1 August 2022
Drought declared in 8 areas across England
A drought was officially declared in 8 areas across England, and South West Water has announced a hosepipe ban for Cornwall and parts of North Devon from Tuesday 23 August.
Weather news
We cover news from public bodies and utility companies for UK households on power cuts, weather, water, health, safety and security. Each report includes the date and sources, with links to our guides.
August 2022
1 August 2022
Temporary usage bans (hosepipe bans) get underway in some parts of the UK
Waterwise issued hot weather water saving advice in August 2022 as temporary usage bans, known as hosepipe bans, got underway in some parts of the UK after the driest July in England since 1911.
July 2022
28 July 2022
Drought public health advice first published
The UK Health Security Agency first published its public health advice on drought for England on 28 July 2022, covering dehydration, hygiene, mental health and water supply during dry periods.
20 July 2022
Flooding and public mental health guidance added
Guidance on flooding and public mental health was added to the UK government's flooding health collection on 20 July 2022, alongside existing advice for the public and frontline responders.
20 July 2022
Yellow Thunderstorm Warning issued for parts of the Southeast
The Met Office issued a Yellow Thunderstorm Warning for parts of the Southeast for Wednesday 20 July 2022, as the first ever Red Extreme Heat warning remained in place after UK temperatures passed…
19 July 2022
UK records highest ever temperature of 40.3°C
The Met Office says the UK recorded its highest ever temperature of 40.3°C at Coningsby in Lincolnshire on 19 July 2022, the first time 40°C has been recorded in the UK.
19 July 2022
Wennington wildfire destroys about 18-19 houses in east London
A wildfire in Wennington, east London, on 19 July 2022 during the UK heatwave destroyed about 18 to 19 houses, with no deaths, and fire services recorded 983 wildfires in England and Wales that year.
19 July 2022
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service declares major incident during heatwave
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident on Tuesday 19 July 2022 after a surge in fires in the open during extreme heat, the first such declaration in decades.
18 July 2022
Heatwave of 18 and 19 July 2022 brings wildfires and major incidents
The National Fire Chiefs Council reports that 84 wildfires were recorded across 18 and 19 July 2022, the year's hottest days, with 14 fire and rescue services declaring major incidents.
18 July 2022
New provisional national heat records set for Wales and Scotland
The Met Office has confirmed provisional national temperature records for Wales and Scotland during the July 2022 heatwave, with 37.1°C at Hawarden Airport and 35.1°C at Floors Castle.
16 July 2022
Unprecedented July 2022 heatwave hits the UK with a first red warning for extreme heat
The UK recorded its first red warning for extreme heat during an unprecedented heatwave from 16 to 19 July 2022, when temperatures reached 40.3°C in Coningsby, Lincolnshire.
15 July 2022
First ever red weather warning for extreme heat issued for Suffolk
The Met Office issued its first ever heat related red weather warning for Suffolk for 18 and 19 July 2022, with temperatures in the county reaching almost 40 degrees, Suffolk County Council said.
14 July 2022
UKHSA publishes advice on staying safe in extreme heat
The UK Health Security Agency has published advice on staying safe during an extended period of extreme heat, naming the groups most at risk and setting out the signs of heat exhaustion and…
12 July 2022
Met Office extends Amber Extreme heat warning for England and Wales
The Met Office extended an Amber Extreme heat warning to cover Sunday 17 and Monday 18 July 2022 for much of England and Wales, with temperatures possibly above 35°C in the southeast and around 32°C…
11 July 2022
South East Water appeals to customers to limit water use during hot weather
South East Water asked customers to be mindful of water use on 11 July 2022 as hot weather pushed demand beyond expected levels, causing pressure drops in parts of its network.
8 July 2022
Amber wildfire alert issued ahead of hot weekend
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued a new Amber wildfire alert for the coming days, asking people to take extra care with camp fires, bonfires and barbecues during hot, dry weather.
7 July 2022
UKHSA heat-health alerts issued for most of England
A Level 3 heat-health alert was in place for southeastern England and a Level 2 alert for much of the rest of England in early July 2022, as NHS England warned of health risks to vulnerable patients.
6 July 2022
Met Office forecasts building heat across the UK
The Met Office said on 6 July 2022 that high pressure would bring warm, dry weather to the UK, with temperatures possibly reaching the low 30s Celsius in parts of England and Wales by Tuesday.
1 July 2022
Met Office issues its first Red warning for extreme heat
The Met Office issued its first ever Red warning for extreme heat during the July 2022 heatwave, after its longest-range Amber warning with a six day lead time, as temperatures reached 40.3°C at…
1 July 2022
England records driest July since 1935
England recorded its driest July since 1935, the Met Office has said, with water companies managing what the industry body called unprecedented demand and some suppliers asking customers to cut…