Overview

• The UK is experiencing its driest spring since records began, with only 80.6mm of rainfall so far compared to the seasonal average of 229mm.
• The Environment Agency has issued a 'medium' drought risk for England, urging water companies to prepare for possible usage restrictions in the coming months.
• Reservoir levels are at 84% capacity nationally, lower than at the same time in the drought year of 2022, with some northern sites hitting record lows.
• Farmers are irrigating earlier than usual, while water companies are intensifying leak repairs and transferring supplies to drier regions.
• The Met Office attributes the prolonged dry spell to a blocking high-pressure system, with meaningful rain not expected until late next week.