3 d. ago UK farmers lost £1bn in arable income after extreme wet weather, data show

Fears are growing that farmers could be facing another terrible harvest this year following the hottest spring on record.

Society

3 d. ago Reservoir levels across England drop to new lows after driest spring since 1893

Recent rain has stabilised the situation and no hose pipe bans are currently planned but the spectre of drought remains.

Politics

3 d. ago Farmers’ harvest in limbo after UK endures driest spring in nearly 70 years

The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) think tank warns that climate change is already having a ‘devastating’ impact on farmers

Politics

6 d. ago UK has warmest spring on record and driest in 50 years as climate change bites

England had its driest spring in more than 100 years, while UK-wide there were also record levels of sunshine for the season.

Events

7 d. ago Heatwaves and hot summer 'twice as likely' after sunniest spring on record

It was also the driest spring for more than a century

Politics

9 d. ago Drought declared in the UK after driest spring for nearly 100 years as water levels in rivers and reservoirs run low

The Environment Agency (EA) said Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, and Cumbria and Lancashire have moved from 'prolonged dry weather' to 'drought' status.

Politics

2 w. ago ‘It’s a critical time’: European farmers struggle through driest spring in a century

Extreme weather costs the EU about €28.3bn in lost crops and livestock per year, more than half the losses stem from droughtWhen drought descended on Hendrik Jan ten Cate’s farm in 2018, slashing his onion yield to just 10% of a regular year, he slogged through days of heavy labour to draw water from canals and pump it to his crops. One day, overworked and anxious to extract as much as he could, Ten Cate fell into the canal and broke his arm.This year, with plants already growing but a severe dearth of rain to nourish young crops, the Dutch farmer is once again watching the weather forecast with worry. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Tornado could hit parts of the UK as rain batters south, says forecaster

It follows the driest start to spring in nearly six decades.

Events

2 w. ago UK to be battered by heavy rain and strong gales after driest Spring in more than 50 years

The UK is set to be battered by rain, with areas around Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and London among the worst hit, after our heatwave and a remarkably dry few weeks

Politics

2 w. ago 'Climate change is clear for all to see and it’s why we need to take water seriously'

Rachel Hallos, vice-president of the National Farmers Union, warns the driest start to spring in 70 years is of great concern to the farming sector - and why new water investment is urgently needed

Politics

2 w. ago 'Lunar landscape' sees reservoirs dry up as UK experiences driest spring in a century

Farmers are desperate for rain to keep their animals and crops alive as reservoirs dry up in scorching temperatures with people urged to go easy on their water supply

Politics

2 w. ago Brits urged to take shorter showers to avoid hosepipe bans as country's dry spell sparks drought fears while water bills soar

It is the driest spring so far in more than a century, which has prompted warnings of a drought in England this summer without sustained rainfall.

Politics

3 w. ago UK set to be hotter than Ibiza at weekend amid driest spring in over 100 years

As of Friday, 80.6mm of rain has been recorded for the UK this spring, nearly 20mm less than the record low for the full season of 100.7mm in 1852.

Politics

3 w. ago Driest spring in over 100 years continues as farmers hope for ‘meaningful’ rain

The Met Office said dry and warm conditions look set to persist through this week and into the weekend.

Politics

3 w. ago UK on track for driest spring on record as temperatures to hit 25C this week

The UK is not expected to see any significant rainfall over the next 10 days

Events

3 w. ago Britain on high drought alert: Restrictions warning issued for 16 million people as UK on track for driest spring on record

Much of the UK has become parched in recent weeks amid sustained warm and dry weather, which meteorologists expect will continue for at least another ten days.

Events

3 w. ago Thames Water boss issues stark warning on restrictions after dry spring

Thames Water has upped its drought level plans given the driest spring for decades. Chris Weston - amid defending his £195,000 bonus - has raised the spectre of supply issues

Events

4 w. ago Temperatures soar across the UK – but thunder and lightning may be on the way

It has been the driest start to spring in 69 years, according to the Environment Agency

Politics