January 1999

Very unsettled weather prevailed from the 1st - 8th with periods of rain and strong winds (with frequent gales in the north and west) however it was mainly mild. Heavy rain affected Cumbria and north Wales during the 4th/5th, Capel Curig (Gwynedd) received 106 mm in 24 hours. The best of any sunny periods were in the south-east which had an exceptionally mild day on the 6th with London having its warmest January day on record at 16 °C - Gravesend (Kent) reached 16.3 °C.

By the 8th temperatures had dropped heralding a short cold spell with widespread overnight frost. This lasted to the 12th when further rain, preceded by snow affected many places.

A mainly mild but unsettled regime then affected the region till the 21st, with spells of rain and showers. There were periods of strong winds especially in the west and north-west where SW gales were again frequent. After a particularly wet day on the 15th the weekend of the 16th/17th was mostly dry and sunny away from the north-west. By the 21st/22nd a ridge of high pressure allowed some widespread freezing fog to develop, which persisted all day in parts of southern England and East Anglia. Mainly mild but often wet and sometimes windy weather soon returned, although the sun shone between the rain bands.

From the 28th high pressure dominated bringing dull quiet conditions almost everywhere, with some occasional drizzle and fog.

Central England Temperature (the CET series begins in 1659) The mean value for the month was 5.5 °C which is 1.7 °C above the 1961-90 normal of 3.8 °C and is in the well above average category. Others: 1998/5.2, 1997/ 2.5, 1996/4.3, 1995/4.8, 1994/5.3, 1993/5.9 °C.

England and Wales Rainfall (series begins in 1766) The total for the month was 128.6 mm, which is 141 % of the 1961-90 average and is in the above average category. Others: 1998/120.4, 1997/16.5, 1996/65.9, 1995/162.6 mm.

England and Wales Sunshine (series begins in 1961) The total for the month was 58.8 hours, which is 121 % of the 1961-90 average and is in the well above average category. Others: 1998/51.4, 1997/47.1, 1996/20.8, 1995/49.1, 1994/62.9, 1991/66.3 hours.