Birmingham weather can be characterized as temperate maritime, similar to that of the British Isles. Furthermore, the weather is typically English with rainfall occurring throughout the year; however it is more moderate than the coast. During summer, the average maximum temperature is approximately 20 °C. The average temperature in winter is around 4.5 °C and precipitation is heavier during this time of the year.
Birmingham weather rarely experiences extreme conditions. However, tornados have been known to take place in the area. The most recent tornado occurred in July 2005 in the south of the city, which caused extended material damages.
The weather in Birmingham during summer is normally mild, however, occasional heatwaves, have become more common in recent years, with the most severe being the one of 2006. While winters used to be a lot colder in the past, they have now become milder and snowfall is becoming much less frequent.
As other large cities, Birmingham weather experiences a considerable 'urban heat island' effect. This means that while the temperature can be very low on the perimeters of the city, the temperature is considerably higher in the city center, even during night time.
Due to its inland location and comparatively high elevation, Birmingham receives fair amounts of snowfall. However, this has become less frequent over the last years. The average sunlight hours range from 2 during winter and 6 during summer.
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