Dry weather updates 2025

Updates on the dry weather and the effects it causes across Wales.

23 May 2025

We declare prolonged dry weather for the whole of Wales due to an exceptionally dry Spring

Our status

We have confirmed a move from normal to ‘prolonged dry weather’ (in respect to drought) across Wales, following an exceptionally dry Spring period.

Our decision is based on hydrological and environmental factors at this time. Our decision to declare ‘prolonged dry weather’ status has been shared with the Wales Drought Liaison Group, chaired by the Welsh Government and made up of senior decision-makers from NRW, the Met Office, water companies and other partners.

The areas affected by today’s change in status within Wales are:

Dee (Wales)
Upper Severn
North Gwynedd (Conwy, Anglesey, Arfon, Dwyfor)
South Gwynedd (Meirionydd)
North Ceredigion (Rheidol, Aeron, Ystwyth)
Teifi
Pembrokeshire (East & West Cleddau)
Carmarthen (Tywi, Taf)
Swansea & Llanelli (Taw and Loughor)
Neath Port Talbot & Bridgend (Neath, Afan and Ogmore)
Wye (Wales)
Usk
Valleys (Taff, Ebbw, Rhymney, Ely)
Vale of Glamorgan (Thaw)
Clwyd

We are engaging closely with the Environment Agency in respect to the cross border catchments.

Water Situation

Wales is currently experiencing a period of prolonged dry weather.

As of 19 May 25, May so far has seen no or very little rainfall across the Welsh catchments at only 0-17% of the May Long Term Average (LTA) (1981-2010). This follows an exceptionally dry February-April 2025 three month period where cumulative Wales rainfall was only 59% of that expected for that time of the year. Equating to one of the driest three month equivalent periods on record.

The lack of rainfall has meant that flows in the majority of rivers across Wales are notably or exceptionally lower than expected for the time of year. River regulation is operating to support flows including on the Dee, Severn, Clwyd and the Wye.

Ground water levels are regressing and range from exceptionally low to normal across Wales.

Reservoir levels across Wales are falling as expected for this time of year, but some are below where they would usually be at this time of year.

See information about reservoir levels for Welsh Water.

See information about reservoir levels for Hafren Dyfrdwy.

Concerns

We are concerned about the pressures the lack of significant rainfall has placed on rivers, groundwater levels, land management, agriculture, wildlife and the wider natural environment across Wales.

We are already dealing with the impacts of the prolonged dry weather on the environment including:

Extremely low and dry stretches of river bed in many upper tributaries/headwaters with concern that this will impact on early life stages fry and parr. Also, pollution incidents and fish in distress potentially being exacerbated by low flows and illegal poaching, taking advantage of the lower flows. We advise fisheries and anglers to take extra care when fishing for salmon in high temperatures, and to stop where water temperatures reach 20 degrees Celsius. More information is available below:

There are also concerns for protected sites such as fens, peatlands, heath and grasslands which are home to many species.

There have been several wildfires across Wales which have threatened land and wildlife. We are providing support to fire and rescue services to tackle these. Some areas may also be at a higher risk of fires. If you see a wildfire, get to a safe place, call 999 and ask for the Fire Service.

There are also concerns for the agricultural and land management sectors as the prolonged dry weather impacts on grass availability for livestock, hay and silage, crop and new tree/hedgerow establishment and growth and the availability of water for livestock. We urge farmers to follow the advice provided on our website if they have any concerns with dry weather.

Read the advice on our website.

Additional concerns/reports include abstraction licence low flow restrictions coming into force and limiting access to water, algal blooms (blue/green & brown), access to water for recreation and navigation plus sewage misconnection issues.

We are seeing a decline in reservoir storage as expected at this time of year, but some are below where they would usually be at this time of year. We are engaging with the water companies on the actions they are taking to manage their resources through operational activities and managing leakage. We are fully supporting their advice for people across the country to use water wisely and help to protect water supplies and the environment at this time.

Read Waterwise’s advice on how to use water wisely.

Read Welsh Water’s advice on how to save water.

Read Hafren Dyfrdwy’s advice on how to save water.

When enjoying the outdoors, please be mindful that wildlife and ecosystems are under more stress. Members of the public should report any environment incidents to the 24/7 hotline on 0300 065 3000.

If entering water courses for paddling, please consider the advice issued by Canoe Wales.

Read the advice by Canoe Wales

Defining drought

While there are differing levels scales and definitions of drought, all droughts are characterised by some degree of rainfall shortage. Each drought is different with the nature, timing and impacts varying according to location and which sectors are affected. We define three types of drought (which can occur together):

Environmental drought – low flows and reduced soil moisture impacting a range of habitats and species. Droughts of this kind can lead to significant long-term impacts if they continue over an extended period.
Agricultural drought – lack of water available for irrigation and reduced soil moisture impacting crop yield (and / or quality) and livestock welfare.
Water supply – reduced availability of water for public supply through reduced river flows, reservoir storage or groundwater.

Any combination of these also has the potential to impact on the health and well-being of people in addition to environmental and economic impacts.

Part of our job is to monitor the hydrological and ecological situation, monitor and regulate water companies and collect information on the wider impacts of dry weather. Using this we classify droughts into four stages:

Normal – Indicators within expected ranges for the time of year, which can include short periods of low flows and reduced water availability.
Prolonged dry weather – Indicators demonstrate prolonged low river levels and rainfall for time of year, reduced soil moisture, increased reports of impacts to ecosystems, land, water supply or other sectors.
Drought – Significant period of low river levels and shortage of rainfall. Significantly impacted ecosystems and pressures on the agricultural sector. High stress on the water supply system with potentially severe restrictions.
Recovery from drought – Returning to normal ranges for the time of year. Depending on the severity of the preceding drought there may still be environmental damage, reduced agricultural output or water use restrictions.

Water companies have their own drought plans which are publicly available. Their drought status may also vary. They typically use the stages ‘normal’, ‘developing drought’, ‘drought’ and ‘severe drought’ and will use their own triggers to define their position often linked to their supply position.

What we do?

Once prolonged dry weather is declared, NRW steps up its actions to help mitigate the impacts on the environment, land, water users and people. These actions include:

Enhancing its monitoring and increasing the number of checks in important locations.
Ensuring water companies follow their drought plans (once they are enacted) and are preparing for any additional measures as required.
Ensuring regulation schemes are operating to support abstractions and the environment.
Ensuring abstractors are complying with their licence conditions, many of which restrict how much can be taken during low flow periods.
Responding to environmental incidents and taking the appropriate enforcement action as required.
Providing advice and guidance such as dry weather advice for farmers
Engaging with the Wales Drought Liaison Group, the Environment Agency (cross border) and other partners.

If we enter drought, our actions are stepped up again and include activities such as responding to drought permit and order applications or implementing further restrictions on water users, such as spray irrigators.