The latest official statistics on the water situation report for England show that in February rainfall totals were above average for the fourth consecutive month at 130% of the long term average.

Regional variations in the statistics show rainfall totals for February ranged from less than 30mm in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Kent and Essex to more than 150mm in parts of Cumbria, Devon and Cornwall. Monthly rainfall
totals were above the February long term average (LTA) in approximately two thirds of hydrological areas across England.

However, the Esk and Kent hydrological areas in the north-west of England received around twice the February LTA rainfall. The 12 month period to the end of February 2016 was also the wettest 12 month period on record (since 1910) in north-west England.

The figures show that river flows were normal or higher for the time of year at all indicator sites and more than half of the sites were above normal or notably high for the time of year.

Groundwater levels increased at just over half of all indicator sites and were classed as normal or higher for the time of year at all but two sites.

Reservoir stocks were normal or higher for the time of year at the majority of reservoirs and reservoir groups, with many reservoirs either at or close to full capacity. However, overall reservoir storage for England decreased to 95% of total capacity.

Soil moisture deficits have decreased or remained at zero across most of England during February.