Ardingly Reservoir has fallen below 20 per cent full following a period of prolonged dry weather

Parts of Sussex have been issued with yellow weather warnings as rain and high winds hit the area.

The UK’s wet weather season is now under way, with Storm Austen expected to bring heavy rain and severe weather from late Thursday October 22 into Friday October 23.

With showers expected for the week ahead and the wet commute already causing disruptions, many are hoping this period of downpour will save Sussex’s drought.

As of October 2026, the reservoir has fallen below 20% capacity (standing at approximately 19.4%) following hot summer conditions and the granting of an Environment Agency drought permit.

placeholder image — As of October 2026, the reservoir has fallen below 20% capacity (standing at approximately 19.4%) following hot summer conditions and the granting of an Environment Agency drought permit.

Following a summer of immensely hot weather conditions, the Environmental Agency granted a drought permit across Sussex.

In order to protect the vastly dense water supplies, South East Water are still restricting water access through a hosepipe ban.

Now, in October 2026, Ardingly reservoir has fallen to just 19.4 per cent full.

As a result, water shortages have hit surrounding towns such as Haywards Heath, due to the reservoir being one of South East Water's primary supply networks.

Ardingly Reservoir stores roughly 4.77 to 8.3 billion litres of water (part of South East Water's primary supply network).

For the week ahead a yellow wind warning has been issued for coastal parts of Sussex, including Brighton and Hove and areas of East and West Sussex.

The Met Office said: “Gusts of 50-60 mph are possible and some coastal or exposed areas could see 70mph or more, but at this time there is uncertainty in where the strongest winds will be.”

Heavy rain and unsettled wet weather across the region are forecast to persist through the end of the week, however conditions are expected to clear up starting Sunday 25.