Home / Environment / England Braces for Prolonged Drought Crisis in 2026
England Braces for Prolonged Drought Crisis in 2026
15 Nov
Summary
- Met Office predicts higher likelihood of dry conditions from November 2025 to January 2026
- Drought situation remains precarious after 2025's driest spring and hottest summer on record
- 8 million people under hosepipe bans, with concerns over water supplies, farming, and environment
According to the latest forecasts from the Met Office, England is bracing for a prolonged drought crisis in 2026. The national weather agency has predicted a higher likelihood of dry conditions from November 2025 to January 2026, raising concerns about the country's water security and environmental well-being.
The drought situation in England remains precarious, even after recent rainfall. The spring of 2025 was the driest in 132 years, and the summer saw the hottest temperatures on record since 1884, with four heatwaves. This has led to significant pressures on the environment and a risk to crop yields.
Despite the National Drought Group's declaration of a "nationally significant water shortfall" in August 2025, the situation has not improved significantly. Eight million people across Yorkshire, Thames Valley, Sussex, and Kent are still under hosepipe bans, and there are growing concerns about the availability of water for public supplies, farming, and the natural ecosystem.
