ENCOURAGINGLY, the start of the year was very warm. Up to the 8th, daytime temperatures averaged 10C (50F), 3.5C (6.5F) above normal.

South-westerlies continued for four more days and returned for the last six, so those spells were also mild.

However, in between, the wind backed chiefly to a south-easterly quarter. This drew in bitter cold air from northern Europe. From the 13th until the 25th, temperatures levelled out around 5C (9F) under the mean.

Overall, January was 0.5 to 1C (1-2F) below par. It was the coolest since only 2010, but that January was no less than 2.5C (4.5F) colder and widely the most arctic for 30 years, though similar to the one in 1987.

Nevertheless, temperatures on the 16th were generally the lowest in any January since 1987. Even maxima were well below freezing, except on the coast. D&S weather forecaster Paul Hignett told me that at Pickering the mercury rose no higher than -3.8C (25F), plunging in the night to -12.2C (10F).

The first two weeks of the month were fairly dry but, in the end, rainfall was within about a fifth of that expected across our region. It tended to be wetter in the north and east.

The wintry period saw mainly snow falling, too, with up to 25cm (10ins) blanketing most hills. On Thursday the 17th and overnight, a strong south-south-easterly blew lying snow off the fields. Despite a sprinkling coming from the sky, several roads orientated at right angles to the wind were blocked.

A near-gale picked up from the same direction on Friday the 25th. It was widely below zero and, by evening, snowing heavily. The resulting blizzard piled up drifts 1.2m (4ft) deep even over low ground. Some places were cut off as ploughs had trouble clearing roads. Conditions eased early on the Saturday as much milder air spread in. Then, amazingly, the snow thawed as quickly as it came.

The fortnight of icy weather was enough for me this year. I admire those living on the Moors who frequently have to cope with it. How did people survive in the past with no “mod cons”?

January’s figures at Carlton-in-Cleveland

Mean Maximum: 5.4C, 41.5F (-1.1C, 2F)
Mean Minimum: 1.0C, 34F (-0.4C, 0.7F)
Highest Maximum: 12.2C, 54F, 29th
Lowest Minimum: -11.5C, 11.5F, 17th
Total Rainfall: 57mm, 2.25ins (-8mm, 0.3ins)
Wettest Day: 11mm, 0.4ins, 25th
No of Rain Days, with 0.2mm (0.01ins) or more: 20(+2 )

(Figures in brackets show the difference from the 29-year mean, 1984-2012)