BONE-DRY Britain is finally set for a soaking this week after more than a month with hardly a drop of rain.
Thunderstorms and downpours are on their way after the driest July in 190 years.
The last time it was as dry was 1836, only 21 years after Waterloo, when Queen Victoria hadn’t taken the throne and King William IV was still monarch.
Half of the country is already in drought after four consecutive heatwaves and record-breaking highs.
But low pressure is today expected to unleash heavy rain in parts of the North, and showers in the South.
However, warmer and humid air is also likely, with 30C (86F) highs a possibility for some.
New Met Office figures show several counties recorded just 1mm of rain last month.
Half of England is now officially in drought, with demand for water soaring and reservoir levels dangerously low.
Met Office scientist Dr Emily Carlisle said: “The headline story for July is undoubtedly the rainfall.
“Across parts of England and Wales, we’ve seen extraordinarily low totals, with some locations recording little or no meaningful rainfall for much of the month.
“Provisional figures suggest this could be one of the driest Julys in nearly two centuries of records.
Parched conditions can be seen at landmarks including the Cerne Abbas Giant chalk figure in Dorset and the Chesterton Windmill, Warwicks.
Eight water firms have imposed hosepipe bans — double last year’s number.
Last week, temperatures soared above 35C for the seventh time this year — toppling the previous record of five days in 1976.
Wisley in Surrey had 46 consecutive days without a drop of rain, to beat a 50-year record.
In tinderbox conditions, firefighters in England and Wales tackled 208 wildfires between July 16 and 28 alone.
SPUDS BURNT TO TINY CRISP
Exclusive by Paul Sims
THE drought conditions are shrinking potatoes and will lead to smaller crisps, industry experts fear.
Potato crops are showing increasing signs of stress after the punishing heatwaves stalled their growth.
There are now fears of a looming size crisis for chippies and supermarkets.
Alex Godfrey, of GB Potatoes, said: “There is a view that the main crop has potential, but that is at risk if they can’t get sufficient water.”
Potato supplier Andrew Lamont said: “As soon as the temperature hits 28 degrees, the plant will stop growing.”
Farmers say they are facing the worst harvest for years. The National Farmers’ Union said yields of wheat and oats were “very, very poor”.
It added livestock farmers are dipping into their winter feed rations because they have been unable to grow grass.
Vegetable producers are running low on water, reducing food produced in the UK and increasing costs to grow it.
