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Bognor Regis Weather Reports 2003

JAN	FEB	MAR	APRIL	MAY	JUNE
JULY	AUG	SEPT	OCT	NOV	DEC

Weather Information

NOVEMBER 2003

BOGNOR REGIS

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS

NOVEMBER 2003

RAINFALL

113.6mm (4.47ins) on 17 days.

Greatest fall in 24 hours (09—09h) - 24.0mm (O.94ins) on 22nd.

November 2002 total rainfall — 167.1mm (6.58ins) on 25 days.

January to November 2003 — 481.7mm (18.96ins)

January to November 2002 — 822.0mm (32.36ins)

TEMPERATURES

Highest Maximum	-	16.0°C (60.8°F) on 6th.
Lowest Maximum	-	8.2°C (46.7°F) on 23rd & 27th.
Highest Minimum	-	11.1°C (52.0°F) on 20th.
Lowest Minimum	-	-0.9°C (30.3°F) on 28th.
Lowest Grass	-	-2.0 C (28.4°F) on 28th.

SUNSHINE

November 2003 — 87.4 hours on 18 days.

November 2002 — 71.5 hours on 22 days.

Maximum sunshine in 24 hours - 8.7 hours on 1st.

January to November 2003 - 2059.7 hours.

January to November 2002 - 1780.6 hours.

SUMMARY

November was a mild month. It was also rather wet especially during the second half when 80% of the total rainfall was recorded. There was also a period of nine successive days, between 17th and 24th, when no sunshine was recorded. This was rather exceptional for Bognor Regis although the total sunshine hours recorded for the month fell just two hours short of the seasonal average.
The month began with very low pressure dominating the weather scene. Although the 1st turned out to be the sunniest day of the month, frontal activity during the night 1/2 brought rain and gale force winds to the area on the morning of 2nd (10.6mm) which rapidly cleared the trees of any remaining leaves. More heavy rain with thunder followed during the early hours of 3rd. On the 4th, pressure rose to the east of the U.K. It became dry with plenty of0 sunshine. Winds off the continent made it warmer with day temperature reaching 16.0 C on the 6th. The weather continued generally settled with day temperatures above the average. However rain on the morning of 9th resulted in the annual Armistice Service a rather wet affair. On 14th, a deep depression passing over north of the U.K. brought strong winds during the night 13/14 rising to gale force P.M. on the 14th. The weather continued changeable to begin an overcast, wet, and muggy period. Typical November weather?. Persistent frontal activity brought periods of heavy rainfall, much to the delight of the water board, notably on 22nd (24.0mm), the wettest day of the month. On 26th, the sun eventually appeared for three and a half hours after a nine day total absence to be followed by two sunny dry days before the weather returned to the previous wet overcast conditions. The month ended with the recording of the second wettest day of the month (14.7mm).

The rainfall total of 113.6mm was well above the seasonal average of 74.49mm but less than last year (167.1mm) and 2000 (173.0mm).

The sunshine total of 87.4 hours fell just short of the seasonal average of 89.6 hours despite the nine successive days of no sunshine.

The mean maximum temperature of 12. 3°C and minimum of 6.5°C were both well above their respective seasonal averages of 10.6°C and 5.4°C. There was only one slight air frost recorded during the month

A.E.S. 03 DEC 03

Weather Information

OCTOBER 2003

BOGNOR REGIS                    

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS

OCTOBER 2003 

RAINFALL 

67mm (2.67ins) on 10 days. 

Greatest fall in 24 hours (09‑09h) ‑ 14.2mm (0.56ins) on 21st. 

October 2002 total rainfall ‑ 61.1mm (2.4lins) on 20 days. 

January to October 2003 ‑ 368.1mm. (14.49ins)

January to October 2002 ‑ 654.9mm. (25.78ins) 

TEMPERATURES 

Highest Maximum	-	21.0°C (69.8°F) on 8th.
Lowest Maximum	-	9.8°C  (49.6°F) on 22nd.
Highest Minimum	-	13.5°C (56.3°F) on 3rd.
Lowest Minimum	-	‑0.4° C (31.2°F) on 28th.
Lowest Grass	-	‑1.0°C (30.2°F) on 28th.

