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| November 2000 Monthly Assessment
issued 1/12/2000 |
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Monthly summaries available for: England
and Wales | Scotland | Northern
Ireland
Homogenous time series based upon selected station data:
CET | England and Wales
rainfall
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| Very wet and unsettled, with
widespread flooding at first. Stormy at times especially in
the west. Temperatures were mostly near normal with some overnight
frost mid - month. Very mild at the end. |
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Diary of highlights
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1st - 4th A very wet start as low pressure
to the west moved northwards. Bands of rain and showers
affected many places, especially western areas. Thunder
was reported from Sussex on the 3rd, however England was
mostly sunny on the 4th.
5th - 8th During this period a deep low moved from
south-west approaches to the English Channel then to the
North Sea bringing copious amounts of rain and strong winds
to many areas. Some of the showers became thundery on the
6th and 7th, but were mainly scattered by the 8th.
9th - 14th Low pressure moved from Iceland to Ireland,
then to Scotland and the North Sea. Rain and showers affected
many parts, in particular a slow moving cold front on the
11th-12th brought much wind and rain. Sunny intervals and
clear skies later allowed some overnight frost.
15th - 20th After a chilly start (Redhill in Surrey
recorded minus 6 °C early on the 15th) a deep low off Iceland
migrated to Scotland by 19th/20th bringing yet more spells
of rain and showers. Later, some showers turned thundery,
with sleet and snow reported over northern hills.
21st - 27th A very wet and disturbed period as a series
of Atlantic depressions passed close by. Wind and rain were
the dominant themes, especially on the 21st, 25th and 27th.
Thunder accompanied some of the showers later during the
25th and 26th. A gust of 80 kn was recorded at Mumbles/Swansea
on the 25th. After a rather cold start it became milder
later. On the 27th another depression brought rain, hill
and coastal fog and very mild air from the south.
28th - 30th The 28th and 29th were mostly very mild
and cloudy. Some heavy rain affected northern England on
the 28th, while more showery conditions prevailed during
the 29th particularly around western coasts. As the month
ended further rain spread across from the south-west. Some
places in Gwynedd/north Wales received more than 460 mm
or 18 inches of rain.
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| Statistical details (using best available
data/estimates): updated 2003 |
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England & Wales Mean Temperature Series ( series
began in 1961 ). The value for the month was 6.6 °C, which
is 0.4 °C above the 1961-1990 average, which is in the close
to average category.
England & Wales Rainfall Series ( series began
in 1961 ). The total for the month was 174.8 mm, which is
191 % of the 1961-1990 average, which is in the exceptionally
above average category. Wettest in series, previous wettest
1970 with 167.6 mm.
England & Wales Sunshine Series ( series began
in 1961 ). The total for the month was 58.1 hours, which
is 91 % of the 1961-1990 average, which is in the close
to average category.
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| Scotland |
| Record low pressure brings sun to Northern
Isles. |
| Diary of Highlights |
November was a very cyclonic month, with a succession
of major depressions crossing Scotland. Mean pressure
for the grid square 55°N -60°N / 5°E - 5°W was amongst
the lowest for any month since records began in 1871.
For most of the month, Scotland was covered by polar air
to the north of the main frontal zone, and many of the
rainbands passed through during the night. Consequently,
bright and showery weather predominated and Lerwick enjoyed
its sunniest November since records began in 1921. Both
Lerwick and Kirkwall broke their sunshine records for
October and November combined.
The only change in weather type occurred towards the
end of the month, when the depressions stayed to the west
of Scotland and mild southwesterly winds invaded the country
for the first time since early October. For the majority
of the month, it had been relatively cold, with snow on
the hills descending to about 300 metres on the 20th.
However, there were no real cold spells and many coastal
and urban areas remained frost-free.
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Statistical details (using
best available data/estimates): updated 2003
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Scotland Mean Temperature Series (
series began in 1961 ). The value for the month was 4.4
°C, which is 0.1 °C above the 1961-1990 average, which is
in the close to average category.
Scotland Rainfall Series ( series began in 1961
). The total for the month was 170.5 mm, which is 109 %
of the 1961-1990 average, which is in the close to average
category.
Scotland Sunshine Series ( series began in 1961
). The total for the month was 50.2 hours, which is 104
% of the 1961-1990 average, which is in the close to average
category.
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| Northern
Ireland |
| Cool, dull and very wet. |
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Diary of Highlights
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Across Northern Ireland as a whole this was the wettest
November month since 1982, but for the Autumn three months
(September to November) it was the wettest Autumn across
Northern Ireland since at least 1900. In the Belfast area,
it could well have been the wettest Autumn since 1814.
During November, many areas only recorded one day during
the month without measurable rainfall, but there was no
completely dry day cross the country as a whole. Sunshine
was well down, but it was not as dull as November 1997.
Temperatures were only very slightly below normal, but
with October also being slightly cooler than normal, this
was the first time since 1996 when we had two consecutive
months with temperature below normal.
1st - 4th Unsettled with periods of persistent
rain followed by showers and brief drier, clearer conditions
giving overnight frosts.
5th - 7th Persistent rain and strong
to gale force north to north-easterly winds.
8th - 26th Continuing very unsettled
with frequent spells of persistent rain and showers. Temperature
near or below normal.
27th - 30th Very mild, but continuing
wet and often very windy or stormy. The mildest spell
of the month by far.
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Statistical details (using
best available data/estimates): updated 2003
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Northern Ireland Mean Temperature Series ( series
began in 1961 ). The value for the month was 5.4 °C, which
is 0.4 °C below the 1961-1990 average, which is in the close
to average category.
Northern Ireland Rainfall Series ( series began
in 1961 ). The total for the month was 155.2 mm, which is
145 % of the 1961-1990 average, which is in the well above
average category. Wettest since 1982, when 163.3 mm was
recorded.
Northern Ireland Sunshine Series ( series began
in 1961 ). The total for the month was 33.6 hours, which
is 60 % of the 1961-1990 average, which is in the exceptionally
below average category. 2nd dullest in series, dullest
being 1962 when 31.3 hours was recorded.
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Homogeneous series based upon selected station data: updated
2003 |
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Central England Temperature (series begins in 1659).
The mean value for the month was 7.0°C which is 0.5°C above
the 1961-90 normal of 6.5 °C and is in the close to average
category. Others:- 1999/7.9, 1998/6.2, 1997/8.4 °C.
England and Wales Rainfall (series begins in 1766).
The total for the month was 182.1 mm, which is 198 % of
the 1961-90 average and is in the exceptionally above average
category. Others:- 1999/67.3, 1998/89.3, 1997/123.4, 1996/134.3.
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| Note: Diary values are provisional based
on data available at the time. |
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