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Rainfall

Back garden, Huddersfield · March 2012 to August 2026 · millimetres

I have kept a rain gauge in the back garden since March 2012. It is there because Our Linda's dad kept one at the bottom of his garden and read it every morning of his life, and when he died there were a notebook in the shed with eleven year of figures in it in pencil. Nobody knew what to do with it. I did not know what to do with it either, but I knew it should not go in the bin, so I bought a gauge and put it up, and I have read it every morning since.

The gauge is a Brannan, the plain plastic sort, five inch, on a stake in the open by the shed and well clear of the fence and the guttering. That last part matters more than folk think. A gauge under a gutter will give you a figure and the figure will be wrong.

I read it at eight, before work or before I set off, and I empty it the same minute I read it. If it has been heavy overnight or through the day I read it again when I get in, and the two go down as the one figure for that date. The figures below are monthly totals, added up from the daily book at the end of each month and checked once. Where a number is short I have said so rather than made it up.

The gauge went missing in September 2016. It were there on the Sunday and gone on the Monday, stake and all, and I looked in the obvious places and then in the less obvious ones. It turned up on the 23rd in the hedge bottom two gardens down, on its side, undamaged. I do not know how it got there and I have never found out. There is a gap in the figures for those three weeks and I have left it a gap. You cannot put in what you did not measure.

2012

Gauge went in on 3 March, so this is not a full year.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
— — 34 147 62 124 132 79 96 118 108 122 1022
MarGauge went in on the 3rd. Mild for the month and not a great deal in it.
AprWettest April I can remember. Rained the whole way round on the 22nd.
MayWind sharp at the start. Warm and dry at the end, and glad of it.
JunRain on and off all month, mostly on.
JulRained again. The path up Wessenden were running like a beck on the 14th.
AugFirst proper dry Saturday since May on the 5th. Rain back by dinnertime on the 25th.
SepMist on the water most mornings. Steady rather than heavy.
OctFirst cold morning of the autumn on the 13th, ground claggy from the summer.
NovFog on the tops the best part of a fortnight and wet underneath it.
DecRain to the 7th. Hard frost on the 8th, clear, and it held after all that rain.

2013

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
78 55 62 58 66 47 19 71 84 104 93 112 849
JanSnow lying on the towpath on the 12th. The gauge froze and I thawed it in the sink.
FebGrey all month. Sleet on the 9th rather than rain.
MarSnow still lying at the end of March, which I have not seen before.
AprCold and bright. Most of it fell in the last week.
MayShowers on and off. Nothing heavy.
JunDry and warm enough. Stool out most weekends.
JulVery hot that fortnight and the water low. Driest month on the gauge to that point.
AugWarm and hazy. Two thunder storms and both of them at night.
SepMild. Rain came on in the afternoons more often than not.
OctWind getting up and the rain behind it.
NovFog on the canal on the 9th that never lifted. Wet all through.
DecCold and clear on the 21st. Wet either side of it.

2014

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
146 138 36 61 74 58 66 97 39 96 88 71 970
JanRain near enough every day, apart from a hard frost round the 11th.
FebRain all morning on the 8th and most of the walk back. It did not let up all month.
MarDry, cold wind down the valley. The ground took a month to let go of the winter.
AprFine and clear on the 12th. The rest of it ordinary.
MayWarm for early May. Breezy and dry the back half.
JunWarm, midges about. Two heavy nights and nowt else.
JulHot to the 5th. Close and thundery by the 26th and the rain came on before I got home.
AugGrey and still. Wet more days than not.
SepDry underfoot the whole month. Clear over Deer Hill on the 27th.
OctSharp wind off the moor and the rain behind it.
NovFog on the tops till dinner most days. It fell quietly.
DecBitter from the middle on. First proper frost of the winter on the 13th.

