Does the weather and time of day affect noise?

Sound travels furthest at night-time when the air close to the ground is at its coolest. The coolest periods are normally between 11pm & 5am – this is when mines often record the most significant noise exceedances.

Winter temperatures also affect the distance sound travels. Cooler temperatures allow sound to be carried further than on warm days.

Low clouds cause sound waves to refract back down to the ground – making the noise louder on cloudy days.

On a windy day sound will travel significantly further in the direction the wind is blowing compared to a calm day.