Drought Crisis: England Wales July Rainfall Hits Historic Low 2026

Key Points

• England and Wales recorded their driest July on record since 1836, with provisional Met Office data showing England received just 6.5mm of rain (10% of average) and Wales 9.3mm (9% of average).
• Southern England experienced its driest month ever recorded, with only 1.9mm of rainfall (3% of average).
• Nineteen counties across England recorded effectively no rainfall (1mm or less) during the entire month.
• Southern England had its hottest July on record; Wales recorded its joint hottest July, while the UK and England had their second hottest July.
• The UK, England and Wales all recorded their sunniest Julys on record, with England and Wales also experiencing their sunniest calendar month ever observed.
• Solar power reached a new monthly record, providing 14.4% of all electricity in July, with a peak of 44% on the morning of Sunday, July 12.
• More than 2,800 excess deaths were recorded during two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June, with two more heatwaves in July fuelling drought and wildfires.
• Some 23 million customers are under hosepipe bans, farmers warn of poor crop yields, and rivers and natural environments are struggling with low water levels.
• Amber heat health alerts remain in place for parts of England, with temperatures forecast to reach up to 35C.
• The Met Office described July as a “truly remarkable month” in the UK’s climate record.

Wales (Wales Times) August 03, 2026 – England and Wales have experienced their driest July since records began in 1836, according to provisional statistics released by the Met Office on Monday. The unprecedented dryness comes amid a summer of extreme weather that has seen multiple heatwaves, widespread drought conditions, and record-breaking sunshine across the UK. Southern England recorded its driest month ever observed, while temperatures soared to levels that triggered health warnings and placed immense pressure on water supplies, agriculture, and the natural environment.

What do the Met Office figures show about rainfall in July 2026?

Provisional rainfall statistics from the Met Office reveal the extraordinary scale of the dryness experienced across England and Wales during July 2026. As reported by the Met Office in their official statistics published on August 03, England recorded just 6.5mm of rainfall for the entire month, representing only 10% of the long-term meteorological average for July. This figure is less than half of the previous record dry July set in 1911, when 13.4mm of rain fell across England.

Wales fared similarly poorly, with the Met Office stating that the country recorded 9.3mm of rainfall, equivalent to just 9% of its long-term average for the month. This was also less than half of the previous record dry July in Wales, which saw 22.6mm of rainfall in 1911.

The situation was even more severe in southern England, which experienced its driest month ever recorded in a series dating back to 1836. According to the Met Office, southern England received just 1.9mm of rainfall during July, representing only 3% of the average figure for the month. Southeast and central south England recorded an astonishingly low 0.7mm of rainfall, representing only 1% of average.

The Met Office figures show that 19 counties across England recorded effectively no rainfall during the month, with totals of 1mm or less. Large areas of England had less than 1mm of rain for the period between July 1 and July 30, with some sites recording no measurable rain at all. Across Wales, rainfall totals for the same period were widely below 5mm, and locally below 1mm.

How did temperatures and sunshine contribute to the extreme conditions?

Alongside the record-breaking dryness, July 2026 was characterised by exceptional warmth and unprecedented sunshine across the UK. As reported by the Met Office, southern England experienced its hottest July on record, while Wales recorded its joint hottest July. The UK and England as a whole had their second hottest July on record, according to the provisional figures.

The exceptional sunshine contributed to what the Met Office described as the sunniest Julys on record for the UK, England and Wales. For England and Wales, it was also the sunniest calendar month ever observed in the historical record. Southeast and central south England recorded 360.3 hours of sunshine, equivalent to 165% of the average, while southwest England and south Wales saw 338.6 hours, or 176% of average.

Specific locations recorded remarkable sunshine totals during the month. As noted by weather analysts, Hurn near Southampton recorded 372.1 hours of sunshine, Exeter Airport recorded 330.7 hours, and Heathrow Airport in London recorded 321.6 hours. Parts of the Republic of Ireland also experienced record sunshine totals, with Cork Airport recording 308 hours.

The combination of record-breaking dryness, exceptional warmth and unprecedented sunshine delivered what Met Office science manager Dr Amy Doherty described as “one of the most notable summer months in our historical records”.

What impact has the drought had on water supplies and agriculture?

The extreme weather conditions have had profound impacts on water supplies, agriculture and the natural environment across England and Wales. According to reporting on the drought situation, more than 23 million customers are currently under hosepipe bans as water companies struggle to maintain supplies amid the prolonged dry conditions.

Helen Wakeham, chairwoman of the National Drought Group and director of water at the Environment Agency, stated: “Dry weather depletes our water, while the hot conditions mean we use more of it.” She continued: “This is a difficult combination, and we are seeing the effects on our farmers, our wildlife, and the amount available for public and business use.”

