The weather was unsettled during the first few days. It was non-descript for the 2nd and 3rd, but showery on the 4th and 5th, though mild, particularly on the latter day as 55F was recorded, the highest of the month. A year ago 55F was the highest temperature recorded during December, also on the 5th.

A strong build of pressure on the 6th brought the mild, unsettled spell to an end, bringing two weeks of generally mild and settled weather. No rain fell whatsoever between the 8th and the 17th. Good sunshine records were logged on the 8th, 11th, 12th and 14th, though there were frosts on each night between the 9th and 12th consecutively and between the 14th and 17th. The anti-cyclone's rule ended on the 20th as it retreated westwards, allowing a North-Westerly flow to develop and from then to the end of the month and the end of the year, very cold northerlies and less cold north-westerlies alternated.

Heavy rain fell on the afternoon of the 21st, which turned to sleet at 4.30pm for a while. The 22nd was fine, clear and cold under cloudless skies but a snow shower occurred at 6pm giving a covering of snow, but it didn't last. Christmas Day was dry with sunny spells and Boxing Day start sunny but clouded over later. Strong winds occurred during the night of the 27th and 28th. This caused local structural damage.

Whilst the year drew to a close with cold weather and with snow showers, it was also mostly sunny. The snow showers, which fell in the early hours of the 29th, have lasted into the New Year. The 30th had a sunny morning but clouded over later due to a snow shower that afternoon, but the 31st was cloudless and still.

The monthly temperature overall was below average, for both night and day-time temperature. There were no exceptionally low temperatures, but several frosts recorded. The coldest day was the 30th, when the daytime temperature didn't rise above 33F. It was the first colder than average December since 1996.

Kevin Phillips - 11.50pm - Tuesday 1st January 2002.