Spring 2016 wettest in 15 years, 14th wettest since 1931

BY TPN/ LUSA,

This year's spring has so far been the wettest in a decade and a half and the 14th wettest since 1931, according to the latest climatology bulletin of the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA).

Spring 2016 was also classed as relatively cold, according to the bulletin, which was posted on the institute's website.

Although the astronomical spring officially ends next wee, with summer beginning on 20 June, in climatological terms IPMA defines spring as March, April and May.

According to the bulletin the "average value of the quantity of precipitation in the trimester March-May (346.4 millimetres) was superior to the average, corresponding to 164% of the normal value”.

Total precipitation in the period was greater than normal in all regions of Portugal, with the lowest rainfall seen in Sagres, in the Algarve (at 128.4 millimetres) and the highest in Cabril, in Montalegre (787.5 millimetres).

According to IPMA, the average values for maximum and minimum temperatures during the period were lower than normal. March in particular was very cold, with the average temperature the lowest in more than three decades and the 13th lowest since 1931.