England and Wales are experiencing their driest July on record, with widespread drought due to extreme temperatures. The Environment Agency reports that half of England is in drought, and all areas in Wales are facing similar conditions for the third time in five years.
The scorching weather has turned fields and lawns brown across the UK, with four heatwaves since May fueling wildfires. The Met Office describes the conditions as “remarkable,” characterized by extreme heat, abundant sunshine, and minimal rainfall throughout July.
Preliminary data shows that England has received only 5.6mm of rainfall this July, less than half of the previous record set in 1911. Similarly, Wales is on track for its driest July with 7.9mm of rainfall, nearly a third of the previous record. While Northern Ireland is experiencing its eighth driest July, Scotland has received 72% of its average rainfall for the month.
Despite one day remaining in July, the Met Office anticipates this month to be exceptional due to a prolonged heatwave, scarce rainfall, and widespread drought conditions. Dr. Emily Carlisle from the Met Office highlights the unusually low rainfall levels, making this potentially one of the driest Julys in nearly 200 years of records, particularly striking alongside the intense summer heat.
Although water companies do not foresee threats to drinking water supplies due to sufficient reservoir levels from record winter rainfall, over 23 million people in England and Wales are facing hosepipe bans. Aerial images show the dry landscape in London, with Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace lawns turning brown amid the persistently hot and dry weather.
Record-breaking temperatures exceeding 35.2°C were recorded, marking the seventh day in 2026 with temperatures surpassing 35°C. Fire chiefs warn that wildfires are increasingly common risks due to climate change, with firefighters responding to a record 393 wildfires in July across England and Wales.
The National Trust is calling for action to adapt to climate change, emphasizing the need for resilient landscapes and community support. The UK Health Security Agency predicts a record number of heat-associated deaths in 2026, surpassing previous years, with nearly double the excess deaths from heatwaves this year compared to last summer.