Weather in the archives

November

November’s reputation for being a frosty and foggy month is borne out by archive sources which contain plenty of references to both fog and frost. The 1940s in particular was a decade of very frosty Novembers with 11° degrees of frost recorded in the west of the county by the end of the month in 1947 and 9° in 1949.  In the days before smokeless fuels and in industrialised parts of the county, fogs are often described as dense. There are also examples of early snowfalls in November such the damaging snow of 1841.

Equally there are references to mid spring-like November days, as, for instance, in 1738 and 1850 and, in 1911, swallows were still to be seen in the county as late as November 3.

The county suffered from floods in November. Examples include the years 1737 and 1852, when the floods followed on an earthquake felt the length of the county, although at its worst in Shrewsbury.

The extracts are arranged chronologically by the day to show the progression of weather through the month.

> Early Snows Damage Trees at Blithfield, 1-7 November 1851

> A Spring- like Day in Longnor, 4 November 1909

> Earthquake and Floods at Colwich, 9 November 1852

> Stormy Week at Lane End, 9-15 November 1840

> Fresh Peas for Croxden Monks, 11 November 1330

> A ‘Winterley’ Week in Wednesbury, 18-25 November, 1904

> Extraordinary Floods, 13-20 November 1852

> Severe Snowstorm in Alstonefield, 23 November 1898

> Foggy Holiday at Huntington, 23 November 1897

> A Cloudy St Andrew’s Day at Freehay, 30 November 1868

> Beautiful Autumn Continues in South Staffordshire, 1850

> Flooding in the Trent Valley, November 1737

> Mild November Brings on Grass, 1738

> Rain Delays Sheep Recovery at Trentham, November 1840

 

Early Snows Damage Trees at Blithfield, 1-7 November 1851

Memorandum Book of the Vicar of ColwichFrom the Memorandum Book of the Vicar of Colwich
 
In the first week in this month a very heavy fall of snow took place which coming earlier than usual did much damage to the trees, especially the oaks which being still in full leaf held the snow in great quantities. Not less than 50 oaks in this Parish had great branches thus broken from them by the weight of the snow; & the damage done to the oaks on Lord Bagot’s property at Blithfield was estimated at not less the Two Thousand Ponds.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D872/2/27
By courtesy of the Vicar and PCC of Colwich
© Staffordshire Record Office

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A Spring- like Day in Longnor, 4 November 1909

Local Farmer’s DiaryFrom a Local Farmer’s Diary
 
A Beautiful Fine day more Like Spring than November. Will cutting a Fodder Hole in bing [probably a field name] I went to Hall Hill Sale thay Had a very good sale. Mr RT Bassett came with me to See Mr J Riley. Had a cow Broke it Leg.
 
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D6794
© Staffordshire Record Office

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Earthquake and Floods at Colwich, 9 November 1852

From the Memorandum Book of the Vicar of Colwich
 
This morning soon after 4 o’ clock a slight shock of an Earthquake was felt in this parish & through the greater part of the north of England & during the week following the weather was very unsettled & a great quantity of rain fell producing most unusual and alarming floods in all parts of England…. In this Parish the river rose so high that between Colwich and Shugborough it flowed over the towing path into the Canal and the flood was the greatest that has been known since the year when old Wolseley Bridge was blown up by the force of the water.
 
 Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D872/2/27
By courtesy of the Vicar and PCC of Colwich
© Staffordshire Record Office

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Stormy Week at Lane End, 9-15 November 1840

From the Diary of Jacob Marsh of Lane End
 
Monday 9- Storms Glass very low, neither Riding nor yet walking
Tuesday 10 - Glass as low as ever very wet No getting out. JRM up before Mother and Betsey last
Thursday 12 – Sale at Caverswall Vicarage ½ past one, fine day
Friday 13  - John gone to Burslem to receive Rents Betsey Riley returned home, wet day Stormy. Storms & Showers all day. Glass below all Marks
Saturday 14 – Wet & Storms Dreadful Hail rain and floods.
Sunday 15 – Fine day, all to Church
 
Reference: Stoke on Trent City Archives SD1465
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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Fresh Peas for Croxden Monks, 11 November 1330

From the Chronicle of Croxden Abbey, 1330

The chronicler of Croxden Abbey records that on 16 July 1330 there was an eclipse of the sun. Two months before and three months after this event, there was extensive flooding and very unseasonable weather in the county and this meant that the harvest could not ripen that autumn. Reaping did not begin until the end of September. The impact of this was felt at Croxden Abbey in the diet of the monks in November that year.  
 
