England and Wales are experiencing their driest July on record due to a prolonged period of extreme heat and scarce rainfall. The Environment Agency reported that half of England is currently in a state of drought, while all areas in Wales are facing similar conditions for the third time in the past five years.
The scorching temperatures have led to fields and lawns turning brown, with the UK witnessing four heatwaves since May, resulting in wildfires. The Met Office described the situation as “remarkable,” with July being characterized by intense heat, abundant sunshine, and minimal rainfall.
Preliminary data shows that England has only received 5.6mm of rainfall in July, less than half of the previous record set in 1911. Similarly, Wales is also experiencing its driest July with only 7.9mm of rainfall recorded, nearly a third of the previous record.
While Northern Ireland is on track for its eighth driest July, the UK as a whole is heading towards its third driest July. Scotland, however, has received 72% of its average rainfall for the month, not ranking within the top 10 driest Julys.
Despite the figures being released with one day left in July, the Met Office stated that the month is shaping up to be exceptionally dry and hot. Water companies do not foresee a threat to drinking water supplies due to sufficient reservoir levels from winter rainfall, but hosepipe bans are affecting over 23 million people in England and Wales.
Aerial images reveal the dry conditions in London after weeks of hot weather, with grass in royal gardens like Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace turning brown. Ascot Racecourse stands out as one of the few places with greenery.
The soaring temperatures, reaching as high as 35.2C, have contributed to the emergence of wildfires across England and Wales. Firefighters have been busier than ever, responding to 393 wildfires in July alone, matching the total incidents recorded in 2021, 2023, and 2024 combined.
The National Trust is calling for action to help communities adapt to climate change, particularly in creating more resilient landscapes. The UK Health Security Agency has warned of an increase in heat-associated deaths this year compared to previous years, with nearly double the number of excess deaths attributed to heatwaves thus far.
The challenging conditions are a stark reminder of the impact of climate change, prompting calls for proactive measures to mitigate its effects and protect vulnerable populations.