England has recorded its driest July since records began almost 200 years ago, with exceptional heat and sunshine deepening drought conditions across much of the country.
Provisional Met Office figures show just 6.5mm of rain fell across England during the month, only 10% of the long-term average and less than half the previous record set in 1911.
Southern England was even drier, receiving only 1.9mm or 3% of its usual rainfall. It was the region’s driest month of any kind in records dating back to 1836.
Wales also recorded its driest July with 9.3mm of rain, just 9% of average, while the UK experienced its third driest July and the driest since 1868.
Nineteen counties received no more than 1mm of rain across the entire month, including Greater London, Kent, Surrey, Essex, Berkshire, Dorset and both East and West Sussex.
The lack of rainfall came alongside exceptional warmth. The UK recorded its second warmest July, with an average temperature of 17.4°C, around 2°C above the 1991 to 2020 average.
England also experienced its second warmest July, while southern England recorded its warmest on record.
Wales matched the national record set in 1983 and 2006, with an average temperature of 17.8°C. July was the sixth consecutive month of above-average temperatures, with only January colder than normal so far this year.
The settled weather also delivered unprecedented sunshine.
The UK, England and Wales all recorded their sunniest July, while England and Wales experienced their sunniest calendar month ever measured.
England received 305.6 hours of sunshine, 56% above average, while Wales recorded 308 hours, 74% higher than normal.
The combination of heat, sunshine and almost no rainfall has worsened pressure on rivers, reservoirs, farming and wildlife.
Drought conditions now affect the whole of Wales and around half of England, with hosepipe restrictions introduced across several water company regions.
Helen Wakeham, Chair of the National Drought Group, said: “Dry weather depletes our water, while the hot conditions mean we use more of it. This is a difficult combination, and we are seeing the effects on our farmers, our wildlife, and the amount available for public and business use.”
The Met Office expects more unsettled conditions during early August but warned the heaviest and most persistent rain is likely to remain concentrated in northern Britain.
Copyright © 2026 Energy Live News LtdELN