England and Wales are on course to record their driest July since measurements began, as an extended heatwave, scarce rainfall, and widespread drought have combined to make the month one of the most exceptional on record, according to the Met Office. Provisional data indicates that rainfall in England for July reached just 5.6 millimeters, less than half the previous low of 13.4 millimeters set in 1911. Wales is also experiencing near-record dryness, with 7.9 millimeters recorded, about one-third of its previous record low of 22.6 millimeters, also from 1911.
Northern Ireland is tracking its eighth driest July, while Scotland has received approximately 72% of its average monthly rainfall and does not currently rank among its ten driest Julys. Overall, the United Kingdom is on pace for its third driest July since records began.
The Met Office highlighted the exceptional combination of sustained high temperatures, abundant sunshine, and almost no rainfall. “A prolonged heatwave, exceptionally low rainfall and widespread drought conditions have combined to make July 2026 a remarkable month,” the agency said. Dr. Emily Carlisle, a Met Office scientist, noted that the extremely low rainfall in parts of England and Wales, coupled with record summer heat, sets this July apart from nearly two centuries of climate data.
Wales is also on track for its warmest July on record by average temperature, while England has matched its joint warmest July for mean temperature. The south of England has experienced particularly intense heat, with temperatures averaging 3.2 degrees Celsius above normal. On Wednesday, a high of 35.2 degrees Celsius was recorded, marking the seventh day this year that temperatures hit or exceeded 35 degrees Celsius.
Due to the ongoing dry and hot conditions, Natural Resources Wales extended its drought declaration to cover the entire country, while half of England remains officially in drought. The heatwave continues to place mounting stress on water supplies.
The Met Office forecast for the weekend anticipates some showers in England and Wales but cautions that rainfall will be uneven, with many areas seeing little relief. Scotland is expected to see easing showers, and Northern Ireland should remain dry throughout the weekend.
In the public health sphere, the UK Health Security Agency has warned that 2026 could surpass previous years in heat-related deaths, potentially exceeding the record set in 2022 when systematic monitoring began. Fire services have also raised concerns about the increased frequency and scale of wildfires in the UK. Firefighters attended 393 wildfires in England and Wales in July alone, making it the busiest month for such incidents on record. Fire chiefs have described the growing occurrence of wildfires as a significant and recurring risk linked to climate change.