As we approach the end of January 2024 and the halfway point in this winter’s flood season, the news on the aquifer, the river and the weather front continues to be encouraging. Over the last 3 days, the rate of fall in the borehole water level has increase five-fold from 2 cm/day to 10cm/day. At that rate, levels may be back into the normal range by early next week. The Environment Agency’s Flood Alert for the Salisbury Plain area, including Winterbourne Stoke remains in place but, given the direction of travel, it seems likely that it may be removed in the next few days if the forecast looks to be set fair.
Although the present level is more than 6 metres above the average, when you look at the 28th January in previous years, this year now looks quite unremarkable. It’s in the top half of those years for which we have data, but only number 4.
The weather today seems likely to be fine and dry. There may be a bit of patchy rain tomorrow and again later in the week. In the early part of February, we may have cloudy skies, but most of the rain will be in the north of the country. As we get towards the end of the month, there may be a spell of more wintry weather, but there seems to be little prospect of heavy rain. All good news.
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