The forecaster stated that the final month has to date been the driest July in England since 1911. As of July 26, there had solely been 15.8mm of rain averaged throughout England, which is simply 24 p.c of the anticipated quantity for the month. The forecaster famous: “At this stage within the month we’d anticipate to have seen nicely over three-quarters of the month’s rain to have already fallen in a median July.”
In the meantime, the Surroundings Company (EA) convened the Nationwide Drought Group yesterday to debate the prospect of a drought being declared in August.
The assembly was as a consequence of be held in October to arrange for 2023, however was introduced ahead to July on account of the dry climate.
Most of England has been moved into “extended dry climate” standing – that means the EA is now taking precautionary actions to mitigate impacts.
The EA stated that if additional measures are required, short-term use bans – extra generally generally known as hosepipe bans – shall be decided by particular person water firms.
It warned that rivers are “exceptionally low” however there are at the moment no plans for restrictions on important water use.
However the group suggested the general public to “scale back pointless water consumption”.
Officers stated current abnormally excessive temperatures have exacerbated situations ensuing from decrease than regular rainfall to date this yr in lots of elements of England.
The Met Workplace warned that there’s “scant prospect of serious enchancment inside the subsequent week or two”, as there may be not a lot rain within the forecast for the upcoming weeks.
READ MORE: UK climate: Britain braces for August DROUGHT as river ranges hit low
He stated: “It isn’t simply July that has been dry.
“For the reason that begin of the yr, all months other than February have been drier than common within the UK too.
“The results of that is that the winter, spring and summer time of 2022 have all seen lower than the UK common seasonal rainfall.
“England has seen the bottom ranges throughout these durations and, rainfall totals for the primary six months of the yr are round 25 p.c under their long-term common, with the driest areas within the east and southeast.”
