‘Exceptional’ rainfall brings one of wettest Januarys on record for many

An “exceptional” amount of rain led to last month being the second wettest January on record in Northern Ireland and the sixth wettest in southern England, figures show.

Northern Ireland experienced 70% more rainfall than the long-term average – with 195.6mm falling across the month, according to provisional data from the Met Office.

This was enough to make it the wettest January since 1877, when 197.1mm was measured, and the second wettest since comparable records began in 1836.

Southern England saw 74% more rainfall than is typical for the month, with 136.8mm – enough to rank it the sixth wettest on record for the area.

Last month saw a string of low-pressure weather systems move across the UK from the Atlantic, with repeated outbreaks of wet and windy conditions.

Three named storms – Goretti, Ingrid and Chandra – all brought downpours to many areas, leading to flooding and widespread travel disruption.

The same day also saw Cardinham in Cornwall, Hurn in Dorset and both Dunkeswell Aerodrome and Plymouth Mountbatten in Devon all exceed their previous daily rainfall records for the month.

Met Office science manager Dr Amy Doherty said: “January has been exceptionally wet because we’ve seen a very persistent Atlantic weather pattern.

“A strong jet stream has repeatedly steered low-pressure systems towards the UK, bringing frequent spells of rain and wind.

“With little opportunity for drier conditions in between, the ground has become saturated, so even moderate rainfall has had a greater impact.

“This succession of Atlantic systems is the main reason rainfall totals this month are well above average for many areas.”

Several counties experienced their second wettest January since records began in 1836: County Londonderry in Northern Ireland; Devon and Dorset in south-west England; Hampshire and Surrey in south-east England; and Angus and Kincardineshire in Scotland.

No temperatures records were broken or challenged last month, the Met Office added.

The UK’s mean temperature during January was 3.4C, slightly below average.

Sunshine levels for the UK were in line with the long-term average, at 47.7 hours across the month.