Overview
- The agency’s scenarios show typical winter rainfall would see most regions recover, 80% of average would leave widespread drought, and 60% would put all of England in drought by spring 2026.
- Yorkshire and the Midlands remain in drought, with hosepipe bans still covering about eight million people across Yorkshire, the Thames Valley, Sussex and Kent.
- The Met Office says average rainfall is still the most likely outcome, yet the odds of a drier November to January are higher than normal.
- Reservoir stocks were 65.8% on 4 November versus a 77.4% seasonal average, underscoring slow recovery despite recent storms.
- Officials urge households to conserve water and companies to cut leakage, warning of risks to crops and wildlife, wildfire potential, and flash flooding when heavy rain hits parched soils.