UK Drought Could Continue Into Winter Despite Wetter Autumn

UK officials from the Met Office and Environment Agency warn that despite forecasts for a wetter and windier autumn, drought conditions could persist into winter due to insufficient rainfall to fully reverse this year's record-breaking dry and hot weather. Chief meteorologist Will Lang highlighted an increased likelihood of westerly weather patterns bringing more rain to western and northern areas, while eastern and southern regions may remain drier than average. This situation raises the possibility of parts of the UK experiencing both drought and flooding simultaneously as the storm season begins and flood risks rise. The government's Flood Resilience Taskforce, established to enhance response to extreme weather, is meeting to discuss preparations and progress on flood defenses, utilizing the Met Office's autumn outlook to better protect communities. Environment Agency executive Caroline Douglass emphasized the need for steady rainfall to alleviate drought without causing floods, but acknowledged that such ideal conditions are unlikely. Overall, the outlook underscores the complex and regionally varied challenges the UK faces with climate change, combining ongoing drought concerns with increasing flood risks.