England Faces Driest July in 190 Years

England and Wales are on track to record their driest July in 190 years, with England receiving only 5.6mm of rainfall by July 30, a mere 8% of its long-term average. This marks less than half of the previous record set in 1911. Wales has experienced similar conditions, with 7.9mm of rainfall. The UK as a whole is heading for its third driest July nationally since 1868.

An official drought has been declared across more than half of England and all of Wales due to a 'flash drought' where water is depleted faster than it can be replenished. Wisley, Surrey, has gone 44 days without any rainfall. Scotland is monitoring 'water scarcity,' with some eastern areas facing significant scarcity. These dry conditions have led to low river flows, early harvests, and widespread hosepipe bans affecting over 20 million people.

The parched landscape has significantly increased wildfire risk. Firefighters battled a wildfire covering an area equivalent to 200 football pitches in Suffolk. In Scotland, a two-week wildfire in the Cairngorms destroyed 10 square miles of moorland. England is also anticipating the highest number of heat-related deaths since records began, with preliminary estimates showing nearly 3,000 deaths during the May and June heatwaves.