Friday 17 March 2023

‘Driest February in 30 years’

February 2023 was the driest February in England for more than 30 years.

That’s according to the Met Office, which has stressed that the country is now in need of heavy rain to compensate for this dry season.

The UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) has revealed that due to this lack of moisture, crops are suffering, as well as supplies of drinking water from rivers and reservoirs.

Last summer, there was a hosepipe ban implemented in the UK after drought – and with scientists confirming the La Niña period is now over, the world is expecting dryer weather in general.

UKCEH claims that despite a wet couple of weeks in March, “unseasonably sustained rainfall” will be needed to reverse the impacts of such a dry February.

Steve Turner from the centre said: “The wet weather and snow during the first two weeks of March has led to an increase in river flows and rewetting of the soils [but] some areas of England were starting March with below-average groundwater levels or below-average reservoir stocks.”

Groundwater and reservoir stocks are what’s used for the supply of drinking water for millions of people.

Changing tactics in preparation for more unpredictable weather is the main solution, the report suggests.

An Environment Agency spokesperson added: “We cannot rely on the weather alone, which is why the Environment Agency, water companies and our partners are taking action to ensure water resources are in the best possible position both for the summer and for future droughts.”