A Changeable Winter Month
Welcome to the december 2024 overview for MeteoTielt - Weather Station Tielt.
December 2024 brought us a true mix of wintry scenes and rainy days. Although the month was predominantly mild, we also experienced cold nights and strong gusts of wind. MeteoTielt - Weather Station Tielt reflects on an inconsistent month where the sun only made sporadic appearances.
Temperature:
A Dynamic Start
The month began with moderate temperatures, averaging between 6°C and 10°C during the day, while the nights were cool but remained above freezing. However, on December 6th, we saw the first significant drop, with temperatures dipping below 0°C for the first time.
Mid-Month: Peaks and Troughs
The middle of the month was marked by notable temperature peaks, with some days reaching a maximum of 14°C. This was unusually warm for December, briefly evoking an autumn-like atmosphere. However, there were also colder moments, with nighttime temperatures occasionally dipping below freezing again.
An Inconsistent End
The last week of December brought another mix of cold and milder periods. Especially around December 27th, the minimum temperature dropped significantly, with values plunging well below 0°C. Daytime temperatures remained more moderate, but the clear presence of winter’s chill was unmistakable.
Precipitation:
The precipitation varied greatly throughout the month. The first week of December, in particular, brought significant rainfall, with a peak around December 2nd and a marked increase on December 7th. These days respectively showed the highest amounts of precipitation, with a maximum appearing to reach nearly 30 mm on December 7th.
The rest of the month was considerably quieter in terms of precipitation, although some rain did fall on a few days. December 22nd recorded another notable rainfall event, but with significantly lower intensity than earlier in the month.
Dry and wet periods
Between December 11th and 17th, and after December 24th, there were predominantly dry days or days with minimal precipitation (<1 mm). For example, only 0.8 mm of rain was measured on December 24th. This provided a relatively calm conclusion to the month.
Wind:
The graph shows that wind speeds in December ranged from relatively calm days to periods with intense wind peaks. Key observations include:
- Busiest wind days: Peaks were recorded around December 7, December 16, and December 22, reaching values of nearly 60 km/h. These days were marked by strong gusts.
- Calmer periods: Around December 12 and after December 25, wind speeds were noticeably lower, showing a clear decline to calmer conditions.
Distribution: Wind speeds were categorized and depicted by color gradients in the graph: green (low wind speed), yellow (moderate), orange (high), and red (very high).
Wind Directions
This graph provides insight into the directions the wind mainly came from:
- Dominant directions: The west and southwest were the most common wind directions in December, typical for the winter season and indicative of a westerly circulation.
- Notable moments: There were some deviations in wind direction, such as a northwesterly wind on December 12 and a southeasterly wind for a few days later in the month.
- Variation: Overall, wind direction remained stable with slight spread toward other directions, mainly during calmer periods.
Sunshine and UV Index:
Sunshine:
The graph shows that solar radiation in December varied significantly. Early and mid-month saw some peaks, with a notable spike around December 4th, when solar radiation peaked above 400 W/m². This was likely due to a clear day.
The remaining days of the month generally showed lower levels of solar radiation, with a few sporadic clearings. The overall picture points to a typical winter month with limited sunshine, as expected for December.
UV-index:
The UV index remained very low throughout the month, as is customary during the winter period. Most days registered barely any UV activity, with a maximum of 1 to 2 on a few clear days around December 10th and 16th. This indicates minimal risk of harmful UV exposure, which is typical for the short days and low sun angles in December.
Air Quality:
The month of December saw notable variation in air quality in Tielt. Measurements reveal fluctuations in pollution levels, with specific peaks and dips that mirrored daily experiences.
Week 1: Early December
The month started with moderate air quality values. Around December 2nd, values were relatively high, peaking just above 100. This indicates an increased concentration of fine particles, possibly caused by cold temperatures and the use of wood stoves. Nonetheless, there were also moments of better air quality, mainly during morning hours.
Week 2: Mid-month
The week of December 7th showed a clear improvement in air quality. Values dropped significantly, particularly during the first half of the week, with a low peak of around 40. However, around December 12th, there was a sharp increase to values above 120, indicating a severe pollution spike. Possible causes may include a lack of wind and increased emissions from traffic and heating.
Week 3: Stabilization
Following the pollution spike, a period of stabilization ensued. Around December 17th, levels were again between 80 and 100, which falls within the moderate air quality range. This period highlights how weather conditions and human activities can balance out to create a relatively stable, albe it not ideal, air quality level.
Week 4: Final Week of December
The last week of the month, around December 27th, saw another rise in pollution, with a peak near 120. Despite the holidays, there were moments of significantly poorer air quality, likely due to increased emissions from festive activities and additional traffic.
December demonstrated how air quality can fluctuate greatly in Tielt. From days with relatively good values to moments of severe pollution, this overview underscores the importance of mindful energy use and emissions reduction. Small changes, such as reducing wood burning and limiting car use, can contribute to cleaner air and a healthier environment.
Let’s continue working together for better air quality!
Conclusion:
- A month of contrasting days, where mild autumn days and cold winter days alternated quickly.
December in Tielt has once again shown how unpredictable the weather can be during this transitional period. It was a month of extremes, both in warmth and cold, making it an interesting time for weather enthusiasts!
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