England Wales Drought: Driest July on Record as Heatwave Intensifies
England Wales drought conditions have reached historic levels after both countries recorded their driest July since weather records began nearly 190 years ago.
The prolonged lack of rainfall has increased wildfire risks, lowered river levels and forced authorities to introduce wider water restrictions.
England Records Historic Dry Spell
The Met Office said England received only 5.6mm of rainfall by 30 July.
That equals just 8% of the country’s long-term July average. It also breaks the previous record set in 1911.
Wales recorded only 7.9mm of rainfall during the same period. That also represents just 8% of its normal monthly average.
Drought Brings Water Restrictions
Officials have declared drought across more than half of England and throughout Wales.
The Environment Agency also announced a flash drought in several regions because water supplies continue to fall faster than rainfall can replace them.
More than 20 million people now live under hosepipe bans.
Wildfire Risk Continues to Grow
The England Wales drought has created extremely dry ground across many areas.
Firefighters recently tackled a major wildfire in Suffolk that spread across land equal to nearly 200 football pitches.
In Scotland, another wildfire burned for two weeks inside the Cairngorms, destroying around 25 square kilometres of moorland.
Heat Adds More Pressure
The dry weather has arrived alongside one of the warmest Julys ever recorded across much of the UK.
High temperatures continue to place pressure on water supplies, farming and emergency services.
Health officials also estimate that thousands of heat-related deaths occurred during this summer’s prolonged heatwaves.
Weather experts expect dry conditions to continue unless significant rainfall arrives soon.
The England Wales drought has already become one of the country’s most severe weather events in recent history. Authorities continue urging residents to conserve water and remain alert to wildfire risks.
