Culture · Science · The weather record
The Weather of 1813
Observations at Vellmar, with the level of the Ostra, fog on the river and the state of Lake Tarn at Tarnmund, as recorded by the Ministry of the Interior. Temperatures in degrees, rainfall in millimetres.
The months
| Month | Mean | Warmest day | Coldest night | Rain | Fog days | Frost days | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -2.4° | 10° | -13° | 54 mm | 7 | 31 | |
| February | -1.1° | 9° | -10° | 52 mm | 6 | 25 | |
| March | 3.2° | 12° | -5° | 63 mm | 5 | 0 | |
| April | 8.5° | 22° | -3° | 76 mm | 4 | 0 | |
| May | 13.8° | 25° | 5° | 40 mm | 4 | 0 | |
| June | 17.1° | 27° | 9° | 54 mm | 0 | 0 | |
| July | 19.4° | 28° | 8° | 66 mm | 0 | 0 | |
| August | 19.3° | 31° | 9° | 66 mm | 1 | 0 | |
| September | 15.6° | 27° | 8° | 57 mm | 4 | 0 | |
| October | 10.9° | 21° | -1° | 63 mm | 9 | 0 | |
| November | 6.2° | 19° | -4° | 69 mm | 13 | 0 | |
| December | 3.0° | 15° | -5° | 68 mm | 13 | 0 |
Lake Tarn
The lake froze at Tarnmund on 6 March 1813, as the towns reported and bore the weight of a man by the end of the month; the ferry to the eastern shore was replaced by a marked path. The thaw is recorded on 31 March 1813.
The Ostra
The river rose to 0.6 metres above its mark at Vellmar bridge at the highest. 66 days of fog were recorded on the lower river, the ferries stopping when the far bank could not be seen.
Note
The record for 1813 was kept by the Ministry of the Interior from readings at Vellmar and the garrison at Marschau, before the Observatory at Tarnmund was established. Readings on the Osmoor beyond the Reed Line were not taken.
Warmest month, 19.4°; coldest, -2.4°. Means are of the month; the warmest day and coldest night are the extremes recorded.
Weather in the public record
- 18 February 1813, Weinwick. A storm strips roofs in Weinwick and fells the old lime in Chapel Street. Report.
- 1 March 1813, Hollhausen. The Ostra rises 20 centimetres above its mark at Hollhausen. Cellars in High Way are flooded. Report.
- 2 March 1813, Tarnmoor. The Ostra rises 70 centimetres above its mark at Tarnmoor. Cellars in Lime Lane are flooded. Report.
- 6 March 1813, Norrhafen. The coldest night in 50 years is recorded at Norrhafen. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 19 March 1813, Hollhausen. The Ostra rises 80 centimetres above its mark at Hollhausen. Cellars in Iron Gate are flooded. Report.
- 28 March 1813, Hollhausen. The coldest night in 20 years is recorded at Hollhausen. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 30 March 1813, Reedtal. A storm strips roofs in Reedtal and fells the old lime in Long Row. Report.
- 9 April 1813, Oberbach. The Ostra rises 30 centimetres above its mark at Oberbach. Cellars in Salt Gate are flooded. Report.
- 23 April 1813, Norrhafen. A storm strips roofs in Norrhafen and fells the old lime in Lime Square. Report.
- 23 April 1813, Weinfeld. The coldest night in 70 years is recorded at Weinfeld. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 28 April 1813, Brennholt. The Ostra rises 20 centimetres above its mark at Brennholt. Cellars in Printer Walk are flooded. Report.
- 3 May 1813, Sudfurt. The coldest night in 30 years is recorded at Sudfurt. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 5 May 1813, Oberholt. The Ostra rises 60 centimetres above its mark at Oberholt. Cellars in Market Street are flooded. Report.
- 11 May 1813, Lindenmar. A storm strips roofs in Lindenmar and fells the old lime in Chapel Street. Report.
- 16 May 1813, Dammsee. A storm strips roofs in Dammsee and fells the old lime in New Gate Lane. Report.
- 18 May 1813, Weinwick. A storm strips roofs in Weinwick and fells the old lime in Salt Street. Report.
- 23 May 1813, Salzhafen. A storm strips roofs in Salzhafen and fells the old lime in Printer Street. Report.
- 22 June 1813, Lindenmar. The coldest night in 60 years is recorded at Lindenmar. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 30 June 1813, Dammberg. A storm strips roofs in Dammberg and fells the old lime in Weaver Way. Report.
- 5 July 1813, Norrhafen. A storm strips roofs in Norrhafen and fells the old lime in Lime Square. Report.
- 5 July 1813, Sanding. A storm strips roofs in Sanding and fells the old lime in Salt Quay. Report.
- 17 July 1813, Dammberg. The Ostra rises 40 centimetres above its mark at Dammberg. Cellars in Church Way are flooded. Report.
- 24 July 1813, Dammsee. The Ostra rises 50 centimetres above its mark at Dammsee. Cellars in Printer Street are flooded. Report.
- 25 July 1813, Hollstadt. A storm strips roofs in Hollstadt and fells the old lime in Ferry Way. Report.
- 27 July 1813, Marschau. A storm strips roofs in Marschau and fells the old lime in Printer Street. Report.
- 6 August 1813, Norrbruck. A storm strips roofs in Norrbruck and fells the old lime in Old Gate Street. Report.
- 7 August 1813, Norrbruck. A storm strips roofs in Norrbruck and fells the old lime in New Gate Street. Report.
- 13 August 1813, Weinfeld. The coldest night in 50 years is recorded at Weinfeld. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 1 September 1813, Weinau. A storm strips roofs in Weinau and fells the old lime in New Gate Walk. Report.
- 13 September 1813, Hochstadt. A storm strips roofs in Hochstadt and fells the old lime in Ferry Street. Report.