Eric Huxter: “Metrology vs Meteorology” #430

Eric Huxter, a former geography teacher, presents research on UK Met Office maximum temperature records, arguing that the shift from liquid-in-glass thermometers to platinum resistance thermometers (1990–2017) plus station siting and ventilation issues (Aitken effect) produces transient “spikes” that inflate maxima and accelerate apparent warming. Using WeatherObs, Met Office extremes, and purchased 1‑minute Rothamsted data, he finds many maxima occur before the hourly value, with mean rise-to-peak spikes ~1.29°C and many low-probability jumps; some on-the-hour maxima don’t match hourly data. He notes records are concentrated in few stations, often airports or poorer CIMO classes, and critiques record events (Coningsby 2022, Lingwood 2025).

00:00 Meet Eric Huxter

02:13 Forecasts Versus Reality

05:55 UK Stations And Siting

08:22 CIMO Ratings And Bias

17:12 PRT Shift And Aitken Effect

22:10 Rothamsted Baseline Method

27:17 Spikes In Daily Maxima

38:00 On The Hour Mystery

39:56 Step Change Since 1990

43:13 Microclimate Case Studies

48:24 Record Events Under Scrutiny

58:42 Met Office Narrative Critique

01:06:27 Wrap Up And Where To Follow

https://x.com/EricHuxter

https://frayedendsblog.wordpress.com/

=========

Slides, summaries, references, and transcripts of my podcasts: https://tomn.substack.com/p/podcast-summaries

My Linktree: https://linktr.ee/tomanelson1