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England Faces Driest Spell This Century
17 Jul
Summary
- Central and south-east England recorded 14 days without rain.
- This dry spell is the longest this century for the regions.
- Hosepipe bans are in effect due to intensifying water supply strain.
Central and south-east England have endured the most prolonged period without rain this century, with 14 consecutive days of zero precipitation recorded from July 2 to July 15. This unprecedented dry spell follows recent heatwaves and contributes to a growing strain on water supplies, prompting several hosepipe bans across southern England. The Met Office confirmed that for south-east England, this is the longest dry run since April 1997, and for central England, since June 1996.
The nation's climate is undergoing changes, with human-driven global warming identified as a factor in extreme weather and disrupted rainfall. This year's hot summer follows a record-breaking warm spring for England and Wales, increasing the risk of drought. Temperatures across the UK have frequently exceeded 30C, with 2026 already having seen 27 days with such high temperatures, nearing the 1995 record. While cooler conditions are expected to end the run of 30C days, the long-term outlook for heatwave conditions remains uncertain.
