Record-Breaking Drought Conditions

July 2026 was declared the driest month in southern England since records began nearly two centuries ago, according to data from the Met Office. The severe lack of rainfall has pushed this year’s July into the historical record books as one of the driest on record for England and Wales, with only January experiencing below-average temperatures so far.

The unprecedented drought conditions are having a significant impact on various sectors. The Environment Agency reported that half of England and all of Wales were officially declared in drought last week, affecting farmers, wildlife, and the availability of water for public and business use. In England alone, 40% of the population is under a hosepipe ban.

The summer has been marked by multiple heat records, with Europe experiencing some of the most severe and widespread heatwaves ever recorded. The climate crisis has supercharged these events, leading to devastating wildfires in regions like Greece and France. In Greece, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the worst seasons for wildfires in a decade, while France faced its largest wildfire on record.

Rivers across Europe are experiencing extremely low flows, with the Danube’s water flow in Romania reaching just 1,500 cubic metres per second, less than one-third of its July average. Despite the Met Office forecasting some rain for parts of England, south-eastern regions will likely continue to experience little precipitation. The Environment Agency stated that current water reserves should suffice until the next period of sustained rainfall.

The combination of exceptional dryness, unprecedented warmth, and record-breaking sunshine has delivered one of the most notable summer months in historical records, as Dr Amy Doherty from the Met Office pointed out. These conditions are a stark reminder of the ongoing climate crisis and its far-reaching impacts on our environment and daily lives.

Source: The Guardian