Drought expected to continue through autumn despite recent rain - Natural England

Drought is causing significant environmental impacts, with Atlantic salmon, hedgehogs and garden birds struggling

The National Drought Group has warned today (Monday 15 September) that the current drought is far from over despite the recent rain.

Even with the wet weather at the end of the month, August’s rainfall was just 42% of its long-term average and the summer has been declared the hottest since records began in 1884.

Five areas remain in drought, with more areas likely to declare drought status within the next few weeks, as groundwater and reservoir levels across England continue to recede.

A lack of rainfall has impacted harvests, navigation, and seen restrictions in the form of several hosepipe bans.

It also has a significant impact on the breeding pattern of some animals, as well as peatlands drying out and at least 3,000 hectares of SSSI land (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) destroyed by wildfire.