Article about a 'British super-drought'

[GloriaSmud]

In today's Guardian.

No I'm in England and we have spare rain!

Just had a look out to the end of the month (using gfs). Of course the further ahead you look, the less accurate but at the moment, apart from some dampness this weekend it looks remarkably dry for much of the south right until the end.
ensembles look at 'London' 'Precipitation'. Shows a remarkably dry period.

Last wee while has been pretty dry here too. Can't remember the last time I had muddy dogs.
Even cut the grass last week as it had grown and it was dry. I have never before cut the grass in March.

And the drought goes on. No signs of rain at all until early April (and who knows if that will happen)

looking very warm next week too. wide spread temps of 16+ (some I think may just about reach 20C I think)

I know it's nice and 'spring-like' and so lovely not to have dull/wet weather but I'm torn between enjoying the sunshine and thinking, 'but we need lots of raaaaaain for the gardens and reservoirs!'

I think it should only rain in the night. That would be a good compromise.

Did some gardening today and yesterday. Its damp just under the top skin of the soil but cut the lawn earliest I have ever done it. Was thinking about rigging up the watering system if it does not rain. Am forcing some rhubarb so don't fancy carrying watering cans.

Still worth a bet it chucks it down from April - August like a typical English summer though.

Night~only rain would be good

MoreBeta ~ I cut the grass for the first time this year, 2 weeks ago. Not sure if that's the earliest I've ever had to do that! We also had frog spawn in our pond last week. Last year, it was the last week of March before that appeared.

(OYBBK ~ how are you feeling now. Do think of you often, even when I don't 'see' you here!)

(Gloria - really rubbish I'm afraid. Been signed off work cos I'm getting breathless very easily whenever i do stuff and keep going faint. Bit scary really as I'm pretty skinny and was quite fit before all this. I'm fine when I'm sat down though! Consultant appt end of next week and a breathing test today)

Yesterday was t-shirt and jumper weather outside. If I have to be off, then at least I've chosen stunning weather!

Oh poor you, OYBBK, was hoping that things were improving and you were at work etc. Good news that you've got a consultant appointment at last though and yes, it is a good time to be off ~ the good weather makes everything a bit more cheerful. Sending more if needed!

Thank you :)
I hate not being at work.

One of the effects I feared is starting to happen with the first Heath fires of the season :(

Looks like there may be a change in the weather at the start of the Easter hols. A move to wetter, colder weather. It could be wrong though....

change is cancelled now in the latest models. Northern England and Scotland will take the brunt of any rain. The drought goes on.

Definitely a South-East England thing. Every reservoir I've seen in Lancs recently (was walking round a couple yesterday) looks full.

Maybe the BBC at least may become a bit less Londo-centric now lots of them are up in Salford - a bit nearer the centre of the British Isles.

But, I do feel sorry for all of you down there, especially when I see pictures of what should be lovely chalk streams all dried up.

Interestingly parts of Yorkshire are approaching drought levels too. here Although the worst is in the SE, generally much of the eastern side of England has been very dry.

NW, has stolen all the rain

NW, has stolen all the rain
I think it's just had its usual dosage. Don't know where yours has gone.

met office summary If you scroll down the months til you get annual, select 2011 and rainfall stats you can see where has had more than average rain for that region and where has had less. It does pretty much bear out what I've been saying. Striking how low the rainfall in the midlands has been compared to usual. Nw England esp near the borders and western Scotland are shown to be above average last year.

So in this case, Tis not a se-centric thing. Though it does appear to be hitting the se hard due probably to population density and possibly type of water catchment ( guessing at that) there is probably also some angst that the Olympics will add to the pressure too. And yes reporting is often based around the se impact, doesn't mean to say its not happening elsewhere though.

One thing that may hit us all is the impact this will have on agriculture in particular, with regards to the drought in east Anglia.

Parts of Yorkshire is experiencing drought conditions.

When the water companies spend money on improving the water storage and transport infra structure therefore reducing leakage as opposed to the maximising of dividends for their shareholders....That's the day I'll really start to be concerned about drought.

Its all very well having principles, but if there isn't enough water then there isn't enough no matter what the cause.

our river (mid suffolk) is apparently drying up at its source, in MARCH, aibu to feel more than a bit anxious about the things that live in and around it - esp water voles - and aibu to wonder why they can't replenish it now, from bore holes? or is rain coming ever?

I agree with you to a certain degree Ohyoubadkitten that little water is little water but I do think water companies are being disingenuous in blaming this upon the lack of rainfall, solely. There are other factors involved and we are being distracted from asking awkward questions about how water supply is safeguarded.

Nothing showing for the south until Easter Monday now in the models, and as gfs keeps showing rain in that timescale and nothing happens I wouldn't put too much store in that.