Culture · Science · The weather record
The Weather of 1913
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 Tarnmund Observatory, observing since 1869. Temperatures in degrees, rainfall in millimetres.
The months
| Month | Mean | Warmest day | Coldest night | Rain | Fog days | Frost days | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -0.4° | 12° | -8° | 37 mm | 11 | 20 | Fog persistent on the lower Ostra; the ferries stopped. |
| February | 0.9° | 11° | -11° | 37 mm | 3 | 13 | The Ostra carried ice at Vellmar bridge. |
| March | 5.3° | 14° | -5° | 47 mm | 2 | 0 | Late frost in the Sudmark vineyards. |
| April | 10.6° | 24° | 2° | 57 mm | 2 | 0 | Late frost in the Sudmark vineyards. |
| May | 15.9° | 27° | 4° | 81 mm | 2 | 0 | The Ostra ran high after rain in the hills. |
| June | 19.2° | 29° | 9° | 102 mm | 3 | 0 | The Ostra fell to its summer mark. |
| July | 21.5° | 31° | 13° | 118 mm | 4 | 0 | Mosquitoes troublesome on the Reed Line. |
| August | 15.2° | 27° | 3° | 40 mm | 0 | 0 | Fine for the parade; the crowd was large. |
| September | 11.5° | 23° | 1° | 37 mm | 2 | 0 | Dry; dust on the Marschau road. |
| October | 6.8° | 17° | -2° | 43 mm | 7 | 0 | Late frost in the Sudmark vineyards. |
| November | 2.2° | 15° | -10° | 49 mm | 11 | 5 | Snow lay in the capital for several days. |
| December | -1.0° | 11° | -12° | 50 mm | 11 | 24 | Gales from the east over the Osmoor. |
Lake Tarn
The lake froze at Tarnmund on 28 January 1913, 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 26 February 1913.
The Ostra
The river rose to 0.4 metres above its mark at Vellmar bridge at the highest. 58 days of fog were recorded on the lower river, the ferries stopping when the far bank could not be seen.
The Observatory's note
The Tarnmund Observatory certifies the foregoing as the record of 1913, compiled from the Vellmar station, the lakeside station at Tarnmund and the garrison readings at Marschau. Readings on the Osmoor beyond the Reed Line are not taken. The Observatory notes that the front-line report received each evening from the War Ministry makes no mention of the weather at the front, and that none is expected.
Warmest month, 21.5°; coldest, -1.0°. Means are of the month; the warmest day and coldest night are the extremes recorded.
Weather in the public record
- 6 January 1913, Wasserdorf. The Ostra rises 20 centimetres above its mark at Wasserdorf. Cellars in Church Way are flooded. Report.
- 15 January 1913, Ostrabruck. The Ostra rises 20 centimetres above its mark at Ostrabruck. Cellars in Forge Square are flooded. Report.
- 28 January 1913, Oberholt. The coldest night in 50 years is recorded at Oberholt. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 3 February 1913, Oberholt. The Ostra rises 30 centimetres above its mark at Oberholt. Cellars in Tanner Quay are flooded. Report.
- 11 February 1913, Oberholt. A storm strips roofs in Oberholt and fells the old lime in Short Row. Report.
- 15 February 1913, Weinwick. The coldest night in 20 years is recorded at Weinwick. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 18 February 1913, Eisenheim. The coldest night in 50 years is recorded at Eisenheim. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 28 March 1913, Grauholt. A storm strips roofs in Grauholt and fells the old lime in Well Square. Report.
- 13 April 1913, Brennholt. The coldest night in 40 years is recorded at Brennholt. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 19 April 1913, Dammsee. A storm strips roofs in Dammsee and fells the old lime in New Gate Lane. Report.
- 22 April 1913, Ostrabruck. The coldest night in 70 years is recorded at Ostrabruck. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 27 April 1913, Norrbruck. The coldest night in 70 years is recorded at Norrbruck. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 27 April 1913, Vellmar. A storm strips roofs in Vellmar and fells the old lime in Lime Way. Report.
- 28 April 1913, Grautal. The coldest night in 60 years is recorded at Grautal. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 8 May 1913, Weinfeld. The Ostra rises 50 centimetres above its mark at Weinfeld. Cellars in Iron Walk are flooded. Report.
- 15 May 1913, Sandfeld. The coldest night in 70 years is recorded at Sandfeld. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 27 May 1913, Kessel. The coldest night in 40 years is recorded at Kessel. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 29 May 1913, Sandfeld. The Ostra rises 80 centimetres above its mark at Sandfeld. Cellars in Ferry Quay are flooded. Report.
- 5 June 1913, Sandfeld. A storm strips roofs in Sandfeld and fells the old lime in Garrison Lane. Report.
- 21 June 1913, Dammsee. A storm strips roofs in Dammsee and fells the old lime in Church Lane. Report.
- 9 July 1913, Hollstadt. The coldest night in 30 years is recorded at Hollstadt. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 3 August 1913, Hollhausen. The Ostra rises 20 centimetres above its mark at Hollhausen. Cellars in High Way are flooded. Report.
- 10 August 1913, Reedtal. A storm strips roofs in Reedtal and fells the old lime in Ferry Square. Report.
- 23 August 1913, Norrbruck. The Ostra rises 50 centimetres above its mark at Norrbruck. Cellars in Weaver Gate are flooded. Report.
- 23 September 1913, Kessel. The coldest night in 50 years is recorded at Kessel. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 5 October 1913, Lindenmar. The coldest night in 70 years is recorded at Lindenmar. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 21 October 1913, Grauburg. The coldest night in 70 years is recorded at Grauburg. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 23 October 1913, Salzhafen. The Ostra rises 80 centimetres above its mark at Salzhafen. Cellars in Garrison Street are flooded. Report.
- 30 October 1913, Lindenmar. A storm strips roofs in Lindenmar and fells the old lime in Well Street. Report.
- 1 December 1913, Tarnmund. The coldest night in 50 years is recorded at Tarnmund. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.