England and Wales have officially recorded their driest July in history, the Met Office confirmed, marking a truly remarkable month in the UK's climate record. England experienced just 6.5mm of rainfall, a mere 10% of its long-term average and less than half the previous record set in 1911. Wales recorded 9.3mm, equivalent to 9% of its average.
Southern England was particularly parched, receiving only 1.9mm of rain and experiencing its driest month ever recorded. Across England and Wales, the month was also the sunniest ever observed.
"The combination of record-breaking dryness, exceptional warmth and unprecedented sunshine has delivered one of the most notable summer months in our historical records," said Met Office Science Manager Dr. Amy Doherty.
National and Regional Impacts
Nationally, July was the third driest on record for the entire UK, with 28.9mm of rainfall, or 35% of the long-term average. This makes it the driest July for the UK as a whole since 1868. However, Northern Ireland and Scotland saw different conditions. Northern Ireland experienced its eighth driest July, while Scotland received 69% of its average rainfall, not approaching record levels.
A total of 19 counties reported less than 1mm of rainfall throughout the month, including Berkshire, Dorset, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucestershire, Greater London, Kent, Lincolnshire, and Surrey.
Helen Wakeham, Chair of the National Drought Group and Director of Water at the Environment Agency, highlighted the challenges. "Dry weather depletes our water, while the hot conditions mean we use more of it," Wakeham stated. "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."
She urged the public to adhere to restrictions where in place to conserve water for essential uses. "We want everyone to stay safe and hydrated during the hot weather but every drop we can save is a drop more for nature and agriculture."
Record Temperatures and Sunshine
Beyond the dryness, July was also exceptionally warm, ranking as the second warmest July on record for the UK with an average temperature of 17.4°C. Wales recorded its joint warmest July, matching averages from 2006 and 1983 with 17.8°C.
The country also saw unprecedented sunshine. The Met Office reported that July 2026 was the sunniest on record for the UK, England, and Wales, based on data stretching back to 1910.
Looking ahead, the Met Office anticipates dry conditions to persist in southern parts of the UK. While some unsettled weather and potential showers are forecast for northern and central areas, the southeast is expected to continue seeing little rain. Temperatures are predicted to decrease gradually through the week, returning to more average levels for many by the latter half of the week.