It's official - last month really was one of the dullest and wettest Februarys Britain has ever had. The Met Office has released its figures for February, confirming it was a month characterised by persistent wet weather. Across the entire UK, February was 23 per cent wetter than average, although the pictured varied regionally. In England, there was 70 per cent more rain than usual - with Worcestershire experiencing its wettest February ever recorded. Met Office Science Manager Dr Amy Doherty said: 'February's mild and notably dull conditions have brought a winter of considerable contrasts to a close.
UK Records One of Warmest and Dullest Februaries on Record
'While February itself stood out for its exceptionally low sunshine and above average temperatures, the broader winter picture shows just how varied conditions have been around the UK. 'Some southern and central areas of the UK experienced persistent rainfall, leading to saturated ground and several areas recording one of their wettest winters on record. 'In contrast, parts of northern and western Scotland were markedly drier, which is notable given these areas are typically among the wettest in the UK.' In terms of temperature, last month was the ninth warmest February on record - with the nights proving to be particularly tepid. 'Notably, 21 counties recorded their highest February minimum temperature on record, highlighting unusually mild nights,' the Met Office explained.
Wales Endures Dullest February on Record
Sunshine was in short supply for much of the UK, thanks to the dominance of cloud-bearing Atlantic systems. The UK had its fourth dullest February on record, while Wales had its dullest ever February. If it feels like you constantly had your umbrella in your hand, you're also not wrong - with above-average rainfall for England, Northern Ireland, and Wales. 'This year, it was eastern Scotland that saw above average rainfall, highlighting an unusual reversal of the pattern normally expected, and demonstrating the strong regional differences that can develop within a season,' Ms Doherty explained.
'Taken together, the winter and February figures highlight the influence of a predominantly Atlantic weather pattern and the pronounced variability that can characterise the UK climate.' As we step into spring, the Met Office has also revealed its figures for the entire winter. The season was among the wettest winters on record - with several regions experiencing their wettest winters ever. 'The West Midlands, Cornwall and Leicestershire all experienced their wettest winter on record,' the Met Office explained. 'Several other counties - including Dorset and Warwickshire, which recorded their second wettest winter - fell within their top ten wettest winters since 1836, highlighting the widespread nature of the persistent rainfall.'
So, what was behind this miserable weather? According to the Met Office, climate change played a key role. 'A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, approximately 7% more for every degree Celsius of warming,' it explained. 'This means that when it does rain, downpours can be heavier and more intense. 'This characteristic is already being observed in the UK and globally, with rainfall totals on the wettest days increasing over recent decades.' Looking ahead to spring, you'll be pleased to hear that it's almost time to pack away the jumpers, with warm weather forecast.
Tony Wisson, deputy chief forecaster with the Met Office said: 'This week is the start of meteorological spring, and the forecast is set to reflect the seasonal shift. 'Over the next few days, the conditions are likely to become noticeably more settled, offering a welcome change from recent unsettled weather. 'We will see a band of rain cross the country on Thursday, and spells of rain or showers may continue to come and go across Northern Ireland and western Scotland over the coming days. 'We're looking at a slightly warmer week, with highs of up to 19°C on Thursday.'