2003

10 to 18 Jan. Time of phase: 13:15.

The lead into this spell was remarkably similar to last week's cold
anticyclonic:

"High pressure centred over or near northern Britain from the 4th to
the 11th brought cold and mostly dry weather with long sunny periods.
However, troughs in the northeasterly airflow over England and Wales
brought some snow, chiefly to the eastern half of England between the
6th and 8th.

Some 8-12cm of snow fell in southwest Essex and northwest Kent - the
most in the area since early-December 1997. Very severe frosts
occurred in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and on the 8th Aviemore
reported a minimum of -18.6°C and a maximum of -8.8°C."

http://www.climate-uk.com/monthly/0301.htm

Then this happened:

"The anticyclone slipped southwards into France during the 11th-12th,
allowing a broad southwesterly flow to encroach over the British
Isles."

Coincidence?

"Sunny but frosty weather lasted longest in the Southeast, and Redhill
airfield reported -9.9°C early on the 12th, but northern Britain
became mild and rainy.

It stayed cloudy and mild until the 18th with prolonged heavy rain
over west-facing slopes especially in Scotland, including a fall of
73mm in 48hr at Dalmally (Argyllshire) on the 12th-13th.

Gusts over 70kn were recorded in Scotland on the 15th.

A deep depression drifted slowly east across England and Wales
bringing four days of heavy rain between the 18th and 21st, but a
strong rise of pressure thereafter provided a few days of quieter
weather.