THE first fortnight of November saw weather charts looking more “normal” than they have done for several months, with Atlantic depressions running north-east well to the north of Britain. Consequently, their associated fronts weren’t as active over us and, with the shelter of the Pennines, there was little rain.

Typical of the North-East, at Carlton near Stokesley, there was hardly 7mm (0.3ins) up to the 17th, a tenth of what we’d anticipate in November.

So, we were on track to receive less than the 29mm (1.1ins) measured in the driest November in my 29-year record, in 2004.

However, that possibility was soon scuppered as the jet-stream shifted south once more, guiding lows right across England again. The next week brought average rainfall. Then, during the four days from Saturday the 24th, huge volumes tumbled down.

As a result, flooding was the most extensive since at least 2000.

A total of 91mm (3.6ins) poured down at Carlton. This was the biggest four-day total at any time in my data, beating the 89mm (3.5ins) in March 1993. A total of 34mm (1.3ins) fell on the 26th alone, making it my third largest amount on a November day.

The highest was on the 2nd in 2000 when 59mm (2.3ins) teemed down, incredibly in barely nine hours, too.

In the end, the month’s accumulations ranged from about a quarter more than expected in the Dales to double in the east. It was the wettest November for only two or three years in some places, but for most since 2000. Yet, there were the usual number of days with rain.

Sunshine was also around the norm.

Indeed, in many parts, June had less, showing just how dismal it was then.

Overall, November was another cool month, with temperatures about 0.5C (1F) below par. Last year’s was much warmer and the one in 2010 distinctly nippy. That was when winter arrived early, and with unprecedented severity.

Autumn was the chilliest since 1993, but that one was a lot colder. Almost inevitably, with all three months being among their dampest, it was the second wettest for 35 years in the east of our region. Rainfall was greater in autumn 2000, probably the soggiest across England and Wales since 1766. Not surprisingly, a few of our recent poor summers weren’t far behind.

November’s figures at Carlton in Cleveland

Mean Maximum: 8.9C, 48F (-0.4C, 0.7F) 
Mean Minimum: 3.7C, 38.5F (-0.3C, 0.5F)
Highest Maximum: 14.0C, 57F, 20th
Lowest Minimum: -4.4C, 24F, 30th
Total Rainfall: 140mm, 5.55ins (+69mm, 2.7ins)
Wettest Day: 34mm, 1.3ins, 26th
No of Rain Days, with 0.2mm (0.01ins) or more: 17 (+0).

(Figures in brackets show the difference from the 29-year mean, 1983-2011)