BOURNEMOUTH experienced its second wettest day in 30 years as a month’s worth of rainfall hit the south coast.

“We had around 60mm and average rainfall for a month is 55-60mm,” said local weather expert Richard Wild, senior meteorologist with WeatherNet.

However while rain was forecast, the torrential element was very localised.

This flood of water cascaded from the skies between midnight and 1.30pm yesterday but at the height of the deluge 15mm fell between 10.30am and 11am and a further 15mm between 11.50am and 12.50pm.

The coastal belt from Swanage to Christchurch was most severely hit by the unexpectedly severe rain, with 33mm falling in Swanage.

North Dorset, which might have expected to have the sharpest downpour as the warm front was due to track northwards, escaped with far less rain.

“Although they had some rain there was generally nothing like the amounts that we have had down towards the coast,” said John Hammond, forecaster with the Met Office.

“There was no severe weather warning. The localised nature means it was not widespread enough.

“Although it did have a very big impact for those people who were affected,” he said.

Kings Park climate station figures since 1981 show the highest daily rainfall total reading 76.7mm on September 28 1991.

However while roads and buildings flooded, drains lifted and water rose up to the bonnets of cars, the weather is due to improve, with today more settled and Saturday expected to be the best day with a temperature of 20C, but there is the chance of rain again on Sunday.