Story perspectives

England and Wales face six-month water-storage drought deficits

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 9:59 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology says water-storage deficits will persist across much of England and Wales.
Meteorologists use soil-moisture deficit (SMD) to gauge drought conditions.
In summer, southern England’s SMD averages about 100 mm and can exceed 150 mm in dry years.
The centre expects water-storage deficits to continue for the next six months.
Extreme drought may trigger a surge year, cracking clay soils, damaging buildings and raising subsidence claims.

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Story summary

The UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology says water-storage deficits will persist across much of England and Wales.
Meteorologists use soil-moisture deficit (SMD) to gauge drought conditions.
In summer, southern England’s SMD averages about 100 mm and can exceed 150 mm in dry years.
The centre expects water-storage deficits to continue for the next six months.
Extreme drought may trigger a surge year, cracking clay soils, damaging buildings and raising subsidence claims.