Cayman's chilly spell breaks no records

(CNS): Despite the chilly temperatures in the Cayman Islands over the last few days, the mercury has still not reached record lows. Even though unofficial weather stations were registering daytime temperatures lower than 61°F on Monday, it was still some way from the country’s lowest official temperature. “The record coldest temperature at the Owen Roberts International Airport is 52° F measured in February 1968,” said Chief Meteorologist John Tibbetts, who said that the official measuring and recording of temperatures started in 1962.

However, regardless of what the official thermometers say about the mercury, with sweaters, coats and woollies appearing on the streets over the last few days, Caymanians were clearly feeling the chill. And temperatures are certainly below average for this time of year. On Monday the lowest officially recorded temperature at Owen Roberts International Airport weather Station was 62 °F

While January and February are the coldest months in the Cayman Islands, the long term average is still over 71°F, considerably higher than Monday’s average temperatures, in the mid °60s which, with the cool winds, often felt considerably colder.

Of course, compared to the United States, where our chilly front has come from, and Europe, Cayman’s slight mercury dip was hardly noticeable and things are predicted to improve over the coming days when the northeast winds calm down and turn towards the southeast as the weekend approaches.  However, Cayman can expect at least another two days of cloudy cool weather and a small craft warning is still in effect.