December was warm and wet – rounding off the warmest year on record in the Central England Temperature series (from 1659). Though UK rainfall was almost exactly average, this masked spatial differences, with long-term deficits ongoing in north-east Scotland and south-east England. December rainfall meant Soil Moisture Deficits were minimal, and although soils wetted, in some regions they remained drier than average. Monthly mean flows were generally above normal across England and Wales but in the normal range or below in northern Scotland and in south-east in England. Groundwater levels varied across the UK, with most levels in the normal range or above. In Scotland, parts of eastern England and south Wales, levels plateaued or started to decline. Though reservoir stocks for England & Wales remained near average, some impoundments remained below average despite increased stocks relative to average (e.g. Ardingly and Wimbleball remained 8% below average, and Grafham, Bewl and Colliford 12% below average), whilst others registered substantial increases in stocks to above average (e.g. Stithians and Bristol Supply). The wet December weather improved the drought situation, with only parts of Sussex remaining in drought status in England, and East Anglia and parts of Wessex in prolonged dry weather in early January. The latest Hydrological Outlook suggests that normal to below normal river flows and groundwater levels will persist in south east England over the next three months, whilst in north-western parts of the UK, flows are expected to be in the normal range to above normal over the next three months. Rainfall over the remaining winter months will be important for determining spring/summer water resources situation, especially in the south-east of England.