England and Wales recorded their driest July since 1836, when weather record-keeping began, according to provisional data released Monday by the Met Office, Britain's national weather service.
The Met Office said the two countries also experienced their sunniest month on record, a result of repeated heatwaves combined with a prolonged lack of rainfall.
Amy Doherty, the Met Office's science manager, said the combination of record drought, excessive heat and unprecedented sunshine made the month one of the most notable in the service's historical records.
Rainfall far below average
England received just 6.5 millimeters of rain in July, barely 10 percent of the average for the month. Wales recorded 9.3 millimeters, or 9 percent of its normal rainfall.
Southern England was hit hardest, receiving only 1.9 millimeters of rain, about 3 percent of its average. The Met Office said that made it the driest month recorded in the region for any month since 1836.
The Met Office said four months so far this year have brought above-average rainfall, January, February, March and June, while three months, April, May and July, brought below-average totals.
Heat alert covers England
Since Sunday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has placed several areas of England, including London, under an amber heat alert because of a heatwave expected to affect the country until Wednesday.
The Met Office said temperatures could reach 31 degrees Celsius on Monday afternoon before falling below 30 degrees by Wednesday.
Thousands of heat-related deaths
Heatwaves in May and June may have contributed to 2,877 deaths in England, according to UKHSA data released last week.
