Good years that are followed poor years/vice versa

[LetItSnow]

Inspired by a resurrection of the "Memories of 2003" thread, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at contrasting years as they're quite fascinating. Examples given are UK wide but perhaps you have some more localised examples.

1903 vs 1904

1903 is one of the worst years on record for UK weather and one that requires its own thread if it doesn't have one yet. The winter was very mild, the spring then turned extremely cold, the summer is one of the worst on record and then it was followed by the wettest month ever recorded in October 1903. Truly the stuff of nightmares and rivals 1974. 1904 on the other hand, while not perfect, did see some better weather. The winter was quite westerly but looked rather cold in the north so I imagine in Scotland this winter delivered, plus the summer of 1904 seems to be forgotten due to its modest CET but reports show it was consistently sunny, in particular July 1904 looked very nice.

1911 vs 1912

Perhaps the most extreme example I can think of. 1911 was fantastic for sun lovers purely down to the fact that summer began in mid-April and didn't let go until the 13th of September. Must be the greatest extended summer on record with 1989 which is remarkable since this was 113 years ago! The months outside of the summer weren't too bad with February being anticyclonic and the autumn being seasonably chilly. 1911 is still the 6th sunniest year ever. 1912 however... the DULLEST.  Apart from a spell of easterlies and actually a severely cold start to February, most of the winter was very bland and extremely mild at times, the spring meh with a very wet and mild March but a very dry April. The summer needs no more blabbering on from me as I covered it but truly must be the worst summer (ranked second behind 1954). Extraordinary dullness in the second half of the year with barely any sunshine from July to December along with it being volcanic winter level cool.

1921 vs 1922

1921 is the driest year on record and featured a (mostly) extended summer. Now it did see the second warmest January on record but that is a plus to some! The summer got going in May, turned a bit unsettled in August, but generally carried on into October. June and July were very warm and very sunny. July 1921 is hotter in the CET max than July 1976! August 1921 wasn't overly cool but was more changeable but September and October resumed the pattern with an extremely hot first half to October. October 1921 is the hottest on record still by CET max. 1922 however, has one of the COLDEST summers on record. Every summer month had a CET in the 13s! The spring was extremely cold and naff until May 1922 which briefly was very hot with the hottest May temperature on record to this day, but then the volcanic summer stopped that. The annual CET gap between the years was 2C!

1947 vs 1948

1947 is the year the UK climate took steroids. Every season was amplified to an extreme. Speaking of extremes this year had every one you could think of. Extreme rainfall, extreme drought, extreme snowfall, extreme heat, extreme cold, extreme sunshine, extreme lack of sunshine. I don't know a more extreme year and we may never have one again like it. The winter of course was spectacular with a rapid shift to heat by May 1947 and then the summer was extremely hot, particularly in August 1947 which is still the sunniest on record for the whole UK. Sunshine and dryness continued into the autumn and there were even widespread storms on Christmas Day. At that point, 1947 was just showing off. 1948 on the other hand... very mild winter, persistent mild and greyness in the first 6 months of the year apart from some brief cold easterlies in mid February and a freakishly warm first half to March. Then the summer was very dull and very poor though it still managed to contain an extremely hot day on the 29th of July which was the warmest daily CET for many years.

1959 vs 1960

1959 had one glorious long summer that started really in springlike sunshine in February and continued through October with little interruption, though unlike other years like this January 1959 was actually cold and snowy. 1960 on the other hand was far less ceremonious with an extremely wet spell beginning in July and lasting well into 1961. Only the wet spell of 2023-2024 eclipses it. Though at least August 1960 was an extremely thundery month.

1988 vs 1989

1988, while not entirely hated by every member, is quite villified and understandably so. It is the year that practically killed the UK climate and sent it into what it is now. The winter was mild and wet though at least sunny. The summer was very poor. Lots of quite meh blandness. 1989 of course, very long extended summer, particularly in the south, with practically almost uninterrupted warm/hot weather from May well into October. Lots of sunshine. Only a very poor winter ruined this year really. If the winter of 1988/1989 had been a cold winter it would have been perfect.

1997 vs 1998

Was unsure if this was a qualifier but I think it might! The winter of 1996/1997 did end prematurely but with it it brought a lot of cold, frost and even some very heavy snow. The spring was sunny, warm and dry with a very interesting May. The summer is a strange one as June 1997 was genuinely terrible but July and August seem good (bear in mind I'm using forum good, I'd hate August 1997!!!). The autumn was very sunny and dry with interesting changeable conditions of warm and cold, but November ended that unfortunately. 1998 however was an anti/joker year! Extreme warmth in the winter, cold into spring, poor summer and generally very wet and cloudy into the autumn plus another meh December.

