Dry weather blog: 2026
Updates about dry weather in 2026
30 July 2026
Our status
Drought status now applies across all of Wales
As the hot, dry weather continues, and following sustained reports of further deterioration in conditions across the country. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has today extended drought status across the whole of Wales.
The main catchments affected by the change to ‘drought’ status today include:
- Wye (Wales)
- Usk
- Valleys and Vale of Glamorgan
- Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend
- Swansea and Llanelli
- Carmarthenshire
- Pembrokeshire
- Teifi
- North Ceredigion
The North Wales and Upper Severn (Wales) catchments were confirmed to be in drought status last week (23 July).
This is the third change in drought status in as many weeks and reflects how quickly conditions have deteriorated during this exceptionally warm and dry period.
NRW's drought classifications are based on hydrological and environmental indicators and impacts, including river flows, groundwater levels, rainfall, soil moisture and pressures on ecosystems, agriculture and land management. Water companies operate their own drought plans and use separate triggers for decisions relating to water supply and customer restrictions.
Water situation
July has been exceptionally dry across Wales. As of 27 July, Wales had received just 8% of its long-term average rainfall for the month, putting it on track to become the driest July since records began 190 years ago. Recent rainfall has provided only limited short-term relief, helping to dampen soils and temporarily reduce fire risk in some locations.
River levels remain low across much of Wales, with some rivers at exceptionally low levels for the time of year. Groundwater levels continue to fall and are lower than expected at a number of monitoring sites.
The decision to extend drought status to South Wales is based on a combination of factors, including exceptionally low river flows, very low rainfall across catchments, declining groundwater levels, increasing reports of environmental impacts and forecasts indicating further dry and potentially hot weather.
A Temporary Use Ban remains in place in Mid and South Ceredigion and customers are encouraged to use water wisely. Please refer to the water companies websites for their latest position on reservoir levels and water supply.
Concerns
Across Wales, our colleagues are receiving increasing reports of environmental and land impacts associated with the drought. These include drying riverbeds, fish in distress, algal blooms, pressure on agricultural activities and continuing wildfire risk.
Specific concerns reported by teams include:
- Rivers and tributaries drying in several locations.
- Reports of fish in distress and isolated incidents of fish mortality.
- Increasing pressure on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
- Farmers reporting reduced grass growth, impacts on crops and concerns over livestock water supplies.
- Continued concerns over wildfire risk following extensive fires earlier this year.
NRW also remains concerned about the impacts on river health, groundwater levels, fish welfare, wildlife and the wider natural environment.
Our response and advice
Regulation schemes are continuing to operate to help support river flows and the environment where possible, while abstraction controls remain in place in accordance with existing licences. NRW is also working closely with water companies, Welsh Government, the Environment Agency and other members of the Wales Drought Liaison Group to monitor conditions and coordinate responses.
We would remind abstraction licence holders to check the conditions of their licences and whether they have a ‘hands-off flow’ condition. This requires abstraction to stop when river flows are very low, in order to protect the environment, and is likely to have come into force in the current situation’.
We urge farmers to follow the advice provided on our website if any concerns with dry weather.
‘Let’s Save Water’ was launched across England and Wales – backed by regulators and water companies. Visit www.letssavewater.cymru for information and advice about water saving. More advice is also available from Waterwise.
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 NRW 24/7 hotline on 0300 065 3000.
See our advice and Public Health Wales’ about entering water this summer.
Environmental incidents can be reported to NRW's 24-hour incident hotline on 0300 065 3000, or via our website.
Outlook
The forecast indicates a continued risk of dry weather over the coming weeks, with the potential for further periods of hot weather during the remainder of the summer. NRW will continue to closely monitor conditions and review drought status across Wales as the situation develops.
23 July 2026
Our status
Following a review of hydrological and environmental conditions across Wales, we have decided to move parts of north Wales and the Upper Severn from 'Prolonged Dry Weather' to 'Drought' status.
The catchments affected are:
- North Gwynedd, including Ynys Môn
- South Gwynedd
- Dee (Wales)
- Clwyd
- Upper Severn
NRW’s definition of 'Drought' means that hydrological indicators show a significant period of low river flows, reduced rainfall, declining groundwater levels and dry soil conditions. It also reflects increasing impacts on ecosystems, agriculture and land management.
The decision has been taken because:
- River flows are exceptionally low across the affected catchments, with some locations reaching monthly minimum levels.
- Most catchments have received less than 20% of the rainfall expected during July.
- Groundwater levels continue to decline and are lower than expected for the time of year.
- Environmental and agricultural impacts are becoming more widespread.
