Large parts of the UK face several months before recovering from drought, experts warned today. Water supplies are stretched thin and several reservoirs remain what experts have described as "concerningly low" following the scorching summer. Brits saw some rainfall in September, but scientists believe this was "nowhere near enough" to help put the UK back on track.
September rainfall falls short
So it will take some months yet before water levels are deemed healthy across the UK. By the morning of 29 September, some places had only seen around one-third of their average monthly rainfall, data from the Met Office shows. A drought was declared across all of Wales and over two-thirds of England during the summer, which was confirmed as the UK's hottest on record. Temperatures have, on the whole, remained above average during October, with the mercury reaching 26C this week in Cambridge.
Environment Agency warning
Philip Duffy, a chief executive at Environment Agency, said: "September's rainfall has been welcome, but a few weeks of unsettled weather is nowhere near enough to reverse the water deficits caused by a dry spring and record hot summer."
"Drought is only over when groundwater, rivers, and reservoirs are back to normal levels - and that will take months of significant and sustained wet weather."
"In the meantime, the situation remains serious with drought hit areas of England again seeing the least amount of rain over the month. Water supplies are limited and several reservoirs are concerningly low."
Warm September on record
Showers are forecast this week, but forecasters don't believe these will be heavy for many regions. Last month, Cranwell, Lincolnshire, saw around 33% of its annual September rainfall and few places, including parts of Scotland, exceeded the 40% mark. Last month was, in fact, the joint fourth warmest September on record, based on provisional Met Office data stretching back to 1884. The month saw an average temperature of 14.6C, with the mercury climbing as high as 28.1C on September 29.
England logged its third warmest September, while Northern Ireland recorded its fourth warmest and Wales its joint sixth. Scotland was also warmer than usual but fell short of its top 10 warmest Septembers. Sunshine levels were roughly average across the UK as a whole, though Northern Ireland was duller than normal. And temperatures look warm for the start of next week, with 21C likely across the Southeast of London on Sunday, and Monday set to be even hotter. There will be drizzle on Tuesday, especially across the Northeast of England, but this will move eastwards quickly, meteorologists say.
