Classnotes: 10th January 2007: Drought in the UK 1989

THe 1989 drought was not the most severe of recent times but is a good case study.

Background
- Occurred in July 1989
- On July 24th the temperature in London was 27 degrees C.
- Most of the UK had clear skies

Causes
- High pressure. This is where air is sinking. Sinking air traps warm air near the ground. This makes it heat up more. Also, there is no air rising so there are no clouds and no rain.
- Several months beforehand of lower than average rainfall

Effects
- reservoirs in the south west dried up - from covering 76 acres down to 35 acres in the Fernworthy Reservoir
- Hosepipe ban issues in the south west on 19th June, lifted on 19th September
- Tourism increased as people visited tourist areas e.g. beaches at the weekends and took holidays in the UK rather than travelling abroad for the sun