February anticyclonic spells favour retrogression?

[Weather-history]

I made this post 7 years ago

I have noted from looking at the weather archives that notable anticyclonic spells during February have a tendency to favour retrogression. As always, there are exceptions to the rule.

Some examples.

According to Philip Eden, the three most anticylonic Februarys since 1880 are 1932

The high moves northwards allowing a cold easterly flow

1965: a classic

The start of a cold wintry first half to March

1934

A wintry end to a pretty snowless winter

Other examples

1890

1909

1924

1942

1944

1993

2004

[4wd]

It often seems like rather slack and uneventful vaguely easterly spells are a common feature.

[Snowyowl9]

2008 didn`t quite make it but it was a glorious spell of weather,with plenty of overnight ar frosts and chilly to cold easterly days perfect.

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/pics/archive/ra/2008/Rrea00120080213.gif

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/pics/archive/ra/2008/Rrea00120080214.gif

[damianslaw]

It depends on the position and potency of the Jetstream, an amplified flow enables the high to retrogress either NE or NW, a flatter jet tends to sink the high..

 

Late February into March can often see a rather meridional jet flow with amplification so its perhaps no surprise to see the evolutions that occur. Even the infamous mild euro high of Feb 1998 ended with a northerly and cold start to March.