Submitted by Rachael Armitage on
October was warmer than average and drier than average at the national scale (with 84% of the typical October rainfall), in stark contrast to the exceptionally wet September seen across much of England. Nevertheless, while October saw some settled spells, a series of frontal incursions from the Atlantic (including the first named storm of the season, ‘Ashley’), brought strong winds and heavy rainfall to many areas, with thundery downpours early in the month causing surface water flooding. With levels in many rivers in central and southern England already elevated following the September rainfall, fluvial flood alerts were also widespread, although impacts were limited. While peak flows were modest, October river flows were above normal across much of the English Lowlands, and groundwater levels were above normal across the main aquifer areas. Reservoir stocks increased in October and remained appreciably above average at the national scale (aside from slightly below average stocks in some Welsh impoundments). In general, the water resources situation is very healthy, although river flow deficits persist in northern Scotland, warranting ongoing vigilance. The latest Hydrological Outlook indicates a continuing contrast between normal to below normal flows in the northwest, and normal to above normal flows in the southeast, while normal to above normal groundwater levels are favoured across the UK. Early November has been very dry, however, ameliorating concerns over elevated late autumn flood risk in the south.
