England Faces Prolonged Drought Amidst Record Dry Spell
Seventh Consecutive Week of Minimal Rainfall Exacerbates Water Shortages Across Half of England and All of Wales
Callum Smith
England has endured less than 10mm of rainfall for seven consecutive weeks.
Wisley in Surrey has gone 51 days without recording any rain; UK rainfall since the start of June stands at only 51% of the average summer rainfall.
The nation's cereal harvest is consequently set to be the worst in 41 years. July 2026 was provisionally the driest on record, with parts of southern England reportedly experiencing their driest month ever.
Several wildfires have erupted across the UK in recent weeks, a direct consequence of the prolonged dry conditions. The Environment Agency claims drought conditions could be declared in additional parts of England next week, as a fifth heatwave is anticipated.
Several areas could move towards or into drought next week.
Several areas could move towards or into drought next week, according to the Environment Agency. The Met Office claims the fifth widespread heatwave of the year is likely to be declared next week, with temperatures potentially exceeding 30C in south-east England from Sunday and into next week.
Many parts of the UK will exceed their heatwave threshold temperature of 25 to 28C by Sunday and into next week. The Met Office suggests the record of 34 days with temperatures exceeding 30C, set in 1995, will likely be broken next week.
This prolonged dry spell contrasts sharply with past extreme weather events, such as flash floods that closed hospital emergency departments in east London in July 2021.
A couple reportedly died in Liverpool in August 2023 after their car became trapped in a severe downpour.