Drought has finally ended in Yorkshire after Storm Bram

The Environment Agency moved the region from drought to recovery status this afternoon after the prolonged spell of wet weather.

There have been weather warnings in place across the UK for Storm Bram, with the River Ouse bursting its banks around York

In tandem with the EA’s announcement, Yorkshire Water lifted its hosepipe ban which had been in place since July.

Restrictions were brought in following the EA’s announcement on 12 June that the region was in drought following six months of below average rainfall.

At one point, Yorkshire reservoirs had dropped to 30 per cent, while the Leeds canal was at a critically low level.

Claire Barrow, the EA’s Yorkshire area drought manager, said: “We are pleased to see that river conditions have returned to normal and groundwater reserves are recharging meaning we are able to declare Yorkshire as being in recovery from drought.

“Over the autumn and winter months the weather is usually wetter, however, this is not guaranteed.

“If we see below average rainfall over the next few months we could see a return to drought conditions next year.

“Consequently, we will continue to work closely with Yorkshire Water as it develops the long-term solutions necessary to protect water resources across Yorkshire.”

This comes as the EA is working with The Alan Turing Institute, looking at how the latest river flow modelling could be used to identify the early signs of drought.

National Drought Group chair Helen Wakeham said: “We are using the latest science to understand drought and to help us prepare for what still could be a difficult 2026.

“In the meantime, we expect water companies to carry on quickly fixing burst pipes and leaks throughout the winter, and to continue to follow their drought plans.”