SUNSHINE 

October 2003         163.2 hours on 29 days.

October 2002         115.7 hours on 27 days. 

Maximum sunshine in 24 hours ‑ 10.0 hours on 5th and 11th. 

January to October 2003 ‑ 1972.3 hours. 

January to October 2002 ‑ 1709.1 hours. 

SUMMARY 

October was overall a dry and sunny month in keeping with the trend of previous months, where the rainfall was well below the average and sunshine well in excess of the average. Day temperatures were above average and there were many delightful sunny Autumn days throughout the month albeit cold easterly and northerly winds prevailed for most of the time. Night temperatures tended to be below the average with early Autumn frosts recorded towards the end of the month. 

The month began with low pressure dominating the weather scene. It was unsettled with a lack of sunshine. Frontal activity brought rain to the area during the afternoon and the evening of lst and again during the early morning of 2nd. (11.6mm). The weather continued unsettled to the 5^th, when a ridge of high pressure produced a sunny and dry day albeit the temperature was on the low side (12.5°C). Low pressure returned on 6th and the weather continued unsettled. On 10th, pressure began to rise over the U.K. The weather became more settled and there followed some spectacular sunny Autumn days. Unfortunately moderate north to easterly winds made it feel rather chilly. On 12th, the high pressure moved to the northeast and established itself over Scandinavia. The weather stayed dry and sunny but it remained rather cold in the easterly wind. The weather continued under the influence of the Scandinavian high until 20th when low pressure took over. The weather became more unsettled but there was a fair amount of sunshine. The night 20/21 was very cold with the first Autumn ground frost recorded. Showers during the night 21/22 produced the first rainfall for 15 days (14.2mm). The 22nd was a wet day with some thunder during the morning. On 23rd, high pressure took over and the weather became more settled. Day and night temperatures dropped with the first air frost recorded on 28th. Low pressure took over on 29th to end the month as it began, on a very damp note. 

The rainfall total of 67.6mm was well below the seasonal average of 83.62mm. 

The sunshine total of 163.2 hours was well above the seasonal average of 127.9 hours. The sunniest since 1997 (190.5 hours). 

The mean maximum temperature of 14.7°C was just above the seasonal average of 14.4°C whilst the minimum of 6.2°C was well below its seasonal average of 9.1°C. 

A.E.S.    NOV 03

Weather Information

SEPTEMBER 2003

BOGNOR REGIS

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS 

RAINFALL

4.8mm (0.12ins) on 6 days.

Greatest fall in 24 hours (09‑09h) ‑ 2.5mm (0.10ins) on 9th.

September 2002 total rainfall ‑ 53.9mm (2.12ins) on 2 days.

January to September 2003 ‑ 300.5mm (11.831ns)

January to September 2002 ‑ 593.8mm (23 37ins)

 TEMPERATURES

Highest Maximum	-	23.7°C (74.6°F) on 16th.
Lowest Maximum	-	15.8°C (60.4°F) on 23rd.
Highest Minimum	-	15.9°C (60.6°F) on 22nd.
Lowest Minimum	-	3.7°C (38.6°F) on 24th.
Lowest Grass	-	2.1°C (35.7°F) on 24th.

SUNSHINE

September 2003 ‑ 229.3 hours.

September 2002 ‑ 209.5 hours. 

Maximum sunshine in 24 hours ‑ 11.1 hours on 14th. 

January to September 2003 ‑ 1809.1 hours. 

January to September 2002 ‑ 1593.4 hours. 

SUMMARY

September was another very dry month, making it the seventh out of the nine so far this year when the rainfall has been below the seasonal average ‑ most cases well below. It was the driest September since 1959 (3.8mm). It was also a warm month with plenty of sunshine.

