Warmest Christmas Day for at Least 168 Years

Armagh Observatory reports that Christmas Day 2011 was the warmest December 25 for at least 168 years, i.e. since its series of maximum-minimum temperatures began in August 1843.

The temperature peaked at 13.5 degrees Celsius, beating by a significant margin the next two warmest Christmas Days on record, namely 1898 (12.9 degrees) and 1955 (12.8 degrees).

These data refer to observations at Armagh Observatory, which has been recording the weather at Armagh since 1795.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: John McFarland at the Armagh Observatory, College Hill, Armagh, BT61 9DG. Tel.: 028-3752-2928; FAX: 028-3752-7174; jmfarm.ac.uk; URL: climate.arm.ac.uk.

Last Revised: 2011 December 28th