2015

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
88 61 58 41 68 62 73 104 55 82 112 187 991
JanCold, frost on the lock beams. Rain the first week and then it turned.
FebWind strong enough to lean on on the 7th. Grey and no rain on the 28th.
MarBright but bitter. Not much in the gauge any week.
AprMild and spitting on on the 4th. Fine after that.
MayCloud down on the tops early on. Warm and dry by the month end.
JunA clear fortnight. You could see Emley mast plain on the 13th.
JulWarm, midges about. The rain came at night mostly.
AugStill on the 1st, canal like glass. Blustery with rain coming sideways by the 29th.
SepDry and mild. An easy month for the stool.
OctFirst proper cold on the 3rd, leaves coming down on the water.
NovRain on and off the whole month and the ground never got a chance.
DecDry and cold to the middle. Then it never stopped. Most I had had in a month up to then.

2016

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
118 72 86 54 47 88 44 63 62† 68 103 41 846
JanCold and still, frost on the setts on the 9th. Wet the second half.
FebRaw, with a wind off the moor. Rain most weeks but never heavy.
MarMild for March. Steady stuff.
AprShowers on and off on the 23rd. Bright otherwise.
MayWarm and hazy over the valley. Dry all month to speak of.
JunWarm and close. Thunder about on the 18th and the gauge filled that night.
JulCrackin' weather the whole of the 9th. Dry all month. Stool out every weekend.
AugFair. Nowt to report.
SepGauge went missing on the 5th and were back on the 23rd. The figure is short and I have left it short.
OctLeaves down and the first proper cold. Dry more days than wet.
NovWind up the valley off the motorway most of the month. Rain most of the morning on the 26th.
DecHard frost, ground like iron. The gauge froze twice and I thawed it in the sink.

† Part month only. See the note above about the gauge.

2017

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
66 74 92 38 58 81 71 84 96 76 119 67 922
JanHard frost on the 14th, towpath white over. Dry cold for the most part.
FebGrey with a wind off the water. Dry and cold on the 25th.
MarRain most mornings, cleared by ten more often than not.
AprWind sharp on the tops. A dry month, which April sometimes is.
MayWarm, clear over the moor. Rain in the last week.
JunOvercast and warm. Bright and breezy on the 17th.
JulWarm and still on the 8th. Showers on and off by the end.
AugFine and warm on the 12th. Wet the fortnight after.
SepGrey mornings, rain later. Cold for September by the 23rd.
OctEmley mast in view the whole of the 14th, which does not happen often up there.
NovFog all morning on the 4th. Rain steady all morning on the 25th. Wettest month of the year.
DecHard frost and clear on the 16th. The gauge froze the week after.

2018

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
88 42 96 82 51 22 11 97 64 79 116 98 846
JanGrey with drizzle by ten on the 13th. Hard frost and clear on the 28th.
FebSnow lying in the gullies and a bitter wind down the valley. The gauge froze and stopped froze.
MarSnow at the start and rain the rest. Mild and no wind by the 10th.
AprShowery with bright spells, and I took the photographs in the bright ones.
MayBright. The light off the water were good all month.
JunHot. The moor smelling of dry grass on the 16th. Dry and breezy on the 30th.
JulNowt in the gauge but the once. Driest month I had recorded up to then.
AugWarm and still on the 11th. Cool for August and wet by the 25th.
SepStill, first autumn damp on the 8th. Bright and cold on the 29th.
OctGrey with rain by eleven on the 20th. That set the pattern for the month.
NovWet throughout. Nothing found all month, which happens.
DecBitter wind off the moor on the 8th, snow forecast and not yet come. Rain before and after.

2019

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
82 47 88 53 62 91 84 104 49 112 148 71 991
JanHard frost overnight on the 12th and the ground solid. Sleet on and off by the 26th.
FebWindy. Dry for February and the gauge showed it.
MarBlowy but dry on the 16th. Mild and the first proper spring day on the 30th.
AprCold wind down the valley, bright. Warmest Easter I could remember on the 22nd.
MayCold for May, hat weather. Light rain later on the 18th.
JunHottest day of the year to that point on the 29th. Heavy stuff in between.
JulWarm with big clouds. Heavy rain on the 26th and everything still dripping the day after.
AugThe week's rain had the spillway running on the 10th. Very warm bank holiday.
SepDry, sunny, first autumn feel in the air. An easy month.
OctRain most of the morning on the 5th, steady rather than heavy. Cloud sat on the hill on the 19th.
NovRain near enough every day. Most I have had in a November.
DecCold and still. Frost on the towpath till eleven on the 14th.

