England and Wales on course for driest July on record
Met Office records indicate England and Wales are likely to have had their driest July since records began 190 years ago.
England and Wales are poised to experience their driest July in over 190 years, according to the Met Office. England recorded a mere 5.6mm of rainfall up to July 30, accounting for just 8% of its historical average for the month, less than half of the previous record set in 1911. Wales saw 7.9mm of rainfall, also 8% of its average and almost a third of the previous record, both set in 1911. The entire UK is currently on track for its driest July since 1868.
The Environment Agency has issued a flash drought warning across more than half of England, where water is being consumed at a rate faster than it can be replenished. Wisley in Surrey has gone 44 days without rainfall as of July 30. Scotland, while not issuing drought declarations, notes significant water scarcity in some regions. This drought has resulted in reduced river flows, early harvests, and heightened wildfire risks, with a major wildfire declared in Suffolk.
Over 20 million people are under hosepipe bans to conserve water. Temperatures have been exceptionally high, with some areas forecasting one of the warmest Julys on record. Wales is set for its warmest July on average, while England and Northern Ireland face their third warmest. Scotland's mean temperatures are not within the top 10.
Despite not setting maximum temperature records, July's highs have been notably warm, reaching 35.5C in Wisley, Surrey. The UK Health Security Agency estimates that there have been an estimated 2,877 heat-related deaths during the May and June heatwaves, nearly double last year's figure.
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