July Driest Month in Southern England on Record, Met Office Says 2026

July was the driest month in southern England since records began nearly 200 years ago, according to the Met Office, as the climate crisis intensifies heatwaves and water scarcity. The record-breaking dryness has triggered official drought declarations across half of England and all of Wales, affecting farmers, wildlife, and public water supplies.

Record-Breaking July Weather

The Met Office confirmed that England and Wales provisionally recorded their driest July since records began in 1836. Southern England saw virtually no rainfall, while Wales experienced its joint warmest July on record for mean temperature, and England recorded its second warmest. These conditions follow a summer marked by multiple heat records, with the heatwave affecting western Europe at the end of June being the most severe and widespread ever recorded.

July was the sixth consecutive month with above-average mean temperatures, and only January has remained below average this year. Dr Amy Doherty, a science manager at the Met Office, said: “The combination of record-breaking dryness, exceptional warmth and unprecedented sunshine has delivered one of the most notable summer months in our historical records.”

Drought and Water Restrictions

The Environment Agency reported that the conditions are severely impacting agriculture, wildlife, and the availability of water for public and business use. Last week, half of England and the whole of Wales were officially declared to be in drought. In England, 40% of the population are now under a hosepipe ban, with more restrictions likely as rivers and reservoirs continue to deplete.

The National Farmers’ Union has warned that the punishing drought could lead to shortages of certain foods in Britain, as crops fail and irrigation becomes impossible. The drought has also increased the risk of wildfires, which have already torched large parts of Europe this summer.

Impact on Europe's Rivers and Wildfires

Greece is battling one of the worst wildfire seasons of the past decade, while France has seen its largest wildfire on record, forcing thousands of evacuees. Rivers across Europe are facing extremely low flows; the Danube’s water flow has fallen to 1,500 cubic metres per second in Romania, less than a third of its July average. These extreme events are supercharged by the fossil fuel-driven climate crisis, making heatwaves more intense and more likely.

Key Takeaways

• July 2026 was the driest month in southern England since records began in 1836.
• England and Wales both recorded their driest July on record.
• 40% of England's population is under hosepipe bans due to drought.
• Wildfires and low river flows are affecting much of Europe.
• Climate change is making heatwaves and droughts more frequent and severe.

FAQ

Looking Ahead

As the summer continues, water companies are urging the public to conserve water, and farmers are bracing for potential food shortages. The Met Office warns that such record-breaking events may become more common as global temperatures rise, underscoring the urgent need for climate action.

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