While 2019 was one of the sunniest and warmest years on record in East Anglia, rainfall in the region was only average despite the deluge of the last three months.
Figures collected by regional forecasters Weatherquest from weather stations across the region show that 2019 was the eighth sunniest year on record and the 10th warmest - with records going back to 1910.
Rainfall total in the region was less than 1% below the long-term average - but the first five months of the year saw significantly low rainfall.
June was relatively wet, but July, August and September were fairly dry before the heavens opened during the last three months of the year.
Water bosses insisted that they still wanted to see more rain between now and April to help fill up underground water supplies.
There have been warnings that there could be water restrictions in some places during the summer if the rain doesn't continue.
A spokeswoman for Anglian Water said: "We still need more rain, preferably usable rain that will seep into the soil and into the groundwater aquifers. We've now got all our reservoirs completely full up.
"When we checked at the start of December the rain from October and November had stabilised the aquifers. Now we need more rain to refill them. We should soon find out how December's rain helped with that - but I know we still need more to come down."
The Weatherquest figures show that over the last three years only 82% of average rainfall came down - meaning there remains a significant deficit underground.
The Environment Agency is also keen to see more rain over the next few months.
A spokesman said: "Recent rainfall across East Anglia has continued to have a positive impact on soil moisture deficit, which means groundwater is recharging.
"We will remain in drought conditions until the groundwater has recharged sufficiently and is at or near normal levels. If the present rainfall averages continue this could mean we come out of drought as early as March next year.
"We will be convening the next meeting of the National Drought Group later this month to help manage down the risks of future water shortages and further environmental damage."
East Anglian weather facts for 2019 from Weatherquest:
Records go back to 1910 (temperature and rainfall) and 1929 (sunshine)
It was the 10th driest January with the 10th lowest number of rain days for the month.
It was the sunniest (and fifth warmest) February.
It was the sixth warmest March (with the 3rd lowest number of overnight frosts for the month).
It was the eighth driest April (with a high number of overnight frosts).
It was the join ninth warmest July (although the hottest day ever recorded in the UK was at Cambridge on July 25 at 38.7C).
It was the sixth sunniest August.
It was the seventh sunniest September.
There was the third highest number of October rain days.
There was the sixth highest number of November rain days.
And it was the fifth sunniest December (despite all the rain).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here