Southern England Endures Driest July on Record Amidst Widespread Drought
Unprecedented dry spell and heatwaves trigger health alerts, hosepipe bans, and warnings of future food shortages across the UK.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Callum Smith
Southern England recorded its driest July and driest month ever.
England logged 305.6 hours of sunshine in July, surpassing the 1911 record of 294.8 hours. This exceptional sunshine propelled solar power generation to a new monthly record, supplying 14.4% of all electricity.
Wales equalled its record for the highest mean temperature in July at 17.8C, matching the 2006 figure. Temperatures soared as high as 33C in the South East at the start of the week.
Amber and yellow heat health alerts remained in effect until Wednesday morning. Two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June contributed to more than 2,800 excess deaths.
Half of England and the entirety of Wales now face official drought conditions. In England, 40% of the population lives under a hosepipe ban.
Reservoir storage has plummeted to approximately 75 per cent nationally, significantly below the seasonal average. The Met Office confirms exceptionally dry conditions have left parts of England parched.
Wildfires erupted across the UK, including a substantial blaze in Suffolk heathland and a prolonged fire in the Cairngorms National Park. Park chiefs in London urge the public to enjoy open spaces safely amidst the hot weather.
Farmers warn the exceptionally dry conditions could trigger food shortages later in the year. The heat dries out cereals, while some livestock already consume winter feed.
The National Drought Group indicated that The extreme weather severely affects the environment, impacting water supplies and food production.
The National Drought Group states the extreme weather severely affects the environment, impacting water supplies and food production. Unsettled weather, including a yellow warning for thunderstorms, is forecast for parts of the UK.