England and Wales are on track for their driest July in nearly two centuries, with provisional Met Office figures revealing exceptionally low rainfall totals. This dry spell follows a series of heatwaves and has led to more than half of England and the entirety of Wales being officially declared in drought.
Met Office Scientist Dr. Emily Carlisle stated that the rainfall figures for July are "extraordinarily low," with some locations experiencing little to no meaningful precipitation for the majority of the month. "Provisional figures suggest this could be one of the driest Julys in nearly two centuries of records, which is particularly notable when coupled with the exceptional heat experienced so far this summer," she said.
The statistics show England has recorded just 5.6mm of rainfall in July, which is 8% of its long-term average and less than half the previous record of 13.4mm set in 1911. Southern England has been particularly affected, receiving only 1.5mm of rain, or 2% of its average. Wales has recorded 7.9mm, about a third of the 1911 record. These deficits are attributed to persistent high pressure blocking Atlantic weather systems.
The lack of rain has resulted in rapidly declining river flows, parched soils, and falling reservoir levels. Nationally, reservoir storage is around 75% of capacity, well below the seasonal average, according to the Environment Agency. This has led to millions of people being subject to hosepipe bans imposed by water companies.
Farmers are facing significant challenges, with crops suffering from the dry ground and some harvests being brought forward. The Environment Agency has warned that a second consecutive summer drought poses a serious situation with long-lasting impacts on the environment, wildlife, and the economy. The dry landscapes, particularly in southern and eastern England, are also at increased risk of wildfires.
While forecasters anticipate more changeable weather and some rain in early August, they caution that it is unlikely to be sufficient to counteract the substantial deficits accumulated in July. Meaningful recovery would necessitate sustained periods of widespread rainfall.
The Royal Horticultural Society garden in Wisley, Surrey, has recorded 44 consecutive days without precipitation, nearing the national record of 45 days set in 1976. The impact of the dry weather is visible across the country, with grass turning brown in parks and reservoirs like Swithland Reservoir in Leicestershire falling to 44% of its capacity.