On 2 March 2026, the Met Office released figures showing that a mild but gloomy February has concluded a wetter-than-average winter for people in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire. The data reveals that the season was defined by constant rain and significant differences in weather patterns across the country.
Throughout the winter, England saw rainfall levels reach 111 per cent of the usual seasonal average. In the North East, some areas experienced even heavier downpours, with rainfall totals reaching 150 per cent of the normal amount for the time of year.
February 2026 was particularly grey, with sunshine levels across the UK falling between 17 per cent and 44 per cent below what is normally expected. This lack of sun combined with high rainfall has left the ground heavily soaked as the community moves into the spring months.
The high rainfall has kept river levels high and put pressure on local drainage systems, including the Middlesbrough Becks. This update follows a trend of wetter winters, with the season as a whole tracking approximately 9 per cent above the long-term average for rainfall.
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