July is set to be the driest month on record, with England having just 7% of expected rainfall, and southern England seeing just 1%. As a result, much of the country is experiencing a flash drought – one which has come on quickly despite a very wet winter. The UK and England record, set on June 26, came from the same station – Lingwood in Norfolk – as the provisional reading, the Met Office said. "A second consecutive summer drought is an exceptionally serious situation and one that will have long-lasting impacts on our environment, wildlife and the economy. "We're delivering long-term change in the water industry and driving record investments in infrastructure, including nine new reservoirs.