Southeast England officially in drought
Mar 12th, 2012, 09:32 AM
#1
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Southeast England officially in drought
The water companies serving southeast England have today announced a hosepipe ban from April 5 till further notice (almost certainly until at least Autumn 2012) as a result of two successive abnormally dry winters
The area covered is illustrated at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17340844. The ban at present means above all that gardens can't be hosed or sprinkled. It doesn't affect farmers much yet, and most private gardens can, at present, get enough water for fruit and veg from manually administered watering cans. But, unless we get steady rain (highly unlikely) for the next few months, practically all lawns and many formal gardens, especially in London, Kent and the Cotswolds, are going to be goners.
It's highly likely the ban will be extended to other non-essential uses over the next month (there's almost no rain forecast in the affected area), though it's less likely it'll be extended geographically.
Even in normal times, rainfall in SE England is extraordinarily low. But this year, anyone planning to tour gardens ought to go elsewhere, in Britain or Europe, or find alternative distractions
The area covered is illustrated at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17340844. The ban at present means above all that gardens can't be hosed or sprinkled. It doesn't affect farmers much yet, and most private gardens can, at present, get enough water for fruit and veg from manually administered watering cans. But, unless we get steady rain (highly unlikely) for the next few months, practically all lawns and many formal gardens, especially in London, Kent and the Cotswolds, are going to be goners.
It's highly likely the ban will be extended to other non-essential uses over the next month (there's almost no rain forecast in the affected area), though it's less likely it'll be extended geographically.
Even in normal times, rainfall in SE England is extraordinarily low. But this year, anyone planning to tour gardens ought to go elsewhere, in Britain or Europe, or find alternative distractions
Mar 12th, 2012, 12:14 PM
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South west France isn't much better. They announced restrictions on agriculture today in some areas. Bordeaux/Toulouse rainfall is about 70% below what it usually is. Great weather this week and most of next, cold at night, but high teens, even into the 20's some places. Just would be nie to have some rain.
Mar 28th, 2012, 09:53 AM
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If I'd known I would have sent you last summer's weather Flanner. I'll happily swap what we had last year for a bit of a dry summer. Doesn't even have to be hot, just dry.
You'll be putting a brick in the cistern and sharing baths again will you?
On a more serious note the drought in the UK is no laughing matter, and could affect a lot more than just gardens, public or private, over the coming months.
The Olympics could add nicely to the problems too
.
You'll be putting a brick in the cistern and sharing baths again will you?
On a more serious note the drought in the UK is no laughing matter, and could affect a lot more than just gardens, public or private, over the coming months.
The Olympics could add nicely to the problems too
.
Mar 28th, 2012, 10:20 AM
#6
Uk still building more houses and golf courses in the south east, Thames water leaks 35% of all the water it takes out of the ground (virtually no improvement since they were privatised) and the people of the south continue to generate as much CO2 as ever. Hardly a surprise and it will continue until we grow up.
Mar 28th, 2012, 11:25 AM
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click on flanner's profile and you will see his estate's backyard all chock full of snow - last winter I believe - loads of snow in winter and no rain in spring? Definitely climate change IMO - wild swings away from normal being one of the predictions.
Mar 28th, 2012, 12:00 PM
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Last time I looked the Cotswolds were not in the south east of England.
Snow does not actually provide much water unless it is really deep. It needs about 10" of dry snow to make 1" of water.
Why do you doubt what he says? It is a fact. The south east has been without sufficient rainfall for several years.
Snow does not actually provide much water unless it is really deep. It needs about 10" of dry snow to make 1" of water.
Why do you doubt what he says? It is a fact. The south east has been without sufficient rainfall for several years.
Mar 28th, 2012, 12:13 PM
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Why do you doubt what he says?>
This is what he says above:
<But, unless we get steady rain (highly unlikely) for the next few months, practically all lawns and many formal gardens, especially in London, Kent and the Cotswolds, are going to be goners.>
sounds like either you or flanner do not know what Southeast England encompasses?
This is what he says above:
<But, unless we get steady rain (highly unlikely) for the next few months, practically all lawns and many formal gardens, especially in London, Kent and the Cotswolds, are going to be goners.>
sounds like either you or flanner do not know what Southeast England encompasses?
Mar 28th, 2012, 12:20 PM
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http://www.visitsoutheastengland.com/
the real South East England as defined by the Southeast England Tourist Board - sans Cotswold Hills.
the real South East England as defined by the Southeast England Tourist Board - sans Cotswold Hills.
Mar 28th, 2012, 10:50 PM
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Mar 29th, 2012, 12:06 PM
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Why do you doubt what he says? It is a fact. The south east has been without sufficient rainfall for several years>
You misread my post - I did not doubt what flanner said - WHO would dare doubt flanner? - I just was pointing out the weirdness of tons of snow in winters that rarely see any and the drought in springs that rarely see sun. Has to be climate change IMO - which dictates more extremes of climate - like the several-year drought in SW England - including perhaps the Cotswold Hills.
You misread my post - I did not doubt what flanner said - WHO would dare doubt flanner? - I just was pointing out the weirdness of tons of snow in winters that rarely see any and the drought in springs that rarely see sun. Has to be climate change IMO - which dictates more extremes of climate - like the several-year drought in SW England - including perhaps the Cotswold Hills.
