Key facts
- Central and south-east England experienced 14 days without rain from July 2 to July 15.
- This is the longest dry spell in these regions since the mid-1990s.
- Spring 2025 was the driest in over a century, with average rainfall of 80 mm.
- April 2025 was the sunniest month on record.
- Drought risk is classified as 'medium' by the Environment Agency.
- Hosepipe bans have not yet been implemented but remain a possibility.
Parts of England have experienced their longest dry spells without measurable rainfall since the mid-1990s, according to Met Office figures. Central and south-east England recorded an average of zero rainfall for 14 consecutive days between July 2 and July 15. This marks the longest unbroken run for the south-east since April 1997 and for central England since June 1996.
The extended dry period follows a spring that was declared the driest in over a century, with average rainfall plummeting to 80 mm against a seasonal average of 229 mm. April 2025 was officially the sunniest month on record, with May also experiencing above-average sunshine, intensifying the dry conditions.
While no regions are currently in official drought, the drought risk is classified as 'medium' by the Environment Agency. Reservoir levels have fallen to approximately 80%, a decrease from the 90% recorded during the 2022 drought. The National Drought Group has urged water companies to enhance supply safeguards, and the possibility of hosepipe bans remains if the dry weather persists.
Future weather projections indicate that the dry spell is likely to continue for at least another week. The Met Office's HadUKP data series, used for these figures, is based on daily weighted totals from a network of weather stations across the country. Data for July 16 is yet to be published, meaning the rain-free spells could potentially extend further.