Research and analysis

Yorkshire water situation: October 2025 summary

Updated 12 November 2025

Applies to England

• Publication for Northern Ireland
• Publication for Scotland
• Publication for Wales

1. Summary

Average amounts of rain fell this month, and rivers responded but mostly remained within the normal range. Soils were wet in the western Pennines and dry around the Hull and Humber region but normal elsewhere. Groundwater levels increased in most aquifers but continued to decline in the Chalk. Reservoir stocks increased but remained below the long term average (LTA) for October.

2. Rainfall

Rainfall in Yorkshire was normal and close to average for the time of year across all catchments this month. Monthly totals ranged from 86% of the LTA in the Swale to 119% of the LTA in the Calder based on the Met Office Had-UK Grid data set. 

Most areas experienced a wet spell in the first few days of the month associated with Storm Amy. Many of the Pennine catchments received around a third of the month’s LTA rainfall in one day on day 3. This was followed by a largely dry, settled period between days 4 and 19. Beyond this, there were scattered showers until the month’s end.

Six-month cumulative rainfall totals since May show a west-east split. The Pennine catchment totals lie in the normal range but the Esk, Ouse, Rye, Derwent and Hull recorded below normal rainfall. In the past year, October was only the fifth month to receive normal rainfall (or higher) in all catchments. Thus, the 12-month cumulative rainfall totals were below normal or notably low in all catchments, also reflecting the very dry conditions from February through to May.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

Soils in the Pennines, particularly in the Ure catchment, remained wet throughout the course of this month and were completely saturated by the third week. In the rest of the area soil moisture deficit (SMD) decreased during the second half of the month. The lower Hull and Humber and lower Ouse regions had dry soils; the Derwent and upper Hull catchment soils fluctuated between being dry and normal by month end. Elsewhere SMDs were in the normal range for the time of year.

4. River flows

Monthly mean flows were normal in most Yorkshire rivers ranging from 58% to 113% of the LTA. The exceptions were the Rother which was below normal at 40% of the LTA and the chalk-fed West Beck which was notably low at 41% of the LTA. It is noted that monthly means were lower than the LTA across Yorkshire, except the upper Nidd where the monthly mean was particularly influenced by high flows after Storm Amy early in the month.

Rivers responded to the rainfall that fell in the first few days of the month and from day 19 onwards. During the settled period mid-month, many declined into the below normal or notably low flow range.

Rivers in the Pennines all reached exceptionally high flows by day 4. Flows then lessened gradually and became notably low in the Swale, Ure, Wharfe,Ouse and Don. On day 19, they recovered and rose again to above normal flows. After they receded again, further rainfall episodes caused them to fluctuate around the normal range for the remainder of October.

The Esk and Rye also had flows within the normal range for most of the month. They peaked three times; around day 4 when they became notably high, on day 20 and around day 25.

Beginning the month below normal, the Derwent briefly peaked on days 4 and 5 to become above normal and then declined again until it became notably low. On day 20, flows returned to normal where they remained until the month’s end.

Flow in the chalk-fed West Beck was notably low for most of the month. The autumn decline in flows continued until day 19. Since then, underlying flows have remained steady, supported by catchment rainfall.

5. Groundwater levels   

5.1 Magnesian Limestone

The groundwater level within the Magnesian Limestone decreased 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 exceptionally low for the time of year. This observation borehole is used for water abstraction by means of a pump which may affect the groundwater level recorded here.

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 normal for the time of year.

5.5 Chalk

The groundwater level decreased at Wetwang and was notably low for the time of year. The groundwater level also decreased at Dalton Estate Well and was notably low for the time of year.

6. Reservoir stocks

Reservoir stocks increased again this month. In the first week, they increased by 7.3% and thereafter more steadily. At the end of October, stocks were at 62.9%, still 11.1% less than the LTA for the time of year.

7. Environmental impact 

In late October, there were 18 abstraction licences with a Hands Off Flow (HOF) condition in force, and another 58 abstraction licence holders had been given advance warning that flows were low. The number of HOFs in place continues to change in response to the low flow conditions particularly in central and East Yorkshire.

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.