05/07/2007

Record breaking June rainfall figures

Provisional climate statistics from the Met Office have revealed that June was been the wettest since records began in 1914.

The UK-wide average figure of 134.5mm has beaten the previous highest June total of 121.2mm in 1980. Records for England and Northern Ireland have also been broken.

The month saw some extremely high daily rainfall totals, with 103.1mm falling in the 24 hour period ending at 1000pm on June 25 in Fylingdales, North Yorkshire. At this stage, it is not possible to say whether intense rainfall events are caused by climate change.

However, there is an expectation of heavier extreme rainfall events in most places as climate warms and the atmosphere becomes moister.

Chief Scientist at the Met Office, John Mitchell said: "In the UK, extreme rainfall is likely to increase in winter, but in summer the predictions are unclear. Improved modelling and understanding in the future will help us to reduce this uncertainty for the UK."

Despite the large amounts of rain across many parts of the country, the average UK temperature has been above the long-term average. June 2007 had a mean temperature of 13.7C, while the long-term average is 12.6C.

The higher than normal mean UK temperature for June follows a trend that has become a regular feature over recent months. The last time mean UK temperatures were below average was in March 2006.

The Met Office works with government, the public and the private sector to forecast and advice on the possible consequences and risks of climate change. With the 'normal' baselines changing, we all need to seek advice to make informed planning decisions and begin to put in place adaptation measures to meet the challenges posed by climate change.

(SP/JM)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

26 July 2007
May, June and July 'wettest months on record'
May, June and July have been the wettest months on record, even before July is over, the Met Office has revealed. Provisional figures from the Met Office show that 387.6mm of rain have already fallen across England and Wales, making it the wettest May to July since records began in 1766.
24 July 2014
Figures Show A Rise In Retail Sales
Sales in the retail industry increased by 3.6% compared to June 2013 according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The quantity bought also increased by 4.5% compare to the same time last year. In June 2014, all retail sectors showed estimated rises in the quantity bought year-on-year.
13 August 2007
House Prices Rise By 12% In June
UK annual house price inflation in June 2007 was 12.1%, up from 10.8% in May 2007. Annual house price inflation in London was 17.5% in June, up from 14.3% in May. The UK annual house price inflation rate for the 3 months to June was 11.3% and 15.1% in London. The UK house price inflation rate rose from 10.8% in May 2007 to 12.1% in June 2007.
22 July 2004
UK car prices see 'sharp rise'
The average price for a new car in the UK has seen a "sharp rise" of 5.4% over the last 12 months, according to the PricewaterhouseCoopers and eurocarprice.com Index of New Car Prices.
25 November 2011
Met Scientist Awarded For Extreme Weather Discovery
One of the Met Office’s leading scientists has won a prestigious award for research, which has shed new light on how climate change could influence extreme weather over Europe. Dr Adam Scaife has won the Climate Change category of the Lloyd’s Science of Risk Prize, which recognises leading research that could have a big impact on risk management.