The snow which fell on the final night of 2003 and into the early hours of 2004 melted during the day time. The coldest temperature of the month was recorded with a minima of 26F overnight.

The next few days were weatherwise, uneventful. Sharp showers were recorded on the morning of the 5th. The 6th was a mild, dry day with sunny periods but a low brought rain on the 7th and the 8th in the form of showers. The afternoon of the 9th was dry, sunny and pleasant but there was further rain on the afternoon and into the evening of the 10th.

The 11th brought a respite but low pressure brought rain for the evening of the 12th with windy weather. They carried on into the morning of the 13th. The afternoon that day was drier though and the 14th was dry albeit dull.

A slow moving Atlantic low brought heavy rain on the evening of the 15th. After this the weather settled for a few days and high pressure built for the 18th and 19th. Indeed there was a short mild interlude until the 20th.

After a cloudy first three weeks, the final week of January 2004 was sunny. The 24th and 25th had good sunshine totals but the weather turned colder after that due to an arctic blast feeding in cold northerly winds. Added to that was the wind chill factor. The 27th was dry and bright but snow arrived late on the afternoon of the 28th. There was more early the following morning.

The 29th was the sunniest day of the month and year so far. The cold spell ended on the 30th and there was rain that afternoon and evening as a very mild airflow moved in. There was further heavy rain on the morning of the 31st and it continued to rain, albeit not as heavily that afternoon. Needless to say, the snow of the late 28th/early 29th January disappeared as a result.

Sunshine of January 2004 was around average. The first three weeks were generally dull but there was a sunny final week. It can be described as mostly mild after a cold start. It was also unsettled and windy.

Kevin Phillips - 9.30pm - Monday 2nd February 2004.