Winter 2008/9 forecast appraisal

The forecast appraisal is based on the winter forecast issued in September 2008. To see an assessment of the weather experienced across the UK see the Winter 2008/9 summary.


	Prediction	Outcome
European mean temperature	More likely above average over northern Europe and parts of southern and eastern Europe. Colder than Winter 2007/8 over northern Europe.	Above average over north-east Europe (see map on left). Average or below average over land areas of north-west Europe*. Although Winter 2008/9 was warmer than average over north-east Europe, temperatures were lower than for the winter of 2007/8 over this area and most other parts of northern Europe.
UK mean temperature	More likely near average or above average.	Below average See Winter 2008/9 summary
European precipitation totals	Below average slightly favoured over central Europe. Above average over the Mediterranean.	Below average over north and central parts of western Europe. Above average over most Mediterranean countries (see map on left).
UK precipitation totals	More likely average or below average	Below average - see Winter 2008/9 summary

*Northern Europe is defined as 48-75°N, north-west Europe as 20°W-20°E, 48-75°N, north-east Europe as 20-40°E, 48-75°N