A hosepipe ban for 1.4 million Wessex Water customers comes into force on Tuesday, as forecasters warn of possible surface water flooding from intense showers following a record dry spell.
First meaningful rain in weeks
Many Londoners woke to wet roads and rain-covered cars after almost a month without rain. The Met Office said some areas will see the 'first meaningful rain for a long time' in the coming days, following weeks of intense heat and dry weather.
The ban applies to all Wessex Water customers across Bath, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire. It is the company's first such restriction in 50 years, since the summer of 1976. The company cited increased demand during the dry weather and longer-term forecasts that mean resources must be protected for customers and the environment.
Wetter and cooler week ahead
More than 27 million people across England have now had hosepipe use restricted. Following the fifth heatwave of the summer, this week is forecast to be wetter with cooler conditions closer to average for the time of year, the Met Office said.
Showers are expected on Tuesday in the north, particularly the North West, with another area of rain moving into the South West by evening, said deputy chief forecaster Mike Silverstone. This will likely spread east across the South, bringing the first widespread rain to areas in need most.
'Thursday will be a day of heavy showers across much of the UK, while some of these will be heavy, some areas will miss them altogether,' Mr Silverstone said. 'As some of these showers could be intense, there is a chance of some surface water flooding as the rain falls on very dry and hard ground.'
By Friday, conditions are expected to turn drier through the weekend before more rain next week.
Drought persists despite rain
The change comes after the UK's fifth heatwave, during which the hottest day of the year was recorded at Kew Gardens, London, on Thursday with temperatures reaching 38.1C. The forecast rain may bring relief to parched land and firefighters tackling wildfires, but is unlikely to end widespread drought conditions that have pressured wildlife, farmers, transport, emergency services and water resources.
Among the driest areas are Wisley in Surrey, which has recorded 61 consecutive dry days since June 17, and Heathrow in Greater London, with 55 consecutive dry days since June 23, according to Met Office data.
Wildfires have ravaged parts of the UK, including a blaze in Stourbridge, West Midlands, that destroyed 19 homes. Several fire services have asked people to call 999 only for genuine emergencies. In an update on Monday, the National Fire Chiefs Council said 1,132 wildfires have been recorded across England and Wales in 2026 so far – a record high for this period. On Friday evening, millions in England and Wales received a mobile alert warning of a 'very high risk of wildfires nationally'.
