RAIN fell consistently throughout the year and there was not one completely dry month.

The wettest months were October with 7.1in, August with 5.09in and January with 4.98in. In addition there were seven months having measurements of between 2.35in and 2.85in. The total rainfall for the year amounted to 42.27in, considerably more than the 31.55in recorded in 2003 and the above average of 40.66in for the past four years.

The year began with a wet January, with rainfall amounting to 4.98in. The first half of the month was generally mild but winds changed to the north on the 27th, bringing, snow to a depth of five-eighths of an inching during the evening of the 28th.

However, the snow was short-lived and by 4pm on the 30th heavy rain took over, 1.35in being measured on the 31st.

Mild weather continued for the first eight days of February, a maximum of 14deg C (58F) being reached on the 4th. A sudden change occurred on the 26th with snow to a depth of half an inch, increasing to one and a quarter inches by the 27th. Rainfall for the month totalled 2.35in.

Winter's last fling with snow measuring one and three-quarter inches, came on March 11th and 12th, but rising temperatures ensured that it was all gone by the 13th. The rest of the month was mild but wet with a maximum day temperature of 17 deg C (62F) being recorded on the 31st. Rainfall for March was 3.48in.

The temperature reached 21 deg C (70F) for the first time in 2004 on April 25 but the month was generally wet with rain amounting to 3.84in.

The first 11 days of May were disappointing, rain being measured on eight days with a reading of 1.01in on the 4th, the month's total rainfall being 2.75in. Temperatures climbed from the 15th and there was a reading of 23 deg C (74F) on the last day of the month.

June saw the two warmest days of the year when 29 deg C (85F) was recorded on the 14th and 15th, whilst on three other days the temperature reached over 26 deg C (80F).

Heavy overnight rain on the night of the 22nd resulted in a measurement of one inch. Rainfall for the month was 2.72in.

Temperatures reached 26 deg C (80F) on two occasions during July and on 19 days 21 deg C (70F) was recorded. On the 8th, following gales on the previous day, rainfall amounting to 0.99in was measured, representing a large proportion of the month's total of 2.37in.

August made a promising start as temperatures climbed above 21 deg C (70F) on each of the first 15 days of the month, on three occasions exceeding 26 deg C (80F).

Overnight thunderstorms on the 2nd resulted in rainfall of 0.7in and of 0.78in on the 9th. The second half of the month was unsettled, bringing the month's total rainfall of 5.09in.

The first nine days of September were dry and sunny but the rest of the month was less settled, with temperatures on most days reaching no higher than 16 deg C (61F). The first cold night of autumn came of 24th/25th with the night temperatures dropping to 3 deg C (38F). Rainfall totalled 2.48in.

October was the wettest month of the year, 7.1in being recorded, with rain been measured on 25 days. The wettest day was the 4th with 1.01in. Temperatures during the first half of the month remained around 15 deg C (59F) but dropped as low as 12 deg C (53F) towards the end of the month. The patter of mild autumn days continued during the first nine days of November. The first night frost came on the 10th/11th of the month, followed two nights later with the temperature dropping to -2 deg C (28F). Rain was measured on 13 occasions, making a monthly total of 2.26in.

The year's driest period was between November 29 and December 14.

However, there was rain on all but three days during the rest of the month with 0. in on the 17th, 0.94in on the 19th and 0.4in on the 22nd and 28th, resulting in a total of 2.85in for the least month of the year.

A cold snap began on the 20 and snow to a depth of half an inch fell on the night of Christmas Day. The year ended with two mild days.