For the second time recently, I've heard (or latterly read) this
statement: 'we have just had the driest winter for 130 years'.

What is this based on? For us here in Bracknell, and looking back only
for just over 30 years, I can find at least 5 previous 'standard'
winters (DJF) with lower rainfall, viz (reverse date order): 96-97 91-92
88-89 80-81 75-76, and Bernard Burton in his winter summary at:-

http://www.btinternet.com/~wokingham...report0502.pdf

has this winter just gone as the 8th lowest in 123yr.

Philip Eden in his summary (posted to this newsgroup) had this winter
ranked 10th driest in the EWP series, with (in recent years) 91-92,
88-89, 75-76 all drier.

I can't find such a statement (as quoted above) on the EA site .... but
it must have come from someone.

Martin.



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