Research and analysis

Yorkshire water situation: November 2024 summary

Updated 13 December 2024

Applies to England

• Publication for Northern Ireland
• Publication for Scotland
• Publication for Wales

1. Summary

Most of November featured settled conditions apart from a major storm, named Bert, early in the fourth week which produced a response in river flows. Monthly rainfall totals and mean river flows were typically below the long-term average (LTA). Reservoir stocks rose slightly over the course of the month. Soils remained wet apart from in the south-east of the area. Most aquifers showed little change in groundwater levels this month.

2. Rainfall

Rainfall in the first three weeks up until day 22 was minimal across the northern Dales catchments, Rye, Derwent and Hull. In the third week low rainfall or snow totals were recorded in the Aire, Calder and Don. Most rain gauges recorded many daily totals of either no rain or less than 2mm up until day 22. Storm Bert then arrived on day 22 until day 24 and produced initial snow and then widespread rain from a storm front that travelled west to east. Rainfall totals from the event impacted the Pennine catchments and to a lesser extent the east catchments of the Hull, Derwent, Rye and Esk. Many rain gauges recorded between 50% and 76% of the November monthly LTA on day 23. A rain gauge in Gorpley located in the Calder catchment recorded 86mm on day 23 which was equivalent to 57% of the November 2024 monthly total. The remaining days of the month were much more settled across the area although day 27 was moderately wet in East Yorkshire.

3. Soil moisture deficit

The soils for the first 3 weeks were classed as wet for most catchments and normal in the lower Ouse, lower Don and Hull and Humberside. The driest of these soils were in the lower Ouse. There was very little change in soil moisture deficit (SMD) in the first 3 weeks, apart from those in the upper and mid Calder which became fully saturated by the end of week 3. By week 4 the arrival of Storm Bert ensured a reduction in SMD across all catchments and the majority of Yorkshire catchment soils were either fully saturated or had SMD below 10mm. The drier exceptions were the lower Aire, Don and Ouse and areas bordering the Humber which all remained classed as normal.

4. River flows

The monthly mean river flows ranged from normal to notably low and between 48% to 110% of the LTA, with the great majority less than the LTA. Flows were classified as normal for the:

• Swale
• Aire
• Calder
• Ouse
• Derwent
• Hull
• Don
• Rother

Flows were classed as below normal in catchments for the:

• Ure
• Nidd
• Wharfe

The Esk was notably low. This mainly reflected the rainfall distribution.

In the first few days of the month flows across most Yorkshire catchments began in a normal state. These then reduced and were reporting as below normal at the end of week one to notably low for week 2. The Ure, Wharfe and Ouse catchments were recording exceptionally low flows by late in the third week.

An abrupt change occurred with the arrival of Storm Bert. Daily mean flows on day 22 were either notably or exceptionally low in the Swale, Ure, Nidd, Wharfe, Aire and Calder and peaked to exceptionally high on day 23, in response to snow melt and rainfall. The heaviest precipitation from the storm occurred over the upper Calder and peak river levels here ranged from second to fourth highest in record lengths of 21 to 28 years. Lower reaches of rivers including the Swale and Ouse peaked in response to rainfall by day 24 or 25. Flows from day 27 returned to within normal range for most catchments with the exception of the Rye which reduced to below normal by month end.

In the groundwater-fed West Beck catchment in the upper Hull, flows increased slightly until day 12 then were steady until day 22. A temporary rise in flow occurred following Storm Bert and baseflow remained elevated at month end. Relative to the long term record flows were above normal for the first 2 weeks and within the normal range from week 3 onwards. 

5. Groundwater levels   

5.1 Magnesian Limestone

The groundwater level within the Magnesian Limestone at Brick House Farm has remained constant and is now notably high for the time of year.

5.2 Millstone Grit

The groundwater level has decreased within the Millstone Grit at Hill Top Farm and has dropped to below normal for the time year. It should be noted that this observation borehole is used for water abstraction by means of a pump. Therefore, the groundwater level recorded here may be subject to the effects of this.

5.3 Sherwood Sandstone

The groundwater level in the Sherwood Sandstone remained constant at Great Ouseburn, remaining exceptionally high for the time of year while groundwater levels have increased at Riccall Approach Farm, remaining normal for the time of year.

5.4 Corallian Limestone

The groundwater level has remained constant within the Corallian Limestone at Sproxton and is now at below normal for the time of year.

5.5 Chalk

The groundwater level remained constant at Wetwang and is now normal for the time of year (northern Yorkshire Wolds chalk), while Dalton Estate (central Yorkshire Wolds chalk) decreased but remained normal for the time of year.

6. Reservoir stocks

Yorkshire’s reservoir stocks slowly reduced over the first 3 weeks. Storm Bert did have an impact on the reservoir stocks and increased them by 8% on the previous week, producing a net increase overall during the month. By the end of November, Yorkshire’s overall reservoir stocks were very close to the LTA.

7. Environmental Impact

In mid November 10 to 12 abstractions were restricted by hands-off flows. By the end of November, only 1 hands-off flow was in force and 26 abstractors had previously been warned that flows are low but were still able to abstract. Affected catchments included the following catchments:

• Swale
• Ure
• Aire
• Don
• Derwent
• Foulness

Author: Yorkshire Hydrology, 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.  

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