Historic Precipitation at Malham Tarn (1959–2026)

Precipitation in Malham Tarn (1959–2026)

The average annual precipitation in Malham Tarn is 1567.8 mm, according to historical data from the Met Office for the period 1959–2026. This is a notably wet location, reflecting its position in the Pennines, one of the wettest upland areas in England. The rainfall is distributed fairly evenly through the year, but with a distinct seasonal pattern.

Monthly averages show a clear autumn and winter maximum. December is the wettest month with an average of 178.2 mm, while April is the driest with 94.3 mm. The seasonal totals underline this: winter (December, January, February) brings 468 mm, autumn (September, October, November) 457 mm, summer (June, July, August) 342 mm, and spring (March, April, May) 315 mm. On average, the station records 177.8 days of rain (≥1 mm) per year, meaning that measurable rainfall occurs on roughly half the days of the year.

Average rainfall by month

The wettest month on average is December, with 178.2 mm, closely followed by November (164.9 mm) and January/October (both 159.5 mm). The driest month is April, averaging 94.3 mm. The daily rainfall record for each month shows February with the highest value at 92.0 mm, which is also the overall station record.

Top 5 most intense rainfall days on record

These five daily totals stand out from the general pattern. The record of 92.0 mm on 1 February 1983 is over 10 mm higher than the next highest event. Interestingly, the list includes a summer event (July 2019) and an autumn event (September 2012), showing that intense rainfall can occur outside the wettest months.

Annual precipitation totals

The chart shows the complete annual series. The table lists the most notable years; the full series comes from Met Office.

The annual totals show considerable variability. The wettest year in the series is 2000 with 2117.6 mm, followed by 2012 with 2097.6 mm. The driest year is 1964 with 1158.2 mm. Note that 2026 is a partial year (data up to 2026-06-30), so its total of 660.5 mm is not comparable to complete years.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it rain per year in Malham Tarn?

The average annual precipitation is 1567.8 mm, based on the malham-tarn station of the Met Office for 1959–2026. This places Malham Tarn among the wetter locations in England, comparable to parts of the Lake District.

How many rainy days are there per year in Malham Tarn?

On average, the station records 177.8 days of rain per year (days with precipitation >1 mm). This means that on roughly half of the days, measurable rain falls.

Which month is the wettest?

December is the wettest month on average, with 178.2 mm. November is close behind with 164.9 mm, and January and October are tied at 159.5 mm.

What was the most intense rainfall day?

The highest daily rainfall total was 92.0 mm, recorded on 1983-02-01. This remains the only day in the record to exceed 90 mm.

Is Malham Tarn a rainy area or a dry one?

It is a distinctly rainy area. The annual average of 1567.8 mm is roughly double the England average. The seasonal distribution shows winter and autumn as the wettest periods, with 468 mm and 457 mm respectively.