Wettest Winter on Record for Parts of the UK, Says Met Office
According to preliminary data from the Met Office, parts of the UK endured its wettest winter on record. The figures reveal that certain regions, including Cornwall, Leicestershire, and the West Midlands, faced their most rainfall-laden winter since records began in 1836.
Dorset and Warwickshire recorded their second-wettest winter, while southern England overall ranked fourth in terms of rainfall totals. The UK’s total rainfall for the winter exceeded the long-term average by 13%, yet it remained beneath the all-time high of 539.9mm set in 2014.
“Substantial regional variations” were noted, with excessive precipitation being especially notable in southern and central England, the Met Office stated.
In England, there was a stark contrast between northern and southern regions, with the north recording 17% more rain than average and the south seeing a 58% surge. Northern Ireland saw a 27% increase in rainfall, while Wales recorded a 20% rise compared to historical averages.
Three named storms—Goretti, Ingrid, and Chandra—struck during January, delivering torrential rain that triggered flooding and disrupted travel across numerous areas. February brought some of the lowest sunshine readings on record for all four UK nations, even as “exceptionally mild conditions” prevailed.
“The dullest Februarys” were due to the persistent dominance of Atlantic systems bringing clouds and minimal high-pressure activity,” the Met Office explained.
Despite the winter’s “heavily influenced by natural variability and atmospheric patterns,” climate change continues to offer “important context,” as a warmer atmosphere retains more moisture, leading to heavier and more intense rainfall.
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