Summary

How are you affected?

Live Reporting

Edited by Matt Spivey and Alex Smith

  1. The Environment Agency uses four stages to assess drought or water shortage

    As we mentioned in our last post, there is no single definition of drought.

    Caused by a shortage of rainfall, the characteristics of a drought - things like timing and duration - will vary.

    To determine an area's level of drought, in England, the Environment Agency will look at a number of factors including rainfall, river flows, groundwater levels and and public water supplies.

    It uses four stages to assess what response is needed:

    • Prolonged dry weather - which begins to impact river flows, groundwater levels and water levels in lakes and reservoirs
    • Drought - further deterioration to the environment with consequences for agriculture, people and businesses
    • Severe drought - prompting widespread and lasting effects on the environment, farming, people, communities, and the economy
    • Recovering from drought - the impacts on the environment are reducing

  2. How is drought defined?

    There is no single definition of drought, but it usually refers to a period of prolonged unusually dry weather that can have impacts on people, nature and the environment.

    The Environment Agency says some droughts are short and intense, caused by a hot and dry summer, while others are long and develop over multiple seasons due to low rainfall.

    It also highlights different types of drought. They include agricultural drought when there isn't enough rainfall to support crops and farming, and water supply drought when companies have concerns about supplies for their customers.

    Natural Resources Wales agrees that "every drought is different", adding that some affect large areas while others are more concentrated.

    It says it declares drought when a combination of indicators show a "significant shortage of rainfall and water availability", impacting things like rivers, groundwater, ecosystems and agriculture.

    Runners jog through dry grass at Hampstead HeathEPA

    Runners jogging through dry grass at Hampstead Heath

  3. UK set for another hot week with possible highs of 36C

    The UK has experienced unusually high temperatures in recent months and heat is set to once again build throughout the week as a fifth heatwave is likely to be declared.

    Monday will provide a bit of a break from the intense heat - with maximum temperatures in northern areas of the UK around 18 to 24C and further south temperatures between 22 to 27C.

    However, temperatures are then set to soar across much of England and Wales.

    By Tuesday, warmer air will start to move back in across the UK with the highest temperatures across central southern England, the Midlands and east Wales.

    Yellow heat-health alerts remain in force for much of England until 21:00 BST on Tuesday, though they are likely to be extended or upgraded as the heatwave nears.

    Wednesday will see temperatures widely across England and Wales head into the high twenties and low thirties.

    Temperatures are due to peak on Thursday with possible highs of 36C (97F) in south-east England, and up to 35C likely across central and eastern England.

    A graphic shows temperatures forecast for Monday afternoon with 17 in Aberdeen to 24 in Birmingham and 27 in London
    A graphic shows the peak of the heatwave, for later this week, with temperatures of 25 in Aberdeen, 32 in Birmingham and 36 in London

    You can read more in our weather story.

  4. Is there a hosepipe ban in your area? Use our tool to find out

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  5. Which areas are currently in drought?

    Drought has already been declared in large parts of England, as well as the whole of Wales.

    The full list of English regions in drought conditions are:

    • East Anglia
    • Hertfordshire and the whole of London
    • Thames Valley
    • Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
    • Devon and Cornwall
    • The West Midlands
    • Wessex, covering Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, and South Gloucestershire

    The Environment Agency - which made the announcement for England - said in its latest update that the week from 31 July to 6 August was the "seventh consecutive week of less than 10mm of rainfall across England".

    Areas in the east and south-east saw less than 1mm, it added.

    Map showing drought conditions in England

  6. Parched ground and dried up lake beds across England

    With drought already declared across half of England, its effects are quite visible across the country.

    Photographers have captured dried up reservoirs and arid land around famous landmarks across England and Wales.

    Rings of dry brown grassland around StonehengeReuters

    Parched grassland around Stonehenge in Wiltshire

    Brown dry fields seen from above, with rows of treesPA

    An aerial view of Primrose Hill in north London

    Clifton Suspension Bridge over dry grassReuters

    Clifton Observatory and Clifton Suspension Bridge after prolonged dry weather in Bristol

    Brown cracked ground with rocks scattered acrossEPA/Shutterstock

    Low water levels have exposed the dry lake bed at Hanningfield Reservoir in Essex

    Low water levels at the Llwyn-On reservoir in South Wales revealed an old stone bridgePA Media

    Low water levels at the Llwyn-On reservoir in South Wales revealed an old stone bridge

  7. More of England could be declared in drought as fifth heatwave approaches

    Dry arid ground seen next to a water lineEPA/Shutterstock

    Low water levels have left the lake's bed visible at Hanningfield Reservoir in Essex

    The National Drought Group is meeting later today, to decide whether more regions will be declared as being in drought.

    The group is made up of regulators, bodies such as the Environment Agency, government officials, water companies and agricultural bodies.

    Today's meeting comes as England and Wales brace for a fifth heatwave, while nearly two months without significant rainfall have placed growing pressure on water supplies and seen 23 million people subject to hosepipe bans.

    Half of England and the whole of Wales is already officially in drought.

    We’ll bring you all the latest on anything the National Drought Group announces, plus everything else you need to know on the weather, right here.