2020

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
108 189 48 9 14 96 71 92 38 134 86 94 979
JanGrey with a hard wind off the tops on the 4th. Mild by the 26th and the canal high after the rain.
FebStorm Dennis on the 16th and rain coming sideways off the water. Most I have had in a month, and I have checked the figure twice.
MarBright, cold, good visibility. Dry from the middle on.
AprNine millimetres in the month. I read the gauge twice a day for a fortnight in case it were me.
MayDry again. Warm mornings, the park quiet early on.
JunOvercast and close on the 6th. Warm and heavy on the 27th with rain by ten.
JulFine and warm, haze over the valley. The rain came at night.
AugSun on the water on the 8th. Grey, dry and cool for August on the 31st.
SepStill, mist off the water first thing, cleared by nine. Dry.
OctSharp, first proper cold of the autumn. Wet more or less throughout.
NovWet underfoot with drizzle on and off on the 15th. That were the month in one day.
DecCold and clear, breath showing. The gauge froze on the 12th.

2021

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
97 88 41 17 121 64 59 83 37 128 92 88 915
JanCold, snow lying in the shade of the wall on the 16th. Rain either side of it.
FebRained the whole walk out and the whole walk back on the 7th, the even sort that doesn't let up.
MarBright with a cold wind off the water. Grey and dry by the 27th.
AprSteady wind from the west and nowt falling. Frost most mornings.
MayWet all month. Warm on the 8th, first proper day of the year, and it rained that night.
JunFine and still. Sunny spells on the 26th.
JulWarm and hazy. Two heavy afternoons and the rest of it dry.
AugFair both visits on the 8th. Blowy up top on the 28th.
SepDry, high cloud. Clear on the 25th, and you can see half of Yorkshire when it is.
OctFirst frost of the autumn on the 9th. Drizzle on and off after that and plenty of it.
NovCold and bright on the 6th, canal steaming a bit. Proper wet on the 20th.
DecHard frost on the 4th, ground ringing underfoot. First snow worth the name on the 18th.

2022

The driest year I have on the gauge.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
42 128 26 51 44 58 12 31 96 121 104 62 775
JanCold, hard frost, ground firm. Dry near enough all through.
FebStorms the week of the 19th and branches down all along the road. Wind and water both.
MarChangeable on the 12th, sun then hail then sun again. Dry otherwise.
AprA dusting of snow on the tops on the 2nd, gone by ten. Fine spring weather after.
MayWarm and the light good. Dry.
JunFair with a stiff breeze on the top. Warm and still by the 18th.
JulHottest day I have known in this district on the 19th. Twelve millimetres in the month.
AugGrass parched and the water very low. Overcast at last on the 20th.
SepFirst properly wet morning in months on the 24th. It kept on after that.
OctBlowy, rain on and off. Photographs taken between showers.
NovCold and clear on the 12th, light low and long. Wet the rest.
DecHard frost on the 10th, everything white till ten. Dry and cold to the year end.

2023

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
74 31 118 66 28 41 112 94 58 147 96 131 996
JanCold and dry to the middle, ground firm. Drizzle setting in by the 28th.
FebOvercast and dry. Least I have had in a February.
MarFrost first thing on the 4th, gone by nine. Wet the whole way through after.
AprBright, cold in the shade. Eight degrees and blowing on the 8th, which is no weather for a sandal.
MayFirst proper warm day of the year on the 13th. Clear on the 27th, long views into Lancashire.
JunGrand walking weather. High cloud, dry underfoot.
JulWarm and close on the 8th with rain threatening that never came. It came the week after and kept coming.
AugWarm, midges bad in the trees. Wet nights.
SepBeck low after the dry spell on the 2nd. Showers moving through fast by the 16th.
OctDrizzle on and off on the 14th, canal flat and grey. A very wet month and the ground took it badly.
NovCold rain most of the morning on the 18th. Sharp frost on the 25th and the water steaming.
DecBitter wind at the top on the 9th. Wet from then to the year end.

