Yorkshire water situation: November 2025 summary
Updated 11 December 2025
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/water-situation-local-area-reports/yorkshire-water-situation-november-2025-summary
1. Summary
Above average rainfall occurred across Yorkshire in November. River flows were exceptional or notably high, which for most catchments was an increase from the previous month. Soils became fully saturated by the third week of November and groundwater levels rose. Reservoir stocks increased week on week.
2. Rainfall
All catchments recorded above average rainfall. Catchment-averaged rainfall for November total ranged from 145% to 257% of the long-term average (LTA) using Met Office HadUK-Grid data. The catchments of south and east Yorkshire had rainfall amounts greater than 200% of the LTA. Across Yorkshire, rainfall was classified as notably or exceptionally high. It was the wettest November in a 154-year record in the Derwent and Hull.
The majority of days in the month had at least some rainfall, with very few entirely dry days recorded across the gauged network. Peak rainfall occurred on days 9 and 10, Storm Claudia produced significant rainfall on day 14 and there was a further high rainfall event across days 28 and 29.
3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge
At the start of the month soils were wet in the Pennine and North Yorkshire Moor catchments and progressively drier towards the Humber estuary. By the third week of the month soils across Yorkshire were fully saturated and remained so for the rest of the month.
4. River flows
Monthly mean flows were between 227% and 52% of the LTA. All catchments were above 118% of the LTA, with exception of the Hull at 52%. Monthly mean flows in November were higher than in October. Monthly mean flow in the Esk was exceptionally high for the time of year. Elsewhere the flows ranged from normal to notably high but with no particular geographical pattern.
For the first 11 days flows across Yorkshire were mostly normal. The Pennine-fed catchments had a peak in flow between days 3 to 5, which raised temporarily those in the Ure to exceptionally high. By day 12 flows increased to above normal across most Yorkshire catchments except for those in the West Beck. Flows peaked on day 14 at exceptionally high in most catchments and then remained high until day 16.
A further series of peak flows occurred between day 23 to 25 and day 29 and 30 which focused on eastern catchments of the Esk, Rye and Derwent. During the month the Esk reported 9 days of exceptionally high daily mean flow values.
At the start of the month flows in West Beck, which are dominated by Chalk base flow, were notably low for the first 9 days. From day 10 to 17 they fluctuated from below normal to normal and then maintained normal state until day 29. Flows increased to above normal on the final day of the month.
5. Groundwater levels
5.1 Magnesian Limestone
The groundwater level within the Magnesian Limestone increased at Brick House Farm and was above normal for the time of year.
5.2 Millstone Grit
The groundwater level within the Millstone Grit increased at Hill Top Farm and was at normal for the time of year. It should be noted that this observation borehole is used for water abstraction by means of a pump. Therefore, the groundwater level recorded here may be subject to the effects of this.
5.3 Sherwood Sandstone
The groundwater level within the Sherwood Sandstone increased at Great Ouseburn and was above normal for the time of year. The groundwater level increased at Riccall Approach Farm and was normal for the time of year.
5.4 Corallian Limestone
The groundwater level within the Corallian Limestone increased at Sproxton and was notably high.
5.5 Chalk
The groundwater level increased at Wetwang and was above normal for the time of year. The groundwater level also increased at Dalton Estate Well and was below normal for the time of year.
6. Reservoir stocks
Reservoir stocks increased week on week throughout the month. In the first two weeks overall stocks increased weekly by 4%, the rainfall of the third week caused a further 14% increase. By the last week of November overall stocks were 84.8% full, which was 5.2% above the LTA.
7. Environmental impact
By the end of November, 40 abstractors have been warned that flows were low but still able to abstract. No hands off flows were currently in force.
Author: Environment Agency, hydrology.northeast@environment-agency.gov.uk
Contact Details: 020 847 48174
All data are provisional and may be subject to revision. The views expressed in this document are not necessarily those of the Environment Agency. Its officers, servants or agents accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from the interpretation or use of the information, or reliance upon views contained in this report.