Culture · Science · The weather record
The Weather of 1990
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 | -4.5° | 5° | -16° | 27 mm | 5 | 31 | Snow lay in the capital for several days. |
| February | -3.2° | 10° | -13° | 28 mm | 4 | 31 | Gales from the east over the Osmoor. |
| March | 1.1° | 13° | -7° | 37 mm | 3 | 11 | The reed harvest was gathered in good order. |
| April | 6.4° | 16° | -6° | 47 mm | 2 | 0 | The reed harvest was gathered in good order. |
| May | 11.7° | 21° | 2° | 67 mm | 2 | 0 | Fog on the marsh most mornings. |
| June | 15.1° | 28° | 6° | 86 mm | 3 | 0 | Rain for the Victory Day parade. |
| July | 17.4° | 29° | 5° | 100 mm | 0 | 0 | Dry and warm; Lake Tarn low at Tarnmund. |
| August | 17.2° | 27° | 7° | 95 mm | 0 | 0 | Thunder over the Kesselhöh on several evenings. |
| September | 13.5° | 23° | 5° | 80 mm | 3 | 0 | Hail at Kessel. |
| October | 8.8° | 22° | -3° | 31 mm | 8 | 0 | The reed harvest was gathered in good order. |
| November | 4.1° | 15° | -7° | 37 mm | 12 | 0 | Fog persistent on the lower Ostra; the ferries stopped. |
| December | 0.9° | 11° | -8° | 39 mm | 12 | 13 | The Ostra carried ice at Vellmar bridge. |
Lake Tarn
The lake froze at Tarnmund on 27 January 1990, 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 2 March 1990.
The Ostra
The river rose to 2.7 metres above its mark at Vellmar bridge at the highest. 54 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 1990, 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, 17.4°; coldest, -4.5°. Means are of the month; the warmest day and coldest night are the extremes recorded.
Weather in the public record
- 27 January 1990, Norrhafen. The coldest night in 80 years is recorded at Norrhafen. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 7 February 1990, Sandfeld. The Ostra rises 80 centimetres above its mark at Sandfeld. Cellars in Ferry Quay are flooded. Report.
- 8 February 1990, Vellmar. The Ostra rises 60 centimetres above its mark at Vellmar. Cellars in Salt Quay are flooded. Report.
- 11 February 1990, Ostrabruck. A storm strips roofs in Ostrabruck and fells the old lime in Orchard Street. Report.
- 28 February 1990, Sudfurt. The coldest night in 50 years is recorded at Sudfurt. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 7 March 1990, Grauholt. A storm strips roofs in Grauholt and fells the old lime in Low Street. Report.
- 22 March 1990, Grautal. The Ostra rises 20 centimetres above its mark at Grautal. Cellars in Warden Street are flooded. Report.
- 19 April 1990, Dammberg. The coldest night in 80 years is recorded at Dammberg. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 20 April 1990, Grauburg. A storm strips roofs in Grauburg and fells the old lime in Bridge Quay. Report.
- 21 April 1990, Sandfeld. A storm strips roofs in Sandfeld and fells the old lime in Ferry Quay. Report.
- 28 April 1990, Grauburg. The coldest night in 60 years is recorded at Grauburg. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 5 May 1990, Hollhausen. The coldest night in 50 years is recorded at Hollhausen. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 11 May 1990, Vellhausen. A storm strips roofs in Vellhausen and fells the old lime in Ferry Gate. Report.
- 20 May 1990, Oberbach. The Ostra rises 70 centimetres above its mark at Oberbach. Cellars in Harbour Row are flooded. Report.
- 1 June 1990, Weinwick. The coldest night in 60 years is recorded at Weinwick. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 1 July 1990, Grautal. The Ostra rises 20 centimetres above its mark at Grautal. Cellars in Orchard Walk are flooded. Report.
- 14 July 1990, Hochstadt. A storm strips roofs in Hochstadt and fells the old lime in Weaver Gate. Report.
- 16 July 1990, Norrhafen. The Ostra rises 20 centimetres above its mark at Norrhafen. Cellars in Vine Walk are flooded. Report.
- 28 July 1990, Norrhafen. A storm strips roofs in Norrhafen and fells the old lime in Garrison Square. Report.
- 30 July 1990, Tarnmoor. The Ostra rises 60 centimetres above its mark at Tarnmoor. Cellars in Orchard Lane are flooded. Report.
- 17 August 1990, Sandfeld. A storm strips roofs in Sandfeld and fells the old lime in Bridge Street. Report.
- 24 August 1990, Berging. A storm strips roofs in Berging and fells the old lime in Short Lane. Report.
- 24 August 1990, Sudfurt. The coldest night in 60 years is recorded at Sudfurt. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 26 August 1990, Reedtal. The coldest night in 50 years is recorded at Reedtal. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 11 September 1990, Tarnmoor. The coldest night in 40 years is recorded at Tarnmoor. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 11 September 1990, Sudholt. A storm strips roofs in Sudholt and fells the old lime in Reed Street. Report.
- 24 September 1990, Reedtal. The coldest night in 50 years is recorded at Reedtal. Lake Tarn freezes to the middle. Report.
- 8 October 1990, Oberbach. A storm strips roofs in Oberbach and fells the old lime in Reed Street. Report.
- 16 November 1990, Hochstadt. A storm strips roofs in Hochstadt and fells the old lime in Ostra Street. Report.