UK getting ready for dry conditions until October, with rivers are predicted to be low and exceptionally low in central and southern England, according to UK Center of Ecology and hydrology.
It could have dire consequences for agriculture like soil in a lot of of the country is too dry for drilling, and many crops for harvest next year and end of this is year need be drilled through of October to be viable.
South East England lived for 144 days. with There has been little or no rain since January, the longest dry spell since the 1970s, according to the Met Office.
It comes like Minette Butters head of The National Farmers Union, called in Guardian today for Conservative Leadership Candidates To Schedule Urgent Water plans. issue of Run out of water was hardly discussed during the competition.
Modeling by UKCEH with data from the Meteorological Bureau shows we need above average rainfall to receive rivers in a lot of of country back to normal levels. Rain that is forecast to be most likely hit in in north-west, where the rivers live better, with the southeast remains drier.
Katherine Sefton, hydrologist at UKCEH, said: “While periods are not uncommon of little rainfall we have seen extended period of below average rainfall, especially in southeast of England, where from November to July was the third driest period. on record (since 1836). Dry conditions not only did not improve, but intensified. in July, with less than 10% of typical July rainfall recorded on many of southeast of England (the driest July was in England, the Thames and the southern regions). on record, from 1836). The situation continued until August, with the south east of England has had no rain so far this month.”
These dry conditions set proceed. The report says: “July received below-average rainfall for Almost all of United Kingdom, with exception of long away north of Scotland. Areas of in southern and eastern England it was less than 10% of average rainfall in July and for England as a whole has been the driest since 1935.
“Temperature forecast for August and August-October… shows increased likelihood of warmer than normal with increased likelihood of Thermal waves. Precipitation forecast for the same periods suggest that while average rainfall is forecast, it is likely that there will be a contrast between wetter north-west and drier southeast of country.”
Things are looking for up for in north-west, with rivers potentially return to normal around October, but the report says: “Probably the flows remain exceptionally low in central, southern and eastern England over three months’ time.”
For parts of southern England, above-average rainfall will be needed consistently every month until November. in order combat dry conditions. This currently looks unlikely though long range forecasts are subject to change.
According to the Rivers Trust, wildlife is at risk due to low river levels and rivers can face irreversible damage.
A spokesman told the Guardian: “The forecast is for exceptionally low river flows. for a lot of of England means there will be additional stress on wildlife in our rivers. this is critical that threads are managed over “hands” off’ levels.
“We may see permanent damage to some rivers if they dry up. up or stagnate, especially in our precious chalk flows that are not fit with these wide fluctuations. Our chalk streams evolved to their current levels of unique biodiversity over millennium. They can not fast-track evolution to deal with with climate crisis and our over-abstractions, so we will have to quickly adapt to give them chance”.
This week weather will remain hot, with temperature reaches the mid and high 30s in southern parts of country.
The UK Health Safety Agency published second heat health alert of summer entered into effect on Monday and will last untill weekend. People were advised avoid sun from 11:00 to 15:00 and avoid dehydration.
Fires can break out across the country again by the weekend, as reported by the Met Office fire severity index will reach “exceptional” for southern parts of country.
Tony Wardle, deputy chief meteorologist for the Met Office, said: “The heat criteria are likely to be met for large areas of UK at the end of this week, with hottest areas expected in central and southern England and Wales on Friday and Saturday.”