Research and analysis

Water situation: April 2026 summary

Updated 11 May 2026

Applies to England

April was the second dry month in a row, with most of the country receiving below average rainfall. England as a whole received 38% of the long term average (LTA) rainfall, and east and south-east England recorded their driest April since 2011. Soil moisture deficits (SMD) grew quickly across England, and by the end of April soils across south-east and east England were much drier than expected for the time of year. Monthly mean river flows decreased at all reported sites, and the majority of sites were classed as normal or below normal. Groundwater levels were classed as normal or higher at most indicator sites, despite levels beginning to fall as the recharge season ends. Reservoir storage also declined during April, although it remains slightly above average for the time of year across most of England.

1. Rainfall

April was a dry month, with England receiving 21mm of rainfall which represents just 38% of the 1991 to 2020 LTA. All except one hydrological area received below average rainfall during April, with half receiving less than 25% of the LTA for the time of year. The wettest hydrological area by percentage of LTA was the Esk Dumfries, which received 103% of the LTA (84mm). By contrast, South Essex in east England received just 5% of the LTA (2mm).

Rainfall was classed as normal or lower in all hydrological areas in April. Eight hydrological areas were classed as normal, most of which were in north-west England. Just over a quarter of hydrological areas from north-east England to the south-west were classed as below normal for the time of year. Two-thirds of hydrological areas were classed as notably or exceptionally low, with all exceptionally low areas found in east and south-east England.

The 3-month cumulative period rainfall was classed as normal for most of England. The exceptions were some below normal and notably low totals in eastern parts of England, and patches of above normal or higher rainfall along the south coast, through central England and in the north-west. The 6-month period was much wetter across England, with notably or exceptionally high rainfall totals for most of the country. In east and south-east England, conditions were drier, with normal or above normal rainfall. During the 12-month cumulative period, rainfall was classed as normal for much of England, although south-west and north-west England were wetter with above normal or higher totals.

At a regional scale, rainfall totals for April were below average across England. It was the second consecutive month of below average rainfall for all regions except the north-west. North-west England was the wettest region, having received 55mm of rainfall which is 78% of the LTA. It was the only region to be classed as normal for the time of year. East England was the driest, with just 5mm of rainfall which is 12% of the LTA. East and south-east England were both classed as exceptionally low for the time of year after the driest April for the regions since 2011. North-east and south-west England were classed as below normal, and central England and England as a whole were classed as notably low.

2. Soil moisture deficit

During a very dry month for much of England, SMD developed quickly across the country. Deficits are smallest in the north where conditions have been wetter, while the largest deficits are found in east and south-east England.

At the end of April, soils were drier than average across England. Soils are much drier than would be expected across east, south-east and south-west England following 2 months of below average rainfall.

3. River flows

Monthly mean river flow decreased at all indicator sites in April. Just over half of sites were classed as normal for the time of year. Three sites were classed as above normal, the River Eamont in north-west England where conditions have been wetter in recent months, and the Rivers Ver and Itchen in the south-east where groundwater resources continue to support flows. Twenty sites were classed as below normal for the time of year, most of which were found in south-west, south-east and east England, except 4 sites in the north-east. Two sites were classed as notably low, both of which were in east England, the River Yare and the Ely Ouse.

Almost all regional index sites were classed as normal for the time of year. The exceptions were the Bedford Ouse in east England, and the River Exe in the south-west which were both classed as below normal.

4. Groundwater levels   

At the end of April, groundwater levels had fallen at almost all of the indicator sites we report on. Four sites, most of which were in central and north-west England, recorded a small rise in levels. The majority of sites were classed as normal or higher for the time of year. Wetwang (Hull and East Riding Chalk) was classed as below normal for the time of year, and Jackaments Bottom (Burford Jurassic Limestone) was classed as notably low. Ten sites were classed as normal, the majority of which were in chalk aquifers in east and south-east England. Above normal levels were recorded at 7 sites, and 5 were classed as notably high. Two sites were classed as exceptionally high for the time of year, Coxmoor (Idle Torne Sandstone) and Weir Farm (Bridgnorth Sandstone), both of which are in central England.

