England and Wales on Track for Driest July in 190 Years

Provisional Met Office data shows England and Wales are on course for their driest July since records began in 1836, with rainfall at just 8% of long‑term averages and drought declared across more than half of England and all of Wales.

Rainfall and Records

England: 5.6 mm of rain so far in July 2026 — 8% of the monthly average, less than half the previous record of 13.4 mm set in 1911.

Wales: 7.9 mm — also 8% of average, almost a third of the 1911 record of 22.6 mm.

UK overall: Third‑driest July on record, driest since 1868.

Southern England: Just 1.5 mm (2% of average)