Despite the wettest week in England in two years, Wales and most of England remain in drought, with parts of southern England in severe drought. Recent rain from storms Austen and Boelo brought up to 87mm in some areas, but the National Drought Group says sustained and above-average rainfall over a seven-month period is needed for conditions to improve to normal.
Over the past week, central England saw 38mm of rain and the south-west 87mm, making it the wettest week since October 2024. October overall brought 111% of England's long-term monthly rainfall, with some southern areas recording nearly 50% above normal.
The National Drought Group said it will take seven months of sustained above-average rainfall to return conditions to normal. The hot, dry summer took its toll on water supplies when England received just 10% of its average July rainfall. Hosepipe bans remain in place for millions.
The Environment Agency has moved north-west England from drought to 'recovery' status, but elsewhere across England 11 reservoirs are still classed as 'exceptionally low'. Wimbleball and Ardingly reservoirs in Somerset and West Sussex have less than 20% of their normal capacity. Early rainfall tends to be soaked up by soil or run off hardened ground and has not had a significant impact on reservoirs. Only once the soil is wet does it start to be properly absorbed by deeper groundwater stores.
Looking ahead, high pressure is forecast for the start of November with no significant rain expected for at least a week. That is likely to put further strain on supplies. Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, said the country needs 'sustained rainfall to recover'. The Agency said England needs at least 20% more rainfall than average over the next six months to be considered out of drought by spring; otherwise, drought could continue into next year, with Devon, Cornwall and East Anglia most at risk.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Continued drought affects water supplies for millions, with hosepipe bans and potential further restrictions.
- The dry spell predicted for November could worsen the situation and extend restrictions.
- Farmers, wildlife, and public water reserves depend on sustained recovery to prevent long-term shortages.
Background
The UK experienced an exceptionally hot and dry summer, with July receiving only 10% of its average rainfall. This led to drought conditions across most of England and Wales, prompting hosepipe bans. Reservoirs dropped to critically low levels. October brought heavy rain, but not enough to resolve the shortfall.
What to Watch
- Whether the forecast dry spell materialises and for how long, potentially deepening the drought.
- Whether reservoir levels improve with any further rainfall in the coming months.
- The Environment Agency's six-month outlook: if rainfall remains below 20% above average, drought could extend into next year, hitting Devon, Cornwall and East Anglia hardest.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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- SupportedEngland had its wettest week in two years, but the rain was not enough to end the drought.BBC News: “The recent stormy weather brought England's wettest week in two years, according to the Environment Agency. However, despite the rain, Wales and most of England are still in drought”
- SupportedEleven reservoirs remain classed as exceptionally low.BBC News: “According to the Environment Agency 11 reservoirs are still classed as 'exceptionally low'.”
- SupportedWales and most of England remain in drought, with parts of southern England in severe drought.BBC News: “However, despite the rain, Wales and most of England are still in drought with parts of southern England in severe drought.”
- SupportedStorms Austen and Boelo brought rain totals of up to 87mm in some areas.BBC News: “Over the last week we had the first two named storms of the season - Austen and Boelo - which gave much of the UK significant and much needed rain. Rainfall totals ranged from 38mm in central England to 87mm in the south-west”
- SupportedThe National Drought Group says sustained and above-average rainfall over seven months is needed for conditions to improve to normal.BBC News: “the National Drought Group have said it will take sustained and above average rainfall over a seven month period for conditions to improve to normal.”
- SupportedRainfall totals over the past week ranged from 38mm in central England to 87mm in the south-west.BBC News: “Rainfall totals ranged from 38mm in central England to 87mm in the south-west”
- SupportedEngland received 111% of its long-term monthly rainfall in October.BBC News: “As a whole, England has had 111% of it's long-term monthly rainfall, according to the EA.”
- SupportedEngland received just 10% of its average July rainfall.BBC News: “The hot and dry summer took its toll on our water supplies when England only saw 10% of its average July rainfall.”
- SupportedHosepipe bans remain in place for millions of customers.BBC News: “Hosepipe bans were announced for millions of customers and still remain in place.”
- SupportedWimbleball and Ardingly reservoirs have less than 20% of their normal capacity.BBC News: “Wimbleball and Ardingly reservoirs in Somerset and West Sussex respectively have less than 20% of their normal capacity.”
- SupportedPhilip Duffy said the country needs “sustained rainfall to recover”.BBC News: “according to Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, we "need sustained rainfall to recover".”
- SupportedThe Environment Agency says England needs at least 20% more rainfall than average over the next six months to be considered out of drought by spring; otherwise, drought could continue into next year.BBC News: “The Agency have said that England will need at least 20% more rainfall than average across the next six months to be considered out of drought by spring. Anything less risks the drought continuing into next year”
