England and Wales have experienced their driest July since records began in 1836, according to provisional data released by the Met Office. Southern England registered its driest month on record amid ongoing heatwaves that have affected large swathes of the region. Nineteen counties across England recorded 1 millimeter or less of rainfall throughout July, with overall precipitation reaching just 10 percent of the average in England and 9 percent in Wales. Both countries received less than half the rainfall recorded during the previous driest July in 1911.
July was also marked by exceptional heat and sunshine. Southern England saw its warmest July on record, while Wales tied for its hottest ever July. Across the UK, it was the second hottest July on record overall. England and Wales combined set a new record for the sunniest calendar month, with the high levels of sunshine contributing to solar power generating a record monthly share of electricity in Great Britain. At one point on July 12, solar power accounted for 44 percent of the country’s electricity generation.
The extreme weather has had a significant impact on water resources and agriculture. Over 24 million customers in England and Wales remain subject to hosepipe bans as river levels continue to fall. Farmers have reported concerns about reduced crop yields, with the harvest starting earlier than usual and livestock already being fed winter feed. The heat has prompted the Met Office to issue several heat-health alerts: an amber warning is currently in effect for parts of the East Midlands, East of England, South East, and London, while yellow alerts cover regions including the North West, South West, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber.
Despite some forecasts indicating more unsettled weather and possible thunderstorms in parts of the UK later in the week, the southeast is expected to see little significant rainfall soon. Scotland faces mostly warm conditions with some rain. Meanwhile, a large heathland fire in Suffolk that started last week remains burning but stable. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) closed its nearby Minsmere reserve, warning that the mature heather damaged by the blaze could take many years to recover.
The combination of record-breaking heat, drought conditions, and wildfire risks has raised ongoing concerns about the resilience of water supplies, agriculture, and natural habitats in England and Wales as the summer progresses.