The mean monthly sea-level pressure chart for November 2003 is
dominated by three features -- a prominent Icelandic low (993
mbar), deeper than usual and displaced slightly south-east of its
normal position; the Azores high (1023 mbar), rather more intense
than usual and displaced WSW of its normal position, and a strong
high (1026 mbar) over the south of European Russia. Another
feature stands out: a marked trough extending SSE-wards
through Biscay and across Spain. The mean flow over the
British Isles (and much of western and northern Europe) is
strongly SSW-ly.

The only anomaly centres a
-13mbar south of Iceland (at 58N 23W)
+11mbar over northwest Russia
+3mbar WSW of the Azores
-2mbar over northwest Algeria
The anomalous flow over the British Isles (and most of
western and northern Europe) is strongly southerly. Mean
pressure anomaly ranges from -1mbar over east Kent and
the east Norfolk/Suffolk to -7mbar on the west coast of
Ireland.

Provisional CET: 8.3ºC (1.4 degC above 71-00 mean)
Prov E&W rain: 100mm (99% of 71-00 mean)
Prov E&W sun: 72 hr (111% of 71-00 mean)

Rainfall totals varied between 24mm at Loftus (N Yorks) and
388mm at Waterstein (Skye) though I have suspicions about
this figure. There were a few sites in the western highlands and
Snowdonia around 350mm. Rainfall percentages ranged from
31% at Loftus to 230% at Odiham (Hants).

Sunshine totals varied between 114h at Falmouth (Cornwall)
and 41h at Eskdalemuir (Dumfriesshire). Sunshine percentages
ranged from 183% at Kirkwall (Orkney) where it was
probably the sunniest November on record -- haven't checke
that yet -- to 71% at Herstmonceux (Sussex).

Philip Eden