Large parts of the UK, including north-west England and Yorkshire, are in an official state of drought due to one of the driest springs on record (March-May 2025). Low rainfall has led to exceptionally low river flows and reservoir levels across much of England and eastern Scotland. Long-term forecasts suggest continued dry conditions through July and August, raising concerns for agriculture, wildlife, and water supplies, prompting discussions of new reservoirs and water conservation measures.
UK dry weather 2025: Will there be a drought where I live?
DroughtEnvironment
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Large parts of the UK, including north-west England and Yorkshire, are in an official state of drought due to one of the driest springs on record (March-May 2025). Low rainfall has led to exceptionally low river flows and reservoir levels across much of England and eastern Scotland. Long-term forecasts suggest continued dry conditions through July and August, raising concerns for agriculture, wildlife, and water supplies, prompting discussions of new reservoirs and water conservation measures.
Trending- 1 March-May 2025: UK experienced its sixth driest spring since records began in 1836.
- 2 End of May 2025: River flows were below normal for about three-quarters of monitored sites; England's reservoirs were at their lowest combined levels in over 30 years.
- 3 June 2025: Slightly more rainfall than average for the UK overall, but central and eastern England and Scotland saw dry weather continuing.
- 4 End of June 2025: Provisional data showed river flows similar to or below previous drought years (1976, 2011, 2018, 2022) for many eastern, central and southern regions.
- 5 Early July 2025: North-west England and Yorkshire are in an official state of drought.
- 6 July-August 2025: Long-term forecasts suggest drier than average conditions, increasing the risk of drought.
- Official drought declared in parts of England
- Exceptionally low water levels in rivers and reservoirs
- Increased difficulty and cost for farmers to grow crops due to irrigation needs
- Harm to nature and wildlife, including birds struggling to find food and wetland habitats being affected
- Concerns about future food supply and livestock feed
- Potential need for hosepipe bans and more smart meters
- Increased risk of heatwaves and wildfires
What: Widespread dry weather conditions leading to official drought declarations and significantly low water levels across much of the UK.
When: March to May 2025 (driest spring); June 2025 (mixed rainfall); July and possibly August 2025 (forecast for continued dry conditions).
Where: United Kingdom, specifically north-west England, Yorkshire, eastern Scotland, parts of Wales, central and eastern England, Northern Ireland (mixed picture), south-east England (groundwater reliance), Havant Thicket.
Why: A prolonged period of low rainfall (UK's sixth driest spring since 1836) has resulted in insufficient replenishment of rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater. Rising temperatures also contribute by increasing evaporation from soil and water bodies.
How: The Environment Agency has declared drought in affected areas. Water companies are monitoring levels. The government is planning new reservoirs and considering measures like hosepipe bans and smart meters to manage water demand.