The agricultural sector has been particularly hard hit by the conditions. As reported by various sources, farmers are warning of poor crop yields as the harvest has come early due to the extreme heat and lack of rainfall. Livestock are already being fed winter feed, some months ahead of the normal schedule, as grazing land has become parched and unproductive.

The Environment Agency has declared drought conditions across half of England and the whole of Wales, as exceptionally low rainfall and prolonged high temperatures have depleted rivers and reservoirs. Rivers and the natural environment are struggling with low water levels, with significant implications for wildlife and ecosystems.

What health warnings remain in place as temperatures continue to rise?

As the Met Office published its latest figures, a swathe of England remained under another amber heat health alert, with temperatures forecast to reach as high as 35C on Monday, August 03. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has amber heat health alerts in place for the East Midlands, East of England, South East and London until Wednesday morning.

Yellow heat health alerts are also in place for the North West, South West, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and The Humber, as the agency warns that the latest high temperatures could put extra pressure on the NHS. The UKHSA stated that more vulnerable people are likely to require medical treatment during the period of elevated temperatures.

The summer of extreme weather has already seen two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June that led to more than 2,800 excess deaths, according to official figures. Two more heatwaves in July have further fuelled drought conditions and wildfires across the country.

Temperatures are expected to gradually decrease in the second half of the week, with some more unsettled weather forecast for parts of the UK, including a yellow warning for thunderstorms in Northern Ireland. However, the Met Office has warned that the South East will continue to see little in the way of desperately needed rain.

How are authorities responding to the crisis?

In response to the extreme conditions, park chiefs in London are urging people to enjoy the capital’s open spaces safely. The City of London Corporation, The Royal Parks, The National Trust, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, and Parks for London have jointly issued guidance for visitors to popular green spaces including Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath, Richmond Park and Hyde Park.

The authorities are advising people to keep out of ponds, lakes and reservoirs with no lifeguards, never light barbecues or open fires, dispose of cigarettes safely, carry water and stay in the shade in the heat of the day.

Helen Wakeham of the Environment Agency emphasised the importance of water conservation, stating:

“All sectors are taking action, and we are grateful to the public for following the restrictions, where in place, to make sure there is enough water for everyone this summer.” She added:

“We want everyone to stay safe and hydrated during the hot weather but every drop we can save is a drop more for nature and agriculture.”

The exceptional sunshine during July helped solar power reach a new monthly record, with the renewable technology providing 14.4% of all electricity over the month. Solar power delivered a peak of 44% of generation for a period on the morning of Sunday, July 12.

Background of the particular development

The current drought and extreme weather conditions in England and Wales represent the culmination of a prolonged period of dry weather that has built up over several months. According to the Environment Agency’s drought status reports, July 2026 has continued a trend of very dry conditions, with only 3% of the long-term average rainfall received for the month across England. Rainfall totals for July ranged from 0% of the long-term average in east and south-east England to 9% in the north-west.

The UK has been facing the impacts of increasingly extreme weather such as droughts and heatwaves fuelled by climate change, which is caused mostly by burning fossil fuels in power plants, vehicles, home heating and industry, as well as from planet-warming emissions from agriculture and clearing forests. The summer of 2026 has been characterised by four heatwaves, with two in May and June breaking temperature records, and two more in July exacerbating the drought conditions.

The Met Office’s climate records date back to 1836, providing nearly 200 years of historical data against which the current conditions can be measured. The previous record dry July for England and Wales was set in 1911, when significantly more rainfall was recorded than in 2026.

Prediction: How this development can affect the UK population and economy

The unprecedented dry conditions and extreme weather experienced during July 2026 are likely to have far-reaching consequences for the UK population and economy in the coming months. Water supply companies may face continued pressure to maintain adequate supplies for domestic, commercial and agricultural use, potentially leading to extended hosepipe bans and further restrictions on water usage.

The agricultural sector is expected to suffer significant economic losses as poor crop yields reduce farmers’ incomes and potentially increase food prices for consumers. The early harvest and need to feed livestock winter feed months ahead of schedule will increase costs for farmers and may force some to reduce herd sizes or exit the industry altogether.

The natural environment faces prolonged stress as rivers, lakes and groundwater levels remain dangerously low. Wildlife populations may decline as habitats become unsuitable, and the risk of wildfires will remain elevated until significant rainfall arrives.

The health impacts of extreme heat are likely to continue affecting vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. The NHS may face increased demand during future heatwaves, requiring additional resources and planning to cope with heat-related illnesses.

The energy sector may see continued benefits from solar power generation during sunny periods, but the overall energy mix may need to adapt to account for the increased frequency of extreme weather events linked to climate change.

Long-term economic impacts could include increased insurance costs for properties at risk of subsidence due to prolonged dry conditions, higher costs for water infrastructure to improve resilience, and potential impacts on tourism and recreation in affected areas.