LIST Meteorological Bulletin Winter 2017/2018

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), the Administration des Services Techniques de l'Agriculture (ASTA) and MeteoLux have just published the analysis of the meteorological data collected within the framework of long-term monitoring activities of hydroclimatological variables for the winter 2017-2018.

When compared to long-term averages, winter 2017/18 in Luxembourg was somewhat warmer with above-average precipitation.

Meteorological situation

The 2017/18 winter was characterized in December and January predominantly by very damp weather conditions. In the first half of December, polar sea air was directed to Luxembourg, which led to widespread frost, and snow in higher areas. The rest of the month was dominated by a westerly airstream, bringing mild and damp air masses. January was characterized by Atlantic low pressure areas and their offshoots. These brought warm and damp air to Luxembourg, accompanied by severe storms in some cases. It was only from February that mostly cold and dry air from north-easterly directions could push through, due to high-pressure areas over Scandinavia, although temperatures were often below freezing.

Temperature

In Winter 2017/18, the mean temperatures for the season at the ASTA and MeteoLux weather stations analysed were for the most part slightly higher than those of the comparative period 2001-2010. The lowest deviation was -0.3∞C and was measured at the station in Oberkorn while the highest deviation was registered as 0.8∞C at the station in Ettelbruck. February 2017 was the second coldest February since 2001 at the Schimpach station with a monthly mean of -2.8∞C. The absolute minimum air temperature for winter 2017/18, -15.6∞C, was also recorded there on 28 February, while the absolute maximum of 13.8∞C was registered in Remich on 31 December. In January in particular, temperatures at the Findel station were higher than those of the comparative periods. This means that January 2018 was the second mildest January since recording began at the Findel station in 1947.

Precipitation

In winter 2017/18, precipitation totals at the ASTA and Findel (MeteoLux) stations were higher than the values of the comparative period 2001-2010. The lowest deviation was +18%, registered at the Schimpach station. The lowest absolute precipitation of the winter was 193 mm, measured at the Reuler station. Conversely, the highest precipitation value of the winter was registered as 389 mm (+76% compared to the comparative period) in Oberkorn. Precipitation levels at the Findel stations show concentrated rainfall in December and January, followed by a very dry period in February.

Hot Topic

Storm front Burglind: The cold front of the ìBurglindî storm hit Luxembourg on 3 January with very high wind speeds.There were hurricane-like winds from westerly directions with speeds of over 100 km/h at times. The absolute maximum values of the stations analysed here were measured on 3 January with 117 km/h in Echternach and 110 km in Reuler. This led to some significant material damage due to fallen trees, power cuts and numerous public transport problems (source: wort.lu).