England and Wales on course for driest July on record
England and Wales are experiencing their driest July in 190 years, leading to official drought declarations and water usage restrictions. The extreme conditions have increased wildfire risks and impacted agricultural harvests across the UK.
Why it matters
The record-breaking drought highlights the accelerating impacts of climate change on infrastructure, water security, and public safety.
Image source, Dan Kitwood/Getty Images By Jennifer Bartram Senior Weather Presenter Published 31 July 2026, 15:10 BST Updated 1 minute ago England and Wales are on course for their driest July since records began 190 years ago.
The Met Office reports that England has seen just 5.6mm of rainfall up to 30 July – just 8% of its long-term meteorological average for the month and less than half of the previous record of 13.4mm set in 1911.
For Wales it is 7.9mm of rainfall, also 8% of its long-term average for the month and almost a third of the previous record of 22.6mm, again set in 1911.
The UK as a whole is currently on track for its third driest July, and driest nationally since 1868.
It comes after an official drought was declared across more than half of England and all of Wales.
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