Kevin Phillips' Weather Observations, February 2001

Transcription

My written analysis of the weather of February 2001

The winter of 2000, 2001 has proved to be the coldest and snowiest since that of 1995/1996, although that isn't saying very much as the winters over the last few years are generally low snowfall amounts and last winter in particular was almost snow free.

February opened with dry, cold and dull weather. No sunshine was recorded during the first five days of the month as an easterly flow became established. The fourth was miserable with heavy rain falling all day which was noticeably heavier in the afternoon. It then stopped in the late evening, which was then to be followed by fog.

There was more rain on the 6th but the weather improved for the next three days. The 8th and 9th were both dry and sunny, but whilst the weather improved, it also turned noticeably colder. Mild but unsettled weather returned on the 10th. The highest temperature of the month was recorded on the 11th.

A secondary depression brought heavy rain for the 12th. There was no sunshine between the 10th and the 12th. But not far away was a very strong anticyclone which took hold on the 13th and firmly anchored itself over the UK. As a result, the weather became dry with light calm winds and clear skies during daytime, though frosty at night.

The air pressure reached 1045 millibars on the 17th. The highest all month. The anticyclone started to decline slowly on the 21st as northwest winds set in and temperatures began to fall by the 23rd, which itself was a very sunny but also a snow shower fell at 5pm. There was further snow on the morning of the 25th but it did not settle.

Night frosts were recorded for the final few nights of the month. The 26th was overcast after a brief sunny start as the depression moves slowly south eastwards across the UK. Heavy snow fell all morning on the 28th but melted later that afternoon. Overall temperatures were around average. Daytime temperatures marginally exceeded the monthly average, but nighttime temperatures were below and frosts were recorded on 16 nights.

Sunshine was well above the average and almost twice the expected amount was recorded. Rainfall was also above average and it was the first wetter than average. February for four years since 1997.

One thing that has been absent so far this year is storms. February 2001, like the predecessor, was also another calm month. Kevin Phillips 7:50pm Monday, 5th of March, 2001.