The month began with high pressure centred over the U.K. and dominating the weather scene. It was warm with light winds but alas a little short on sunshine. On 4th, the weather turned a little unsettled with some light showers on 4th and 6th. Although more general rain was forecast it remained otherwise dry. Showers early on the morning of 10th produced the maximum daily rainfall total for the month (2.5mm). on 12th, pressure rose over the U.K. to once again dominate the weather scene. The weather was dry, sunny, and warm with very little wind. On 18th, the weather became more changeable. It however remained dry, warm, and sunny with day temperatures staying above the average. on 22nd, pressure began to drop toproduce some light showers, and the coldest day of the month (15.8°C on 23^rd). High pressure returned 0 to centre over the U.K. on 24th. There was a near ground frost in the area (2.1°C) on night 23/24 with frosts further inland. The weather continued dry, warm, and sunny through to the end of the month despite high pressure beginning to move away on 28th.

The rainfall total of 4.8m was well below the seasonal average of 58.49mm.

The sunshine total of 229.3 hours was well above the seasonal average of 170.5 hours. It was the second sunniest for more than 30 years. 1997 was the sunniest with 241.8 hours.

The mean maximum temperature of 20.2°C was well above the seasonal average of 17.9°C whereas the minimum of 10.0°C was below its seasonal average of 11.7°C. It was the warmest September since 1997.

 

A. E. S.  06 OCT 03

Weather Information

AUGUST 2003

BOGNOR REGIS

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS

RAINFALL

44.3mm (1.74ins) on 7 days.

Greatest fall in 24 hours (09‑09h) 22.3mm (0.88ins) on 28th.

August 2002 total rainfall ‑ 54.5mm (2.14ins) on 10 days.

January to August 2003 ‑ 295.7mm (11.64ins)

January to August 2002 ‑ 539.9mm (21.25ins)

TEMPERATURES

Highest Maximum	-	29.3°C (84.8°F) on 10th.
Lowest Maximum	-	15.2°C (59.3°F) on 29th.
Highest Minimum	-	20 7°C (69.2°F) on 6th.
Lowest Minimum	-	8.5°C (47.3°F) on 31st.
Lowest Grass	-	7.1°C (44.7°F) on 31st.

SUNSHINE

August 2003 ‑ 265.7 hours on 30 Days.

August 2002 ‑ 222.7 hours on 31 days.

Maximum sunshine in 24 hours ‑ 14.6 hours on 2nd.

January to August 2003 ‑ 1579.8 hours.

January to August 2002 ‑ 1383.9 hours.

SUMMARY

August produced some very high day temperatures during the first half of the month, but a return to temperatures nearer to the average during the latter half resulted in the overall mean temperatures, although well above the seasonal average, being a little lower than those for 1997 and 1995. It was a dry month up to 26th with just 3‑6mm recorded. A mini‑deluge between 27th and 29th (40.7mm) pushed the total for the month near to the seasonal average of 49.63mm.

The month began with pressure rising over the U.K. The first of the month was cloudy, but thereafter it became warm with plenty of sunshine. Temperatures continued to rise and, with high pressure continuing to dominate the weather scene, there began a period of very hot weather. Temperatures inland escalated into the mid to top 30's although there was some respite in Bognor Regis from ever present cooling on shore breezes. The highest temperature for the month, 29.3°C (84.8°F), on 10th. This however was followed in the early hours of 11th by a short spell of light showers with some thunder (1.8mm) to bring to amend a spell of eleven dry days. The weather continued to be dominated by high pressure and, although a little unsettled on 17th and 18th, it remained warm. On 23rd the weather again became unsettled with a shortage of sunshine to include the Bank Holiday which was cloudy. Temperatures however remained above the average. Frontal activity brought heavy rain to the area (10.7mm) during the night 27/28 to be followed on 28th with heavy rain (15.7mm) together with outbreaks of thunder. There was some local flooding. There were showers on 29th, but the last two days of the month were dry and sunny to provide the Birdman Rally with perfect weather conditions.

The rainfall total of 44.3mm was short of the seasonal average of 49.63mm.

The sunshine total of 265.7 hours was well above the seasonal average of 232.2 hours. It was the sunniest since 1998 (311.0 hours).

