On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 21:45:42 -0000, Col wrote in

snip
One reason why it may have been 'forgotten' by some is that the
east wind was persistent and fairly strong so that although average
temperatures were very low there were few exceptionally low minima.
Very possibly lack of snow cover could have contributed as well.

What is most amazing at this month is that it came as part of an
otherwise unremarkable winter. OK, Jan was rather on the chilly side
with a CET of 3.5C but Dec '85 was exceptionally mild at 6.3C.
Then along comes Feb at -1.1C, making it colder than Feb '63!

Another feature of that month, here in the NW, was the remarkable dryness.
We had only 5mm here in Coleraine, and parts of West Ulster, in Co.Donegal,
has a grand total of 0mm.

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Mike 55.13°N 6.69°W Coleraine posted to uk.sci.weather 11/02/2004 22:02:47 UTC