UK heatwave delivers double July sunshine, persistent 30C temperatures, and hosepipe bans

Parts of southern England have received twice their average July sunshine in less than two weeks, as temperatures hit 30C for 10 consecutive days.

• Yeovilton and Odiham recorded about 152 hours of sunshine in the first 13 days of July, nearly double the monthly average.
• Wisley in Surrey has gone 27 consecutive days without rainfall, and some English areas recorded 0% of expected July rainfall.
• More than eight million households in England now live under hosepipe bans due to the ongoing dry weather and wildfire risk.
• The heat is forecast to intensify this week before a brief cooldown over the weekend, with high pressure expected to return next week.