The mean maximum temperature of 23.2°C and minimum of 14.5°C were both well above their respective seasonal averages of 20.1°C and 13.6°C. The warmest since 1997. (23.5°C/15.5°C)

A.E.S. 04 SEP 03

Weather Information

JULY 2003

BOGNOR REGIS

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS

JULY 2003

RAINFALL

54.2mm (2.13ins) on 13 days.

Greatest fall in 24 hours (09‑09h) ‑ 11.2mm (0.44ins) on 16th.

July 2002 total rainfall ‑ 81.2mm (3.20ins) on 13 days.

January to July 2003 ‑ 273.5mm (10.77ins)

January to July 2002 ‑ 485.4mm (19.11ins)

TEMPERATURES

Highest Maximum	-	28.4°C (83.1°F) on 15th.
Lowest Maximum	-	18.0°C (64.4°F) on 2nd.
Highest Minimum	-	17 5°C (63.5°F) on 16th.
Lowest Minimum	-	10.5°C (5 9°F) on 7th.
Lowest Grass	-	9.5°C (49.1°F) on 7th.

SUNSHINE

July 2003 ‑ 251.4 hours on 31 days.

July 2002 ‑ 235.1 hours on 29 days.

Maximum sunshine in 24 hours ‑ 15.1 hours on 13th.

January to July 2003 ‑ 1314.1 hours.

January to July 2002 ‑ 1161.2 Hours.

SUMMARY

July was warm and overall sunny with a hot spell for a time during the middle of the month. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures were both well above their seasonal averages and many uncomfortable difficult to sleep nights were spent during the mid‑month hot weather. The rainfall for the month was just above the average but would have been a lot less but for the six days 24th to 29th when there was an unwelcome accumulation of precipitation totalling 30.6mm.

The month began continuing unsettled from the previous month and, during the early hours of 2nd, frontal activity resulted in heavy rain (9.5mm). Pressure began to rise on 4th and the weather became dry and warm with sunshine. Pressure remained high and on 9th it became very hot with a maximum temperature of 25.1°C (77.1°F) recorded. The weather continued warm, dry and sunny. To produce the hottest day of the Summer on 15th with a high of 28.4°C (83.1°F). On 16th, low pressure took over the weather scene with frontal activity bringing heavy rain to the area during the night 16/17 (11.2mm) so ending 12 successive dry days. The weather continued unsettled with a daily threat of showers, which rarely materialised, and some sunshine. After a short period of settled weather between 20th and 22nd, the weather became again unsettled. There were periods of frontal activity resulting in a wet spell which continued through to the end of the month and succeeded in making the annual carnival on 26th a rather wet affair albeit it did little to dampen the enthusiasm of those taking part.

The total rainfall of 54.2mm was above the seasonal average of 42.57mm. A total of 30.6mm was recorded between 24th and 29th.

The sunshine total of 251.4 hours exceeded the seasonal average of 239.1 hours.

The mean maximum temperature of 22.2°C and minimum of 14.5°C were both well above their respective seasonal averages of 20.2°C and 13.6°C. It was the warmest July since 1995.

A.E.S. 04 AUG 03
 

Weather Information

JUNE 2003

BOGNOR REGIS

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS

JUNE 2003

RAINFALL

34.Omm (1.34ins) on 11 days.

Greatest fall in 24 hours (09‑09h) ‑ 9.7mm (0.38ins) on lst.

June 2002 total rainfall ‑ 61.1mm (2.40ins) on 13 days.

January to June 2003 ‑ 219.3mm 8.63ins)

January to June 2002 ‑ 404.2mm 15.91ins)

TEMPERATURES

Highest Maximum	-	24.0 °C (75.2°F) on 15th, 17th, & 29th.
Lowest Maximum	-	16.0 °C (60.8°F) on 6th.
Highest Minimum	-	16.4 °C (61.5°F) on 27th.
Lowest Minimum	-	7.0 °C (44.6°F) on 29th.
Lowest Grass	-	6.7°C (44.0°F) on 29th.

SUNSHINE

June 2003 ‑ 240.8 hours on 30 days.

June 2002 ‑ 197.0 hours on 26 days.

Maximum sunshine in 24 hours ‑ 14.9 hours on 15th.

January to June 2003 ‑ 1062.7 hours.

January to June 2002 ‑ 926.1 hours.

SUMMARY

June was a warm month even hot at times. It was the warmest since 1976 when the Summer will be remembered for being exceptionally dry, hot, and sunny. It was also relatively dry with sunshine above the seasonal average.

The month began rather dramatically with a preceding four day spell of hot and sunny weather coming to an abrupt end during the afternoon of the 1st with heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms. (8.9mm). The weather continued unsettled with frontal activity affecting the area. The weather became more settled on the 5th when a ridge of high pressure brought a dry sunny day. This however was short lived with a return to the unsettled situation on the 6th. The weather continued to be dominated by frontal activity, albeit light, until the 12th when high pressure began to dominate the weather scene. The day temperature on the 12th rose to 21.5 °C and it was to remain in the twenties daily during the rest of the month. Night time temperatures also rose resulting in some hot uncomfortable nights. The weather continued hot, relatively dry, and sunny until the night of 21/22 when thunderstorms crossed the U.K. Although there was a lot of noise, locally the rain was light with a total of just 9.2mm's. High pressure began to move away on the 26th and the weather became more unsettled. Although it remained very warm sunshine became more difficult to find. A slow moving occluded front moved across the U.K. on the 30th bringing a day of rain and a wet end to the month.

The rainfall total of 34.Omm was well below the seasonal average of 48.79mm. Of interest, the total average rainfall for January to June is 315.09mm. The actual rainfall for the same period totals 219.3mm.

The sunshine total of 240.8 hours was above the seasonal average of 229.2 hours.

The mean maximum temperature of 20.5 °C and minimum of 12.4 °C were both well above their respective 0 seasonal averages of 17.8 °C and 11.4 °c. It was the warmest June since 1976 (20.6°C and 13.3°C).

A.E.S. 03 JUL 03
 

Weather Information

MAY 2003

BOGNOR REGIS

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS

MAY 2003

RAINFALL

28.2mm (1.11ins) on 16 days. Greatest fall in 24 hours (09.09h) 5.2mm (0.20ins) on 12th.

May 2002 total rainfall - 74.3mm 2.92ins) on 16 days.

January to May 2003 - 185.3mm (7.29ins)

January to May 2002 - 343.1mm (13.5ins)

TEMPERATURES

Highest Maximum	-	24.6°C (76.2°F) on 29th.
Lowest Maximum	-	12.5°C (54.5°F) on 16th
Highest Minimum	-	12.7°C (54.8°F) on 22nd
Lowest Minimum	-	26°C (36.6°F) on 15th.
Lowest Grass	-	1.2°C (34.1°F) on 15th.

SUNSHINE

May 2003 - 226.4 hours on 28 days. May 2002 - 235.9 hours on 31 days.

Maximum sunshine in 24 hours - 14.3 hours on 26th.

January to May 2003 - 821.9 hours. January to May 2002 - 721.9 hours.

SUMMARY

May was a bit of a disappointment to the sun seekers and could be summed up as a month in which sunshine and showers predominated albeit the showers were never heavy and most often of short duration. The month continued the dry trend to the year with the rainfall well below the seasonal average, Day temperatures too were again above the seasonal average and the high dry temperatures recorded on the last four days of the month especially 29th with 24.6°C were in excess of some Mediterranean resorts. London, with it’s built in storage heaters, hit an all time high of 27.0°C. The month began with a depression centred over the U.K. The first two clays of the month were wet and windy with gale force winds recorded during the afternoon of 2nd. Pressure began to rise to the west of the U.K. on 5th. The winds slackened and the weather became more settled. On 6th, a twister crossed the promenade from the sea during late morning. It was a very strong narrow belt of wind sufficient to cause some chaos for a short time in the area of the market. On 8th, the weather became a little unsettled as a result of the high pressure moving away. It became cloudier. Between 10th and 14th the weather was dominated by frontal activity with showers and sunny periods the order of the day. Day and night temperatures dropped to well below their seasonal averages with night ground frosts just averted. A slow moving occluded front brought a day of continuous light rain on 16th. The weather continued unsettled with sunshine and showers up to the 26th when, with pressure rising, it became warmer with plenty of sunshine. Pressure continued to rise through to the end of the month which went out on a hot, dry, and sunny note.

