The city of Preston is situated atop a Lancashire hill; a topographical position which is known to incur somewhat chillier temperatures as well as rainfall totals that are more likely to exceed the UK average. Preston is located in the North West of England; a mild region prone to slightly colder weather than the South and rather more rain than the East. This is due to its exposure to westerly maritime air masses in addition to the abundance of high ground. Prestonâs proximity to the coast and the Gulf Stream Drift encourages mild weather and the occasional strong, South-Westerly wind (usually after spicy food).<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
The River Ribble, which stretches for seventy-five miles from its origin in North Yorkshire, winds through Preston on its way to Lytham, where it empties into the Irish Sea. During prolonged, heavy rains the Ribble and the Lancaster Canal (another waterway which flows through Preston) have been known to burst their banks. Fortunately, these floods are rare and tend to affect the less-populated, outlying districts and villages that surround Preston more than the city itself. Nevertheless, when encroaching rain increases the chances of flooding, spitting casually into the river is strictly prohibited.
Temperature
Given the famously fickle nature of Englandâs weather, any cold or rain encouraged by geographical and topographical positioning is offset by warm, clear days and bottomless, blue skies the appearance of which can occasionally defy prediction and season alike. Accurate, specific forecasts for any date can only be obtained a week beforehand. Over the course of a year in Preston you would experience average temperatures ranging from a minimum of 6.5°C to around 13°C according to the weather station at the nearby holiday hot-spot, Blackpool (only fifteen miles to the West).
Precipitation
A typical year would see 871mm of rain falling over a period of 143 days with around forty days (and forty nights) of frost in the air. Although it is not nearly as wet as, for example, the nearby Lake District, Preston does hold the UK Weather Record for the largest volume of rain to fall over a five minute period, a staggering 32mms on August 10 1893. This, in turn, has amounted to 117 years of indomitable pride and prestige for Prestonâs denizens.
Summer
Prestonâs hottest months in are July and August when the average temperature is between 12°C and 20°C. Owing to its Northerly latitude, the city experiences more daylight in summer. This, coupled with fewer rainy days, generally makes for a pleasant summer climate, ideal for all forms of frolicking and the odd bout of basking in any of the green parks or serene sceneries in and around the city.
Winter
January and February are usually the coldest months with an average temperature of 1.5°C to 7°C in addition to an increased chance of frost. The likelihood of rain is typically greater between the months of October and January and the amount of sunshine is, in turn, significantly lessened throughout this season. The darkest month is December which receives approximately 44 hours of daylight overall, perfect for any holidaying voodoo-enthusiasts.