- The forecast suggests continued dry weather and the possibility of further hot spells.
- High temperatures are continuing to place pressure on rivers and aquatic ecosystems.
We have also moved catchments across south-west Wales from 'Normal' to 'Prolonged Dry Weather' status.
These catchments are:
- Wye (Wales)
- Usk
- Valleys and Vale of Glamorgan
- Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend
- Swansea and Llanelli
- Carmarthenshire
- Pembrokeshire
- Teifi
- North Ceredigion
Our decisions are based on growing concerns about the impacts on the environment, agriculture and land management across Wales.
Water situation
July has so far brought very little rainfall across Wales.
As of 21 July, some of the driest conditions in this part of Wales have been recorded in the Upper Severn, Gwynedd and Clwyd catchments, where less than 2% of expected July rainfall has been received. According to the Met Office, much of north Wales has seen no rainfall since 6 July.
If these conditions continue for the remainder of the month, July 2026 is expected to become the driest July recorded in Wales in almost 190 years.
River levels in many parts of north Wales and the Upper Severn are exceptionally low, including the Clwyd, Dyfi, Alyn, Clywedog, Conwy and Tanat catchments. New monthly minimum flows have already been recorded in the Clwyd and on the River Erch on the Llŷn Peninsula, while several other rivers are approaching record low levels.
In south Wales, conditions vary between normal and exceptionally low, with some of the greatest impacts being seen in the Usk, Wye, Cleddau and Teifi catchments.
River temperatures remain a concern, with several rivers including the Dee, Wye, Usk, Tywi and Taf recording temperatures of 20°C or higher. Groundwater levels continue to decline across Wales, with some sites lower than expected for the time of year.
Although reservoir levels remain generally healthy, high demand for water continues to create pressure on supplies in some areas. A Temporary Use Ban remains in place in Mid and South Ceredigion and customers are encouraged to use water wisely.
Our response and advice
Our drought teams continue to meet regularly and are now implementing the actions set out in NRW's Drought Plan.
For north Wales and the Upper Severn, we are following our drought response measures, while prolonged dry weather actions remain in place across south Wales. We will continue to review conditions and update our status as required.
Our teams have enhanced monitoring, increased inspections at key locations and continue to respond to incidents in line with our procedures across Wales.
We are providing support to fire and rescue services to tackle wildfires. If you see a wildfire, get to a safe place, call 999 and ask for the Fire Service.
Recently, freshwater pearl mussels in the Afon Eden were relocated to deeper water to reduce the risk posed by falling water levels.
Existing abstraction licensing constraints are being applied to limit water abstraction when specified thresholds are reached, while river regulation schemes including the Dee, Severn, Tywi, Clwyd and Wye continue to support river flows and protect habitats and species that depend on the river systems.
Additional reservoir releases have recently been made into the Dee and Afon Aled to benefit fisheries and river ecology during periods of extreme heat.
We continue to work closely with water companies, the Environment Agency, Welsh Government and other partners through the Wales Drought Liaison Group.
We urge farmers to follow the advice provided on our website if any concerns with dry weather.
‘Let’s Save Water’ was launched across England and Wales – backed by regulators and water companies. Visit www.letssavewater.cymru for information and advice about water saving. More advice is also available from Waterwise.
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 NRW 24/7 hotline on 0300 065 3000.
See our advice and Public Health Wales’ about entering water this summer.
Concerns
We remain concerned about the pressure prolonged dry weather and drought conditions are placing on Wales' rivers, groundwater, wildlife, fisheries, land and wider natural environment.
Low river flows and warmer water temperatures can affect fish welfare and migration, while dry conditions increase pressure on habitats and species that depend on healthy rivers, wetlands and soils.
We are also seeing growing impacts on agriculture. Continued hot and dry weather is affecting grass growth and forage availability, while increasing concerns around livestock welfare and water availability for farms.
Particular concerns in north Wales and the Upper Severn include:
- Drying of important grassland habitats before plants have had the opportunity to flower and set seed.
- Drying and cracking of peatlands, increasing wildfire risk and affecting important wildlife habitats.
- Continued wildfire incidents in north-west Wales and reports of smaller fires elsewhere.
- Rivers and streams experiencing very low flows, with some smaller watercourses drying into isolated pools.
- Increasing reports from farmers of winter feed supplies being used early and agricultural water sources drying up.
- Reports of private water supplies being affected by the prolonged dry conditions.
Outlook
The forecast suggests that dry conditions are likely to continue over the coming week, although there is some potential for more unsettled weather towards the end of July and early August.
There is also a high likelihood of further heatwaves during the remainder of the summer.
