February 1903 was an exceptionally mild month with a CET of 7.1  Tropical martime southwesterly frequently flooded the UK bringing exceptionally high maxima for the time of the year.

Mean pressure charts for normal Feb, Feb 1903 and Feb 1895 for comparison

On the 21st of February, an airmass that originated from north Africa gave a remarkable dust fall across parts of Wales and central and southern England as can been seen on this map. The shaded areas is where dust was reported.

Some reports

Mrs Foster, Witley, Godalming

"On Saturday, February 21st, we had a remarkable dust-storm, worst about midday. Several people who went out of doors complained of the dreadful dust in their eyes and nostrils. On Monday morning, after the rain of Sunday. the 22nd, I saw yellow dust on the south and west window sills, but it was like cement and could not be swept up, so it had to be washed off."

Dr Edwin Freshfield, Juniper Hill

"From 9am till 2pm the sun was shining brightly enough through a haze similiar to the Khamsin haze in Egypt, then the semi-obscured sky cleared of mist about 4pm. Evergreen trees were noticed to be covered with chocolate coloured dust at 11am and by 4pm the trees were all of one uniform colour. The dust was silky to the touch."

Mrs Silver, Highfield Vicarage, Southampton

"On the Sunday, February 22nd, between 11am and noon the sky was coloured with a thick yellow cloud exactly like a Lonodn fog, too thick for sufficent light to penetrate to read by. The darkness lasted about an hour and when it had passed the windows were covered with yellow sand."

G.D, Hope, Romford

"On Saturday 21st February, a great amount of grey dust fell at Havering. The conifers collected most and looked as if they had been powdered with flour"

A few days later, there was a tremendous gale that hit northern parts that for Ireland was described as the worst gale since the Big Wind of January 1839.

One estate near Birr reported about 2000 trees uprooted, 4000 trees on an estate in Kilkenny, 3000 trees were uprooted in Phoenix Park, Dublin.

Glasnevin Botanical Gardens.

Reports on the gale

Norwich: Great gale on the night of 26th with terrific gusts

Bolton: On the 27th, occurred the most severest gale for many years, its force being almost equal to that of the memorable gale of 9th December 1886

Melmerby: Violent SW gale on the 26th and 27th. Many trees uprooted and houses unroofed.

Douglas: A storm of probably almost unprecedented violence on the 26th and 27th did much damage to churches, houses, trees and gardens.

Cargen: The gale on 27th caused considerable damage to timber and trees

Darryanne Abbey: The gale of the 26th was said to be the worst remembered.

Dublin: A hurricane on the night of 26th/27th unequalled since the big wind of January 6th 1839

Athlone: The greatest storm since "the night of the big wind" on January 6th 1839 raged on 26th. Trees were laid low all over the country and in some cases almost whole woods.

Ballinaloe: Violent gale on the 26th. Houses were unroofed and thousands of trees blown down all over the district.

Great stuff there Kevin.