The rainfall total of 28.2mm was well below the seasonal average of 40.75mm. It was the driest May since 1999 (13.5mm)

The sunshine total of 226.4 hours was just below the seasonal average of 235.7 hours.

The mean maximum temperature of 17.5°C was well above the seasonal average of 15°C

Whilst the mean minimum of 8.8°C was Almost on par with the seasonal minimum of 8°C.
It was the warmest May since 1998 (19.2°C & 9.8°C)

A.E.S. 04 JUN 03

Weather Information

APRIL 2003

BOGNOR REGIS

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS

APRIL 2003

RAINFALL

26.6mm (1.05ins) on 9 days. 

Greatest fall in 24 hours (09-09h) 6.6mm (0.26ins) on 27th.

April 2002 total rainfall - 30.2mm (1.19ins) on 8 days.

January to April 2003 - 157.1mm ( 6.18ins)

January to April 2002 - 268.8mm (10.58ins)

TEMPERATURES

Highest Maximum	-	23.6°C (74.4°F) on 16th.
Lowest Maximum	-	8.8°C (47.8°F) on 7th.
Highest Minimum	-	11.0°C (51.8°F) on 14th.
Lowest Minimum	-	1.8°C (30.5°F) on 10th.
Lowest Grass	-	5.0°C (23.0°F) on 10th.

SUNSHINE

April 2003 - 206.3 hours on 27 days. 

April 2002 - 220.9 hours on 30 days.

Maximum sunshine in 24 hours - 12.9 hours on 16th.

January to April 2003 - 595.5 hours 

January to April 2002 - 493.2 hours:

SUMMARY

April was warm, dry, and sunny with a record day temperature of 23.6°C recorded on 16th. The mean maximum day temperature for the month of 14.5°C was the highest for at least thirty years. Clear night skies resulting in a total of eight ground frosts kept the mean minimum temperature on par to the seasonal average. There was a long dry period during the month with no rain recorded between 2nd and 14th. The month began with the weather unsettled. A shower of rain during the afternoon of 1st saw the first rainfall (3.5mm) for a period of 20 days. On 2nd, pressure began to rise resulting in plenty of sunshine and more settled weather.

On 4th, day temperatures rose to 19.5°C a figure normally associated with June or July. On 7th, pressure began to drop. The weather became rather unsettled and it became cooler although it remained sunny. Night frosts were in evidence between 7th and 12th. On 15th, high pressure returned and began to dominate the weather scene. Between 15th and 18th, day temperatures exceeded those of most resorts in the Mediterranean. It remained dry with plenty of sunshine. High pressure moved away on 19th. The weather became more unsettled and it became generally cooler and cloudy. Rain during the morning of 20th (4.8mm) broke the dry spell. The weather continued unsettled for the next ten days with sunshine and showers being the order of the day through to the end of the month.

The total rainfall of 26.6mm was well below the seasonal average of 46.37mm the driest since 1997 (13.7mm).

The sunshine total of 206.3 hours was above the seasonal average of 192.5 hours.

The mean maximum temperature of 14.5°C was well above the seasonal average of 11.8°C and the mean minimum of 5 . 3°C on par with the seasonal average.

A.E.S. 04 MAY 03

Weather Information

MARCH 2003

BOGNOR REGIS

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS

MARCH 2003

RAINFALL

34.3 mm (1.35ins) on 11 days. 

Greatest fall in 24 hours (09-09h) - 19.7mm (0.78ins) on 1st.

March 2002 total rainfall - 52.6mm (2.07ins) on 15 days.

