The Early Climatological Records of Uppsala

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Abstract
Due to the rareness of meteorological data from the 18th century, it is important that all existing observations are evaluated in the best way possible. For that purpose the early climatological records from Uppsala have been reanalysed. The analysis includes both a check and recalibration of the wide variety of thermometers used before 1751, against the old Celsius thermometer, and takes into account the actual observational times given in the journals. The resulting monthly and yearly mean temperatures 1722–32 and 1739–51 are compared with the present day mean values, which suggests that the winters of the period before 1752 were somewhat warmer than today, while the summers during the period 1722–32 were a bit colder. The data from before 1739 should, however, be regarded with caution due to the thermometer placing of that time. A comparison between the wind direction distributions during the periods 1722–50 and 1951–80 shows that the frequency of winds from the western sector were much more abundant during the early period. This in turn points at the possibility of a more maritime climate during those days, which is in agreement with the temperature data. Plots of annual and seasonal mean temperature data for the whole period 1722–1989 are also included.

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