Hi
The usual explanation is that it depends on the postion of the Jetstream. This is a quite a narrow band of VERY strong winds blowing from west to east at more than 20000 ft. It move up and down in latitude and it is pretty well at our lat. now. Go to Metcheck.com for some nice graphics of it or just do a google for jetstream. In Metcheck select UK&ireland, then go to bottom of page - Metcheck Tools- for info on jetstream .
Heard it said on the radio this morning (so it must be true) that the SW storms are likely to persist until the end of the month, then followed by blizzard conditions!
So much for winter sailing, might just take the sails off!