Weather tracker: drought declared in England after driest July since 1935

Long-term forecasts indicate dry conditions will prevail across south and east through autumn

Exceptionally hot and dry conditions have continued to plague parts of western Europe, including the UK. Although not as intense as the heatwave in July, temperatures above 30C were reached widely across England and Wales for several days. A provisional high of 34.9C was recorded in Charlwood, Surrey, on Saturday.

The high temperatures follow the driest July in England since 1935, with parts of central southern England and the south-east experiencing the driest July since records began. February is the only month this year in England when there has been above average rainfall.