Period: From April 2024      Issued on 09.04.2024 using data to the end of March 2024

The outlook for April is for above normal river flows in central, southern and eastern England. These areas are likely to see normal to above normal river flows over the April-June period. In the north and west of the UK, normal to above normal river flows are most likely in April and for April-June. For Groundwater levels, above normal levels are likely to persist for most of the UK through April, and for the April-June period.

Rainfall:

March continued a sequence of wet months, with above average rainfall in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and eastern Scotland. Western Scotland, and parts of East Anglia saw below average rainfall. The forecast (issued by the Met Office on 02.04.2024) for April shows similar likelihoods of above- and below-average rainfall in April, but an increased chance of above-average rainfall in April to June.

River flows:

River flows in March were above normal across most of England and Wales, with widespread exceptionally high flows (with some sites recording the highest average March flow in their records). For northern Britain, flows were in the normal range, with some above below normal flows in northern Scotland. The forecast for April is for above normal flows in central, southern and eastern England, with a likelihood of notably or exceptionally high flows persisting in some catchments. For the north and west, normal to above normal flows are the most likely outcome. The April-June outlook is for normal to above normal flows for the whole of the UK.

Groundwater:

Groundwater levels in March were above normal, except for a few boreholes in northern Britain. Exceptionally high levels were widespread across aquifers in England and Wales, with several boreholes recording the highest March levels in their record. The outlook for April is for a continuation of above normal levels across most of the UK, with widespread notably or exceptionally high levels, particularly in the Chalk aquifer. The three-month outlook indicates above normal levels will persist in many areas, but in some fast-responding areas such as the Jurassic limestones, levels may begin to recede with more boreholes entering the normal range.