-and-Peter-Johnstone-in-1987.png?trim=34,0,36,0&width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800 "‘I investigated one of Britain’s most notorious missing person cases – I never gave up’ – UK Times")
An ongoing lack of rain means hosepipe bans are in force for millions of households and dry vegetation has provided fuel for wildfires to burn in a number of areas.
Though there was some rain this weekend, the driest locations – including central, southern and eastern England – saw little, if any, meaningful rainfall.
According to the Met Office, rainfall in England this month is at 4.4mm, one of the lowest levels on record, behind only February 1891 (3.3mm) and tied with June 1925 (4.4mm).
Rainfall levels in Wales, where drought was triggered last week in some parts, are so low that July 2026 is currently the fourth driest of any month since records began.
As this next spell of hot weather develops across England and Wales, the lack of significant rain means dry ground and low soil moisture levels are likely to become an increasing concern.
Wisley in Surrey has been one of the driest locations in south-east England with 40 days of no rain as of 27 July.
Though some isolated showers are expected later in the week, there is no significant rain in the forecast.
You can check the latest for your area on the Weather website or app.
