Period: From September 2025      Issued on 09.09.2025 using data to the end of August 2025

Rainfall: 

August rainfall for the UK was below normal. The majority of England recorded less than half of the August average, with large areas recording below 30%. Rainfall across Wales and Northern Ireland was below normal, with less than 90% of the August average recorded widely, and less than 50% recorded locally. Rainfall for parts of western Scotland was slightly above average. The forecast (issued by the Met Office on 01.09.2025) shows there is an increased chance of wetter conditions compared to normal for September, particularly for northwestern areas. The September-November forecast suggests a continuation of the increased chance of wetter conditions.

River flows:

River flows in August were in the normal range for western Scotland and some catchments in the far southeast of England. Elsewhere, flows were below normal and some catchments in Wales and northern England saw exceptionally low flows. For September, flows are expected to be in the normal range for Northern Ireland, northern Wales, northwestern England, and western Scotland. Elsewhere in the UK, flows are likely to be normal to below normal. For September–November, the outlook is similar, with river flows in northwestern areas shifting towards normal to above normal. Normal to below normal flows are likely to persist across southern and eastern areas of the UK, and some catchments are likely to see a continuation of low flows for the time of year.

Groundwater:

Groundwater levels in August were above normal in the Permo-Triassic sandstone of northern Wales and central England, and parts of the southern Chalk. Normal to exceptionally low levels were recorded at sites elsewhere in the UK. The outlook for September is for above normal levels to persist in the Permo-Triassic sandstone in northern Wales and parts of the southern Chalk. Groundwater levels at the majority of sites elsewhere in the UK are likely to be normal to below normal, with sites in central England, South Wales, the South Downs, and central Scotland likely to see notably to exceptionally low levels. For the September-November outlook, this pattern is likely to persist for most of the UK, with levels gradually trending towards the normal range.