London Photo Gallery - Summer Drought 2026

Summer 2026 has seen scorching hot temperatures and heat wave after heat wave. July was a dry and sunny month with no measurable rainfull, the first time in over 150 years of records that this has happened. From the Met Office, the Heathrow weather station reported over 327 hours of sunshine during the month. As of early August, parts of London have experienced 42 consecutive days without measurable rainfall, with a quick shower on the 4th breaking that spell briefly.

More than half of England was declared to be in drought in late July, and Thames Water declared a hosepipe ban starting July 23.

As a result of the drought, grass at many parks in the city have turned brown.

Hyde Park

Greenwich Park