Clear skies in S Wales 2014 final round up

[stevetynant]

• Day  365  31st December 2014   Observable nights  2014  137/365   37.53%     ( 2013 __ 140 / 365  38.35%)__________ 

  High Point 2014___39.15%___at 15th September 2014___________________( 2013__43.09% ___3rd Sept 2013)

  Jan 14 Observable nights____6___19.4%  ______(Jan 13___3__ 9.67%)

  Feb 14 Observable nights____7___25% __ _____(Feb 13__14   50.00%)_____   

  Mar 14 Observable nights____15__48.39%______(Mar 13 _11   35.48 %)

  Apr 14 Observable nights____10__33.3%_______(Apr 13__14 _35.00 %)

  May 14 Observable nights____10__32.26%______(May 13 _13 _41.94%)

  Jun 14 Observable nights____14__46.67%______(Jun 13 _12_40.00%)

  Jul 14 Observable nights____ 16__51.61%______(Jul 13__19_61.29%)________Number 1 month for 2013

  Aug 14 Observable nights____12__38.71%_______ (Aug 13_17_54.83%)

  Sep 14 Observable nights____15__50.00%________(Sep 13__9_33.30%)

  Oct 14 Observable nights____9___29.03%________(Oct 13__9_29.03%)

  Nov 14 Observable nights____9__30.00%________(Nov 13_11_36.67%)_

  Dec 14 Observable nights____14_45.16%________(Dec 13__8_25.80%)

  Rain during day   1202/365 __ 55.34%__(2013  182 / 365  49.86%)___ Snow during day 4/365_1.10%  __(2013   30 / 365  8.21%)

  Consecutive Non Observable nights  4  (starting  28 December 2014)____ Record  Consecutive Non Observable Nights   9   (18th to 26th March 2013) 

  Consecutive Observable nights___ x  (starting  9 December 2014)___Record  Consecutive Observable Nights_____12   (11 Jun to 22nd Jun 2014) 

  Group Observing Session planned (inc 21/22nd Nov 14)  12 ____ Group Observing Session Completed  3  25.00%

  (2013    7 / 18 completed_ 39.89% )

  _

  Lowest Temperature recorded during   2014     -5.8_C   28 Dec 2014_ (Source Wunderground - Treharris)_

  ( 2013__- 5.2 C ___24th  Jan  2013 20:00 ) 

  Highest Temperature recorded during  2014 __ 26 C   7th July 2014

  ( 2013___31.2 C ___7th July 2013  08.00 )

  BBC Weather -  Opportunity Tueday evening so not a bad start to January

  Personal Observing sessions__ -__4______(2013__15 ) 

  Predictions for observable nights 2014   (Currently at   37.53%) _____( 2013 Closest Astro Joe  19% eventual 38.35%)

  Stevetynant  30%, Astro-Joe 34%, Rhys Hardwick 43%, L8-Nite 56%, Garethmob 40%

 

 

Well 2014 was pretty much identical to 2013 (less than 1% difference at 37.5% for 2014) on the face of it despite being one of the wettest winters on record - in my back garden at least it rained every other day at 55.3% no wonder the lawns so green. - March was the best month for observing in 2014 if you discount the summer months but its interesting looking at last year to see how close in terms of percentages most of the months were. We finished off with a really good month in December but one thing I haven't noted is the moon phase- so some of the months and December was one, had nearly 50% chances to observe but how many had the pleasure of the moons company I didn't record- that's something perhaps I'll pick up on next year. I guess that's not an issue if your into planetary or Luna observations but at less than 40% chances across the entire year that would undoubtedly reduce the optimum nights for me at least.

 

This year with the exception of bins I've hardly got the scope out for one reason or another and missed out on the groups star party at Pencelli which was disappointing but hopefully I'll live to fight another day and catch up with everyone next year if David takes control again for booking in the Spring - sounds like it was a great event in 2014.

 

I've got myself a new weather station now aswel so hopefully can give some more accurate weather readings going forward

to add to the data in the third year of records.

 

The 9 day rule is still intact amazingly - there was again for the second year running no period of more than 9 consecutive nights on which you could not have observed and considering the appalling start to the year that's still pretty acceptable for an Island surrounded by water in the Northern Hemisphere - in fact March actually increased the longest continuous unbroken period of observable nights to 10 between the 5th and 14th - a repeat would be most welcome as I approach the end of my observing in the Spring.

 

Hopefully some of you particularly in S Wales will find this interesting as we move forward into 2015 and fingers crossed to get across the 40% barrier in 2015.

 

Well done Gaz for getting withing 3% of the final figure - a close run thing with James but he's the man for this year

 

cheers everyone and a belated Happy New Year to you all..

 

Steve 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mister_wavey]

Thanks for doing this, it is a really useful record.

[Freff]

Thanks for the stats Steve.

It's amazing how one remembers how the year has gone weather wise, then sees that it was completely different.

[L8-Nite]

Hi Steve,

Thank you for starting, and keeping us all up to date with your ongoing weather thread.  I'm sure it's been a focal point for many in the group, including myself, kind of like a homing beacon which helps keep the members coming back and the interest alive; well done Steve ! 

Check this out  http://www.moonconnection.com  for a Moon phase calendar, there are monthly charts available at a glance from the year 1930 through to 2025.

Look forward to catching up soon. 

Cheers

[stevetynant]

Thanks folks appreciate the feedback - Mike that looks a really useful tool - might be a week or so before I kick off 2015 but I'm keeping the day to day stuff in excel so should be pretty accurate just got to decide on a new format to post to the forum

cheers all

[scorpio1948]

Hi Steve,

Great stats, thanks.

What would be an interesting addition is 'moonglow' on clear observable nights.

I'm beginning to think that our cloud cover is controlled by the phases of our moon   

Whenever we get a new moon, my part of the UK seems to be cloudy. Only twice this year I have managed some serious DS viewing.

Anyway, great job

Pete.

[stevetynant]

Thanks Pete- its a frustrating hobby at the best of times to get all your ducks lined up in one go - perhaps thats what makes nights of great seeing and no moon so special

anyways onwards and upwards into 2015 still at least 3 good months to come :0)