Rain to return this weekend as parts of UK on brink of drought
Parts of the UK are facing potential drought conditions following a prolonged dry spell, leading to several hosepipe bans. However, weather patterns are shifting, and rain is expected to return over the weekend.
Why it matters
Water scarcity and changing weather patterns highlight the increasing impact of climate variability on infrastructure and daily life in the UK.
Image source, PA Media Image caption, Blackheath Common has been turned into a singed shade of straw-yellow by the hot, dry weather
If you cannot remember the last time it rained, you are probably not alone.
June was actually wetter than average in the UK, which might come as a surprise given our recent run of weather, but for England and Wales the majority of that rain came down in the first two weeks of the month.
Since 15 June, most of England has recorded less than 10mm of rain with large areas of central southern England seeing 3mm or less. Meanwhile, Wisley in Surrey has had no rain at all for 36 consecutive days.
Most of Wales has seen less than 25mm (1in) of rain since the middle of June, but it has been particularly dry in the north-east with Rhyl in Denbighshire recording only 3mm.
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