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2012: Wettest year on record in Leicestershire

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It will not come as a surprise to people who have battled downpours and floods that this has been the wettest year since records began in 1836.

Rainfall for 2012 is set to be 40 per cent above the average.

By Christmas Day, 997mm (39in) of rain had fallen in Leicestershire, smashing the previous record of 969mm (38in) that fell in 1872.

The average annual rainfall for Leicestershire is 705mm (28in).

Leicester Mercury weatherman Dave Mutton said yesterday: "I've measured 39 inches by Christmas Day and with more showers on the way I think we've likely to hit 40 inches by the new year.

"It's the wettest since 1836, which is when records began for Leicestershire, and it looks like being the result of climate change.

"The jet stream has been moving north and south, which is unusual. In other parts of the world it has caused droughts. A lot of it is down to nature but we're not helping with all the stuff we're putting in the air.

"If it's a long-term trend, we can expect more of the same."

To Christmas Day, 3.7in of rain had fallen this month, making it the wettest December in a decade.

One of the sharpest of this year's downpours came at the end of June, brought by a tornado that caused damage throughout the county, and dumped 31mm (1.2in) of rain in 20 minutes.

June saw a whopping 173mm (6.8in) of rain fall on Leicestershire – nearly three times the average.

It was only six millimetres away from being the wettest June on record.

July was also a wet month, with the fire brigade having to rescue several motorists from cars stuck in flood water and a number of summer events being cancelled.

However, at the start of the year, the county was officially in drought.

That status was lifted in May, following the wettest April on record, when nearly 145mm fell, compared to a monthly average of 53.6mm.

Among the most regularly flooded roads were several near Barrow upon Soar and Sileby.

Barrow parish councillor Trevor Burton, who lives in Breachfield Road, said the rain had been relentless.

He said: "It's certainly been one of the worst years in living memory around here, based on the number of times Barrow Road and Slash Lane have been under water.

"Cossington Road in Sileby also floods and we know when there are road closures because all the traffic has to come through Barrow and causes a lot of congestion.

"Proctor's Park has flooded a lot this year and it has affected a number of caravans down there.

"It's because it's been steady rain. It saturates the ground and we get this flooding."


The Environment Agency has lifted most of its flood warnings and alerts for Leicestershire but more rain is forecast for the next few days. One warning is still in place along the River Soar and two flood alerts remain in place. The agency advice is that those living near flood warning areas should take action to protect their homes. A warnings is in place at the following location: - River Wreake at Frisby-on-the-Wreake Two alerts remain in place where flooding is possible and people living nearby are urged to be prepared for rising water levels. Flood alerts have been issued in Leicestershire for: - River Wreake and tributaries from Stapleford to the River Soar at Syston - Lower River Soar in Leicestershire including tributaries from Cossington to Redhill at the River Trent
Call the Environment Agency's Floodline on 0845 988 1188 for up-to-date flooding information or visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk for river level and flooding information. See the Environment Agency interactive map here. See the five-day weather forecast for Leicester and Leicestershire here.

2012: Wettest year on record in Leicestershire


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