UK heatwave persists with no rain forecast for at least a week as drought risks increase

Heatwave conditions are set to persist across the UK for at least a week, with many regions experiencing severe drought as of July 14, 2026. More than eight million households in England are currently under hosepipe bans due to the lack of rainfall, which has reached record low levels in several areas. The ongoing dry spell raises the risk of wildfires, especially in regions like Greater Manchester and Conwy.

Record Low Rainfall Across England

In July, some parts of England have recorded 0% of their expected rainfall, with locations like Wisley in Surrey going without measurable rain for 27 consecutive days. Other areas have also reported significant dry spells:

• No rain for 25 days: Herstmonceux (East Sussex)
• No rain for 21 days: Cardington (Bedfordshire), Wittering (Cambridgeshire), Odiham (Hampshire), Heathrow (London)

Wisley typically receives 49.3mm of rain in a standard July, while Odiham sees an average of 50.8mm. However, the first 11 days of July brought most areas less than 20% of their usual monthly rainfall.

Wildfire Risks Heighten Amidst Dry Conditions

The persistent dry weather has led to warnings from Natural England about a "very high" or "exceptional" risk of wildfires across much of England and Wales. Fires have already ignited in various locations, including Derbyshire and Greater Manchester. While dry weather alone does not cause wildfires, it significantly increases the flammability of vegetation, making it easier for fires to spread.

Computer models suggest that high pressure will continue to dominate the UK forecast, keeping widespread rainfall at bay. A few isolated showers and thunderstorms may occur in the far south, but many areas are expected to remain largely dry.

Heatwave Conditions Expected to Continue

Temperatures are expected to rise again, reaching up to 33C in southern England by midweek. This summer has already set several records, including:

• New UK June temperature record: 37.7C at Lingwood, Norfolk
• Six days reaching 35C or above, surpassing the previous record of five days set in 1976
• Nine days reaching 34C or above, exceeding the previous record of eight days set in 1976

As a result, the UK is experiencing its first summer where temperatures of 35C or above have been recorded in three different calendar months: May, June, and July. The ongoing heatwave reflects warnings from climate scientists regarding the increasing frequency of intense heatwaves and potential summer droughts.