England sees a record amount of rain in 18-months
England saw a record amount of rainfall in the 18 months to March, new figures show.
Some 1,695.9mm (66in) of rain fell from October 2022 to March 2024, with double the average rainfall for Hampshire, the highest level for any 18-month period in England since comparable data began in 1836.
It beats the previous record of 1,680.2mm, which had been set only the month before and covered the 18 months from September 2022 to February 2024.
The third highest figure on record, 1,668.4mm, was set in the 18 months to January 2021.
Last month saw England experience 62 per cent more rainfall than an average March, though the total for the month, 94.3mm, was not close to record levels, ranking as the 19th wettest March for the nation since data began.
Overall, the UK saw 27 per cent more rainfall than average last month, at 107.8mm, enough to rank as the 31st wettest March for the whole country.
Met Office scientist Emily Carlisle said: “Many will remember how wet March has been, with a succession of fronts and the influence of low pressure seemingly never too far away from the UK.
“Coming off the back of a wet winter and what has been a wet start to the year, many areas have very saturated ground, which has increased the sensitivity to rainfall events in recent weeks.”
Wales had 53 per cent more rain than an average March, while Northern Ireland received 49 per cent more rain but, while Scotland saw widespread rain throughout the month, it was drier than average, especially in northern and western areas.
March was a mild month , with the mean temperature higher than average in all four nations. Met Office data on temperatures begins in 1884.