England Records Wettest Winter in a Decade Following Stormy Season
England has experienced its wettest winter in ten years, according to provisional data released by the Met Office. The season, characterised by persistent storms and significant snowfall, saw rainfall totals reach 35 per cent above the long-term average across the country.
Rainfall Figures and Historical Context
Total rainfall in England measured 326.6 millimetres up to 25 February, making it the wettest winter since 2016, when 330.5 millimetres was recorded. While this winter does not rank among the top ten wettest since records began, it marks a notable increase from recent years. The all-time record remains from 2014, when England endured 401.0 millimetres of rain.
Met Office senior scientist Mike Kendon commented on the seasonal patterns, stating, "With only days left of meteorological winter, many people may be surprised that no national rainfall records are expected, despite what has felt like an exceptionally wet season." He highlighted that a near-continuous succession of Atlantic weather systems over the past three months brought relentless rain, damaging storms, and very few dry intervals.
Regional Variations Across the United Kingdom
A distinct north-south divide emerged in rainfall distribution. Southern England is currently experiencing its seventh wettest winter since records commenced in 1836, with 336.1 millimetres of rain recorded. This region's wettest winter also occurred in 2014, with 413.3 millimetres.
In contrast, Scotland overall had a particularly dry winter, with rainfall 16 per cent below the seasonal average. However, variations existed within Scotland: eastern areas received 19 per cent above their average rainfall, while northern areas saw 34 per cent below.
On a national scale, rainfall across the entire UK was 9 per cent above the long-term average. The Met Office described the winter as "wet, but nowhere near record-breaking territory."
County-Level Impacts and Storm Events
Several counties reported exceptionally high rainfall rankings. Dorset and Cornwall both experienced their second-wettest winter on record. The Isle of Wight and County Down recorded their third-wettest, while Angus, Kincardineshire, Hampshire, and the City of Aberdeen saw their fourth-wettest. The Met Office noted these rankings could still change as the meteorological winter concludes.
The winter was marked by a series of severe storms, including Storm Bram in December, and Storms Goretti, Ingrid, and Chandra in January. These events brought severe winds, heavy rainfall, and widespread disruption across parts of the UK.
Storm Goretti, named by the French Meteorological Service, was classified as a "multi-hazard event" that delivered wind, ice, snow, and rain to various regions. Despite Scotland's overall dry conditions, heavy snowfall at the start of the year led to school closures in vast areas of the country.
Notable Weather Contrasts and Observations
The Met Office reported on 5 February that rain had fallen every day of the year so far, accumulating more than a month's worth of rainfall in that period. This persistent wet weather contrasted sharply with a brief warm spell; the UK experienced its warmest day of the year on Wednesday, with temperatures reaching 18.7 degrees Celsius at Kew Gardens in London.
Mike Kendon summarised the season, saying, "Although the past week has been more settled, it looks like this winter will close a very wet one for parts of southern England, remembered for its relentless rain as much as its intensity." The data underscores a winter of significant meteorological activity, with lasting impacts on communities and infrastructure.
