TO break the number one rule of comedy and provide the punchline at the start, we’ve just enjoyed an autumn that will be among the ten driest on record in this area, and, when the data are all assembled, November 2017 may well go down as one of the sunniest ever. That’s paradoxical, as for the past three months there has been rain of some sort on two days out of three.

November 1 was a very pleasant day of warm, hazy sunshine and only a light breeze. Although things soon became more unsettled, with precipitation on every day from November 3-12 inclusive, it didn’t amount to much and often came conveniently overnight. There was generally little wind and most days offered some sunshine, with November 8 being notably sunny after a ground frost. Maximum temperatures were mostly above average at around 12-13C (54-56F).

There was a change in the weather pattern on November 12, as high pressure over the Atlantic caused a shift in wind direction from west to north. Hefty showers in the morning gave way to a chilly, sunny afternoon, the very clear skies leading to our first air frost of the season. We then entered a ‘flip-flop’ phase – to use the terminology of one weather presenter on television. After a couple of chilly days and nights, a very mild airflow from the south-west returned to give above average temperatures on November 15 and 16. Another change of air made the next day chilly but bright after a frost, before mild air returned overnight on November 18/19.

The month’s most significant mild spell was November 20-23, with night-time temperatures in Wellington remaining above 10C (50F) on the nights of November 21 and 22. On the latter date we also had the month’s warmest day, our maximum temperature of 14.5C (58F) being unusually high for so late in the year – but lower than some extraordinary readings above 16C (61F) at sites on the Somerset coast. This warmth came with a very strong airflow from the south, the wind gusting to gale force later in the day, with a short spell of heavy rain as a front moved through overnight.

The last week of the month saw a reversion to chillier conditions, with a flow of air from the Arctic being the controlling factor. This relatively dry air – in our region – gave unusual amounts of sunshine and lower temperatures, but even the coldest nights gave us no more than a degree or so of frost, even in the countryside. Considering the origins of the air mass, it’s surprising that it was not much colder. Readings as low as minus 6C (21F) were once not unusual in November – but then, apparently the Arctic isn’t as cold as it used to be.

Overall, the month’s temperature was average at 7.1C (44.8F), while provisional figures suggest about 20 per cent more sunshine than normal. The total rainfall of 54mm (2.1in) was only half of the average, and with a large anticyclone firmly in residence over the North Atlantic, we ended the month with little prospect of ‘proper’ rain in the near future. And whatever December throws at us, 2017 will end up as one of the warmest years on record.

SIMON RATSEY

WWN weather correspondent