2003 vs 2004

2003, like 1947, was a year where every season was shown at its best. It was extremely sunny, the sunniest year ever, the winter delivered nicely at times, warmth/heat persistered through much of the spring, summer and early autumn and generally it was just lovely. 2004 on the other hand, mild winter, meh spring, weird summer which was extremely wet at times and then an unceremonious autumn. Did give a white Christmas at least.

2013 vs 2014

2013's only fault is that January and March needed to have flipped, then it would have been fabulous. Still, a genuine winter with frequent cold spells. The spring wasn't for everyone but you can't deny it was interesting living through history. Hot summer. Even the autumn wasn't a total disaster really as September was nice, October had some interesting storms and November was seasonal, unfortunately December... well, that took us into 2014. The poster child for the modern day record-breaker that actually was just bland and grey for the whole year. Maybe not entirely fair... Still, even as a rain lover that winter was brutal. The spring sort of came and went. June and July admittedly were perfect but the final months of the year just returned to anomalously warm but very wet. If you had flipped August and September around then the summer of 2014 would probably rank higher in many people's minds than 2013 I feel.

2013 vs 2014

Another really sunny year in 2022. Similar to 1989 it's a shame this winter didn't deliver as it would have been really a cracking year for many, though December 2022 was phenomenal locally so that helps, plus January 2022 nice, frosty and anticyclonic down here. The spring had a lot of sun and even May 2022 didn't seem that bad to me. Obviously the summer was a classic and it kept going well into the autumn. 2023 on the other hand... well, I don't need to remind you where we're at now!

Do you think these are fair assesments? Think I'm missing any? Let me know, as well as your experiences and memories of them too.

Noticing an unusual abundance in 3 years followed by 4 years in this post.

[Frigid]

I'd probably say 2010 and 2011 qualifies. Dec 2010 was exceptionally cold, whilst Dec 2011 being quite mild. The CET's are near 2C apart. 

2012 and 2013 probably, March 2012 vs 2013, Summer 2012 vs 2013. 2012 being exceptionally wet, whilst 2013 a fair bit drier.

 

[Harry233]

I would say 2010 v 2011 would’ve been a good one as well. Winter 2010 was very cold and snowy one. The spring was generally very pleasant and had alternate cold and warm spells. The summer was ok. June 2010 was a lovely month and the August wasn’t too bad that year. The autumn had some very pleasant weather and then the very heavy and rare thunder snow in November before rounding it off with an exceptional December which was by far the coldest on record. 2010 was a cold year but it was generally very sunny and dry felt very unusual in a good way. Whereas I felt 2011 was such a drag of a year. The winter started quite promising but then February turned very mild and wet and that kind of set the tone for the rest of the year. I didn’t rate spring 2011 that highly either. Yes the April was fantastic but March and May were both very unsettled and May 2011 was very windy. The summer was pretty poor, August was absolutely dire. The autumn was generally very mild but often cloudy and wet. Although the end of September was lovely. November that year was ridiculously mild. December did bring a good storm during the first half but again after that it was just dire. 2011 just seemed to have all the wrong weather in the seasons. 

Would also say 2022 v 2023 could be a mention as well. 2022 was a brilliant year up here a very sunny and mild year. Winter 2021/22 was very sunny especially in January, February turned wetter but it was still sunny and there was a good dumping of snow here on the 18th. March was exceptionally sunny and was very mild but equally had some cool nights. Most of April and the first half of May were also pleasantly mild and settled. Summer 2022 was a very good summer as well. The second half of June was glorious, July was very warm especially midmonth where we recorded our highest temperature and the August was very warm and sunny despite being quite wet however that was down to three very wet days the rest of the month was nearly rainless. September had a very heavy shower here on the 8th that brought some significant flooding but most the month was settled. October and November both had some good settled spells and December turned very cold and had some very severe frosts. We didn’t get above freezing for about five days. 2023 I wouldn’t say was a bad year for weather but it was just so unsettled it did have its good points like a good second half of May and June that year was absolutely glorious. Other than that it was just showery, and mild 
 

[cheeky_monkey]

Maybe 1976 v 1977 qualifies??

[LetItSnow]

 cheeky_monkey I thought about it but hesitated to include it because 1976 didn't have enough good weather overall, and when I say good I'm using overall metrics not personal opinion. Like, yes - the summer was phenomenal - but the winter was a borefest, spring was quite nice but the autumn was cool and very wet. Did have a cold and snowy December though. May just make the cut. All subjective of course so if you think it is then absolutely.

