Between 2001 and 2023, the average rainfall in the United Kingdom varied greatly. In 2010, rainfall dropped to a low of 1,020 millimeters, which was a noticeable decrease when compared to the previous year. However, the following year rainfall increased significantly to a peak of 1,889 millimeters. During the period in consideration, rainfall rarely rose above 1,500 millimeters. In 2023, the annual average rainfall in the UK surpassed 1,381 millimeters.
Monthly rainfall
On average, rainfall is most common at the start and end of the year. Between 2014 and 2023, monthly rainfall peaked in December 2015 at approximately 217 millimeters. This was the first of only two times during this period that the average monthly rainfall rose above 200 millimeters. This was a deviation from December’s long-term mean of some 134 millimeters.
Rainfall highest in Scotland
In the United Kingdom, rain is often concentrated around mountainous regions such as the Scottish Highlands, so it is no surprise to see that – on average – it is Scotland that receives the most rainfall annually. In 2023, the average rainfall in Scotland amounted to approximately 1,574 millimeters. Geographically, it is the north and west of the United Kingdom that receives the lion's share of rain, as it is more susceptible to rainfall coming in from the Atlantic.
Average annual rainfall in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2001 to 2023
(in millimeters)
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GOV.UK. (January 25, 2024). Average annual rainfall in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2001 to 2023 (in millimeters) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 25, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/322810/average-rainfall-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/
GOV.UK. "Average annual rainfall in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2001 to 2023 (in millimeters)." Chart. January 25, 2024. Statista. Accessed August 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/322810/average-rainfall-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/
GOV.UK. (2024). Average annual rainfall in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2001 to 2023 (in millimeters). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/322810/average-rainfall-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/
GOV.UK. "Average Annual Rainfall in The United Kingdom (Uk) from 2001 to 2023 (in Millimeters)." Statista, Statista Inc., 25 Jan 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/322810/average-rainfall-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/
GOV.UK, Average annual rainfall in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2001 to 2023 (in millimeters) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/322810/average-rainfall-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/ (last visited August 25, 2024)
Average annual rainfall in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2001 to 2023 (in millimeters) [Graph], GOV.UK, January 25, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/322810/average-rainfall-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/