天美影院

England received more rainfall in July than in any of the previous 6 months, though it was still below the long term average (LTA) for July at 89%. Soil moisture deficits (SMD) continued to increase in many areas with soils considerably drier than would be expected across most of England. Monthly mean river flows decreased at more than four-fifths of sites we report on, with most sites classed as below normal or lower for the time of year. Groundwater levels have continued their seasonal decline and half were classed as normal at the end of July. Reservoir stocks decreased at nearly all of the sites we report on during July, with England as whole ending the month with 69% storage.

1. Rainfall

During July, England received 58.9mm of rainfall which represents 89% of the 1991 to 2020 LTA for the time of year and the wettest month in England since January. Nearly two-thirds of hydrological areas received below average rainfall during July. The wettest hydrological area as a percentage of LTA was the Stour catchment in south-east England, which received 213% of LTA rainfall (109.5mm). The driest hydrological area as a percentage of LTA was Poole Harbour and Purbeck which received 20.4mm of rainfall which is 39% of the LTA for the time of year.

Rainfall totals in July were classed as normal or below normal lower for most hydrological areas. Two-thirds of hydrological areas (66% of the total) were classed as normal for the time of year and almost a quarter (24%) of hydrological areas, chiefly in central and south-west England were classed as below normal. Two hydrological areas, the Upper Wye in Wales and the River Piddle in south-west England recorded rainfall classed as notably low. Twelve hydrological areas, predominately in south-east England recorded notably high or above normal rainfall for the time of year.

The 3-month cumulative totals were classed as below normal or lower in more than two-thirds of hydrological areas with exceptionally low rainfall totals in the Severn and Wye catchments. Rainfall in 6 hydrological areas, all in north-west England were above normal or higher for the time of year. The 6-month cumulative totals were classed as exceptionally low at more than half of hydrological areas and more than a quarter were classed as notably low. The 12-month cumulative totals were classed as normal at more than two thirds of hydrological areas. Rainfall in more than a quarter of hydrological areas were classed as either below normal or notably low. Three hydrological areas in north-east England classed as exceptionally low.

At a regional scale, July rainfall was classed as normal across all regions of England and England as a whole with the exception of the south-west where rainfall was classed as below normal.聽It was the sixth consecutive month of below average rainfall in east and central England. Central England had the driest 6-month periods (February to July) since 1921 records began in 1871. For England as a whole, it was the sixth consecutive month of below average rainfall, it was the driest February to July period since 1976.

2. Soil moisture deficit

By the end of July, soil moistures deficits increased across most of England, particularly in south-west England due to the lack of rainfall. Soils were driest across south-east and parts of south-west, central and east England.

Soils were drier than would be expected across all of England at the end of July. Across central and east England soils remain near maximum deficits and are much drier than would be expected for the time of year.

3. River flows

Monthly mean river flows decreased at more than four-fifths of our indicator sites in July, with more than half of sites being classed as below normal or lower for the time of year. Monthly mean flows at 15 sites (28%) were classed as below normal, 12 sites (22%) were classed as notably low and 4 sites (7%) were classed as exceptionally low, including 4 in north-east England. Flows at 20 indicator sites (36%) were classed as normal for the time of year. Four sites (7%), predominately in north-west England were classed as above normal or higher for July.聽

Two sites, recorded their lowest July monthly mean flow on record (record start given in brackets):

• Ely Ouse at Denver (1971)
• Wye at Redbrook (1969)

With regards to the regional index sites, the Great Stour at Horton in south-east England, the Bedford Ouse at Offord in east England and Haydon Bridge on the South Tyne in north-east England were all classed as normal for the time of year. The Exe at Thoverton in south-west England and naturalised monthly mean flows on the River Thames at Kingston were classed as below normal. The River Dove at Marston-on-Dove in central England was classed as notably low and the River Lune at Caton in north-west England was classed as above normal.

