Period: From January 2025      Issued on 10.01.2025 using data to the end of December 2025

Rainfall:

The far north of Scotland saw notably above average December rainfall, whereas southern Scotland and Northern Ireland were relatively dry. Similarly, parts of northern England and north Wales saw above average rainfall, whereas further south it was drier than average, particularly in the far south. The forecast (issued by Met Office on 23.12.2024) indicates the chance of a dry January is slightly higher than normal. In contrast, January-March has a higher-than-normal chance of being wet due to an increased likelihood of westerly winds.

River flows:

River flows in December were notably or exceptionally high in the far north of Scotland, with new records for December in some catchments. Elsewhere, river flows were predominantly in the normal range or above normal, with above normal flows most prevalent across central England and north Wales. The outlook for January is for river flows to be in the normal range across most of the UK, but above normal flows may persist in parts of central England and the south, where early January has already seen significant rainfall. The January-March outlook favours flows being normal to above normal in northern Britain and in the normal range further south.

Groundwater:

Groundwater levels in December were in the normal range in the far south of England, and normal to above normal in most boreholes in central and northern England. Below normal levels were registered at some sites in central Scotland and Northern Ireland. The January Outlook is for a similar picture of normal to above normal levels predominating across the UK, with above normal levels most likely in central areas (e.g. the Chilterns and Jurassic Limestone), and normal levels further south. Over the January-March period, some areas will see levels receding into the normal range, while others will see increases due to the delayed impact of recent rainfall – hence, the outlook is for normal to above normal levels at the national scale.