[SunChaserWales]

10 hours ago, LetItSnow! said:

2013's only fault is that January and March needed to have flipped, then it would have been fabulous. Still, a genuine winter with frequent cold spells. The spring wasn't for everyone but you can't deny it was interesting living through history. Hot summer. Even the autumn wasn't a total disaster really as September was nice, October had some interesting storms and November was seasonal, unfortunately December... well, that took us into 2014. The poster child for the modern day record-breaker that actually was just bland and grey for the whole year. Maybe not entirely fair... Still, even as a rain lover that winter was brutal. The spring sort of came and went. June and July admittedly were perfect but the final months of the year just returned to anomalously warm but very wet. If you had flipped August and September around then the summer of 2014 would probably rank higher in many people's minds than 2013 I feel.

2013 and 2014 were very different but I'd actually rank 2014 as a better year than 2013. The March - September period of 2014 was pretty nice with the exception of August. 2013 was interesting at the start for how cold it was but it just became tiresome and then the last 4 months were just wet and horrible. The hot July being the obvious highlight, but overall a year I really didn't like.

Maybe 2006 and 2007 would qualify? 06 was a year with a poor spring and very hot summer followed by a record(?) mild autumn but then 07 was a year with a good March and incredible April before switching to wet and unsettled at the very same moment 2006 switched to good weather, in early May. Horrible summer but then a settled and seasonal autumn unlike 06.

Of course you mentioned 2003 vs 2004 but how about 2002 vs 2003? I think most would agree 2002 was an even worse year than 2004.

Hopefully we can add 2024 vs 2025 to this list in 18 months' time.

[LetItSnow]

 Sun Chaser Funny that I didn’t think of 2002 first since it’s the more obvious pick. 2006 and 2007 fits yes 

Edited July 15 by LetItSnow!

[SunChaserWales]

 LetItSnow!  Imo 06 was a good year (amazing May - Sep period) followed by 07 which was a pretty bad year with the obvious exception of April. Even if autumn wasn't too bad

[LetItSnow]

 Sun Chaser oh ignore me. i temporarily forgot the entire meaning of the thread. of course it fits lol

[B87]

1997, 1998, 1999 

2002, 2003, 2004 

2021, 2022, 2023

1958, 1959, 1960

1988, 1989

2006 had a great June/July/September, but it was a dull year with a poor spring.

Edited July 15 by B87

[LetItSnow]

 B87 Was 1999 a great year? I don’t think so. From solely my perspective:

The good bits: very thundery and generally quite sunny I think. I think after September there was a fair deal of anticyclonic weather in the autumn. In Scotland the winter wasn’t actually mild and had some cold snowy, spells at times.  

The bad bits: No winter elsewhere, exceptionally mild at times. Christmas was very stormy for the third year in a row. 

If I had been living in Scotland it would probably be quite good but in the south I’d think it was naff. Not terrible per se just meh. 

Edited July 15 by LetItSnow!

[B87]

 LetItSnow! Compared to 1998 and 2000, it was.

It had a mild and sunny winter, a sunny May, a very sunny July and overall decent summer. 30c in September, and a seasonal autumn.

2014 was a better year than 2013; much sunnier and warmer even though it was very wet (Heathrow's wettest year on record). Most of that rainfall came in January, August and November. The rest of the time it was quite dry or average.

2013 was a cold, very dull year that just happened to have a good July/August. The rest of that year was absolute garbage.

Edited July 15 by B87

[LetItSnow]

 B87 Mild winter is a no no for me. I’d take a cold, dull winter over a mild and sunny one as mild and sunny weather can wait until the spring. Cold winters don’t tend to be very sunny anyway unless they’re northerly, but purely northerly winters aren’t usually as severe as they’re more prone to breaking down. 

[Weather-history]

1954, 1955

1955 had a better winter and a far better summer!   Also more variety.  The summer and autumn of 1954 was a washout around here.

[A Face like Thunder]

12 hours ago, LetItSnow! said:

I thought about it but hesitated to include it because 1976 didn't have enough good weather overall, and when I say good I'm using overall metrics not personal opinion. Like, yes - the summer was phenomenal - but the winter was a borefest, spring was quite nice but the autumn was cool and very wet. Did have a cold and snowy December though. May just make the cut. All subjective of course so if you think it is then absolutely.

Definitely 1976 and 1977. For me, 1976 was the No 1 year for consistent sun and warmth and lack of rain, certainly April through to the end of August, and let's not forget the floods in the autumn. If there was not enough 'good weather' in 1976, we might as well pack up and go home, no disrespect. On the other hand, 1977 had none of these qualities, so definitely good followed by bad in my view.  

[StretfordEnd1996]

9 hours ago, Sun Chaser said:

 LetItSnow!  Imo 06 was a good year (amazing May - Sep period) followed by 07 which was a pretty bad year with the obvious exception of April. Even if autumn wasn't too bad

Yes I was going to mention 2006 and 2007 too - but with 2006 being the better year vs 2007

2006 had some decent wintry episodes Feb-Apr (in comparison to most modern standards anyway). A fine Summer (for the most part) as well as September. The rest of the year was somewhat forgettable but, as for 2007 I find literally that whole year was forgettable aside from April. 

