The recent spell of thunderstorms brought many regions of England more than half their rainfall for the month so far, besides helping increase river levels in most areas, figures show.
North-east England has now received 35mm of rain this month, 57% of the long-term average for June – 32mm of which (52%) fell in the seven days to June 20.
North-west England is up to 62% of average rainfall for the month, while central England is even higher at 81%, according to the latest figures from the Environment Agency.
South-east England is at 59%, south-west England at 48% and eastern England at 45%.
Total rainfall across England stood at 35mm from June 1 to 20, the equivalent of 58% of the long-term average.
Last month saw England receive only 65% of its average rainfall – though the figure for the three months from March to May was above average, at 121%.
Widespread storms have triggered torrential downpours across England in the past few days, bringing much-needed water for gardens and farmland as well as boosting rivers, reservoirs and streams.
River levels have increased at three-quarters of sites monitored by the Environment Agency, though 11% of sites are still classed as “below normal”, with a handful of areas on the Derwent and Eamont rivers in Cumbria considered “exceptionally low”.
One in four sites are currently “notably high”, ranging from the Weaver in Cheshire and the Don in South Yorkshire to the Itchen in Hampshire and Kenwyn in Cornwall.
Further showers are likely across north-west England over the next few days, although further south-east the weather will remain warm and dry, the Environment Agency added.
