Bitter end to brilliant year

It was, however, sunny once more, as in virtually all of the past 12 months. Not only has it been the sunniest year on record in many places, but for some, the hottest, too. At Carlton, by day, it was easily the warmest in my20 years of observations, beating 1989 by 0.4C (0.7F) but as nights tended to be cool, overall, 1990 reigns supreme, by just 0.02C (0.04F).

The sole month last year to be significantly colder than normal, that is by more than 1C (2F), was October. February and December were the only others marginally below what we'd expect and then it was because of their chilly minimum temperatures.

So generally, on average for every day in 2003, mercury levels were an incredible 1C (2F) higher than usual, and, there was an amazing, and very welcome, extra hour of sunshine.

With around three-quarters of the typical annual rainfall, the North-East has not been as parched as some other areas of the country. Nevertheless, towards the Pennines it was the driest year for more than 20. Locally in Teesdale, the period from July to November was the most arid for over one hundred years.

In the last 12 months at Carlton, January was the odd one out in being appreciably wetter than normal, ie. by at least 20pc. By the end of December, we reached 90pc of the norm, but it was still my driest year for six years. Our total was boosted by being at the centre of that unbelievably intense storm on August 10. This deposited almost one-twelfth of the year's accumulation in less than 15 minutes and created new UK-records for amounts of rain falling in up to ten minutes.

Changeable south-westerlies had dominated November, but there was an interruption to this pattern at the start of December when a depression became slow moving in the western Channel. The resulting north-easterlies bore persistent cloud and mist. Monday the 1st was the wettest day of December in the north and west of the region where over 25mm (one inch) poured down. However, the low soon began to fill and retreat south as high pressure built across northern Britain from the west. After more rain overnight on Dec 2/3, it dried up and by Thursday, Dec 4, it started to brighten up, too, as the breeze switched to a south-easterly quarter. There was a week of dry weather, with variable cloud and patchy fog.

South-westerlies returned in the early hours of Thursday the 11th and frontal systems crossed the country fairly regularly during the rest of the month. These brought longer spells of rain every other day or so, but as is usual for this time of year, few if any showers between. There were a couple of variations on this theme. During the third week, as high pressure slid east across southern England and into the continent, another, mostly dry interlude was experienced.

Over the week-end of the 20th/21st, a small low ran across Scotland and as it continued over the North Sea and into the Baltic, it developed dramatically. Its associated active front conjured up the wettest day of the month for much of the south of our region. As it cleared eastwards later on the Saturday evening, the rain turned to sleet, with snow on the hills, as a blast of north-westerlies, direct from the Arctic, pushed in. Wintry showers followed, but it was the early hours of the Monday before the breeze veered far enough into the north to carry them inland. These deposited a few centimetres of snow on most parts east of the A19.

This was our first taste of winter, much later in the year to which we're accustomed. It didn't last long, nor did hopes of a white Christmas. As forecast, a mild, moist Atlantic airstream flooded back across the British Isles later that day. This gave some huge rainfall totals in the west over the next four days, with relatively tiny amounts east of the Pennines. Cold air sank south-east later on Boxing Day and this stagnated over northern Britain until the end of the month, as the battleground with the warm air-mass shifted to the north of France.

A dry, sunny spell resulted, but with more sharp frosts. Indeed, on the final Tuesday it remained below freezing all day in many locations. At Carlton, the maximum of -1.1C (30F) was the coldest since the -1.8C (29F) on December 28, 1995 and the minimum early on the 31st, -7.3C (19F), was the lowest for exactly two years.

On the final day, the maritime air-mass made another powerful advance eastwards, producing heavy snow, driven by winds of up to gale force in exposed parts. This caused the cancellation of many of the celebrations on New Year's Eve. Most of us were lucky in that it was just above freezing and the snow was "wet" and didn't blow around. On the other hand, those who lost their electricity supply will strongly disagree. Because the snow was wet, and therefore sticky, it clung to everything in its path, building up until its weight, combined with the strong wind, pulled down many power lines. Also, those living on the Moors, where temperatures were below zero, had to contend with a full-blown blizzard with the powdery snow piling up into large drifts. What a terrible end to such a magnificent year!

December temperatures

and rainfall at

Carlton-in-Cleveland

Mean max: 7.4C, 45.5F, (+0.3C, +0.5F)

Mean min: 1.3C, 34.5F, (-0.7C, -1.5F)

Highest max: 12.8C, 55F, 12th

Lowest min: -7.3C, 19F, 31st

Total rainfall: 64mm, 2.55ins, (-3mm, -0.1ins)

Wettest day: 15mm, 0.6ins, 20th

No of rain days, with 0.2mm (0.01ins) or more: 15 (-2)

Figures in brackets show the difference from the 21-year mean, 1983-2003.

The year's temperatures

and rainfall at

Carlton-in-Cleveland

Mean max: 14.1C, 57.5F, (+1.2C, +2F)

Mean min: 6.0C, 43F, (+0.2C, +0.5F)

Highest max: 31.5C, 88.5F, Aug 9

Lowest max: -1.1C, 30F, Dec 30

Highest min: 16.7C, 62F, July 17

Lowest min: -7.3C, 19F, Dec 31

Lowest grass min: -11.3C, 11.5F Jan 5

Total rainfall: 636mm, 25.0ins, (-63mm, -2.5ins)

Wettest day: 52mm, 2.05ins, Aug 10

No. of rain days, with 0.2mm (0.01ins) or more: 157 (-19)

No. of days with thunder 15 (+2).

Figures in brackets show the difference from the 20-year mean, 1984-2003.