27 October 2002

Synoptic situation

There were gales and severe gales over much of the south of the UK on the 27 October 2002. The synoptic chart shows the situation at 00:00 GMT on the 27 October, with a low pressure system and associated fronts to the west of Ireland. This low pressure system moved rapidly across the UK to lie over north Denmark by 18:00 GMT with a central low pressure of 976 mb.

There was also heavy rain across many central and northern areas of the UK, with Capel Curig reporting 68 mm in the 24-hour period ending 18:00 GMT on 27 October 2002.

Highest gust and highest hourly mean wind speed maps

The following maps shows the highest gust and mean wind speeds recorded, using data available from the real-time network on the 28 October 2002.

Highest hourly mean wind speeds were 68 knots (78 m.p.h.) at the Needles (Isle of Wight) and 61 knots (70 m.p.h.) at Mumbles Head (south-west Wales).

Highest gust speed was 89 knots (102 m.p.h.) at the Needles (Isle of Wight) and 84 knots (96 m.p.h.) at Mumbles Head (south-west Wales).

Highest Hourly Mean Wind Speed Map 16 October 1987 (Great Storm)
Highest Hourly Mean Wind Speed Map 25 January 1990 (Burns Night Storm)

Highest Gust Map 16 October 1987
Highest Gust Map 25 January 1990

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Wind speed information

The following tables, consists of the data which was available from our real time network on the 28 October 2002.

Many stations over England and Wales experienced their strongest mean hourly wind speeds since the 29/30 October 2000.

Some stations in East Anglia experienced their strongest mean hourly wind speeds since the 25 January 1990.

Many stations over England and Wales experienced their strongest gust speeds since the 29/30 October 2000.

Some stations in East Anglia experienced their strongest gust speeds since the 25 January 1990.

Return periods were around 10-15 years for the London area for both highest mean hourly winds and maximum gust speeds. East Anglia also had return periods of around 10-15 years for highest mean winds and between 5-15 years for maximum gust speeds.

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