Weather data

The University of Reading Atmospheric Observatory

Daily weather observations at the University of Reading date back to 1901. Here are a selection of weather news stories for Reading since they began - with one or two earlier, newsworthy, items. They will be updated each day. Please let us know if you have any other snippets of news/information.

Any mention of a record refers to observations at the University of Reading - elsewhere in the United Kingdom values may have been higher or lower.

In Reading on 2 December in ...

1961

One of the sunniest December days with 6.9 h of bright sunshine recorded. There was little cloud from sunrise onwards.

1966

One of the lowest 0900 GMT December pressure readings on record, down to 973.1 mb. An exceptionally deep area of low pressure over northern Britain gave gales to Reading for a while in the morning.

1985

Warmest December day; 15.8 C was reached (the third of five days each of which rose above 12 C) with 14.8 C on 10th December 1994. This latter date was part of a mild spell; each day from the 10th to 12th had a maximum temperature above 14 C while each day from the 2nd to 13th rose above 11 C.

1975

The six months commencing 2 December 1975 was the driest such period on Reading's records - only 97 mm had fallen by the end of May 1976.