After a very wet winter, an unusually dry spell is now presenting drought conditions.
A drought is defined "as a period of at least 15 consecutive days when there is less than 0.2mm (0.008 inches) of rainfall.
During March, Herefordshire only received 18% of normal rainfall.
Currently Herefordshire is moving from 'Moderate / Severe' to 'Severe' drought conditions.
Soil moisture observer at Kivernoll Weather Station at 12 inches 04-04-2025 05:56:00 UTC is 46 cb (centibar), and decreasing.
With no significant rain forecast within the next two weeks, it is likely that the drought conditions will progress to at least Exceptional by this time next week.
The UK Met Office has issued a 'Wildfire warning' for the whole of England. The public are advised to refrain from any activities such as bonfires, outdoor BBQs, or unsafe disposal of items likely to ignite vegetation.
The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service reports it has responded to more than 40 incidents since Monday in areas spread across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Powys and Swansea, including one case affecting some 50 hectares of land in Llanllwni, Carmarthenshire.
Updates to follow....