Storm Doris fails to bring February temperatures down too far in Sheffield

Data collected by Museums Sheffield's weather station at Weston Park recorded the highest maximum temperature for the month in five years, with 14.3C recorded on February 20.

That night, the minimum temperature was 8.4C, giving the city its warmest February night since 2012.

This also led to the warmest average temperature since 2012.

The warmest February day on record was in 1998, when a maximum 17.6C was recorded.

Wind speeds during Storm Doris weren't recorded as highly in Weston Park as in other parts of Sheffield, as the anemometer is relatively sheltered. Gusts of 47 knots, or 54mph, were some way off the 100mph recorded during the 'Sheffield Hurricane in February 1962.

Alistair McLean, curator of natural sciences at Museums Sheffield, said: "Unfortunately our anemometer, because it is in quite a sheltered position, doesn't always give us the highest gusts of wind.

"The Met Office's other Sheffield anemometer is in Bradfield, which always gives a slightly higher reading."

Rainfall in February was 56.9mm, slightly below the 63mm average and drier than 68.6mm last year, but wetter than 36.2mm in 2015.

That followed the driest January since 2006, with just 41mm of rainfall compared to an average of 87mm. The driest on record was 8.5mm in 1997.

The month was slightly warmer than average, with an average temperature of 4.3C compared to 4.1C.

Mr McLean said things should get warmer into the spring.

"Average temperatures start to increase towards the end of March, so we should be able to expect some nice 'no coat' weather this month.

"But the temperatures don't really start picking up properly until more like May.

"March is when most animal species start to think about breeding. Birds are starting to build their nests.

"We have got cameras in Weston Park nest boxes waiting to see who moves in."