The Environment Agency has published its latest water resources briefing document.
Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, parts of Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire and West Norfolk remain in drought as water levels remain low because of last year's very dry spring and autumn.
Elsewhere, the wet weather in December has improved river flows and reservoir levels for many.
But Shropshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, East Sussex and Kent continue to experience low groundwater levels for this time of year. And levels in the Anglian region are described as ‘exceptionally low’.
Outlook for 2012: Central, eastern and southern areas of England had more rainfall in December and soils are now wetter. But these areas remain at high risk of drought in spring and summer this year if we do not continue to have prolonged periods of rainfall. This could include significant impacts on the environment and habitats, agriculture and navigation. It may also lead to more drought permits. Customer restrictions on public water supplies remain possible.
Read the full report here. Visit our Water Watch channel for the latest drought information here.
Meanwhile, the Met Office released a map this week showing just how dry 2011 was, and demonstrating the North/South weather divide:
No comments have been made.