UK Met Office news - Driest start for decades
Thursday 8, July 2010
The UK has had one of the driest first six months of the year for 100 years.
June ended with below average rainfall and provisional figures show that January to June had average rainfall of around 362.5 mm, making it comparable with 1953 which had 361.1 mm. 1929 had the driest first six months of a year, when 275.7mm of rain was recorded.
The drier conditions have been caused by a lack of Atlantic weather systems, which usually cross the UK bringing bands of rain, especially to western regions.
The drier conditions have led to pressure on water resources in some areas.
Barrie Clarke, Communications Director at Water UK, the water industry representative, said: “These figures paint a graphic picture of why reservoir levels in the west are so low by comparison with normal years. During such a dry spell it makes sense to use water wisely wherever you live.”
Over the weekend and into next week, further rain or showers are expected towards northern and western regions, with some significant amounts. Drier weather remains more likely over many southern and eastern parts of the UK, but with the chance of thundery showers for a time.
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