Warming up for weekend but still very little rain

Lockdown weather so far has been dry with hardly any rain for weeks and mostly warm until this week when an Arctic northerly flow brought a chill. The risk of frost continues but May can be an unreliable month. Temperatures will recover this weekend with warmth spreading throughout the UK next week, but the lack of rain is beginning to cause concerns.

High pressure has been dominating the UK weather bringing a lot of fine, settled and dry conditions. Anticyclones often do that; they don’t move much certainly not as quickly as low pressures. With high pressure over northern Europe, it has been southern and central Europe seeing more rain and unsettled weather.

With high pressure to the NW of the UK, we have been subjected to the chilly north to NE flow but the high is sliding southwards and by the weekend we pickup a west then southwest flow with warmer air. Daytime temperatures which have been struggling around 8 to 13C will rise into the high teens and low twenties C with hints of even higher temperatures and more warmth for next week.

There have been a few showers, even some wintry ones in the northerly flow but overall, the trend is for more dry weather. Only the Scottish Islands and NW Highlands will see some proper rain, particularly at the weekend with more cloud and brisk westerly winds. This year has seen bizarre extremes. Thinking back to February there was record monthly rainfall and flooding to start the year.

All that water has helped recharge the groundwater levels for areas that are usually quite dry like East Anglia but for southern and eastern Scotland, northern England into Yorkshire April was very dry and that is having impacts now.

Now water authorities in parts of the UK are being to talk of water scarcity. East Lothian Council has sent out advice about private water supplies this week as the Scottish Environment Agency saw areas move into Early warning and Alert. 

"Groundwater levels are continuing to fall but are still within the normal range for this time of year for most areas except the North-East of Scotland where levels are at an historic low. Groundwater levels in the South-West and East of the country are also starting to fall below the long-term average. Parts of these regions are therefore at higher risk of drought conditions in early summer." SEPA

Agriculture uses lots of water and farmers are having to irrigate their fields as the dry weather continues. Many farmers are now desperate for rain

Farming Weekly: “Arable farmers are praying for rain as the unusually dry spring risks denting harvest prospects even further. Reduced winter cereal plantings after the washout winter prompted a rise in spring wheat and barley plantings this season. But the dry spring is adding to the gloom for growers, with many faced with patchy spring crops in desperate need of rain.”

This week is #WaterSavingWeek and so advice and tips for saving water in the home and garden are being promoted.

Saving water in the BATHROOM

• Take a shower and reduce the number of baths you have
• Don't leave the tap running when brushing your teeth
• Fix any leaking taps to avoid wasted water

Saving water in the KITCHEN

• Use a washing up bowl when washing up
• Wait until you have a full load before doing your washing
• Only fill the kettle with the water you need

Saving water in the GARDEN

• Use a watering can or handheld hose pipe instead of a garden sprinkler
• Add water retention crystals to pots, tubs and hanging baskets to help keep compost moist,
• Don't cut lawns too short and save the clippings to use as mulch to improve soil health

After the chill to start the week you may be looking forward to more warmth, sunshine and dry weather but with more time spent at home or in the garden, these water-saving tips are worth considering as the lack of rain continues.