UK's summer set to be recorded as second wettest since records began
Published: 31 August 2007
As if we didn't already know how wet the summer has been, the Met Office is likely to confirm it as one of the wettest since records began in 1914.
Provisional rainfall figures (up to August 28) show that the UK as a whole had 358.5 mm of rain, just beating the previous record of 358.4 mm in 1956.
However, since it is such a narrow margin between the figures and further rainfall data has to be gathered, this summer could end up being the second wettest since the UK rainfall series began in 1914.
Keith Groves, head of forecasting, said: "These figures confirm what most people have already been thinking – this summer has been very wet and very disappointing for most."
In technical terms, the wet summer has been largely caused by the position of a jet stream, a ribbon of very strong winds which brings weather systems across the UK.
For much of this summer the jet stream was further south and stronger than in a typical summer – bringing depressions across many parts of the country.
Although very wet, the UK this summer had average temperatures of 14.1 °C
And despite the wet summer, garden centres in this week's DIY Week are reporting bumper sales after a 'very positive' Bank holiday weekend.