The UK is locked into a prolonged heatwave with no respite in sight as forecasters predict another week of scorching temperatures and near-zero rainfall. The dominant high-pressure system shows little sign of shifting, leaving many areas to endure further dry spells that are already setting new records.
England's drought is deepening, with large swathes of the country recording zero per cent of their typical July rainfall so far. Wisley in Surrey has endured 26 consecutive days without any measurable wet weather, while other locations such as Herstmonceux in East Sussex and Heathrow in London have experienced dry spells lasting 20 days or more.
While Wales and Northern Ireland have seen some rain, their totals remain significantly below average. In stark contrast, north-west Scotland has already received close to its average July rainfall. The disparity is a stark reminder of the uneven impact of this summer's heatwave.
The consequences of the dry spell are being felt across the country, with more than eight million households in England under hosepipe bans due to dwindling water reserves. Wildfires have also broken out in various locations, prompting warnings from Natural England of a 'very high' or 'exceptional' risk across much of England and Wales.
Temperatures are expected to soar once again this week, with southern England forecast to reach highs of 33C by mid-week. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible in the far south of England and the Channel Islands but are unlikely to bring widespread relief from the dry spell.
This summer has already set several meteorological records, including a new UK temperature record of 37.7C in Lingwood, Norfolk, surpassing the 1976 mark. The Met Office expects high pressure to remain in control throughout next week and potentially beyond, suggesting that the dry and hot conditions could persist for an extended period.