The general pressure situation for the whole of February 2004 has a
medium sized LP area off W and NW Scotland. A thin HP ridge
stretches from the Azores HP NE'ward to be centred along the French
coast as far as Holland. This HP area extends SE'wards to cover
Germany, France and a small part of the W Mediterranean.

General winds for the whole of the month are SW over England, Wales
and Ireland, but take a S'erly direction over Scotland. The
dividiing-line between HP and LP seems to stretch from Edinburgh, down
to the Isle of Man and SW Ireland.

General temperatures over the whole of the month are above average due
to advection from the Azores area. Rain is still heavier in the NW
of the country while dryer conditions cling to the SE of the country.

The general pressure situation for the period 1st to 10th February
2004 has a large complex LP to the S and SW of Iceland with a trough
down to Ireland, and stretching on further to France and E Spain. On
its S side of the Iceland LP, a strong belt of westerlies draws
disturbances across the Atlantic into the British Isles. A flat HP
ridge from the Azores HP reaches just up to Biscay. But HP over the
continent covering the Norwegian Sea, stretches southwards to the
North Sea, Germany, S Poland and the Balkans. An area of LP lies near
Finland.

Winds over the period come generally from a southerly direction, but
have a westerly direction in the W of the country. Generally, the W
side of the country will be wetter than the E side.

London's temperature is expected to have small, warm peaks near 2nd
and 3rd, 5th and 10th. and small cold dips near 4th and from 7th
falling to 9th February.

The general run of weather over the period starts with a W to SW'erly
airflow. LP's moving E'wards skirt the top of the country, as HP lies
to the S. After 3 days, a medium to large sized LP to the N of
Britain moves away E'wards and behind that, HP enters the country
from the SW and intensifies to cover the whole country on 5th and
6th. A new LP arrives from the W on 7th and pushes the HP into the
continent by the 8th. Cooler W to NW winds come in behind the LP on
the 9th. Then a quick moving ridge of HP rushes across Britain from
the W early on 10th. It reaches E'tern districts as LP approaches the
W coast later in the day.

Days with possible strong winds during the period a- about 1st -
off the W coast of Scotland. about 4th - in the SW of England from
a secondary LP. about 6th and 7th - in the SW as a trough and a
possible secondary approach from the W. about 8th - possibly in the
North Sea as a LP area moves away and also in the SW where a possible LP
moves in. about 9th - near NE Scotland from a LP SE of
Iceland. about 10th - ear the W and NW of Scotland and Ireland
from an approaching LP area and a secondary.

On 1st February LP lies to the W of Scotland and drifts NE'wards, and
a trough on its SW flank appears to swing SE'wards towards Brittany and
W France. The Azores HP has a small HP up to S North Sea. SE
winds veer to SW and back to S. During the afternoon, winds could
become variable. . Dry weather over E , SE and S districts moves away as
rain along the W and SW coasts drifts into the country during the
morning, covering the whole country by the afternoon.

On 2nd February a small to medium sized LP lies to the W of Ireland and
moves steadily E'wards towards the W coast of Britain. A small, weak
ridge of HP from the Azores covers England and the S North Sea, This
HP and a small LP over S France move NE'wards into the near continent-
Winds will be light at first becoming S and veering SW later. Rain
showers in W districts will move NE across the country.

On 3rd February A LP to the W of the country has a trough ENE'wards
into Scotland. On its S flank a secondary depression is moving NE and
the parent LP drifts NE'wards towards the S of Iceland. HP covers
the near continent - Spain, France, Germany and Poland. Winds will be
SW. Rain will cover the NW of the country, but the SE may manage to
keep dry for most of the day.

On 4th February a complex LP lies near S and E Iceland with a secondary
LP somewhere in the Channel. (possibly near Plymouth at 08.00 Z). An
area of HP comes into the SW of the country by early afternoon and
spreads into Ireland and England during the evening. Winds will be SW
but could be SE in the S of the country. veering NW from the W. Heavy
rain in the NW of Scotland and the S of England at first, but cooler
showery weather in all parts later.

On 5th February HP extends from the Azores-HP NE'wards to cover SE
Britain,France Germany and SW Scandinavia. To the W of Scotland, a LP
influences NW and W Scotland and N Ireland. Winds are light in the S
and E of the country but come from the S or SW over the NW of Britain.
Although unsettled weather passes across the NW and N of the country,
the SE of the country has the better weather.

On 6th February HP covers most of the country and spreads E'wards into
Germany and Poland. To the NW of the country, a medium sized LP
approaches the NW and W parts of the country. During the afternoon, a
secondary depression approaches the SW bringing unsettled weather to
these parts.
Winds will be light at first, but stronger S and SW winds will move in
from the W. Fair weather at first will be replaced by rainy weather
from the west.

On 7th February a medium sized LP lies near S Iceland with a trough
and associated secondary LP near S Ireland. Winds come from a S'erly
direction in the E of the country and blow from a W or NW direction in
the W of the country. Weather will be showery for most of the day,
but some improvement can be expected for a while in the SW of the
country.

On 8th February a LP lies near Iceland and a small LP has moved to the
N North Sea and lies near the E of Scotland. A large area of HP
covers France, Italy and parts of the W Mediterranean. A small area of
HP lies to the SW of Ireland but has to contend with a wave
disturbance near Brittany before it can influence our weather. Winds
are mostly W or SW across the country. Weather is mostly bright
intervals and showers.

On 9th February a medium to large sized LP lies near Iceland with a
trough down the W coast of Ireland. A belt of HP stretches from the
Azores-HP to Biscay, France Germany, Poland and Russia. During the day,
the trough near Ireland swings E'wards across the country to be
followed by a small ridge into the SW and S of the country moving
quickly E'wards. Winds will be SW veering NW for a while but
becoming lighter from the W or SW later Rain associated with the
trough will move E'wards followed by improving weather from the W.

On 10th February LP lies to the SW and NW of the British Isles. In the
SW, a secondary LP is positioned just SW of Ireland, moving NE and
filling. To the NW a LP is fixed near Iceland. HP covers the near
continent and the North Sea. Winds are mostly from the S or SW. Rain
showers move from Ireland along to Scotland but fair weather covers
the E and SE parts of the country.

Cheers, Keith