answers: 2006
context: event of any future drought. Drought in the United Kingdom Droughts are a relatively common feature of the weather in the United Kingdom, with one around every 5–10 years on average. These droughts are usually during the summer, when a blocking high causes hot, dry weather for an extended period. However droughts can vary in their characteristics. All types of drought cause issues across all sectors, with impacts extending to the ecosystem, agriculture and the economy of the whole country in severe cases of drought. The south east of the country usually suffers most, as it has the highest population </s> and therefore the highest water consumption. The drought in 2006 was eased when in the period from October 2006 to January 2007, which had well above average rainfall. December 2015 was the wettest month ever recorded in the United Kingdom. The average rainfall for the month was almost doubled. Generally the United Kingdom has cool to mild winters and warm summers with moderate variation in temperature throughout the year. In England the average annual temperature varies from in the north to in the south, but over the higher ground this can be several degrees lower. This small variation in temperature </s> drought was intensified by the exceptional heat that continued through it. Records were set for the heat as well as the lack of rain, resulting in very high evaporation rates. From 23 June, temperatures were over for two consecutive weeks around the United Kingdom, peaking at on 28 June at Mayflower Park in Southampton. This still is the highest ever June temperature since records began. The highest temperature in the summer was at Cheltenham on 3 July. The effects of the drought included substantial and long-lasting changes to the tree composition of forests. The European Beech was severely affected by
question: when was the last time the uk had a drought