120% of average rainfall needed to end drought by spring

Recent rainfall has done little to alleviate the dry conditions, with almost three quarters of England still officially classed as in drought. Even with above-average rainfall, Devon, Cornwall and East Anglia could be in drought by spring.

England will need 120% of typical levels of rain over autumn and winter to be completely out of drought by spring, according to the Environment Agency.

The government body believes there is a one-in-four chance that around half the country will still be in drought next spring.

A few weeks of rain cannot reverse the deficit we face from the very dry spring and summer. Almost three-quarters of England are currently designated as in drought after an exceptionally dry spring and summer, alongside a succession of heatwaves.Drought is only over when rivers, groundwaters and reservoirs are back to normal levels, but the latter two are continuing to recede, the

agency noted. What could happen over the next few months? The Environment Agency has forecast England’s drought conditions by spring, according to th

ree potential scenarios for rainfall over th

e coming seven months. The Met Office has predicted a warmer and wetter than average autumn.If rainfall is up to 120% of typical levels this autumn, Devon, Corn

wall and East Anglia would still be in drought by the start of April

2027, the agency said.Under this scenario, the north is expected to move to recovery first, followed by the midlands and then finally parts of the south. Cumbr

ia, Lancashire,