If it felt like it rained non-stop in March that's because it did. In fact according to the Met Office Wales has seen one of the wettest Marches on record.
And the clocks might have jumped forward an hour to begin British Summertime but that doesn't mean it's felt particularly summery either. In Wales we've had one of the top 10 dullest Marches on record in a series which goes back to 1910. The only 'normal' thing about the weather in March has been the temperature with Wales closing the month close to the average temperature for the month.
The data is based on early provisional Met Office statistics up to March 30. It means the weather from March 31 could affect the final totals. Even so England, Wales, and Northern Ireland have all so far had one of their respective top 10 wettest Marches on records which go back to 1836.
Rainfall totals
Up to March 30 Wales had 197.5mm of rain, which is 91% more than its long-term average. It's not quite 1994’s figure of 198.6mm and some way off the record figure which sits at 287.5mm in 1981.
For England 111.3mm of rain fell in the first 30 days of the month, which is 91% more than its average. Northern Ireland has seen 137.4mm of rain falling in the same period, which is 58% more than average. Scotland, however, saw rainfall totals more in line with its average, with 128.7mm of rain being just 3% more than average.
The Met Office’s Dr Mark McCarthy is head of the National Climate Information Centre. He said: “Although the month started cold and dry for many, moist, milder air soon pushed up from the south bringing frequent heavy periods of rain, this being longest-lasting in the southern half of the UK.
“Overall this has been an unsettled month dominated by Atlantic low pressure weather systems. Many parts of southern and central England and south Wales have received more than double their average rainfall for March, which is in stark contrast to the dry February England experienced.”
A lack of sunshine in March
The majority of the UK has had a duller than average month in terms of sunshine hours. Although final positioning won’t be confirmed until the full month’s figures are in Wales will have one of its top 10 dullest Marches on record in a series which goes back to 1910 and the UK will have a duller than average month. Scotland, however, will be closer to average.
Although March started off cooler than average a mild second half of the month brought temperatures back more in line with long-term averages. England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are all set to close the month close to their average temperature for the month. Scotland, however, has been cooler than average.
Dr McCarthy concluded: “March 2023 will be remembered for being a dull and wet month, especially for those in the south of the UK. While the rainfall has been notable in England and Wales it hasn’t been enough to fully recover the deficit of rain over the last 12 months. People will also look back on the snow that arrived mainly for northern areas but, while disruptive for some, this was a fairly typical snow event for the UK in March.”
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