Water situation report for England: May 2015
A monthly review of the water situation in England.
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Summary for May 2015
Following below average rainfall in April, May’s rainfall was above average across England at 135% of the long term average. However, at a more local scale, rainfall totals were well above average in north-west England but near or slightly below average in parts of east and south-east England.
Soil moisture deficits decreased by up to 40mm during May across much of northern and south-west England, but increased by up to 40mm in east and south-east England. End of month SMDs were up to 50mm larger than the LTA across the eastern half of England.
Monthly mean river flows decreased compared to April at just over two-thirds of indicator sites, but remain normal or higher for the time of year at three quarters of sites.
Groundwater levels decreased during the month at nearly two thirds of indicator sites, but end of month levels remain normal or higher at nearly two thirds of sites.
Reservoir stocks increased or remained static at the majority of sites and at the end of May were normal or higher for the time of year at just over two thirds of sites.
Overall stocks for England increased slightly to 93% of total capacity.