England and Wales recorded the driest July on record, according to preliminary data from the UK’s national meteorological service, Met Office.
Met Office also noted that Southern England experienced the driest July on record, with meteorological records dating back to 1836. The agency described July as an exceptional month for the UK, as new records were set or near-record levels were recorded for temperature, duration of sunshine, and amount of precipitation.
According to Met Office data, England received only 6.5 mm of precipitation in July, which is 10% of the monthly average and less than half of the previous record of 13.4 mm, set in 1911.
Heat threatens energy in Central Europe
The rapid rise in temperature is raising concerns about the energy situation in Central Europe, where the water level in the Danube river has dropped to record lows. In Hungary, a new heatwave nearly led to the first shutdown in 44 years of the country’s only nuclear power plant.
Despite this, Prime Minister Péter Mátyás stated that the nuclear power plant continues to operate for now.
Meteorologists warn that extreme heat and prolonged lack of precipitation may continue to affect river water levels, energy infrastructure operations, and agriculture in various European countries.
Source: Euronews