So that at Croxden [Abbey] they had scarcely reaped the last of their corn with the greatest toil on the feast of All Saints [1 November], and they had at last collected their peas into barns and outhouses on the feast of the blessed apostle Andrew [30 November], And what is so remarkable to see and hear, on the feast of All Saints and of St Martin [11 November] fresh peas in their shells were given to the convent in the refectory instead of pears and apples.
 
Reference: William Salt Library The Abbey of St Mary, Croxden, Charles Lynam, including extracts from The Croxden Chronicle.

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A ‘Winterley’ Week in Wednesbury, 18-25 November, 1904

Log Book of St Andrew’s National School, WednesburyFrom the Log Book of St Andrew’s National School, Wednesbury
 
18- The average attendance slightly lowered this week, Monday morning being a very bad morning for babies to come through the fog.
22- A very winterly morning, deep snow and biting wind, caused the attendance to fall considerably. Registers marked and work proceeded in accordance with the Time table.
25- The severe weather still continues and affects the attendance. Several cases of illness are recorded.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office CEL/89/1
© Staffordshire Record Office

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Extraordinary Floods, 13-20 November 1852

From The Staffordshire Advertiser

These floods followed an earthquake which was felt in most parts of Staffordshire in the previous week. The part of the county most affected by the floods was Burton-upon Trent where many malt houses were under water.
 
The earthquake of last week has been followed by a more disastrous visitation from another element more familiar, but no less effective in its destructive results. For some weeks past continual rain has been descending, but for several days it appears as if the flood gates of Heaven were opened and the Almighty in his wrath once more deluging the earth………
We briefly noticed in our last [edition] the inundations in several parts of Staffordshire, caused by the heavy rains which had fallen during the week. The waters began to subside on Saturday, and though they have risen again at intervals, they have now every appearance of approaching their usual level at this period of the year and we are gratified in not having to record any severe casualties in the county.
 
Reference: William Salt Library, Staffordshire Advertiser 20 November 1852
By courtesy of The Staffordshire Newsletter

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Severe Snowstorm in Alstonefield, 23 November 1898

Log Book of Alstonefield National SchoolFrom the Log Book of Alstonefield National School
 
A very severe snowstorm this morning the roads being almost impassable only a few children present. Consulted with the managers and decided to close the school for the remainder of the week.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D 3805/1/1
© Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

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Foggy Holiday at Huntington, 23 November 1897

From the Log Book of Huntington Church of England School
 
A very dense fog has settled therefore the children have owing to that and illness, been dismissed this afternoon & a half holiday given.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office CEL/23/1
© Staffordshire Record Office

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A Cloudy St Andrew’s Day at Freehay, 30 November 1868

From the Log Book of Freehay National School
 
Attendance 87. Today is the Festival of St Andrew, the consequence was the children went to Church at 11 o’ clock and the school was closed at half past 3. The day is very cloudy & dull & I think this was the cause of some of the children late at morning prayers.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D3656/1
© Staffordshire Record Office

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Beautiful Autumn Continues in South Staffordshire, 1850

From The Staffordshire AdvertiserFrom The Staffordshire Advertiser
 
South Staffordshire
The passing month can scarcely be called gloomy November for, with the exception of a few days, it has been the continuation of a beautiful autumn. On all sides the usual appearances of husbandry have been carried on with little or no interruption and, generally speaking, the wheat crop has been planted in all soils in a manner most favourable to future growth.
 
Reference: William Salt Library, Staffordshire Advertiser 30 November 1850
By courtesy of The Staffordshire Newsletter

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Flooding in the Trent Valley, November 1737

Diary of Dr Richard Wilkes of WillenhallFrom the Diary of Dr Richard Wilkes of Willenhall
 
The Weather was very dry hereabouts but on the 24, 25, & 26 about Lichfield, Stafford, Eccleshall etc they had great Hail Storms & much Rain, so as to cause a Flood upon Trent, but the water of Tame hardly discoloured. Epidemical Coughs Inflammations, Small Pox etc still continued but not so violent.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office 5350
© Staffordshire Record Office

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Mild November Brings on Grass, 1738

From the Diary of Dr Richard Wilkes of Willenhall
 
The Weather was very moderate & the Air so mild that the Grass sprung & the Meadows lookt as green as if it had been Aprill. We have not yet had a Frost to bear a Man upon the Ice.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office 5350
© Staffordshire Record Office

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Rain Delays Sheep Recovery at Trentham, November 1840

Report of the Trentham Home Farm Bailiff From the Report of the Trentham Home Farm Bailiff
 
The sheep purchased in September last have been afflicted with a Disease, in consequence of which thirty have died, the remainder rapidly recovering; the continued wet weather has been much against them. The Disease is now amongst part of the other sheep.- The remainder Stock doing well. Amount of payments this Month £107-5-4.
 
Reference: Staffordshire Record Office D593/L/6/2/22
© Staffordshire Record Office

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