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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| UK sees second-warmest January | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| This January is on course to be the second warmest in the UK since records began and the fifth warmest in central England for 350 years. | This January is on course to be the second warmest in the UK since records began and the fifth warmest in central England for 350 years. |
| The average UK-wide temperature so far for the month - which experts say is unlikely to change - is 5.9C (42.6F). | |
| The average Central England Temperature (CET), which has been measured since 1658, is 7.1C (45F). | The average Central England Temperature (CET), which has been measured since 1658, is 7.1C (45F). |
| The Met Office began recording UK-wide weather in 1914, with the warmest January since that time coming in 1916. | The Met Office began recording UK-wide weather in 1914, with the warmest January since that time coming in 1916. |
| During that record month, the average temperature was 6.3C (43.4F). | |
| The Met Office said temperatures had been pushed up by winds blowing warm air in from the west. | The Met Office said temperatures had been pushed up by winds blowing warm air in from the west. |
| This month's average is 2.5C above the Met Office's long-term January average, measured between 1971 and 2000. | This month's average is 2.5C above the Met Office's long-term January average, measured between 1971 and 2000. |
| The warmest CET - which covers a triangle between Manchester, London and Bristol - was also recorded in 1916 when a reading of 7.5C (46F) was taken. | The warmest CET - which covers a triangle between Manchester, London and Bristol - was also recorded in 1916 when a reading of 7.5C (46F) was taken. |
| Climate change | Climate change |
| This January has also seen 17% more sunshine and 21% more rain than normal. | This January has also seen 17% more sunshine and 21% more rain than normal. |
| A Met Office spokesman said the warm temperatures were down to wind directions across the month and were in line with recent trends. | A Met Office spokesman said the warm temperatures were down to wind directions across the month and were in line with recent trends. |
| "The warm temperature this month is because we have had a lot of winds from the west," he said. | "The warm temperature this month is because we have had a lot of winds from the west," he said. |
| "When winds blow in from the Atlantic it keeps things milder than average. | "When winds blow in from the Atlantic it keeps things milder than average. |
| "The last 30 years in particular have seen a remarkable warming trend and this is in line with what we would expect to see with climate change." | "The last 30 years in particular have seen a remarkable warming trend and this is in line with what we would expect to see with climate change." |
| Along with warmer than normal weather the month saw gales on 18 January which resulted in 11 deaths. | Along with warmer than normal weather the month saw gales on 18 January which resulted in 11 deaths. |
| Winds of up to 99mph also caused travel disruption, damaged homes and businesses and left thousands of people without power. | Winds of up to 99mph also caused travel disruption, damaged homes and businesses and left thousands of people without power. |
| The Met Office said colder weather was expected to return next week with "one or two" cold snaps in February. | The Met Office said colder weather was expected to return next week with "one or two" cold snaps in February. |