Absolute Drought?

[Greg Gruner]

Yesterday, December 7th, was my 15th consecutive day without measurable rainfall. This is what used to be called an "Absolute Drought", although, quite rightly, this definition has fallen into disuse. It all depends on the season and the rainfall around the 15-day dry period that counts. I recorded 37.5mm November 19-21 (storm Angus and another low), so 15 days without rainfall after such a deluge cannot be called a drought. Nevertheless, it is unusual to have 15+ consecutive dry days at this time of year.
It looks like rain is on the way for Saturday, however.

[Greg Gruner]

The month is still looking a dry one here in Farnborough - only 6.0mm so far (monthly mean LTA is 69mm). Reading University has only had 9.1mm.
The cold front from Storm "Barbara" looks like it will bring some rain, but moving through quite quickly. The Christmas Day low looks like it will bring even less. After that, for us in the south, it looks like high pressure all the way through to the end of the month. So maybe a December in top 10 driest?

[Paul Swinhoe]

No absolute drought in North Staffordshire, but he autumn as been dry. Despite this it looks as though the annual total will just exceed the long term normal, as the 7 of the first 8 months of the year had above average rainfall.

[Len Wood]

35.4 mm to 27th Dec. here.
30% of 1981-2010 average.