Met Office statistics put 2012 as second wettest year in the UK

Last year was the second wettest on record in the UK, according to provisional statistics released by the Met Office today. In 2012 1330.7 mm of rain fell, 6.6 mm short of the record set in 2000.

There is evidence to suggest UK rainfall is increasing and falling in more intense bursts, the Met Office said, with four out of the five wettest years occurring since 2000. 
Possible causes include changes in sea surface temperatures due to natural cycles and reductions in Arctic sea-ice could be influencing the increase, as well as rising global temperatures. 

“The trend towards more extreme rainfall events is one we are seeing around the world, in countries such as India and China, and now potentially here in the UK,” said Met Office chief scientist Julia Slingo. 

“It’s essential we look at how this may impact our rainfall patterns going forward over the next decade and beyond, so we can advise on the frequency of extreme weather in the future and the potential for more surface and river flooding. This will help inform decision-making about the need for future resilience both here in the UK and globally.”