Rainfall in England varies widely. The Lake District is the wettest part, with average annual totals exceeding 2,000 mm (this is comparable with that in the western Highlands of Scotland). The Pennines and the moors of south-west England are almost as wet. However, all of East Anglia, much of the Midlands, eastern and north-eastern England, and parts of the south-east receive less than 700 mm a year.
Typically, it rains on about one day in three in England, perhaps somewhat more often in winter, though long, dry spells occur in most years.
Near the south coast there is an appreciable summer minimum and winter maximum of rainfall, with totals in July barely half those in January; western, northern and eastern coasts are more likely to see the driest month in spring and the wettest in late autumn. Inland, parts of the Midlands experience a summer rainfall maximum, which is a reflection of the higher frequency of thunderstorms in the more central and south-eastern parts of England. For example, at London and Birmingham, thunder occurs on an average of 15 days a year, but in the west and north-west the frequency declines to around eight days per year.
Facts and figures
Maximum in a day (09-09 UTC): 279 mm at Martinstown (Dorset) on 18 July 1955.
Rainfall graph
Bit of a shock this: Lancs have just been installed as favourites for the County Championship. The two teams ahead of them in the standings are facing heavy defeats whilst Lancs are firmly in the driving seat in their match at Old Trafford. Unless there's a big turn-up in the games, Lancs will go top with one game to play.
