I don't think we are alone having had a dry winter. I know that Portugal,
parts of Spain and France have had very dry conditions. Unless the weather
changes significantly before the summer and we get some very needed
rainfall, I think southern & western Europe will be getting a repeat of the
forest fires that happened in 2003.

So far here in Worcester I have recorded just 88.0 mm of rain since the
beginning of December 2004, which is the driest winter I have ever recorded
(recording started in 1989).

As for water shortages - I think that will depend on what type of
spring/summer we have. If it is very hot then I suppose we may see the
return of water shortages similar to the 1995/1996 years.
_______________________________
Nick

Worcester
45 AMSL
http://www.worcesterweather.co.uk

"gary" wrote in message
...
I am an avid reader of the messages on here but not having a weather
station myself do not contribute regularly. I was interested to read Wills
observations posted 11/3 regarding the water situation. Over the winter we
in Southern England have had minimal rainfall, and I can't remember having
a decent day's rainfall since last October.

The High that has dominated our weather for the last 4 months or so looks
set to continue and we appear to be under its influcence in one way or
another for the foreseeable future. On the good side at least that means
dry, sunny and warm weather, but I am worried what might happen in the
summer down here.

Kind Regards to all


Gary