Region gets more than double the average rainfall for April

Weather scientists say areas surrounding Windsor, Maidenhead and Twyford has experienced more than twice the normal amount of rain for April.

Researchers from the University of Reading say Reading received 120mm while 114mm fell in Maidenhead, with both towns usually experiencing an average rainfall of just 48mm in April.

However, with water companies imposing a hosepipe ban from April 5, researchers calculate that twice as much rain is needed across the whole summer to replenish water levels following two exceptionally dry winters.

Dr Roger Brugge, from the University of Reading's department of meteorology, said: “All this rain has come from frontal systems brought to us by areas of low pressure that have been persistently close to, or over the British Isles for most of the month.

“One wet month is not enough to replenish water sources underground  though.

“Much of the early rain will have created runoff into rivers due to the hard ground surface and the deficit over the past year alone has been less than the surplus this month.”

Neither of the rainfall totals reached this month eclipses the record set in April 2000, when 121mm fell in Maidenhead and 113mm at the University of Reading, making that month the wettest April locally for 60 years.

The Environment Agency (EA) is continuing to monitor river levels in the region and there are 44 flood alerts in force, but no flood warnings.

Futher rainfall is expected across the region throughout the week but not at significant levels.

The Jubilee River - The Windsor and Maidenhead Flood Alleviation Scheme - is in operation and will continue operating to protect properties from flooding throughout the week.

A flood alert is also in place for Shiplake, Wargrave and Lower Shiplake were low lying land and roads could be prone to flooding.