January to March 2003 - 130.5mm (5.14ins)

January to March 2002 - 238.6mm (9.39ins)

TEMPERATURES

Highest Maximum	-	18.0 °C (64.4°F) on 27th
Lowest Maximum	-	8.8 ° C (47.8°F) on 3rd.
Highest Minimum	-	9.5 ° C (49 1°F) on 29th
Lowest Minimum	-	1.0 ° C (30:2°F) on 20th
Lowest Grass	-	2.8 ° C (27.O°F) on 19th.

SUNSHINE

March 2003 - 174.4 hours on 26 days. 

March 2002 - 125.2 hours on 25 days.

Maximum sunshine in 24 hours - 11.2 hours on 31st

January to March 2003 - 389.2 hours. 

January to March 2002 - 272.3 hours.

SUMMARY

Weather-wise, the month of March was a remarkable one. It was overall a dry month with all of the well below the average rainfall being recorded during the first eleven days. Sunshine hours were well in excess of the seasonal average and it was the fifth sunniest March in the last 30 years. Day temperatures too were well above the seasonal average and there were many days where conditions could have been compared to those of early summer.

The month began with low pressure dominating the weather scene. Frontal activity brought showers to the area during the afternoon of the 1st and very heavy showers (17.Omm) during the early morning of 2nd. The weather continued unsettled with periods of rain and little sunshine. Day temperatures were near normal. The weather became windy on 7th with rain during the afternoon. The 6th saw 8.2 hours of sunshine but thereafter sunshine was hard to find. On 11th, high pressure moved over the U.K. The weather became more settled albeit it became cooler with northerly to easterly winds. The high pressure became firmly established over the U.K. to dominate the weather scene through to the end of the month. As a result there were successive days of long periods of sunshine and a complete absence of rain. In fact 19 successive dry days. There were some cold nights particularly between the 17th and 23rd when a total of six ground frosts was recorded; there was just one air frost on 20th.

The total rainfall of 34.3mm was well below the seasonal average of 60.44mm.

The sunshine total of 174.4 hours was well above the seasonal average of 131.0 hours. It was the fifth sunniest March in the last 30 years.

The mean maximum temperature of 12.3°C and minimum of 4.5°C were both above their respective seasonal averages of 9.2°C and 4.0°C. It was the second warmest in the last 30 years taking second spot to 1997 with 12,5°C and 4.9°C.

A.E.S. 04 APR 03

Weather Information

FEBRUARY 2003

BOGNOR REGIS

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS

FEBRUARY 2003

RAINFALL

22.1mm (0.871ns) on 12 days. Greatest fall in 24 hours (09.09h) 8.6mm (0.341ns) on 8th.

February 2002 total rainfall - 100.7mm (3.96ins) on 17 days.

January to February 2003 - 96.2mm (3.79ins)

January to February 2002 - 186.Omm (7.32ins)

TEMPERATURES

Highest Maximum	-	11.4ºC (52.3°F) on 27th.
Lowest Maximum	-	1.6ºC (34.8°F) on 13th.
Highest Minimum	-	8.1ºC (46.5°F) on 27th.
Lowest Minimum	-	3.3°C (26.1°F) on 18th.
Lowest Grass	-	7.0°C (19.4°F) on 18th.

SUNSHINE

February 2003 - 98.4 hours. 

February 2002 - 86.1 hours.

Maximum sunshine in 24 hours - 9.3 hours on 21st.

January to February 2003 - 214.8 hours

January to February 2002 - 147.1 hours.

SUMMARY

February was overall a cool month and, although on par with the seasonal average, was the coolest since 1996. The sunshine total was well above the seasonal average, despite there being eight successive days during the first half of the month when a total of just 1.1 hours was recorded. Rainfall was half the seasonal average.

