Yorkshire Braces for Hottest Day of the Year Amidst Severe Drought
As Yorkshire prepares for what is expected to be the hottest day of the year so far, records show the region has endured its driest combined February, March and April for almost 90 years. According to data from Sheffield’s Weston Park weather station, just 78mm (3in) of rainfall has been recorded since the start of February – the lowest since 1938.
Typically, the region would expect to see around 184mm (7in) of rainfall during this period. In contrast, the same period in 2024 was the sixth wettest on record, with 300mm (11.8in) of rainfall. The dry spell has had a significant impact on farmers in the region, with many struggling to maintain crop yields.
The BBC spoke to Dr. Nick Wilson, an arable farmer in the Vale of York, who specialises in crops such as wheat and barley. He said he had only recorded 20mm (0.7in) of rain at his farm in the last 10 weeks. The contrast with last year, when his crops were sitting in flooded fields, couldn’t be more stark.
"It’s a crucial time of the year for the development of crops," he told the BBC. "And with the lack of rainfall, we are already looking at a 15% drop in crop yield. More worryingly, if we don’t get any rain in the next week or 10 days, the yield could drop to potentially more than 20%."
The BBC reports that farmers like Dr. Wilson are facing a host of challenges, including higher prices in the shops later in the year. The dry weather is also having a significant impact on the mental health of farmers, with many feeling the pressure of the changing climate.
Jim McQuaid, from the Department for Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds, told the BBC that no-one should be surprised by these increasingly frequent weather extremes. "This is what the weather models have been telling us for a number of years, but now we’re actually seeing it with our own eyes," Dr. McQuaid said.
The BBC notes that the jet stream, which plays a crucial role in determining the weather in the UK, is being impacted by the warming planet. This is leading to longer periods of the same weather, including droughts and heavy rainfall.
According to the BBC, the long-range forecast doesn’t offer much hope for farmers like Dr. Wilson, with the first half of May expected to see a continuation of the drought. The changing climate is having a significant impact on farmers and the environment, with projections suggesting that these patterns are only likely to become more extreme over time.
The BBC reports that Yorkshire is expected to experience temperatures of up to 26C (79F) later in the week, with little to no rain in the forecast. The dry weather may be a boon to sunbathers and holidaymakers, but it’s a different story for farmers and the environment.
As the BBC notes, the impact of the drought is being felt across the region, with farmers struggling to maintain crop yields and the environment suffering as a result of the changing climate. The situation highlights the need for sustainable practices and climate-resilient agriculture to mitigate the effects of extreme weather events.
The dry spell in Yorkshire serves as a stark reminder of the impact of climate change on the environment and agriculture. As the region prepares for the hottest day of the year, the BBC will continue to provide updates on the situation.
