Is UK facing drought for second summer in a row?
The UK is experiencing an exceptionally hot and dry summer, raising concerns about a potential second consecutive year of drought. While recent rainfall has been below average, the impact is currently mitigated by water reserves recharged during a wet winter.
Why it matters
Frequent droughts threaten UK water security and agricultural stability, highlighting the increasing risk of 'flash droughts' due to climate change.
Image source, BBC Weather Watcher / alpaca lady Image caption, Dry, cracked earth is already evident in some parts of the UK, like here in Cambridgeshire
Summer so far has been exceptionally hot and dry across much of the UK, with three widespread heatwaves and the longest run of dry days in central England since 1995.
England, Wales and eastern Scotland have been the driest areas over recent weeks, and this follows a very dry spring in similar regions.
Very little rainfall is forecast through this week for most places, with only a few light showers possible, mainly close to coasts.
As we head through the second half of summer, what are the longer range predictions, and are we heading into drought for the second summer in a row?
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