Average October temperature at De Bilt in the Netherlands was 7.5°C - norm
(1971-2000) 10.3°C.
It was the coldest October since 1974 (7.0°C) and the fifth coldest since
records began in 1901.

The nights were particularly cold: average min. temp. was 2.8°C (norm
6.5°C); average max. temp. was 12.4°C (norm 14.2°C).

De Bilt had 8 air frosts (norm 1). Some places in the NE had 14 air frosts
in a row from 16th onwards - including Groningen-Eelde where this is the
greatest number of October frosts since records began in 1908.

Rainfall was about average: 78 mm at a representative group of stations
(norm 80 mm). De Bilt had 85 mm (norm 77 mm).

Sunshine was above average: 150 hrs at a representative group of stations
(norm 105 hrs). De Bilt had 145 hrs (norm 106 hrs). It was one of the ten
sunniest Octobers since 1901.

Only 78 hrs sunshine is needed at De Bilt in November and December combined
for 2003 to be the sunniest year on record there - beating 1959.

Elsewhere in Europe

On 24th October Zurich (Switzerland) reported a freezing day - max.
temp. -0.3°C - the only October freezing day in a record going back to 1882.

At Berlin Dahlem the average temp. was 6.2°C - norm (1961-1990) 9.3°C.
This was the third coldest October since records began in 1908 - only 1922
and 1992 were colder.

11 air frosts were recorded - the highest number in October since 1920.

Sunshine totalled 134.1 hrs (121% of normal). Every month of 2003 so far
has had above average sunshine. Rainfall was 59.1 mm (165%).

Colin Youngs
Brussels