A cold front approaching the UK is expected to bring lower temperatures and limited rainfall starting Thursday and lasting through the weekend. Despite this shift, the most severely parched regions, which currently include over half of England and parts of Wales, remain unlikely to receive significant precipitation.
Wednesday marked the peak of the recent heatwave, with Writtle in Essex reaching 35.2C. While this was the hottest day in over two weeks, it remained below the record-breaking 38C observed at Lingwood in Norfolk on June 26. The Environment Agency has officially declared a drought across large sections of central, southern, and eastern England, noting issues like depleted river levels and wildfire risks. Hosepipe bans currently impact more than 20 million residents.
While Scotland faces water scarcity in its eastern regions and North Wales experiences drought, Northern Ireland remains unaffected. The incoming weather front will lower temperatures below heatwave thresholds for most, though parts of south-east England may see one final warm day. Looking ahead, while some rain is forecast for the north-west, prospects for relief in the dry south remain uncertain.
