The mildest February of the 20th Century was 1990. That was until 1998. You wouldn't have thought that this would be the case at the start of the month, as the anticyclone which took over at the end of January strengthened its grip, bringing settled, dry and fairly cold weather with night frosts and North-West winds, although here, no wind was recorded at all for the first three days. The 2nd and 3rd were both very sunny. The strong anti-cyclone meant that any wet and unsettled weather was confined to the North-West of Scotland. However, temperatures increased with the passage of a cold front during the evening of the 6th and morning of the 7th.

The airflow moved mainly to the South-West, and after then, for the majority of the month, temperatures were mostly reminiscent of late April/early May, not February. On the 12th temperatures didn't fall below 54F, making the mildest February night on record. That is above the average for a mid-July night minimum average, let alone mid-February, and is well above average for the day-time average in February. The 13th and 14th were halcyon days. On the 13th, 67F was recorded at Worcester, and here it was 2nd warmest February day of the 20th Century, after 66F was recorded eight years ago - on 23rd February 1990.

The anti-cyclone briefly retreated on the 16th with an atlantic low which briefly crossed the UK. Severe gusts occurred, halting the opening of the Sheffield airport. 74mph was recorded in Bradford and a peak gust of 55mph was recorded here. As the anti-cyclone took control again, South-West winds resumed until the 21st. A cold front on the 21st brought maximum daytime temperatures below 50F for the first time in two weeks, but this didn't last. High pressure reasserted itself and brought a beautiful day on the 22nd with light winds and cloudless skies. On the 25th 1040 MB air pressure was recorded, the highest reading all month.

Finally, on the 27th the anticyclone's iron grip weakened. Strong gusts were recorded and rain fell that evening. North-Westerly winds took charge, and the final day of February was unsettled. Snow fell early that morning but didn't last. Though there were sunny spells that day, snow showers fell at intervals, along with rain and sleet during the daytime. That night was dry and clear.

February 1998 was warmer than an average April and you will have to go back 129 years to find a warmer February - that of 1869. It was the sunniest February since 1988. Sunshine was nearly twice the average, being 80% more than what can be expected. Night-time temperatures, averaged out, were almost as high as what the daytime temperatures are at this time of year (43.3F) v (45F), being 1.7F below.

Kevin Phillips - 9.40pm - Monday 2nd March 1998.