Meteorological observer at the SCRI, Jim Wilde, said, “At this time of year we’re more likely to get warm temperatures, and we’re heading towards a much warmer than average April, but we still have another two weeks of records to take.”

Moreover, 17 consecutive days without rainfall have been recorded this month, only to be broken by the light rain today.

Mr Wilde continued, “We’re only half way through the month, but we’ve had 17 consecutive days of no rainfall that actually went back to March 31, which was broken this morning with 0.2mm of rain.

“Going this many days without any recordable rainfall is out of the ordinary.”

The daily records cover the previous 24 hours taken at 9am Greenwich Mean Time.

“I’ve gone back a few years, and if you want to compare with last year, in April, 2006, we only had 6.2mm for the whole month, which was only 14% of the long-term average.”

This contrasts quite significantly with April, 2005, when there was 67mm of rainfall.

“In April, 2003, we had 11 consecutive days of no rain, and prior to that there were a couple of previous similar Aprils where there has been between 11 and 17 consecutive days without rain,” said Mr Wilde.

“This April so far appears drier and warmer than last April and the one before.”

He was unable to confirm whether the 17 days of no rainfall this month was a record.

Scottish Water has again reminded people in Tayside to consider their water use. Despite a wetter than average winter, they said today that water levels at Lintrathen Loch are sitting at 91% and Backwater Dam 100%.

Nevertheless, Scottish Water say there is no room for complacency.

Customer marketing project manager Lorna Hamilton urged people to make sure taps aren’t dripping, use a watering can instead of a hosepipe in the garden, only fill a kettle as required and take a shower instead of a bath.