Rainfall totals for November for England were the driest November since 1956, according to the latest national monthly water situation report for November published by the Environment Agency.

Monthly rainfall totals were exceptionally low for the time of year in more than half of the catchments across England. The November rainfall total for England was 39mm, which represents 48% of the 1961-1990 long term average (LTA) and 45% of the 1981-2010 LTA. The lowest monthly totals were seen in southern and central areas, with higher rainfall totals recorded in north-west and parts of north-east England.

In more than half of the catchments across England, the monthly rainfall totals were classed as exceptionally low for the time of year, including a large part of south-east and south-west England and parts of central and east England. The majority of remaining catchments were classed as below normal or notably low for the time of year.

All except three catchments in north-east England received less than 100% of the LTA rainfall for November. The lowest rainfall total as a proportion of the LTA was over Cuckmere River in East Sussex, with 10mm of rainfall, representing 10% of the November LTA.

More than a quarter of catchments received less than 20% of the LTA rainfall for November, mostly in south-east England, and parts of south-west England, where eight catchments had the driest November since records began in 1891. Nearly a third of all catchments in England experienced the second driest November on record.

Other data in the report show that river flows decreased at more than two thirds of the indicator sites reported on, although the majority of sites were classed as normal or higher for the time of year. The end of November groundwater levels were classed as normal or higher for the time of year at almost all indicator sites. Reservoir stocks increased during November at nearly two-thirds of the reservoirs and reservoir groups the Environment Agency reports on.