Major aquifer index sites reflected this mixed picture, although all recorded a fall in levels at the end of April. Jackaments Bottom in the Burford Jurassic Limestone in south-east England responded quickly to the dry conditions, falling to notably low levels at the end of the month. Skirwith in the Carlisle Basin and Eden Valley Sandstone in north-west England was normal for the time of year. Meanwhile, Weir Farm in the Bridgnorth Sandstone in central England was exceptionally high. Across chalk aquifers, sites ranged from normal to above normal levels. Stonor Park (South West Chilterns Chalk) in the south-east and Redlands Hall (Cam and Ely Ouse Chalk) in east England were both normal for the time of year. In south-east England, Chilgrove (Chichester Chalk) and Little Bucket (East Kent Stour Chalk) were both above normal, as was Dalton Estate (Hull and East Riding Chalk) in the north-east.

5. Reservoir storage

At the end of April, reservoir storage had decreased at just over half of the reservoirs and reservoir groups that we report on. A quarter recorded an increase in storage during April, while 5 saw little to no change. The largest increases were seen in east England, where Abberton and Grafham both increased by 9%. Meanwhile, at Clatworthy in south-west England, storage decreased by 9%. Two-thirds of reservoirs or reservoir groups were classed as normal for the time of year. Four were classed as below normal for the time of year, and the Dove Group in central England was classed as exceptionally low as refill continues to be affected by operational and infrastructure impacts. Five reservoirs or groups were classed as above normal for the time of year, and Haweswater and Thirlmere in north-west England was classed as notably high. 

Regional reservoir stocks decreased across most of England, although all regions except central England have above average storage for the time of year. Storage for all regions was over 90%, with the lowest storage in south-west England of 92.3%. For England as a whole, storage was 93.6% at the end of April, which is slightly above average for the time of year.

6. Forward look

Mid-May is expected to begin with changeable conditions across much of the UK, with low pressure often nearby bringing periods of rain or showers, some of which may be locally heavy. Drier periods are likely in between, particularly across the south and east. Temperatures are expected to be close to or slightly below average, with winds often from a north-westerly direction. Towards the end of this period, pressure may build from the south-west, bringing more in the way of drier and more settled conditions. Towards late May and into early June, changeable conditions are likely to persist, with further spells of rain or showers at times. Some drier and warmer interludes are expected, initially in the south and later more widely. Temperatures may become near or above average overall.

For the 3‑month period from May to July, the UK is more likely to see warmer than average conditions, with an increased likelihood of hot spells rather than cooler conditions. However, cooler periods remain possible at times, particularly early in the period. The likelihood of rainfall is close to average overall, although there is a greater chance of a wet period than a dry one, with rainfall likely to occur as showery and unevenly distributed events rather than prolonged widespread rain.

7. Projections for river flows at key sites

By the end of September 2026, river flows across England are most likely to be within the normal range at the majority of indicator sites. However, there remains some probability of below normal and notably low flows at some sites, particularly across the south-west, north and parts of central England, while a few sites, mainly in the south and east, show some likelihood of above normal or higher flows.

By the end of March 2027, river flows across England have the greatest chance of being normal for the time of year. A number of sites, particularly across northern, western and central England, retain some risk of below normal and notably low flows, while sites in the south and east show the greatest likelihood of above normal flows, with some indication also present in the north.

8. Projections for groundwater levels in key aquifers

By the end of September 2026, groundwater levels across England have the greatest likelihood of being normal at the majority of sites. A number of sites, particularly across the south, east and parts of the Midlands, show an elevated probability of below normal and notably low levels, while some sites in the south and east also indicate a likelihood of above normal levels.

By the end of March 2027, groundwater levels across England have the greatest likelihood of being normal at the majority of sites. A number of sites, particularly across the south, east and parts of central England, show an elevated probability of below normal and notably low levels, while many sites also indicate a likelihood of above normal or higher levels.

Author: National Water Resources Hydrology Team, nationalhydrology@environment-agency.gov.uk

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.