Without significant and sustained rainfall, additional catchments could move into drought more quickly than seen in previous years.
16 July 2026
Prolonged dry weather status declared for north and south-east Wales.
Our status
Wales is currently experiencing a period of prolonged dry weather that is being escalated by heatwaves across parts of Wales. As a result we have decided to move catchments within north Wales, upper Severn and south-east Wales from 'Normal' to 'Prolonged Dry Weather' status.
‘Prolonged Dry Weather' means that hydrological indicators demonstrate prolonged low flow rivers, lowering groundwater levels and reduced rainfall for the time of year. Other indicators show reduced soil moisture, increased reports of impacts to ecosystems, land, water supply and other sectors. The decision to change to this status across parts of Wales is based on reaching most of these indicators and emerging concerns for the environment and land management.
Our decision 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)
- Clwyd
- Upper Severn
- North Gwynedd (Conwy, Anglesey, Arfon, Dwyfor)
- South Gwynedd (Meirionydd)
- Wye (Wales)
- Usk
- Valleys (Taff, Ebbw, Rhymney, Ely)
- Vale of Glamorgan (Thaw)
We are engaging closely with the Environment Agency in respect to the cross border catchments. The latest position can be found on the gov.uk website.
Water Situation
As of 16 July 2026, July so far has seen no or very little rainfall across the Welsh catchments at only 0-10% of the July Long Term Average (LTA) (1981-2010). This follows a drier than average April-June 2026 three month period where cumulative Wales rainfall was 86% of that expected for that time of the year.
Whilst parts of Wales received rainfall over the past three months some catchments, especially in north-east Wales, received below average rainfall.
The lack of rainfall, exacerbated by the recent heatwaves, has meant that the majority of rivers across Wales are now lower than expected for the time of year. Some rivers are exceptionally low such as Clwyd, Alwen, Alyn, Clywedog, Dyfi, Conwy, and the Wye.
River regulation is operating to support flows including on the Dee, Severn, Clwyd and the Wye. Almost half of the flow in the lower Wye is currently being sustained by releases from the Elan Reservoir, highlighting the extent of natural flow depletion.
River temperatures have been at or above 20ºC, including the Wye and Usk which have peaked at over 26ºC. Groundwater levels are also falling across Wales, with some boreholes lower than expected for time of year. Soils are currently dry or well below field capacity (COSMOS).
Concerns
We are concerned about the pressures the lack of significant rainfall and hot temperatures has placed, and will continue to place, on groundwater levels, rivers, salmon welfare, fish migration, wildlife, land NRW manages and the wider natural environment across Wales.
We are starting to see/receive reports of dry riverbeds such as Dulas and Gallen in North Wales, fish in distress and fish kills, widespread wildfires and abstraction licence low flow restrictions coming into force.
There are also concerns for protected sites such as fens, peatlands, heath and grasslands which are home to many species.
The impact of the heat is also being felt in the countryside, leading to a major incident declared last weekend following a number of devastating wildfires in north Wales.
Our response and advice
Our drought teams across Wales will meet regularly and will now follow the 'Prolonged Dry Weather' actions within our drought plan for these areas of Wales. We will also review the position within these areas and in other parts of Wales (Southwest) and report any change of status accordingly.
Our teams have enhanced monitoring, increased checks in important locations and will respond to incidents on the ground in accordance with our procedures. Not all reports need a site visit. We use evidence, expert judgement, and data to decide how best to respond.
Abstraction constraints are in place across Wales in line with licences. Regulation schemes including the Dee and Wye are operating in line with agreements with water companies, NRW and other regulators.
We will continue to engage with the Wales Drought Liaison Group, the Environment Agency (to discuss shared catchments), water companies and other partners.
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.
We are providing support to fire and rescue services to tackle wildfires. If you see a wildfire, get to a safe place, call 999 and ask for the Fire Service.
We urge farmers to follow the advice provided on our website if any concerns with dry weather.
‘Let’s Save Water’ was launched across England and Wales – backed by regulators and water companies. Visit www.letssavewater.cymru for information and advice about water saving.
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 NRW 24/7 hotline on 0300 065 3000.
See our advice and Public Health Wales’ about entering water this summer.
Outlook
The forecast is for continued dry weather over the coming week. We are particularly concerned about conditions in the Clwyd, Dee and Upper Severn catchments, without any notable and sustained rainfall this would lead to these catchments reaching drought status faster than previous years.
How we define 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 prolonged dry weather and/or drought – Returning to normal ranges for the time of year. Depending on the severity of the preceding prolonged dry weather and/or 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. See water company drought plans for more information.
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.