[LetItSnow]

2 hours ago, A Face like Thunder said:

If there was not enough 'good weather' in 1976, we might as well pack up and go home, no disrespect.

Not sure I quite understand as from a personal perspective when looking at it as a fun game I personally don’t think 1976 qualifies as a great year as it was too focused on the summer. The winter was total pants. And also you know I love rain and stuff so I’m not knocking 1976 for having that autumn - just that for a pick in this case there are better options, like 1959 and 1989.  But since it’s all subjective anyway then absolutely you can add it. 

I think 1979 was far more interesting anyway.  

 Weather-history Great example. 1955 vs 1956 too. Strangely each three years had a winter that started mild but for progressively colder so at least i’m 1954 and 1956 there was a semblance of winter, though in 1955 it was one of those amplified seasons years. It’s one of those rare years that has a very hot summer in an overall chilly year. Great year.

[Metwatch]

Interestingly there is a short RMets article on the contrast between the warm dry summer of 1911 and washout summer of 1912. Almost like 2006 vs 2007 with the remarkable differences expect August 1912 was truly horrific in all ways.

Perfect summer of 1911 and washout summer of 1912.pdf August 1912 floods in Norfolk.pdf

Edited July 16 by Metwatch

[cheeky_monkey]

 LetItSnow! maybe he means you weren't around in 1976? if you lived a year stats don't tell the whole story..im just old enough to remember 1976 and thus 1977 to me they were total opposites 

[LetItSnow]

 cheeky_monkey I'm not saying they weren't opposites I'm just saying I didn't include them in the original list but the point is for people to add their own which they have so go all for it.

Also the thing about stats, I think they do as they're more reliable than human memory. Like the people who say "it was 40C all the time when I was a kid!". It happens with loads of generations like people in the mid-20th having fond memories of the Edwardian summers being good when they were mostly really poor bar 1911. I remember a day in July 2021 feeling like it was 40C but it was only 32C. 

[Thundery wintry showers]

 Weather-history Yes 1954 and 1955 is a very good one, I also agree with LetItSnow! that there is a strong case for 1955 and 1956 as well, making it another three year sequence with 1955 being the metaphorical filling in the sandwich.

1976 and 1977 was mentioned as a possibility. I'm going to go just a couple of years further back and suggest 1974 and 1975, again especially in view of the respective summers. Some might not have been keen on the mild winter and cold spring of 1975 but they were certainly noteworthy and stuck out in the memory of many who lived through them, and they set us up for the remarkable 2 June snowfalls and then the sudden flip to a hot dry sunny summer.

Edited July 17 by Thundery wintry showers

[LetItSnow]

 Thundery wintry showers If 1975 had a switch around of the winter and the spring, aka persistently chilly winter and then a very warm spring then absolutely. It surprised me to learn that June 1975 is sunnier for the UK as a whole than June 1976. July 1975 looks good but on its own I don’t think it was remarkable. August 1975 was incredibly hot in the first half but broke down in the second half. It having a CET in the high 18s is a testament to that heat despite a cooler second half. The autumn of 1975 seemed like a decent one. September was very wet and cyclonic but then a lot of dry but quite cold weather thereafter. December was dry and mild. Overall I wouldn’t classify 1975  as an overall good year, the mild winter-cold spring is quite a heinous combination. 

Edited July 17 by LetItSnow!

[Harry233]

 Metwatch Is there a way you can view all those anomaly charts back that far? Are they still on the met office website 

[Harry233]

 StretfordEnd1996 as much as 2007 had a bad summer I didn’t actually think it was a bad year for weather at all. It actually ended up drier and sunnier than average overall here. We had a very pleasant March, obviously the amazing April, even May up here wasn’t the worst we missed out on most of the rain and only ended up with average rainfall. Obviously the summer was generally a write off but August had some pleasant if not cool weather, the autumn was one of the driest and sunniest on record, September and October 2007 were both fantastic months here being mild, sunny and often dry but having cool nights so it felt autumnal. I think 2007 gets a harsh rep due to the winter being very mild and mainly snowless to then having a very wet and cool summer but either side of that there was a lot of useable weather.

[Harry233]

 LetItSnow! 1999 wasn’t a bad year up here. Winter had some snowy weather although it never came to much , the spring had some good weather with May being especially nice, I do seem to remember a little bit of a snowy spell in the spring as well however unsure if it was March or April. The summer was also pretty good, June wasn’t great but July and August both had some good warm spells. September 1999 was very warm from memory, very much like September 2021 had similar weather. Don’t recall much about the autumn that year so can’t of been that exciting however I remember December 1999 being very wet and quite stormy at times.

A year which did have everything but probably a lot more moderately than recent years.