; rainfall varying average to very wet; sunshine rather dull to sunny.

West Wales very variable rainfall between average and twice average; Mids more homogenous, generally rather wet or wet.

Midlands rather dull to average (Northants quite sunny); WW generally sunny.

Temperatures averaging 1 or 2c above average.

Rainfall totals Dec 2025

Valley,  Anglesey 147% (128%)

Capel Curig, Snowdonia 355mm (102%)

Aberdaron, Llyn Peninsular 152mm (154%)

Trawsgoed, Ceredigion 146mm (ave)

Aberporth, near Llangrannog 129mm (wet)

Llanwnnen 209.4mm (111% but 146% of Falcondale)

Pembrey Sands, Carms 143mm (wet)

Milford Haven, Pembs 159mm (126%)

Nottingham 79mm (112%)

Shawbury, Salop 84mm (126%)

Coleshill 85mm (130%)

Coventry, Bablake School 79.8mm (129%)

CL, Warks 82.4mm (145%)

Pershore, Worc 76mm (131%)

Hereford 89mm (122%)

King's Newnham EA gauge (near Rugby) 82.6mm

National Resources Wales (NRW) rain gauges Dec 2025 (midnight - midnight)

Llyn Cefni, Ynys Mon 226mm (VW)

Bethesda Quarry (Gwynedd) 282mm (RW)

Cwm Dyli (Snowdonia) 535mm (wet)

Abersoch (Llyn Peninsular) 192mm (VW)

Corris (near Machynlleth) 335mm (RW)

Bow Street (near Aberystwyth) 130mm (RW)

Pontrhydfendigaid (near Tregaron, Ceredigion) 153mm (ave)

Rhos Ymryson (near Gorscoch and 5 miles NW of Lwn) 213mm (RW)

Cellan (2 miles NE of Lampeter) 207mm (wet)

Pencader (Carms) 343mm (VW)

Abergorlech (Brechfa Forest, Carms) 372mm (twice average)

Rhydargaeau (Carms) 320mm (VW)

Garnswllt (near Ammanford, Carms) 302mm (VW)

Felinfoel (near Llanelli, Carms) 203mm (wet)

Southgate, Gower 152mm (RW)

Ferwig (near Cardigan) 146mm (ave)

Maenclochog (near Preselis, Pembs) 298mm (VW)

Tenby (Pembs) 193mm (wet)

Bolton Hill (near Haverfordwest, Pembs) 156mm (ave)

COL stations rainfall Dec 2025

Llansadwrn 157mm (115%)

Ludlow, Salop 107mm (129%)

Alvechurch, Worc 95mm (115%)

Warstock, Brum 106mm (137%)

Alcester (Great Alne)

Cosby, Leic 75mm (119%)

Hinckley 83mm (129%)

Towcester, Northants 82mm (119%)

Sunshine totals Dec 2025

Valley 62 hrs (128%)

Aberdaron 72 hrs (167%)

Llanwnnen estimated  57 hrs 

Nottingham 39 hrs (70%)

Coventry, Bablake School 49 hrs (79%)

Shobdon, Herefordshire 40 hrs (71%)

COL stations sun Dec 2025

Ludlow 47 hrs (82%)

Alvechurch 47 hrs (80%)

Cosby 52 hrs (77%)

Towcester 78 hrs

2025 annual summary

Very mild and sunny; rainfall varying from rather dry to wet

UK has had its warmest and sunniest year on record (fractionally warmer than 2022).

Midlands below average rain, WW more variable some areas rather dry, Pembrokeshire a wet year.

Llanwnnen sunniest years since estimated totals  began 2014

UK sunniest year on record 1469 hrs the average overall (topping 2003), however for Wales just sixth sunniest. Rainfall -wise the UK average 84% of normal

https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/articles/c306gpyll19o

Rainfall totals 2025

Llanwnnen 1462.7mm (111% Falc, 104% 2006-25 here)

Coventry 627.1mm (91%)

Church Lawford 562.4mm (83%)

KN (EA) 561.4mm

Sunshine totals 2025

Llanwnnen 1463 hrs (109%)

Coventry  1652 hrs (106%)