JANUARY was the coldest month of any across the region since January 1987.

Even during the day, average temperatures were below those inside our fridges (ideally 4C, 39F). Snowfalls were also the heaviest for 25 or 30 years in many parts.

Mercury levels on the seventh here at Carlton, near Stokesley, were among the chilliest in the area.

The maximum of 2.6C (27.5F) was the third coldest I’ve ever measured in my 27- year record, after 5.3 and 4.4C (22.5 and 24F) on January 11 and 12, 1987.

Overnight, temperatures plunged in my screen to -10.6C (13F), the coolest since December 30, 1995 (-12.6C, 9.5F), and on the snow surface to -15.7C (3.5F), lower as recently as March 3, 2001 (-17.5C, 0.5F).

Both were the second coldest in any January, trailing those on the 12th in 1987, -11.3C (11.5F) and -17.6C (0.5F). The absolute minima in my data are -14.9C (5F) in the screen and -18.2C (1F) over the snow on February 11, 1986. Our freezers should be at -18C (0.5F).

Like December, January was split in two with regard to temperatures.

The relatively mild final half was still a degree or so under par. For the 30 days from December 17, means were no less than 5C (9F) below the norm, though this was about 0.5C (1F) warmer than in February 1986.

The seven days beginning from the third were remarkably arctic, with the mercury levelling out an amazing 8C (14.5F) below that expected and, over the snow, by an incredible 11.5C (20F).

If such a deviation happened in summer, we would have a week with air frosts in June and even one with ground frosts in July.

Snow depths exceeded 30cm (1ft) in various locations around the sixth to the tenth, with 44cm (17in) at Copley, near Barnard Castle, and more on the hills.

The 33cm (13in) at Carlton was the second greatest I have known, apart from the fall in February 1991, when 43cm (16ins) accumulated.

We were very fortunate that the breeze was light and caused little drifting.

January was the third wet month on the trot for most, with up to one-and-a-half times the anticipated amounts of rain (and melted snow), though only about three-quarters in the Dales.

On the plus side, there were several lovely, sunny days, which provided some stunning scenes with the snow.

These more than made up for the dismal, dull periods which occurred, particularly mid-month.

During the first two weeks, high pressure stubbornly persisted to the north of Scotland and winds blew from between north and east. From the tenth, it became slightly less cold, with snow turning to rain or sleet and a slow thaw setting in, at least at lower levels.

On the 13th, drizzle froze as it fell, creating dangerous conditions in many places.

Atlantic depressions were forced to track across France, even Spain, taking with them the warm westerlies, usually destined for us, into the Mediterranean.

However, from mid-month, the anticyclone shifted further east, allowing lows to head east closer to Eire and milder weather to infiltrate into Britain.

Cold continental air was never far away to our east and, during the last three days, there was another bitter blast from the north.

Snow showers returned to remind us that we still have a long way to go before this winter is out.

January’s figures at Carlton in Cleveland

Mean maximum: 3.2C, 38F (3.5C, 6.3F); mean minimum: 1.6C, 29F (3.2C, 5.8F); highest maximum: 8.5C, 47.5F, 27th; lowest minimum: 10.6C, 13F, 8th; total rainfall: 88mm, 3.5ins (+23mm, 0.9ins); wettest day: 14mm, 0.55ins, 15th; number of rain days, with 0.2mm (0.01ins) or more: 22 (+4).

Figures in brackets show the difference from the 26-year mean, 1984-2009.