Wild About Smeaton February 2023

The natural history of Great Smeaton, Little Smeaton and Hornby

Traditionally February would usually be the coldest month of the winter, with short grey days, frequent rain and the prospect of snow and overnight frosts. Oh, how things have changed! This year the shortest month of the year has been dominated once again by a persistent anticyclone bringing descending air and blocking the passage of most Atlantic weather systems.
The first named storm of the year 'Storm Otto' rattled through in the early hours of 17 February but this was unusual, as the weather has been predominantly settled and dry all month. As always the exact position of the high pressure system dictated the actual feel of the day.
With near constant winds from the south and south west, these felt very different...
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