England and Wales both experienced the "driest July on record", the UK Met Office weather agency said Monday, based on provisional figures. The month of July was also the "sunniest month ever observed" in Britain, the Met Office said. "July 2026 has been a truly remarkable month in the UK's climate record," said Met Office science manager Amy Doherty. In the southern part of England, July was the driest month ever recorded, dating back to 1836, with just 1.9 mm of rainfall, or three percent of the average figure, the Met Office said. Water companies in parts of England and Wales have imposed bans on using hose pipes for household tasks and watering plants.