Rain is finally set to reach the region this weekend, though officials warn a full drought announcement could still follow one of the driest starts to summer on record.
Natural Resources Wales confirmed on July 16 that North Wales has been moved from normal to prolonged dry weather status – the first stage of the official drought plan.
So far this month Wales has had just 5 per cent of its expected July rainfall, following a June in which the Clwyd and Dee catchments already fell below average, and NRW says the shortfall is placing growing stress on river and groundwater levels as well as on wildlife.
The Met Office's regional outlook shows Saturday staying warm and largely dry across Wales, with highs around 27°C, before conditions turn more changeable into Sunday as showery, breezy weather pushes in from the north-west.
A slow-moving weather front is expected to bring spells of rain overnight into Sunday.
Even with showers forecast, hydrologists are not expecting this to be the sustained rainfall needed to meaningfully recharge rivers after such a prolonged shortfall.
Farmers in affected areas are already reporting failing forage crops and mounting pressure on grazing land as the dry spell bites, underlining how depleted ground conditions have become.
Beyond that, the outlook points to a cooler, more changeable working week, though NRW's message to households and farmers to use water carefully is likely to remain in place regardless of how much rain falls.
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