Longest spell of rainy days since 1908, uni says

University of Reading meteorologists said they have recorded the longest unbroken spell of rainy days in the town since they started measuring them in 1908.

Its Atmospheric Observatory said January was the fourth-wettest since then, with total rainfall levels way above those expected.

Rain has fallen on every day bar one since 6 January, 25 which were consecutive days. That surpassed a record of 23 days, which was set in 1934 and equalled in 1970.

Stephen Burt, from the university's meteorology department, said: "With further rainfall expected over the coming week, the spell of consecutive days of rain may stretch to an entire month. Roll on spring!"

The only Januarys wetter than this year's were in 1939, 1995 and 2014, according to the university's records.

"After what seems like weeks and weeks of unbroken rainfall, it is becoming harder to recall that 2025 was one of the sunniest and warmest on record in Reading, as well as the driest for 20 years," Burt added.

Dr Jess Neumann, associate professor of hydrology at the university, said: "The weather we're experiencing right now in Reading is a stark reminder of why climate research is so important.

"Just last year we were worried about water availability following one of the hottest and driest summers on record," she said.

"The miserable start to this year has brought weeks of unbroken rainfall. We're seeing exactly the kind of weather whiplash that climate projections have warned us to expect more frequently."