Dorset weather continues wet trend after soggy March

Persistent rainfall throughout March has led to another wet month in Dorset with only TWO DAYS recorded without any rain.

In total, 136.8mm of rain fell from March 1 until March 31, more than double what is usually expected at this time of year. 

Heavy rain, thunder, lighting  and hail was seen across parts of the county on March 27, and several flood warnings and alerts were put in place, alongside a yellow weather warning as Storm Nelson blew in.

Lightning, hail and thunder was seen across Dorset in March (Image: Kieron Franklin)

The month culminated in 40mm of rain over just days when Storm Nelson released two thirds of the average monthly rainfall in just two days.

A staggering 28mm and 12mm of rain was recorded on March 28 and 29 as the deluge poured down on the county, which caused yet more chaos to roads and properties.

More than 100 homes were left without power in West Bay and the petrol station in Burton Bradstock was flooded and roads in Shipton Gorge were flooded with a small landslip knocking over a road.

Flooding in Shipton Gorge (Image: Christopher-Griffiths-Hardman)

Winds of 73mph were also recorded on Portland and it is estimated that 6mm of rain fell per ten minutes of hail seen over the month.

The popular Cattistock horse race was cancelled over easter weekend due to the extreme amount of rainfall, as was the food fair at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens.

High winds were alos seen during Storm Nelson causing big waves to hit the sea defences in Lyme Regis (Image: Graham Hunt Photography)

It means that Dorset has already seen 390.7mm of rain since January, which is just over half of the annual average of 794.8mm.

The Echo previously reported how February was the wettest ever on record - with a record-breaking 186mm of rain which was recorded before the month was even out. This smashed the previous record set in 1990 of 153.5 mms.

Weymouth weather expert, Roger Willis, said: "There has been a hell of a lot of rain in the last three months.

The Range car park in Dorchester was flooded (Image: Chris Marsh)

"Interestingly, the wettest ever March for Weymouth was 208.6mm, we have not seen anything like that for many years, but things have really taken a turn."

Mr Willis added: "With global warming there is more water in the air being evaporated, this means that there will be heavier downpours."

There is more rain forecast for April with no let up in sight for at least a couple of weeks as the wet weather looks set to continue to drench the county. 

Flood warnings remain in place for the River Frome, the River Piddle and the River Wey.