2012 the second wettest year
2012 was the second wettest year in the UK since records began in 1910, according to provisional statistics from the Met Office. It is just a few millimetres short of the record set in 2000.
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2012 was the second wettest on record for the UK
Pictures show critically high water level in Kent lake
The water level in Bewl Water near Lamberhurst in Kent is at 93% of its capacity following heavy rain over the festive period.
These photographs, taken roughly a year apart, show the same sign.
Not even the rain could dampen British spirits in 2012
by Alex Beresford, ITV Weather Presenter
Even the wet weather - and there was plenty of it - failed to dampen our spirits in a great year for Britain.
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Friends of the Earth: Intense rainfall likely to become common
The head of policy at environmental group Friends of the Earth, Mike Childs, has said that experts expect to see extreme weather events such as intense rainfall become more common as a result of global warming:
– Mike Childs, friends of the earthSo far, the world has warmed by an average 0.7°C above pre-industrial levels - if temperatures rise by the 4°C scientists widely predict then we can only begin to imagine the impacts on our lives and livelihoods.
But there is still time to tackle climate change. We must end our dependency on dirty fossil fuels and reap the benefits of energy efficiency and developing clean power from the wind, waves and sun.
Levels of rainfall across the UK
This map shows levels of rainfall across the UK in 2012 in relation to the average in the 30 years up to 2010.
Everything above 100% (coloured pale to dark blue) is above the average and everything below that figure (coloured pale to dark brown) denotes less-than-average rainfall.
UK experiencing more 'extreme' rainfall
The Met Office has disclosed preliminary evidence suggesting the UK could be experiencing more intense downpours than in the past. Professor Julia Slingo, chief scientist at the Met Office, said:
– Professor Julia Slingo, chief scientist, met officeThe 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.
Much more research is needed to understand more about the causes and potential implications.
It is 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.
2012 was the second wettest on record for the UK
by Laura Tobin - ITV Weather presenter
It's official, 2012 was the second wettest year on record for the UK.
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It's raining, it's pouring - but why?
As 2012 narrowly missed out as the wettest year on record, Met Office figures show it is getting wetter.
Read the full storyHow the UK fared in the wet weather stakes
According to Met Office statistics on the UK's wet weather during the past year:
- 2012 was the wettest year on record for England
- Third wettest for Wales
- 17th wettest for Scotland
- 40th wettest for Northern Ireland
April and June were the wettest months on record
2012 misses out on wettest year record by few millimetres
The Met Office has confirmed that 2012 was the second wettest year on record, and the total rainfall was just 6.6mm short of the record set in 2000.
The top five wettest years are since records began in 1910.
- 2000 - 1337.3mm
- 2012 - 1330.7mm
- 1954 - 1309.1mm
- 2008 - 1295.0mm
- 2002 - 1283.7mm