How to work out past winters

[NotanotherboxofFrogs]

I'm trying to work out what the winters were for say the past 30 years (El Nina / El Nino.. Other);. This is for covering Northern Ireland.

Does anyone who knows how to possibly find this in a straightforward detail as I have got overwhelmed by all the info.

I'm trying to make a plan so that can hopefully cover heating etc and knowing what past winters were like and what could potentially be ahead would help. It's one piece of info into a bigger plan. Thanks in advance.

[Lavenderosa]

You can find the average weather data for each month in your area from the last 30/40 years here. https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/weather/learn-about/uk-past-events/regional-climates/northern-ireland_-climate---met-office.pdf

Did you want it year by year though?

[NotanotherboxofFrogs]

Is there a way that it would tell me by year if it was El Nina/Nino..apologies i am an idiot but my brain isn't be braining at the moment.

[Lavenderosa]

I don't know where you'd find that I'm afraid.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

https://ggweather.com/enso/oni.htm El Niño years.

But I'm not sure that you will get what you need by looking back at previous years Im afraid. The current weather pattern is pretty unprecedented. The overall driver at the moment is the very high surface sea temperatures.

Don't forget to look at the QBO as well.

Three month contingency planners forecast might give you some hints of the sort of factors you need to look at.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/business/public-sector/civil-contingency/3moutlook_ond_v2.pdf

[Daftasabroom]

Hi @NotanotherboxofFrogs try looking up degree days for your region, I don't know whether it available on an annual basis. If it is you may be able to cross reference that with annual weather and el nino etc.

[NotanotherboxofFrogs]

Big Thanks you to @Daftasabroom and @OhYouBadBadKitten. I found enough detail for what I wanted from those two links. Much appreciated.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

You're welcome Frogs. I hope your project goes well.