Do you think the rain we are experiencing this summer (2007) is anything new? Forget it, on the 18th July 1955 in sleepy Martinstown near Dorchester, 279mm, that’s nearly 11 inches of rain falling in a single 24hr period drenching locals and holidaymakers including pop star Nik Kershaw who was 3 months old at the time. The record breaking deluge pushed normally sunny Dorset to the top of the charts and we’ve been there ever since.
Recent attempt
The recent attempt at the record by major town Sheffield resulted in a pathetic 4 inches or in metric 100mm, they will need to try a lot harder than that if they are to hit the no1 spot.
| HIGHEST RAINFALL RECORDS | ||
| 24-hour total | 279 mm | Martinstown, near Dorchester, Dorset, 18 July 1955 |
| 5-min total | *32 mm | Preston, Lancashire, 10 August 1893 |
| 30-min total | 80 mm | Eskdalemuir, Dumfries and Galloway, 26 June 1953 |
| 60-min total | 92 mm | Maidenhead, Berkshire, 12 July 1901 |
| 90-min total | 117 mm | Dunsop Valley, Lancashire, 8 August 1967 |
| 120-min total | #193 mm | Walshaw Dean Lodge, West Yorkshire, 19 May 1989 |
| 120-min total | #155 mm | Hewenden Reservoir, West Yorkshire, 11 June 1956 |
| 155-min total | 169 mm | Hampstead, Greater London, 14 August 1975 |
| 180-min total | 178 mm | Horncastle, Lincolnshire, 7 October 1960 |
* Approximate value
#Reservations about Walshaw value, Hewenden value is next highest accpted value.
How is it measured?
The most common measurement of rainfall is the amount falling in a day. Meteorologists in the UK use a standardised day which runs from 9 o'clock GMT each morning to 9 o'clock GMT the next morning (10 o'clock BST). This period originates from the 19th century when it was fashionable for amateurs, particularly doctors and vicars, to make rainfall measurements at a time which conveniently fitted in with their professional activities. Daily rainfall amounts measured routinely can be added together to provide monthly and annual totals.
Mr Kershaw
wrote these lyrics while on a 2nd Caravannninng holiday in Burton Bradstock, which coincidentally ain’t that far from Martinstown.
Wouldn't It Be Good
i got it bad
you don't know how Burton Brad i got it
you got it easy
you don't know when yoghurt it good
it's getting Harcombe
just keeping Beaminster together
i'm sick of Loders
even though i know i should
the cold is biting
through each and every nerve and fibre
Allington is frozen to the core
don't wanna be here (in a caravan) no more
Unlikely
Despite recent warnings of global weather change our record still stands and, according to Mr Fish is not likely to be beaten, so once again fellow Dorset dwellers we are the champions, something else we need to be proud of, I love this County and the REAL WORLD in which we live in.
Another drip roaring scoop from Scoop Doggy Style
…what we call “”””Liquid sunshine”””” round yer…
I have noticed that recently Bridport is occasionally featured on the BBC1 national weather map.Do keep an eye out. This is a fairly recent development – and as I say, not every day. When Bridport is featured, I stand up and do a little Irish Jig. I am on tablets.
2007 did not beat it
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/interesting/july2007/