I REFER to the article ?Wet,wet, wet ? that was the year that was? by Tony Richardson (January 9) and the letter ?Surely it wasn?t that wet?? (January 16).
I can verify the figures for rainfall given by David Thomas in Mr Richardson?s article. He recorded a total rainfall of 70.85 inches in 2002. I recorded 70.11 inches. My figures are taken from 0800 to 0800 GMT daily and submitted to Craig Rich monthly.
If your readers are interested the average annual rainfall for Tavistock in inches at a height of 127.10 metres above sea level are: 1996, 56.05; 1997, 59.00; 1998, 67.33; 1999, 61.77; 2000 71.39; 2001, 55.87; 2002, 70.11. Giving a long-term average of 63.07 inches.
The highest daily total for Tavistock in the last seven years was 68.01 millimetres (2.68 inches) from 0800 GMT on October 28 2000 to 0800 GMT on October 29.
The total rainfall, so far, for this month is 93.50 millimetres (3.68 inches) and 1.15 inches of that fell in the 24 hours to 0800 this morning January 20. Mr Ivor Williams may wish to note that the average 12 months figures for rainfall in Princetown based on the Met Office figures for 1961-1990 is 2152 millimetres (84.72 inches).
Roger Bawden
Milton Crescent
Down Park, Tavistock
WITH reference to rainfall last year, in Ivor Williams? letter of last week, I am sure that the rainfall figure of 70.85 inches for Tavistock last year is correct.
I live about five miles south of Tavistock and recorded just over 73 inches. I don?t know what the figure for Princetown is.
The Environment Agency in Exeter could provide Mr Williams with more data, should he want them.
K Vines
Kilmantain, Horrabridge