4. Groundwater levels聽

At the end of July, all but one of our indicator sites recorded a decrease in groundwater levels as aquifers continued their seasonal recessions. Five sites, all in sandstone aquifers were classed above normal or higher and half of indicator sites were classed as normal for the time of year. Seven sites were classed as below normal or notably low, all of which were in chalk aquifers and one site was classed as exceptionally low.

Groundwater levels at all major aquifer index sites had decreased at the end of July. Weir Farm in the Bridgnorth Sandstone in central England remains classed as notably high. Levels at Stonor Park in the South West Chiltern Chalk of south-east England were classed above normal. Skirwith in the Carlisle Basin Sandstone of north-west England remains classed as normal for the time of year. Groundwater levels at the chalk aquifers in south-east and east England, at Redlands Hall (Cam and Ely Ouse Chalk) and Little Bucket (East Kent Stour Chalk) respectively also remain classed as normal. Groundwater levels in the Chichester Chalk aquifer at Chilgrove remain below normal and in north-east England at Dalton Estate Well (Hull and East Riding Chalk) levels were classed as notably low for the time of year. Jackaments Bottom in the Burford Jurassic Limestone of south-east England was classed as exceptionally low for the time of year for the fourth month in a row.聽

5. Reservoir storage

At the end of July, reservoir stocks decreased at all but one of the reservoirs and reservoir groups we report on. Ardingley reservoir in south-east England and Clywedog reservoir in Wales which supplies central England saw the largest stock decreases, 19% and 15% respectively. In contrast, Kielder reservoir in north-east England recorded a 3% increase in stocks by the end of July. More than three-quarters of reservoirs remain classed as below normal or lower for the time of year with nearly half of sites across England classed as either notably low or exceptionally low. Yorkshire Supply group in north-east England, Derwent Valley and Blithfield in central England and Blagdon in south-west England, remain exceptionally low. Two further reservoirs in south-west England, Chew Valley and Clatworthy, are now classed as exceptionally low. Nine reservoirs were classed as below normal and the remaining seven reservoirs were classed as normal or above normal for the time of year.

All regional stocks decreased during July with stocks in central and south-west England decreasing 11%. All regions remain below average for the time of year and storage for England as a whole was 69% at the end of July, as overall stocks dropped by 6% since the end of June.

6. Forward look

August began with a mixed picture across England. North west England received 25 mm in the first few days of August thanks to Storm Floris, whereas the other regions of England largely received less rainfall and in varying amounts across their areas, with totals ranging from 2 to 9 mm. For the rest of August, in England, dry and sunny weather with a hot spell in mid-month can be expected, especially in the southeast, possibly bringing thunderstorms. This will be followed by generally warm and settled conditions with further hot periods before turning a little more unsettled late in the month.

For the 3-month period August to October, the Met Office have indicated that there is a higher than normal chance of a warm period and an increased likelihood of heatwaves. The likelihood of a dry or wet period are similar to normal and conditions are more likely to be windy. Later on in the period, the chance of rain and wind related impacts are slightly higher than normal.

7. Projections for river flows at key sites

By the end of September 2025, river flows across most of England have the greatest chance of being below normal or lower, with river flows in south east England having the greatest chance of being normal. By the end of March 2026, river flows across most of England have the greatest chance of being below normal or lower, with river flows in south east England having the greatest chance of being normal or higher.

8. Projections for groundwater levels in key aquifers

By the end of September 2025, groundwater levels have the greatest chance of being below normal for south west and north east England. Across the rest of England groundwater levels have the greatest chance to be normal. By the end of March 2026, groundwater levels have the greatest chance of being below normal or lower in south east and south west England. Across the rest of England groundwater levels are most likely to be normal.

Author: National Water Resources Hydrology Team, nationalhydrology@environment-agency.gov.uk

All data are provisional and may be subject to revision. The views expressed in this document are not necessarily those of the Environment Agency. Its officers, servants or agents accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from the interpretation or use of the information, or reliance upon views contained in this report.