Record-Breaking July Heat Scorches the US as England's Drought Deepens

The United States experienced its most sweltering July

The United States experienced its most sweltering July on record this year, while a vast majority of England has officially entered drought conditions, according to new data released on Wednesday.

Across the contiguous US, average temperatures in July surpassed all previous highs since national record-keeping began in 1895, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reporting a margin of nearly 0.5°F above the prior benchmark set in 2012. The scorching heat was driven by a persistent high-pressure system that baked the West and South, pushing thermometers past 110°F in several desert cities and fueling dozens of wildfires in California and Oregon.

Meanwhile, the UK's Environment Agency announced that 71% of England's land area now falls under official drought status, up from just 25% in early June. The designation triggers stricter water-use restrictions for households and businesses, including bans on garden hosepipes and car washing, as reservoir levels drop to critically low levels in the Midlands and the Southwest.

Hydrologists attribute the rapid deterioration to an exc…

Hydrologists attribute the rapid deterioration to an exceptionally dry spring and a July heatwave that saw temperatures top 40°C for the first time in parts of central England. The agency warned that without significant rainfall in the coming weeks, further areas—including London and the Thames Valley—could be added to the list by September.

For US residents, relief may be slow to arrive. Forecasters predict above-normal temperatures will persist through August across most of the country, while drought conditions also expanded in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest. In England, water companies are already implementing emergency supply measures, and officials are urging the public to conserve water as they brace for a potentially historic dry spell.