Scorched UK: A Dry Spring Sweeps Across England
Someone has exhausted their supplies or resources, leaving them with none. - Dehydrated: A descriptive term for something that has had most of its moisture removed, resulting in a product that retains its important compounds but has a longer shelf life.
British summer may not be what you'd expect this year. With the UK in a chokehold of dry weather, England is facing a challenging spring. Here's the lowdown on why the rain gods have seemingly deserted our island nation.
- Persistent High Pressure: A persistent high-pressure system camped over or near the UK since late February has played a significant role in creating the current dry spell. High pressure usually brings tranquil, dry conditions.
- Meandering Jet Stream: The jet stream, a swift air current, has taken a winding path this spring, frequently looping north of the UK. This pattern has enabled the high-pressure zones to hang around longer, effectively blocking expected weather systems and minimizing rainfall.
- Record-Breaking Low Rainfall: March 2025 was history repeating itself, with England witnessing just a quarter of the usual rainfall - making it the driest since 1961. April carried on the trend with only half of its average rainfall, marking one of the driest spring starts since 1956.
- Climate's Wild Ride: Following some exceptionally wet years in 2023 and 2024, this sudden shift in weather patterns is a stark reminder of the UK's erratic climate as a result of variability in weather conditions.
In light of these circumstances, England is admittedly at a moderate risk of drought. Water supply is a pressing issue, and potentially drastic measures like hosepipe bans might be under consideration.
[1] Met Office, "UK weather: How unseasonal warmth in March contributed to spring drought fears," (2025), [online] http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/interesting/2025/uk-weather-march-unseasonal-warmth-drought-fears
[2] BBC News, "Why has the UK been so hot and dry this spring?" (2025), [online] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57183635
[3] The Guardian, "England's spring drought: is climate change to blame for record-breaking dry spell?" (2025), [online] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/26/england-spring-drought-climate-change-record-breaking-dry-spell
[4] The Independent, "What is a block of high pressure, and why is it causing the UK to bake in record temperatures?" (2025), [online] https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/high-pressure-block-weather-system-temperature-bake-record-heatwave-a9600961.html
[5] The Telegraph, "Drought warning: can you water your garden despite hosepipe ban fears?," (2025), [online] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/advice/drought-warning-can-you-water-your-garden-despite-hosepipe-ban-fears/
- In contrast to the persistent high pressure system over the UK, some regions may experience unexpected rain showers, as happened in late May when England experienced a brief yet significant respite from the dry spell.
- Despite the United Kingdom's brief periods of rain, the low rainfall in England throughout the spring months of March and April contributed to the overall dryness, with the driest conditions since 1961 observed in March.
- To conserve water during this dry period, many English households have turned to alternative methods, such as watering their gardens during the early morning or late evening when less evaporation occurs, effectively contributing to the overall drying process ('dried').
