How soon will the drought be over?
Rain has returned to parts of the UK this week but is it enough to end the drought some regions are facing?
The UK is currently experiencing a drought, with many regions under hosepipe bans. Scientists say it is difficult to predict when the drought will end, as it is not solely due to a lack of rainfall, but also higher temperatures. There are four stages of drought: meteorological, soil moisture, river flow, and groundwater. Currently, the UK has not yet reached severe groundwater or reservoir drought levels.
Experts believe that a significant amount of rainfall is required over several months for water resources to recover. However, there are indications that a wetter-than-average autumn may occur, potentially influenced by global ocean changes such as the El Niño phenomenon. The government should start planning for a worst-case scenario if sufficient rain does not arrive.
The UK has seen an increase in flash droughts, rapid droughts caused by extreme heat, low rainfall, and high water demand, which can lead to flash flooding when heavy rain falls. Climate change is expected to make these rapid swings between wet and dry conditions more frequent and severe in the UK.
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- How soon will the drought be over? bbc.co.uk
