June 12, 2025

expert reaction to Environment Agency declaring drought status for Yorkshire

Scientists comment on a drought status confirmed in Yorkshire, as announced by the Environment Agency. 

Lucy Barker, hydrologist at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) :

“The declaration of drought in Yorkshire follows several months of exceptionally dry weather in northern Britain, with spring rainfall in the region the second lowest since 1890.

“Average flows in May and for spring as a whole were exceptionally low on many rivers in the region, and were the lowest on record for the spring on the river Aire (in a record from 1959).  Levels in some reservoirs in Yorkshire were 20-30% lower than usual at the end of May.  More generally, average reservoir stocks for England as a whole were the lowest (in a record from 1989) for the start of the summer.

“Higher evaporation during summer means less of the rain that falls makes its way into rivers and reservoirs so, unless there is prolonged, persistent rain then it is likely to take some months for flows and levels to return to normal.  The latest Hydrological Outlook indicates that below normal or low river flows are likely to persist through summer for most of the country.”   

The latest rainfall, river flows (for England and Scotland) and soil moisture can be viewed on the UK Water Resources Portal. 

The monthly UK Hydrological Summary, looking at rainfall, river flows, groundwater and reservoir levels during May will be published tomorrow (13 June) at nrfa.ceh.ac.uk/nhmp/monthly-hydrological-summary-uk 

The UK Hydrological Outlook, providing a forecast for June-August, was published on 11 June at hydoutuk.net

Dr Jess Neumann, Associate Professor in Hydrology, University of Reading, said:  

“The drought announcement in Yorkshire comes only a few weeks after parts of north-west England declared a drought. 

“An unseasonably dry spring, the driest in nearly 90 years, means many reservoir levels are only 60-65% full, well below the 80-85% average for this time of year. The lack of rainfall is placing significant strain on public water supplies, affecting agricultural crop production, and harming wildlife and the environment. 

“Water companies are implementing their drought action plans as another warm and dry week is forecast ahead. Small actions and changes to behaviour can have an important role to play. People should be mindful of their water use, and I would urge everyone to develop water-saving habits. Small actions such as capturing water from the tap in a jug while waiting for it to run hot, turning taps off when brushing your teeth, and using a watering can rather than a hose in the garden may prevent harsher restrictions, such as so-called “hosepipe bans” being needed, in the coming weeks and months.

“Two large areas of England are now in drought status. This raises important questions about the security of our water in the long term. Water is no longer abundant and plentiful. We urgently need to adjust to a future of climate change and water stress and invest in infrastructure and regulations to save water.

“At the same time, the forecast for the UK is suggesting that there is potential for some torrential downpours and thunderstorms, which may bring rapid flash flooding, especially to the west of England and Wales, but with eastern England, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland also at risk.

“The recent dry weather conditions, which can lead to dry soils or baked, hard ground, may actually increase run-off rates, potentially increasing the risk of hazardous flash flooding.

“Currently the UK is sandwiched between high pressure to the east and low pressure in the west, driving hot, humid air across the country, creating conditions for active thunderstorms.

“The current climatic picture in the UK shows water stress and uncertainty in some regions while other areas are facing risks of flooding. This pattern of extreme weather and regional variability is in keeping with the impacts of the hotter atmosphere and warmer, higher seas that we are already experiencing as a result of our increasingly changing climate.”

Declared interests

Lucy Barker: “No interests to declare.”

Jess Neumann: “I am a trustee of the Charity River Mole River Watch. We work with water companies including SES Water and the Environment Agency.”