England Drought-Free But Extreme Weather Swings Will Intensify

England’s water levels have largely recovered from the 2025 drought after four months of above‑average rainfall but rapid swings between drought and flooding will become more common under climate change, warns the Environment Agency. 

The drought risk for 2026 is currently low but the EA said a “flash drought” is still possible if there is a sudden spell of very low rainfall and hot temperatures similar to 2022.

Furthermore, as the UK’s climate changes, the EA expects more frequent swings between drought and flooding called “weather whiplash”.

Heavy Rainfall Recovered Levels

All regions in England, including East Anglia (the last to recover), are now back to “normal” water status, with reservoir storage at about 95% and soils, rivers and groundwater generally at normal or above‑normal levels, EA confirmed at a National Drought Group meeting this week.

The recovery has been driven by very wet conditions, which have caused devastating flooding in many communities.   

February saw 170% of the long‑term average rainfall and January was also much wetter than usual, although parts of the south‑west have suffered widespread flooding as a result. 

However, in East Anglia, river flows and groundwater levels have been slower to recover from last year’s drought, leading to reservoir refilling delays for some farmers.

More Needs To Be Done  

England faces a long‑term water security challenge, considering the projected shortfall of five billion litres per day by 2055. 

For the rest of March, the Met Office forecast indicates that conditions will be drier than average.

“We enter spring in a favourable position, but we can never be complacent,” explained Helen Wakeham, National Drought Group chair and Director of Water at the Environment Agency.

Conversations must continue around drought risk despite the recent wet weather, agreed Water Minister Emma Hardy.

“Our climate is changing, droughts are becoming increasingly common, and we need to be prepared.” 

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins called for the government to place “equal emphasis” on water  storage for growing food in line with investment for household water and household consumption.

“I’ve seen those potato crops and onions in the east of the country that are withering in the summer months because they don’t always get enough water,” Tompkins said. “We have to do more to mitigate against the effects of more extreme weather patterns in order that we have a resilient food system.”

Water companies are finalising statutory drought plans and have been told to strengthen contingency measures for potential severe drought. 

The government, meanwhile, said it is pursuing long‑term supply projects such as new reservoirs, transfer schemes and desalination plants, alongside a £10.5 billion flood defence programme.