Following the hottest and one of the driest summers on record, rainfall continued to be below average through September.
East Yorkshire was the driest area anywhere in the UK last month, with some locations recording less than 20% of expected rainfall.
Reservoirs are currently just above 40% capacity, well below the average for the time of year – and interestingly lower than they were at this time last year when a hosepipe ban was in force.
Groundwater levels are also very low across the chalk aquifers of East Yorkshire.
Drought status would in theory allow Yorkshire Water to reduce the flow out of some reservoirs which would normally replenish water courses, in order to slow their decline, and even apply for a hosepipe ban.
But because of the time of year, when demand for water in general falls as we head through autumn and winter, and rainfall normally increases, Yorkshire Water is not expected to apply for any restrictions.
However, the announcement of drought status is an early warning that should the rest of autumn and winter continue to be drier than normal, the region could face the prospect of water restrictions next summer.