TALKS of summer hosepipe bans have been put on the backburner after Reading experienced its wettest March on record.
Following the driest February in almost 90 years, the University of Reading’s Atmospheric Observatory recorded more rainfall in March than in the 122 years it has been taking measurements.
Last month was one of the cloudiest Marches on record, with Reading receiving just over half of the sunshine it typically gets during the month.
Dr Stephen Burt, from the university’s Department of Meteorology, said: “March’s total precipitation at the Observatory site amounted to 131 mm, more than three times the March average of 40 mm.
“This surpassed the previous wettest March in 1916, when 123 mm was recorded at the university’s London Road site. March’s rainfall stands in sharp contrast to the previous month, when we had just 2.7 mm of rain in February.
“Friday, March 31, saw 41.1 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours from 9 am. This was not only almost a third of the month’s total, it was also our wettest March day on record – the previous wettest being 34.5 mm on March 14, 1964.
“The excess rainfall in March (91 mm above normal) more than made up for February’s deficit (42 mm below normal). For the winter half-year October 2022 to March 2023, the total precipitation amounted to 464 mm, well above the normal for the period of 361 mm.
“Hopefully, this will ease the risk of hosepipe bans and other water restrictions this spring.”
He added that the total duration of sunshine in March was only 67 hours, well below the normal for March of 119 hours.
“March saw less sunshine than February, although this does happen from time-to-time,” Dr Burt said.
“There were only two days that could reasonably be called ‘sunny’, and nine on which the Sun failed to make an appearance.
“With excess rain and a lack of sunshine, March was definitely a month to forget. I’m hoping for a dry, warm and sunny April.”
