These initial maps use data available from about 180 observing sites available on 3 February 2003. They represent an initial assessment of the weather that was experienced across the UK during January 2003 and how it compares with the 1961 to 1990 average. On the ANOMALY maps red contours mark areas that are above average and blue contours mark areas that are below average.

Note about rainfall return periods:
Return periods relate to the named month only - to a first approximation you can divide by 12 to get the 'all months' return period. Rainfall amounts greater than average have positive return periods; amounts less than the average have negative return periods. E.g. a return period of -10 means that this is a dry event with a rainfall that is exceeded ( in terms of dryness ) on average once in 10 years.