The month began with the weather continuing unsettled. Heavy rain during the early hours of the 1st produced a total of 10.8mm of rain. Day temperatures were cool and there were ground and air frosts at night. The weather continued unsettled. From 6th there began a period of eight successive days when a total of 1.1 hours only was recorded During the same period 70% of the month's rainfall was also recorded. During the night 819 frontal activity brought heavy rain to the area (8.6mm). Pressure rose on 14th, and the night frosts which had ceased on 6th, reappeared and there began a dry but cold nine day period with day temperatures at times well below the average. During this time there was a fair amount of sunshine. On 23rd, it became appreciable warmer. The weather remained dry and there was plenty of sunshine. On 25th, high pressure began to move away to the east. The weather became duller, it stayed dry and it felt a lot warmer. During the afternoon of 28th frontal activity brought rain to the area (5.6mm) to be followed by heavy rain (17.Omm) during the early hours of the following day.

The rainfall total of 22.1mm was well below the seasonal average of 45.91mm. It was the driest since 1998 (7.7mm).

The sunshine total of 98.4 hours was well above the seasonal average of 88.3 hours despite there being a total of 8 sunless days.

The mean maximum temperature of 7.3°C and minimum of 2.1°C were both close to their respective seasonal averages of 7.2°C and 2.4°C.

A.E.S. 04 MAR 03

Weather Information

JANUARY 2003

 BOGNOR REGIS

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS

JANUARY 2003

RAINFALL

74.1mm (2.92ins) on 18 days.

Greatest fall in 24 hours (09.09h) 18.3mm (0.721ns) on 1st.

January 2002 total rainfall - 85.3mm (3.36ins) on 25 days.

TEMPERATURES

Highest Maximum	-	13.0°C (55.4°F) on 27th.
Lowest Maximum	-	0.7°C (33.2°F) on 7th.
Highest Minimum	-	10.0°C (50.0°F) on 2nd.
Lowest Minimum	-	5.5°C (22.1°F) on 12th.
Lowest Grass	-	6.5°C (20.3°F) on 12th.

SUNSHINE

January 2003 - 116.4 hours on 28 days.

January 2002 - 61 0 Hours on 20 days.

Maximum sunshine in 24 hours - 7.8 hours on 27th.

SUMMARY

January was a sunny month, a total of 116.4 hours of sunshine, the sunniest since 1962 (116.5 hours). It was also a month of contrasting temperatures with day temperatures varying from as high as 13.0ºC to as low as 0.7ºC. Rainfall was close to the seasonal average.

The month began with the weather dominated by low pressure. Heavy rain was recorded during the early hours of the 1st and again on the 2nd. Day temperatures however reached double figures. Pressure began to rise on the 4th. The weather became dry and progressively colder with a snow shower on the morning of the 4th. Pressure continued to rise and the weather became colder to begin a succession of nine night air frosts. There was a brief snow shower on the morning of the 7th. On 11th high pressure centred over the U.K. to continue the dry and very cold weather. Temperatures rose during the night 13/14. It remained dry with day temperatures reaching 11.0°C on the 14th. High pressure began to move away to the south west and south westerly winds increased in strength. Prom the 15th to the 18th, it was dry and temperatures remained mild. Frontal activity brought heavy rain to the area early morning on the 19th (15.7mm) resulting in some local flooding. The weather remained unsettled and it continued wet and windy. There was more heavy rain (8.3mm) with very strong winds during the early morning of the 20th. The weather continued unsettled but it became drier. Between the 24th and 29th the weather became more settled. On 27th, a day temperature of 13.0°C was recorded exceptionally high for January. It remained dry with plenty of sunshine but temperatures began to drop. During the early hours of the 30th, a heavy snow shower passed through the area. The month ended on a very cold note. Of interest, the final 10 days of the month yielded a daily average of five hours of sunshine.

The rainfall total of 74.1mm was marginally over the seasonal average of 72.83mm.

The sunshine total of 116.4 hours was well above the seasonal average of 67.9 hours and the second sunniest since records began (1962 - 116.5 hours).

The mean maximum temperature of 7.3°C and minimum of 2.0°C were both below their respective seasonal averages of 7.4°C and 2.8°C. The coldest since 1997.

A.E.S. 04 FEB 03

Weather Information