Following a dry, balmy start to the spring, when areas of Scotland saw their hottest days on record for March, temperatures across parts of Central and Northern England and North Wales have plummeted, bringing sleet, snow and rain.     

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There are fears that the fluctuating temperatures could affect crops. Areas of Derbyshire and Yorkshire recorded temperatures in minus figures last night, following highs of 21^oc last week. Farmers have expressed concerns that such rapid temperature changes could affect early crops.

Earlier in the year, fruit growers expressed concerns that, following a relatively mild winter and clement start to the year which saw trees coming into blossom earlier than usual, such temperature drops could lead to frost kill and result in reduced yields.

A heavy frost this week could damage fruit crops, particularly apple trees, some varieties of which are coming into blossom now. If temperatures fall too low, pollinating insects will not become active and flowers will not bloom for pollination.

There are also concerns for early potatoes; however, experts have said it will take a sustained frost to seriously impact on yields of either crop.

Last week, the European farmers’ union Copa-Cogeca announced that, although its estimates for cereal and oilseed acreages predicted slight rises or fairly constant production for most major crops, frost kill and the effects of drought which were not factored into the estimates may result in reduced production compared to the forecasts.

Despite the return to wintry conditions this week, areas of the UK remain in drought. Climate scientists from the University of Reading’s Walker Institute have said that Southern England will need twice the usual amount of summer rain to quench parched soils.

Environment Agency figures show that, across the UK, only 1mm of rain fell last week; the South and East UK are currently at their driest since 1921, although only these regions of the country have been severely affected, with Northern England and Scotland reporting more normal rain patterns.

Speaking on BBC Radio, Dr Benjamin Lloyd Hughes revealed the South needs 400mm of rain, which he said is almost an impossible hope. Furthermore, the climate expert said that large deluges would be unhelpful as it would not be able to percolate the soil to recharge aquifers and would likely result in flooding. He said that a sustained drizzle going into summer would be ideal, but pointed out that mapping showed either scenario is extremely unlikely.

Although Met Office forecasts suggest there may be some relief for drought-stricken regions this week, longer term forecasts look bleaker, with predictions of drier conditions persisting over the next two to four months.

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