The latest figures released by the Met Office show that England has experienced record rainfall over the past 18 months, from October 2022 to March 2024.

Rainfall reached 1,695.9 mm, making it the country’s wettest 18 months since records began in 1836. This is more rainfall than any 18-month period in England since records began in 1836.

This record beats the previous record set a month ago of 1,680.2 millimeters of rainfall between September 2022 and February 2024. The third highest record was 1,668.4 mm, set in the 18 months before January 2021.

March was particularly wet, with England receiving 62% more rainfall than the March average. However, the month’s total rainfall of 94.3mm was far from breaking any records and was the 19th wettest March on record.

Emily Carlisle, a scientist at the Met Office, pointed out that many people will remember how wet March was. She explained that the UK has been affected by low pressure and a series of fronts, resulting in a very saturated ground and increased sensitivity to rainfall events.

She said: “Many people will remember how wet March was, with the impact of a series of fronts and low pressures never seeming too far away from the UK.”

“After a wet winter and a wet start to the year, the ground in many areas is already very saturated, which has increased sensitivity to rainfall events in recent weeks.”

The UK also receives considerable rainfall overall, ranking fourth with 2,085.6mm in the 18 months to March 2024. Several counties in England received at least twice normal rainfall in March, including Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire.

Meanwhile, Wales and Northern Ireland also received more rain than usual in March, with increases of 53% and 49% respectively. Scotland, on the other hand, remained drier than average despite widespread rainfall throughout the month.

Despite the rain, March was still a mild month in the UK, with temperatures above average in all four countries. England even recorded its seventh warmest March on record, with an average temperature of 7.8C.