2024

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
138 124 88 79 61 47 68 82 44 108 71 58 968
JanGrey and the canal high after the rain on the 27th. Wet from the first day to the last.
FebReservoir half in mist on the 10th. Cold and dry on the 24th, which were two days out of the month.
MarClear on the 9th, first proper morning of spring. Cold wind off the moor on the 23rd.
AprMild, blossom out on the 13th. Rain in the evenings mostly.
MayWind steady but nowt worse on the 11th. Warm with midges about on the 25th.
JunHot on the 15th, first proper day of the summer, and the barley well up.
JulOvercast and dry on the 6th. The rain came in the last week.
AugStill and warm under the trees on the 10th. Damp after overnight rain on the 31st.
SepClear and still. Mist off the water some mornings and nowt in the gauge.
OctGrey with drizzle on and off on the 12th. Mist on the water till ten on the 26th.
NovFirst frost of the back end on the 2nd. Bitter wind on the 5th.
DecHard frost on the 14th, paths white. The gauge froze twice.

2025

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
84 96 21 13 18 32 64 88 71 116 124 79 806
JanHard frost overnight on the 11th and a rime on everything that the sun took off.
FebHeavy rain on the 2nd and the weather filthy with it. Bright and cold by the 22nd.
MarOvercast, dry, mild for March. Twenty-one millimetres and most of that in one night.
AprA dry fortnight and the path dusty on the 26th. Stool out every weekend.
MayWarm and clear on the 31st. Dry again, three months of it now.
JunOvercast, mild, no rain on the 14th. The becks were down to the stones.
JulThe weather broke in the first week. Warm with midges bad by the water on the 5th.
AugGrey morning that cleared by ten on the 9th. Blustery on the 30th.
SepMild and still. First proper autumn morning on the 27th, mist on the water till nine.
OctStrong wind on the 12th and the rain came at one, as forecast.
NovRain most of the morning on the 8th, eased by eleven. First hard frost of the back end on the 23rd.
DecCold with a low sun through the trees. Quiet weather to close the year.

2026

To the end of August. The year is not done.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
92 134 54 121 47 19 8 46 — — — — 521
JanOvernight frost on the 10th. Sleet on the 14th. Wet in between.
FebMild and no wind on the 7th, and it had been wet a good while by then. Wettest February since 2020.
MarCold and clear on the 1st, right across to Digley. Bright with a cold wind off the water on the 14th.
AprHeavy rain all morning on the 3rd, which is where the puddle at Morrisons come from. Heavy rain again on the 8th.
MayWarm on the 6th, first proper warm day of the year. Wind strong on top on the 27th.
JunDry. The gauge stood empty three weeks together.
JulEight millimetres, which is the least of any month on the gauge. The reservoir has gone right down and the old walls are showing.
AugWet the first week. Warm and still after, flies about.

On rainfall and shoes

I will say the thing the page is probably waiting for. I started keeping the gauge for its own sake, but I would be lying if I said it had not crossed my mind that the weather might have summat to do with where the shoes turn up, and how many, and when. I have had the register on one side of the table and the rainfall book on the other more evenings than I would care to total up. Wet months against finds. Dry months against finds. The winter against the summer. The month after a wet month.

There is no correlation. Not one I can see, and not one that holds when you check it. The wettest month I have on the gauge, February 2020, gave me one shoe in a storm. July 2018 gave me two and there were eleven millimetres in the whole month. The shoes come when they come.

I have stopped looking. I still read the gauge at eight.

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