Wet February set to be warmest on University’s records

February is set to be the warmest on University of Reading records.

Since the University started recording weather data in 1908, only February 1990 recorded a warmer average monthly temperature.

Dr Stephen Burt, of the University of Reading, said: “February is set to be the mildest on University of Reading records by some margin.

“Our previous mildest February was in 1990 when a mean temperature of 8.09 °C was recorded. This year, making assumptions for the next few days based on forecast temperatures, the mean will be 8.52 °C, well above 1990.

“For it not to surpass 1990's mean, every day for the rest of the month will have to be an average of 1.5 °C colder than the long-term average.”

Record early warmth

Halfway through the month, the University of Reading’s Atmospheric Observatory recorded record early warmth. A temperature of 16.9 °C was recorded on Thursday, 15 February, the highest so early in the year since the University's records commenced in 1908.

This temperature surpassed the 16.8 °C recorded on 13 February 1998 and 16.7 °C recorded on 14 February 1961. The normal day maximum for the middle of February is just under 9 °C.

Wet February

February 2024 has also been one of the wettest Februarys on record, with figures showing it currently ranks in the top ten for rainfall.

Up to Sunday, 25 February, 96.6mm of rain had fallen at the University of Reading - making it the eighth wettest February since records began in 1908.

Forecasts indicate anywhere between 2mm and 5mm could fall before the end of the month, meaning February 2024 will likely make its way up to the top five.

February 2014 was the rainiest on Reading’s records, when 117.2mm fell. In February 2023, just 2.7mm of rain fell.