The UK is experiencing an exceptionally hot and dry summer, raising the prospect of a second consecutive drought only four months after last year's officially ended. England, Wales and eastern Scotland have been worst affected, having also seen a very dry spring, with central England recording its longest dry spell since 1995 and little rain forecast in the coming days. Despite the parched conditions, drought has developed more slowly than last year because a wet autumn and winter replenished aquifers, rivers and reservoirs, though experts warn such "flash droughts" may become more frequent and intense.

Some eastern and north-eastern English areas had received just 26% of expected summer rainfall by 15 July, while Wisley in Surrey has had 33 consecutive dry days; northern and western Scotland, by contrast, have seen above-average rainfall. High pressure is expected to persist for at least five more days, with only patchy coastal showers likely, and any weekend rain is expected to fall mainly on Scotland and Northern Ireland rather than the worst-hit south and east. Consequences are already visible: hosepipe bans affect millions in England, 87% of England's river catchments are below normal or exceptionally low, Wales has entered "prolonged dry weather status" in its worst-affected areas, and farmers report having to harvest early crops while struggling to water produce and care for livestock.