The combination of low rainfall and prolonged high temperatures – meaning greater evaporation of moisture – has quickly depleted water reserves in soils, vegetation and rivers.
This has led to a “flash drought” – where drought conditions begin quite suddenly rather than over many months or years.
Paul Tompkins, deputy president of the National Farmers’ Union of England and Wales (NFU), said: “Farmers and growers have always had to contend with the weather, but what they are experiencing now is climate change in action. More extreme conditions [are] making it harder, riskier and more costly to produce the nation’s food.”
He added the issue of drought is something that “should matter to everyone” as it affects the country’s food security.
Today’s announcement means there have been three droughts in the past five years – 2022, 2025 and now 2026.
Some areas of the country are now entering their fourth heatwave of the year.
And on Wednesday, the Met Office announced that the new June temperature record set last month, was even higher than previously thought, following verification processes.
The previously-reported figure of 37.7C in Lingwood, Norfolk, on 26 June 2026 has been updated to 38.0C – smashing the UK’s previous June high of 35.6C.