December 1999

1st – 9th After a very mild start (Thorney Island reached 14.9 °C on the 1st), disturbed and very windy weather prevailed on most days as deep lows passed to the north of the region. Gusts over 60 kn were common with 83 kn reported from Capel Curig (Gwynedd) on the 3rd. Belts of rain and thundery showers (some wintry) affected many parts especially the north and west. Shap (Cumbria) received 58 mm of rain on the 3rd while up to 5 cm of snow covered northern hills on the 4th and 5th. Temperatures fluctuated between very mild and rather cold, but there were good sunny periods especially in the south-east of England.
10th – 16th This was a mostly cold wet and unsettled period with snow at times in the north, thunder accompanied many of the wintry showers. Southern counties were very wet 11th - 13th as disturbances moved eastwards close to the channel. Portland reported a gust of 69 kn on the 13th. The 15th and 16th were generally dry and sunny with widespread overnight frost.
17th – 20th The southward passage of a cold front on the 17th heralded a short but very wintry spell. The front wavered over southern counties later on the 18th giving 15 – 20 cm of snow over the higher parts of South Wales and up to 10 cm on Salisbury Plain, adjacent counties and places to the south-west of London. It was mostly sunny but with widespread severe frost later, -14 °C was reported from Sennybridge (Powys) early on the morning of the 20th.
21st – 26th Rain was preceded by sleet and snow on the 21st thereafter a very stormy period prevailed. There were frequent periods of rain and thundery showers, heavy at times. Though very mild at first the precipitation became wintry in many places on Christmas Day. Gales were common around coasts with a gust of 86 kn reported from Plymouth on the 25th.
27th – 31st After some thundery rain near the channel coast at first (the 27th) and occasional wintry showers in the north-west during the 28th/29th, Atlantic fronts brought further rain and drizzle.

Central England Temperature (the CET series begins in 1659) The mean value for the month was 5.0 °C which is 0.3 °C above the 1961-90 normal of 4.7 °C and is in the close to average category. Others: 1998/5.5, 1997/5.8, 1996/2.9°C.

England and Wales Rainfall (series begins in 1766) The total for the month was 142.4 mm, which is 148 % of the 1961-90 average, and is in the well above average category. Others: 1998/97.4, 1997/100.8, 1996/55.5, 1995/91.1, 1994/138.1, 1993/172.1 mm.

England and Wales Sunshine (series begins in 1961) The total for the month was 57.3 hours, which is 129 % of the 1961-90 average, and is in the well above average category. Others: 1962/64.6 hours.