Leicestershire Records Wettest Winter On Record

Leicestershire has experienced its wettest winter on record according to provisional figures from the Met Office.

The county is one of three areas in England that saw record-breaking rainfall between December and February.

Flooding in Welland Park, Market Harborough

England overall received 42% more rain than average during the period, with southern and central areas particularly affected.

Across the UK, 390.1mm of rain fell over the winter – 13% above the long-term average – though still below the all-time high of 539.9mm recorded in 2014.

The Met Office said there were “substantial regional differences”, with rainfall 58% above average in southern England compared with 17% above average in the north.

Three named storms in January – Goretti, Ingrid and Chandra – brought heavy downpours, causing flooding and travel disruption in many areas. February also ranked among the dullest on record across all four UK nations, despite exceptionally mild temperatures.

Dr Amy Doherty from the Met Office said persistent rainfall left ground saturated in many southern and central areas, leading to one of the wettest winters since comparable records began in 1836, including Leicestershire.

While natural weather patterns played a major role, the Met Office added that climate change remains an important factor, as a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, increasing the likelihood of heavier and more intense rainfall.