Is the UK in drought?
Parts of England are. The Environment Agency's dry weather and drought report for 2 to 8 October 2026 says Yorkshire would move to drought status on 9 October, making 11 areas in drought, with the rest of England in prolonged dry weather status. Reservoir storage across England was 54%, 21% below normal for the time of year.
The Environment Agency declares drought status by area, following the process in Drought: how it is managed in England. Weekly and monthly reports cover rainfall, river flows, groundwater and reservoirs. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland report separately. See also our Environment Agency data guide.
Drought status is not the same as a hosepipe ban: temporary use bans are set by individual water companies for their own supply areas.
When is the next figure out?
Official statistics from Defra and the Environment Agency are pre-announced on the GOV.UK release calendar and published at 9:30am. Storm overflow EDM data usually appear in late March; bathing water classifications in November; the Environment Agency's environmental performance report and Ofwat's performance report in the autumn. Live flood and air quality data have no release schedule.
Every official release due in the next two weeks is on the release calendar.
Where the figures come from
- Environment Agency, Ofwat, Defra and Met Office environmental dataWhere to find Environment Agency sewage spill and water quality data, flood APIs, Ofwat performance, Defra air quality and Met Office climate records.
Related questions
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This answer says where the official figures are published and how they are defined. It gives no verdict on any claim. To report an error, send a correction request. More questions about weather and climate records: all Weather and climate records questions.