Home
Weather London
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
Career
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    Water restrictions active - Wildfires break out amid ongoing drought

12:30
14 July 2026

Water restrictions active
Wildfires break out amid ongoing drought

Smoke rising from a scorched moorland hillside after a wildfire, with blackened vegetation, smouldering ground, and drifting gray smoke covering the burned landscape.
Smoke rises from a moorland fire near Dovestone Reservoir in Saddleworth. - © picture alliance / Anadolu | Ioannis Alexopoulos

Wildfires are being tackled across the UK as the spell of dry, hot weather continues and drought builds.

Two major incidents have been declared, in North Wales and Derbyshire, with 19 separate active wildfires being tackled as of Tuesday amid ongoing drought.

While a wet winter helped fuel reservoir stocks, a summer with only 10 days of rain has seen levels deplete quickly, particularly in the south and east of England.

To cope with the rainfall deficit, restrictions on hosepipe usage are being introduced.

Water companies Anglian Water, Affinity Water, South East Water, Southern Water, and Cambridge Water have all brought in bans on use. Others, including some serving London, are currently advising customers to limit use.

Another record falls

During the infamous 1976 heatwave, 14 days saw temperatures pass 30°C. As of Sunday, 2026 has passed this with 15 days.

Meanwhile, hosepipe bans have already been issued across much of eastern Ireland with expectations of being expanded nationwide.

The current outlook shows only small showers and isolated thunderstorms, neither will help with the drought conditions as summer rolls on.

London

We
18
32
Th
18
35
Fr
20
33
Sa
20
22
Su
16
25
Mo
16
24
Tu
15
25
We
18
26
Th
16
25
Fr
17
26
Sa
18
26
Su
16
24
Mo
17
25
Tu
16
24
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Manchester

We
15
32
Th
19
33
Fr
18
24
Sa
14
21
Su
12
21
Mo
11
19
Tu
13
22
We
16
23
Th
13
21
Fr
13
21
Sa
14
22
Su
12
21
Mo
13
21
Tu
13
22
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Birmingham

We
13
33
Th
18
35
Fr
19
29
Sa
15
22
Su
12
22
Mo
12
20
Tu
13
25
We
15
23
Th
13
21
Fr
13
24
Sa
14
23
Su
12
21
Mo
14
22
Tu
13
24
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Edinburgh

We
14
26
Th
16
26
Fr
16
21
Sa
12
19
Su
12
19
Mo
11
17
Tu
13
20
We
15
21
Th
11
19
Fr
12
19
Sa
13
20
Su
12
19
Mo
12
20
Tu
12
20
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless

Cardiff

We
17
33
Th
17
30
Fr
19
26
Sa
16
25
Su
12
23
Mo
13
18
Tu
15
23
We
16
24
Th
14
22
Fr
13
22
Sa
15
23
Su
13
21
Mo
14
22
Tu
14
22
Max (°C)
Min (°C)
moreless
Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Cooler nights on the horizon. For parts of Europe. . . Thursday, 6 August 2026
Temperature Radar showing the night-time lows in Central Europe. Cooler air is reaching the west and north in particular, whilst the south-east remains significantly warmer.
Thursday, 6 August 2026

For parts of Europe

Cooler nights on the horizon
More comfortable night's sleep. Overnight low drops. . . Wednesday, 5 August 2026
Morning temperature map of the UK and Ireland showing cool conditions, with temperatures ranging from 7°C in South Wales to 13°C in southeast England. Ireland records 9–12°C, while much of England and Wales is between 8°C and 10°C. A blue thermometer icon highlights the cooler weather.
Wednesday, 5 August 2026

Overnight low drops

More comfortable night's sleep
Huge hailstones in Poland. Severe weather hits towns. . . Friday, 7 August 2026
Friday, 7 August 2026

Severe weather hits towns

Huge hailstones in Poland
All weather news
This might also interest you
Historic Storm Éowyn arrives. On this day.... . . Saturday, 24 January 2026
Split image showing a person in a yellow jacket struggling against strong winds and heavy rain on a street at night on the left, and an Irish wind forecast map on the right with red and purple shading, gusts up to 75 mph, and a wind warning icon, divided by a curved white line.
Saturday, 24 January 2026

On this day...

Historic Storm Éowyn arrives
Bright and warm conditions take hold. Spring-like outlook. . . Thursday, 23 April 2026
Split UK map showing warm temperatures up to 21 degrees in orange on the left and clear sunny conditions with temperatures from 12 to 18 degrees on the right, with sun icons across the country.
Thursday, 23 April 2026

Spring-like outlook

Bright and warm conditions take hold
Long-term trends need a pinch of salt. 40 °C in July?. . . Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Temperature radar of 2022 heatwave where the all-time temperature record in the UK was set. Warning symbol overlain.
Tuesday, 30 June 2026

40 °C in July?

Long-term trends need a pinch of salt
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList