Hydrological Outlook

SUMMARY

Summary

Summary

Summary

Normal river flows and groundwater levels are likely for the next one to three months across the UK. This is despite the generally dry August to October period which led to depressed October river flows across the north and west, and below normal groundwater levels in some areas. The outlook tends towards normal (with above normal flows and levels possible in some areas) due to the driving meteorological forecasts, which suggest the next three months are more likely.

Summary

The outlook for September is for river flows to be in the normal range across much of the UK, although the far south of England is likely to see above normal flows, mainly reflecting the influence of the exceptionally wet August in this area. Normal flows are the most likely outcome over the next three months. For groundwater, normal levels predominate in the southern Chalk, again partly reflecting the wet August, while below-normal levels persist in parts of north-east England. The three month outlook suggests mostly normal to below-normal groundwater levels.

The outlook for August is for normal to below normal flows across England and Wales, with an increased likelihood of below normal flows in some groundwater-fed catchments of southern and eastern England. For England and Wales, the outlook for the next three months is similar to that for August The outlook for Scotland is uncertain in the coming months but normal to above normal flows are most likely in the south and east and normal to below normal flows in the north. Groundwater levels are likely to be normal to below normal in August throughout the UK.