TEEMING rain and blustery winds made it a day to stay indoors - as the Ipswich area suffered another wet one.

TEEMING rain and blustery winds made it a day to stay indoors - as the Ipswich area suffered another wet one.

One-fifth of an inch of rain fell yesterday , a dreadful Sunday as the morning monsoon conditions made driving difficult and walking in the parks, on the prom and out to shops cold, damp and miserable.

It also played havoc with local sport - making conditions uncomfortable for competitors, particularly those taking part in a mountain biking event at Tunstall.

The average rainfall for January has already been exceeded - and there are still six days to go with more wet weather on the way this week.

Evening Star weather expert Ken Blowers said after a prolonged dry period over Christmas - not a drop fell between December 19 and January 12 - the rain had all come at once.

“To have it completely dry for such a long period is quite rare but since then it has rained and rained,” said Mr Blowers.

“In the nine days since January 16 we have had 1.97 inches and the total for the month so far is 2.14 inches - with the 60-year average for January being 2.07 inches, and the month isn't over yet.

“The next lot of rain is expected Tuesday night and for the remainder of the month it will be one wet day followed by a dry day, and so on.”

A series of depressions coming across the Atlantic were to blame.

The long-term forecast for February suggests it will be a cold month with periods of snow - though Mr Blowers stressed looking ahead so far was not a certain science.