What were the primary weather characteristics that defined Britain's climate in November 2017?

During November 2017, Britain experienced a strong dominance of westerly winds, leading to colder-than-average temperatures and more snowfall in northern regions like Scotland. In contrast, much of England experienced surprisingly dry conditions. The interplay between these westerly winds and regional geography resulted in temperature and rainfall disparities across the country.

How did the persistent westerly winds specifically affect temperature and precipitation patterns in northern Scotland during November 2017?

The persistent westerly winds in November 2017 led to colder temperatures and increased snowfall in northern Scotland. The mean temperatures dipped around a degree below normal. In some eastern Scottish regions, rain-shadow effects emerged, influencing localized precipitation. An enhanced west-northwesterly pressure gradient over northern Scotland also contributed to frequent windy conditions.

What caused the unexpectedly dry conditions in England during November 2017, and where was this most evident?

The dry conditions in England during November 2017 were a stark contrast to the wetter norms. Rainfall totals on the Isles of Scilly, for example, plummeted to less than a third of their typical levels. This dryness was a consequence of the persistent westerly winds interacting with regional geography, creating rain-shadow effects in certain areas and reducing overall precipitation across much of England.

How did the unwavering westerly winds influence temperature disparities across different regions of the UK in November 2017?

The consistent westerly winds influenced temperature variations across the UK. The mean flow, originating slightly north of west, resulted in colder conditions in northern regions and near-normal to slightly above-average warmth in areas further south, such as England (away from the southeast) and Wales. These temperature disparities highlight the significant impact of wind direction on regional climates.

What broader implications can be drawn from the weather patterns observed in November 2017, and what aspects remain unexplored?

The weather patterns of November 2017, characterized by persistent westerly winds and regional variations in temperature and rainfall, serve as a reminder of the complexities inherent in Britain's climate. Understanding these nuances, such as the impact of westerly winds on temperature disparities and rain-shadow effects, is crucial for anticipating future weather trends and preparing for their potential effects on various sectors, from agriculture to infrastructure. Factors not discussed are jet stream undulation changes, global pressure changes, and their impacts on prevailing weather patterns.

Westerly winds divide snowy Scotland and dry England in a surreal weather illustration.

November 2017 Weather Log: Unpacking the Unsettled Trends in Britain

Kai Mendoza in Climate & Environment August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A deep dive into the westerly winds, colder temperatures, and surprising dryness that defined November 2017's weather patterns across the UK."

November 2017 presented a distinct and somewhat unusual weather scenario for Britain, characterized by a strong dominance of westerly winds. While westerly winds are typically the norm, their unwavering presence throughout the month set the stage for a series of atypical conditions across the country.

The month's weather patterns brought a mixed bag of experiences depending on location. Northern regions, particularly Scotland, faced colder-than-average temperatures accompanied by more frequent snowfall. Meanwhile, much of England experienced surprisingly dry conditions, a stark contrast to the wetter norms.

This weather log aims to dissect these key features of November 2017, offering a detailed analysis of the prevailing wind patterns, temperature variations, rainfall distribution, and other notable meteorological events that shaped the month's climate.

Westerly Winds Dominate: A Month of Unwavering Airflow

Westerly winds divide snowy Scotland and dry England in a surreal weather illustration.

For the sixth consecutive month, Britain's weather was governed by westerly winds, a phenomenon that, while typical, reached unusual extremes. Data reveals a striking infrequency of winds from the east or northeast, especially over southeastern Britain, where such winds occurred less than 1% of the time from August to November. The consistency of this westerly flow played a crucial role in dictating temperature and precipitation patterns across the country.

The implications of this persistent westerly flow were multifaceted, particularly in how it influenced temperature variations across the UK. As the mean flow originated slightly north of west, northern regions experienced a notably cold month, accompanied by more snow than typically expected for that time of year. Conversely, areas further south saw temperatures hover closer to normal, with some locales even experiencing slightly above-average warmth, particularly in England, away from the southeast, and Wales.

Temperature Disparities: Mean temperatures in northern Scotland dipped around a degree below normal, leading to colder conditions and increased snowfall.
Rain Shadow Effects: Despite overall dryness in England, some areas of eastern Scotland experienced marked rain-shadow effects, leading to localized variations in precipitation.
Pressure Gradients: An enhanced west-northwesterly pressure gradient over northern Scotland contributed to frequent windy conditions, although severe gales remained largely absent.

The distribution of rainfall also reflected the impact of the dominant westerly winds. While many parts of the northern half of the country and areas in the west saw above-normal rainfall totals, significant rain-shadow effects emerged in certain eastern Scottish regions. In stark contrast, much of England grappled with a dry month, exemplified by rainfall totals on the Isles of Scilly plummeting to less than a third of their typical levels. This dichotomy underscores the intricate interplay between wind direction, regional geography, and precipitation patterns.

Reflecting on November's Weather: A Glimpse into Climate Variability

The weather patterns of November 2017 serve as a reminder of the complexities inherent in Britain's climate and the far-reaching impacts of consistent wind patterns. From the chill of northern Scotland to the relative dryness of southern England, the month highlighted the intricate regional variations that can arise within a single climatic event. Understanding these nuances is crucial for anticipating future weather trends and preparing for their potential effects on various sectors, from agriculture to infrastructure.