The changing climate and associated impacts are becoming increasingly apparent across the River South Esk catchment. UKCIP19 and Adaptation Scotland are a source of historic and future climatic changes for Scotland. In recent decades our winters have become wetter and our summers warmer and drier.  Between 1961 and 2004, precipitation during the winter months in eastern Scotland increased by 30%; winter temperatures increased by 2 °C in parts of South East Scotland; and springs and summers have been approximately 1 °C warmer across Scotland as whole. 

North East Scotland has its own geographically distinct climate and there is often a marked variation between the catchments coastal and upland areas. Storm events with increased rainfall intensity and periods of water scarcity, are both much more frequent.

Significant changes in average temperatures and rainfall are likely to have a considerable knock-on effect on water availability, as the demand for water continues to increase.  Building resilience into land management, industry, infrastructure and domestic use are crucial if the catchment is to become more resilient to climate change going forward.

An Angus Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment is in development with plans for climate impacts and mapping, directly related to the River South Esk Catchment area, to be made available in early 2026. This will provide a greater understanding of catchment-specific climate change at 2°c and 4 °c temperature increase projections above pre-industrial levels across a range of weather event scenarios. Catchment-specific data and maps will be made available here.