Research and analysis

Water situation: June 2026 summary

Updated 10 July 2026

Applies to England

June was the wettest month since February, with more than two-thirds of hydrological areas receiving above average rainfall. England received 104% of the long term average (LTA) rainfall. Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) continued to increase throughout the country and by the end of June soils across most of England were drier than expected for the time of year. Monthly mean river flows decreased at nearly two-thirds of indicator sites, and the majority of sites were classed as normal. Groundwater levels were classed as normal or higher at most reported sites despite groundwater levels decreasing at four-fifths of sites. Reservoir storage also decreased during June and ended the month at 85% full which is average for the time of year.

1. Rainfall

June was the wettest month since February, with England receiving 67.8mm of rainfall which represents 104% of the 1991 to 2020 LTA. More than two-thirds of hydrological areas received above average rainfall during June. The wettest hydrological area by percentage of LTA was the Mendips and River Chew hydrological area in south-west England, which received 173% of the LTA (112.7mm). By contrast, the driest was the Seaham hydrological area in north-east England which received 51% of the LTA (32.4mm).

Rainfall was classed as normal or higher in all but 3 hydrological areas in June. Sixty-seven (48%) hydrological areas were classed as normal and a further 64 (46%) were above normal. Five (10%) hydrological areas in north-west and south-west England were classed as notably high and 3 were classed as below normal for the time of year.

The 3-month cumulative period rainfall was classed as below normal or lower across most of country, including all hydrological areas of east England as well as large parts of central and south-east England. There were also some below normal and notably low cumulative totals in north-east England. In contrast, rainfall in all north-west hydrological areas was classed as normal or higher. The 6-month period was a much wetter picture across England, with exceptionally high rainfall totals across many of the south coast hydrological areas and normal or higher rainfall totals were recorded for most of the rest of England. During the 12-month cumulative period, rainfall was classed as above normal or higher for most of England, with many hydrological areas in south-west and north-west England recording notably or exceptionally high cumulative totals.

At a regional scale, rainfall totals for June were classed as above normal for north-west, south-east and south-west England. All other regions and England as a whole, were classed as normal for the time of year however both east and central England recorded their fourth consecutive month of below average rainfall.

2. Soil moisture deficit

Throughout England, SMDs continued to increase during June due to the mid-month heatwave and drier conditions towards the end of the month. At the end of June, the largest deficits were in east and south-east England.

Soils were considerably drier than would be expected for the time of year across all areas of England particularly in central and south-west England.

3. River flows

Monthly mean river flow decreased at nearly two-thirds of indicator sites in June and most sites were classed as normal. Thirty-three sites (61%) were classed as normal and a further 13 sites (24%) were classed as below normal for the time of year. Three sites (6%) were classed as above normal and 3 sites, all in north-west England, were classed as notably high. Two sites (4%), Upton Mill on the River Nene and Denver on the Ely Ouse both in east England, were classed as notably low and exceptionally low respectively.

With the exceptions of the Lune in north-west England, which was classed as notably high, all the regional index sites were classed as normal for the time of year.

4. Groundwater levels   

At the end of June, groundwater levels decreased at more than four-fifths of the indicator sites we report on with only 3 sites recording a rise in levels. Three-quarters of indicator sites were classed as normal or higher for the time of year:

• 12 sites, predominantly in chalk aquifers, were classed as normal
• 3 sites were classed as above normal
• 2 sites were classed as notably high
• 2 sites were classed as exceptionally high

Five sites were classed as below normal for the time of year and Woodyates (Dorset Stour Chalk) and Jackaments Bottom (Burford Jurassic Limestone) remained classed as notably low.

All the major aquifer index sites recorded a fall in levels at the end of June. Skirwith in the Carlisle Basin and Eden Valley Sandstone in north-west England remained classed as normal for the time of year. Also classed as normal for the time of year were Chilgrove (Chichester Chalk) and Stonor Park (South West Chilterns Chalk) both in the south-east, Dalton Estate (Hull and East Riding Chalk) in the north-east and Redlands in east England. Jackaments Bottom in the Burford Jurassic Limestone in south-east England, remained at notably low levels due to the ongoing dry conditions. Levels at Weir Farm in the Bridgnorth Sandstone in central England and Little Bucket (East Kent Stour Chalk) both decreased to be classed as notably high and normal respectively.

5. Reservoir storage

At the end of June, reservoir storage had decreased at more than three-quarters of the reservoirs and reservoir groups that we report on. The largest stock decreases were recorded at Bewl reservoir in south-east England and Blagdon reservoir and Wimbleball reservoir both in south-west England, all of which decreased by 10%. More than half of reservoirs or reservoir groups were classed as normal with a further quarter classed as below normal for the time of year. Three reservoirs, the Dove Group in central England, Blagdon and Wimbleball, both in south-west England were classed as notably low. A further 3 reservoirs Haweswater and Thirlmere in north-west England and Farmoor and the Lower Lee group in south-east England were classed as above normal. One reservoir, Vyrnwy in Wales that supplies north-west England was classed as notably high for the time of year. 

Regional reservoir stocks decreased across England with the largest decrease in south-west England. With the exception of north-west England where reservoir storage is above average, all regions are either below or around average for the time of year. For England as a whole, storage was 85.5% at the end of June, which is average for the time of year.

6. Forward look

July began with settled, dry and warm conditions for much of England. The north-west had the wettest start to the month, having received 8mm of rainfall in the first week, although there were some localised higher totals. In central, east and south-east England, no notable rainfall had been recorded by 9 July. These warm and dry conditions are expected to remain for many towards the middle of the month, as high pressure sits to the north of the UK. Some showers may push into the north of England, and thunderstorms are likely in southern areas. Towards the end of July, low pressure may begin to dominate, bringing less settled conditions and a higher chance of rain, although dry periods and warm temperatures will remain. 

For the 3-month period from July to September in the UK, conditions are likely to be warmer than average, with a greater than normal chance of heatwaves, particularly earlier in the period. Rainfall is expected to be around average for the period, although regional differences may be large due to the showery nature of summer rainfall.

7. Projections for river flows at key sites

By the end of September 2026, river flows have the highest chance of being below normal or lower across almost all of England, except in the south-east where river flows have a higher than average chance of being normal for the time of year.

By the end of March 2027, river flows in most regions of England have the highest chance of being below normal or lower. The exception is south-east England, where normal or above normal flows are more likely.

8. Projections for groundwater levels in key aquifers

By the end of September 2026, groundwater levels are projected to be very mixed across England. In central England, they have a higher than average chance of being above normal or higher. In south-east and north-east England, groundwater levels have the highest chance of being normal for the time of year. In south-west and east England, projections are that groundwater levels have the highest chance of being below normal or lower.

By the end of March 2027, this mixed picture remains. In south-east, south-west and central England, groundwater levels have a higher than average chance of being above normal or higher for the time of year. While in east and north-east England, they have the highest chance of being below normal or lower.

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.