It’s official – last month was the driest July ever recorded in England and Wales, the Met Office has confirmed.
In a series since 1836, England had its driest July on record, with just 6.5mm of rainfall across the entire month.
That’s just 10 per cent of its long–term average for the month – and less than half the previous record of 13.4mm, set in 1911.
Wales had 9.3mm of rainfall in July – just nine per cent of its long–term average for the month.
And with just 1.9mm of rainfall, Southern England has been particularly dry, experiencing its driest month ever recorded.
Met Office Science Manager, Dr Amy Doherty said: ‘July 2026 has been a truly remarkable month in the UK’s climate record.
‘Both England and Wales have provisionally recorded their driest July on record – Wales also its joint warmest. Southern England has seen its driest month ever recorded, and England and Wales have each experienced their sunniest month ever observed.
‘The combination of record–breaking dryness, exceptional warmth and unprecedented sunshine has delivered one of the most notable summer months in our historical records.’
It’s official – last month was the driest July ever recorded in England and Wales, the Met Office has confirmed
People walk on the scorched grass of Primrose Hill on August 3, 2026 in London
Across the entire UK, last month was the third driest July on record.
There was 28.9mm of rainfall, which is 35 per cent of the long–term average – the driest July nationally since 1868.
While England and Wales were extremely dry, it was a different story in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Northern Ireland saw its eighth driest July on record, while Scotland had 69 per cent of its average rainfall, and is the only nation not to come close to breaking records.
At a county level, no less than 19 counties recorded less than 1mm of rainfall across the entire month.
These were: Berkshire, Dorset, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucestershire, Greater London, Herefordshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Rutland, Surrey, Warwickshire and West Sussex.
Helen Wakeham, Chair of the National Drought Group and Director of Water at the Environment Agency, said: ‘Dry weather depletes our water, while the hot conditions mean we use more of it.
‘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.
Across the entire UK, last month was the third driest July on record. There was 28.9mm of rainfall, which is 35 per cent of the long–term average – the driest July nationally since 1868
‘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.
‘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.’
With yet another heatwave currently underway, it will come as no surprise that July was also exceptionally warm.
Overall, the UK saw its second warmest July on record, with an average temperature of 17.4°C.
Meanwhile, Wales had its joint warmest July – joining 2006 and 1983 with an average temperature of 17.8°C.
What’s more, there was also record–breaking sunshine last month.
In a series dating back to 1910, the UK, England, and Wales all recorded their sunniest Julys on record.
Looking ahead, the Met Office warns that the dry conditions are set to continue for Brits living in the south of the UK.
Looking ahead, the Met Office warns that the dry conditions are set to continue for Brits living in the south of the UK
‘The week ahead does introduce some more unsettled weather for parts of the UK, though heavy and persistent rain is generally focused on northern areas,’ it explained.
‘Those further to the southeast will continue to see little in the way of rain, though some isolated showers are possible at times in central and southern England.
‘Temperatures will gradually decrease in the second half of the week, with any warmth increasingly confined to the far east of England on Tuesday and a return to more average temperatures for many in the second half of the week.’
