University of Oxford researchers have recorded the wettest month in Oxford in 250 years at the Radcliffe Meteorological Station.

Data from the station this week confirmed that September 2024 saw an extraordinary 193.3 mm of rainfall, making it Oxford’s wettest month since 1774 and the second wettest of any month since rainfall records began in 1767.

Charlie Knight, current doctoral researcher and Radcliffe Meteorological Observer, said: "This exceptional amount of rainfall is particularly unusual given that September is typically not a very wet month, averaging 52 mm of rain.

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"Only about one year in 10 is it the wettest month of the year. So this month’s rainfall, which is 374 per cent of what we’d normally expect, is remarkable. And even more so when you consider that most of the month’s rain fell across just two days.”

The majority of the month’s rain fell on Sunday September 22 (77.1 mm 09-09h) and Monday September 23 (41.8 mm 09-09h), which combined is the highest two-day total in the station’s history.

Nearby Environmental Agency (EA) gauges support the Radcliffe rainfall totals, with one gauge at Osney Lock recording 101.1 mm in just under 23 hours on Monday September 23.

The Radcliffe Meteorological Station, managed by the School of Geography and the Environment at the University of Oxford, holds the longest series of temperature and rainfall records for one site in Britain.

Monthly rainfall records extend to 1767, while daily records extend back to December 1813 for air temperature, January 1827 for rainfall, and February 1880 for sunshine hours.

Such long-term weather records are invaluable for climate research, said Oxford University. They provide a vital link between modern weather data and those of the 18th and 19th centuries, allowing researchers to assess how today’s weather fits into historical patterns and how the climate is evolving, especially in light of global warming.

Oxfordshire fire and rescue service confirmed it attended over 80 flooding incidents last week with a particular focus in the Thame and Wheatley area and villages, including Kidlington, Tiddington and the Bartons.

Oxford city councillor Linda Smith, cabinet member for housing and communities, said flooding was reported in Barton, Blackbird Leys, Risinghurst, Marston and Cowley early in the week.

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In response ODS visited 50 properties, clearing drains, pumping out and providing sandbags to vulnerable people in immediate risk of flooding.

Housing teams contacted vulnerable tenants and the city council's options team placed one family in temporary accommodation.

One Monday afternoon a reception centre opened at Barton Neighbourhood Centre for the afternoon to help people who had to leave their homes.

Most people were able to return home or stay with friends and family.

The top five wettest months at the Radcliffe Meteorological Station: 1. September 1774 223.9mm 2. September 2024 193.3mm 3. November 1770 192.4mm 4. October 1875 189.0mm 5. October 2020 185.3mm.