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England and Wales face driest July on record amid heatwaves
🇵🇦 Panama /Disasters & Emergencies

England and Wales face driest July on record amid heatwaves

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • England and Wales recorded their driest July since records began in 1836, receiving minimal rainfall due to prolonged heatwaves.
  • England received only 6.5 liters of water per square meter, a fraction of the usual 65 liters, while Wales recorded 9.3 liters per square meter.
  • The extreme heat and lack of rain have impacted agriculture, wildlife, and public water availability, with July also being the sunniest month on record for the UK.

England and Wales endured their driest July since record-keeping began in 1836, a consequence of persistent heatwaves that gripped the United Kingdom and Western Europe. The UK's Met Office reported that England received a mere 6.5 liters of water per square meter throughout July, a stark contrast to the typical average of around 65 liters for the month. Wales experienced a similarly severe deficit, with only 9.3 liters per square meter recorded.

We are seeing the effects on our farmers, our wildlife, and the amount of water available for public and business use.

— Helena WakehamThe chair of the National Drought Group described the consequences of the dry weather.

The Met Office highlighted the severity of the drought, noting that 19 English counties experienced virtually no rainfall for the entire month. These areas accumulated a maximum of 1 millimeter of precipitation, equivalent to one liter per square meter, underscoring the extreme dryness. This follows earlier heatwaves in late May and June, which set new temperature records, including a peak of 38°C on June 26.

July 2026 has been an extraordinary month in the UK's climate records.

— Amy DohertyA senior scientist at the Met Office commented on the unprecedented weather conditions.

Helena Wakeham, chair of the National Drought Group, stated, "We are seeing the effects on our farmers, our wildlife, and the amount of water available for public and business use." Adding to the extreme conditions, July was also the sunniest month ever recorded in the UK. Amy Doherty, a senior scientist at the Met Office, described July as an "extraordinary month" characterized by a "combination of record drought, exceptional heat, and unprecedented sunshine hours."

combination of record drought, exceptional heat, and unprecedented sunshine hours.

— Amy DohertyThe scientist explained the factors contributing to the extraordinary July.

The heatwaves in May and June were also linked to a significant increase in mortality. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported that approximately 2,877 deaths in England were associated with the high temperatures during those two months, nearly double the number recorded in the summer of 2025. Farmers are also feeling the strain; Tom Bradshaw, president of the National Farmers Union, told Sky News that the current situation was "unthinkable just a decade ago."

unthinkable just a decade ago.

— Tom BradshawThe president of the National Farmers Union expressed shock at the current agricultural conditions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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