Official statistics published today show that rainfall totals were above average across England for the third consecutive month at 165% of the long term average.

The data released by the Environment agency show that rainfall totals for January ranged from less than 60mm in Essex and parts of Cambridgeshire, to more than 280mm in parts of Cumbria. Monthly rainfall totals were above the January long term average (LTA) in all hydrological areas across England. Many hydrological areas in north-east England and some on the south coast of England received more than twice the January LTA rainfall.

Image: Source Met Office

January rainfall totals were above normal or higher for the time of year across most of England. Most hydrological areas in north-east England and many on the south coast of England received exceptionally high rainfall for the time of year. Over the 3, 6 and 12 month periods to the end of January, cumulative rainfall totals were classed as exceptionally high in north England, and generally normal to above normal elsewhere.

3 months to end of January 2016 wettest on record since 1910 in NE and NW England

At the regional scale January rainfall totals ranged from 135% of the LTA in east England to 196% in north-east England. The 3 month period to the end of January 2016 was the wettest 3 month period on record (since 1910) in north-east, and north-west England. Rainfall totals across England as a whole were above average for the time of year at 163% of the January LTA

River flows were normal or higher for the time of year at all indicator sites, with half of sites being notably high or exceptionally high. Groundwater levels increased at almost all indicator sites and were classed as normal or higher for the time of year at all but 2 sites.

Monthly mean river flows for January increased at almost three-quarters of indicator sites across England compared with December and all sites were classed as normal or higher for the time of year. Just over half of sites across England were notably high or exceptionally high for the time of year. The monthly mean flows for the River Swale at Crakehill (Topcliffe) and the Derwent at Buttercrambe (both in Yorkshire) represent the highest January monthly mean on record.

Reservoir stocks increased at almost three-quarters of reported reservoirs and reservoir groups and were normal or higher for the time of year at almost all reservoirs and reservoir groups. Overall reservoir storage for England increased to 96% of total capacity.

Data in the report has been produced by the Water Situation Forward Look group led by the Environment Agency in partnership with the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, British Geological Survey and the  Met Office.

Click here to download the Environment Agency's Monthly water situation report for England