Longest spell without rain for decades in parts of England as heatwave lingers on
Forecasters have confirmed that central and south-east England are experiencing their longest period with no recorded rainfall this century.
According to the latest available data, Met Office weather stations in both regions recorded zero rainfall for 14 consecutive days from Thursday 2 July to Wednesday 15 July.
This unprecedented dry spell coincides with continued warm and sunny conditions following the last three heat waves.
Scientists warn that the country’s climate is changing as human-caused global warming contributes to extreme weather conditions and disrupted rainfall patterns.
Increasing pressure on water supplies has led to several cyclone bans across large areas of southern England this summer.
Officials have also warned that the risk of drought is increasing this year, especially with a hot summer following a record-breaking warm spring in England and Wales.
Met Office figures show that for south-east England this was the longest period of continuous rainfall since a 15-day period in April 1997.
This is also the longest period in central England since a 14-day rainless period recorded in June 1996.
Data for July 16 has not yet been released but may indicate that rain-free periods in both regions are lasting even longer.
The Met Office also revealed that temperatures in the UK on Thursday peaked at 30.6C at Merryfield in Somerset, making it the 12th day in a row the country has exceeded 30C.
Temperatures above 30C were experienced for 18 consecutive days in the extremely hot year of 1976, when drought conditions damaged crops, scorched landscapes and forced people to use standpipes on the street.
But in 2026 there have been 27 consecutive and non-consecutive days where 30C has been exceeded in the UK: seven in May, eight in June and 12 in July.
The record for the number of days with more than 30C in a calendar year is 34, set in 1995.
David Hayter, the Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist, said: “Every day for the last 11 days has seen temperatures reach or exceed 30C somewhere in the UK.
“The high pressure that brought about this extended thin period will continue until at least next week, but will shift enough to enable a more northerly flow which will create a cooler feel that will end the 30C day run.
“However, some locations are likely to remain in heatwave conditions to end the week.”
The Met Office said it was too early to tell whether heatwave conditions would continue beyond the next 10 days and into the end of July.
Britons have so far endured a sweltering summer with above-average temperatures and persistently warm nights.
England was particularly hot; the average temperature was now 2.4°C above the generally expected average of 21°C.
The Met Office said Wales was 2.2 degrees above average at around 19.3 degrees, while Scotland and Northern Ireland remained close to seasonal normals of 17.3 degrees and 18.6 degrees, but were still running above average at 0.9 degrees and 1.3 degrees respectively.
