1. Summary

January rainfall totals were classed as below average. The highest totals were recorded on the 5 January. Monthly river flows decreased this month at 3 of the indicator sites (Rothbury, Haydon Bridge, and Middleton) and fall within the below normal and normal ranges. Groundwater levels vary across the area and generally remain above normal due to high rainfall recorded in previous months. Soil moisture deficit (SMD) data still shows wet soils across the area. Reservoirs in the area have either seen an increase, or very minor decrease in stocks this month and remain healthy for the time of year.

2. Rainfall

Monthly rainfall totals were classed as below the long term average (LTA) for all catchments across the area, with totals in all catchments falling within normal or below normal categories. Monthly totals ranged from 61% of the LTA in the Tyne catchment to 94% of the LTA in the Seaham catchment.

Analysis of the daily rainfall shows higher rainfall totals at the start and end of the month for most of the North East area, with the highest totals recorded on 5 January with a peak of 39mm recorded in the Northumbria North Sea Tribs catchment. Much of this fell as snow across the area, which melted quickly at the coast but lingered over higher ground for several days. The Tyne catchment recorded a slightly different rainfall pattern, with the highest totals recorded in the middle of the month. This may have been a result of snowmelt.  

The cumulative 3-month rainfall totals are in the below normal range for all catchments.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

Soils are classed as wet with less than 10mm of soil moisture deficit across the area.

4. River flows

Monthly mean river flows have decreased this month at 3 indicator sites (Rothbury, Haydon Bridge, and Middleton) and all fall within the normal or below normal ranges.  Monthly mean flows ranged from 66% of the LTA at Middleton in Teesdale on the River Tees and Heaton Mill on the River Tweed, and 90% of the LTA at Rutherford Bridge on the River Greta and Hartford bridge on the River Blyth.

Analysis of the daily mean flows shows that flows at the beginning of the month were in the higher ranges, following the large rainfall totals recorded at the end of December. The rainfall at the start of January didn’t impact most rivers, with normal and below normal recorded until the middle of the month. This was likely due to the precipitation falling as snow. On the 12 and 13 January notably and exceptionally high flows were recorded at most indicator sites, with the exception of Hartford Bridge. This was likely due to snow melt over high ground. Flows went back to normal and below normal until the end of the month where higher totals were recorded at Hartford bridge, Rothbury, Rutherford bridge, and Witton Park.

5. Groundwater levels   

Groundwater levels vary across the area. Levels in the West Hall Farm borehole in the Wear Magnesian Limestone decreased and are now in the notably high range. Royal Observation in the Fell sandstone and Aycliffe NRA2 in the Skerne Magnesian Limestone fall within the above normal range. Red Lion in the Skerne Magnesian Limestone and Town Law in the Fell Sandstone fall within the normal ranges for January. 

6. Reservoir stocks

Reservoirs in the area have either seen an increase, or very minor decrease in stocks this month. Stocks in the Durham group, Lune and Balder Group and Cow Green reservoir ended the month above 90% full. All reservoirs ended the month above 80% full. Overall, reservoir stocks remain healthy for the time of year.

Reservoir or reservoir group	Percentage of current stocks	Percentage of previous month stocks
Kielder	87	87.3
North Tynedale group	81	80
Derwent	96	87.2
Durham group	99.6	96.6
Lune and Balder group	97.8	97.4
Cow Green	97.4	98.1

Author: GWHCL North East, hydrology.northeast@environment-agency.gov.uk

All data are provisional and may be subject to revision. The views expressed in this document are not necessarily those of the Environment Agency. Its officers, servants or agents accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from the interpretation or use of the information, or reliance upon views contained in this report.