England records lowest July rainfall since 1836, Met Office says

England and Wales recorded their driest July since records began in 1836, according to provisional figures from the UK Met Office. England received 6.5mm of rain, about 10% of the average for the month, while Wales recorded 9.3mm. Southern England had its driest month ever, with just 1.9mm of rainfall.

The UK experienced its second-hottest July on record, with excess deaths estimated at 2,877 by the UK Health Security Agency. Wales matched its joint hottest July, with a mean temperature of 17.8°C. The Met Office described the month as "truly remarkable" for its combination of dryness, heat, and sunshine.

Water companies in parts of England and Wales imposed hosepipe bans, affecting 23 million customers. Farmers reported harvests finishing a month early, with yields a third lower than usual. Renewable energy sources supplied 14.4% of UK electricity in July, peaking at 44% on 12 July, according to the reports.

The three centre-rated reports led on the record-breaking dryness and heat. France24 and Rother Radio both quoted Met Office science manager Amy Doherty describing July 2026 as "a truly remarkable month in the UK's climate record". France24 highlighted the impact on wildlife and biodiversity, quoting Greenpeace UK's head of politics Ami McCarthy calling the effects "simply unfathomable".

Rother Radio included the UK Health Security Agency's estimate of 2,877 excess deaths linked to heatwaves in May and June. It also reported that renewable energy supplied 14.4% of UK electricity in July, peaking at 44% on 12 July. The outlet quoted National Farmers' Union president Tom Bradshaw saying harvests were finishing a month early, with yields a third lower than normal.

WTVB's digest, summarising a Reuters report, focused on the Met Office's provisional data confirming the driest July on record for England and Wales. Rhyl Journal's digest noted the exceptional heat and sunshine alongside the dry conditions.

No outlet outside the centre-rated reports covered the story. None of the digests or full reports mentioned the cost of the drought's impact on agriculture or infrastructure, or detailed financial support measures for affected farmers beyond general calls for government action.