One of the wettest Januarys, a dull June and hotter September than usual: 2016's weather was unsurprisingly average

Charles Thomas, Bournemouth Meteorological Registrar has compiled a rundown of last year's weather.

And despite most of the year being close to normal, he says there were some "interesting events".

"Statistically, the year was similar to 2015 and thus largely offset the extremes of the preceding three years", Mr Thomas said.

"It remains to be seen if 2017 continues this pattern."

These include an excessively wet January - the fourth wettest since Bournemouth records began in 1879.

February saw less rain, with more sunshine than normal, with March bringing heavy rain in the early and late parts, with a chilly middle fortnight.

April was changeable and typically showery, with a little snow towards the end.

And while May began with a rare air frost within a week temperatures were more typical of July, setting the pattern for a warm but rather changeable month.

The summer, although seen by many to be good, was in reality no better than average, Mr Thomas said.

"June was our third dullest on record and was unsettled almost throughout with nearly twice the average rainfall", he said.

"A heavy overnight thunderstorm on the 22nd caused widespread flash-flooding.

"July contrasted by being our third driest on record but apart from the third week was not especially warm or sunny.

"August improved further, being mostly fine and warm though it broke no long-standing records."

September proved to be the third warmest on record, but saw "changeable and rather dull" conditions, with a thunderstorm on 15th.

And the last three months of the year have been described as "mainly anticyclonic", dry and quiet.

October and November were cooler and sunnier than usual, with December mostly mild with average sunshine.

Only 10 Octobers and nine Decembers were drier.

And in a switch around to previous weather patterns, the second half of the year was much drier than the first.