WORLD NEWS

England and France have had their driest July in decades

Aug 1, 2022, 3:14 PM

Boats sit on the dry bed of Brenets Lake on the border of France and Switzerland on July 18. (Fabri...

Boats sit on the dry bed of Brenets Lake on the border of France and Switzerland on July 18. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images via CNN)

(Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images via CNN)

(CNN)England has recorded its driest July since 1935, and France its driest since 1959, as a record-breaking heatwave swept through both countries.

“England had just 35% (23.1mm) of its average rainfall for the month,” the U.K.’s national weather service, the Met Office, said in a statement on Monday.

The south and east of the country were hit particularly hard by the lack of rainfall. Southern England recorded its driest July on record since 1836, with only 17% of average rainfall, according to the Met office.

Like the rest of Europe, July saw a record-breaking heatwave hit the British Isles. The U.K. saw temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) for the first time, with a record temperature of 40.3 degrees Celsius set on July 19 in Coningsby, Lincolnshire.

In France, there was just 7.8 mm of rain in July, Christophe Béchu, the country’s Minister of Ecological Transition, told FranceInfo radio on Monday.

“We have a deficit of 88% compared to what would have been necessary,” Béchu added.

The July heatwave brought raging wildfires across the western and southern parts of the country, and a new heatwave is expected to hit France this week.

The southwest is forecast to potentially reach 40 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, according to Météo France, the country’s meteorological service.

Wildfires have been popping up across southern France, with the biggest one in the department of Gard destroying more than 350 hectares (over 860 acres) of forests by Sunday night, according to local fire department.

Nearly half of Europe’s territory, including the U.K., is “at risk” of drought, researchers at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre warned on July 18.

A “staggering portion” of 44% of European Union and U.K. territory is subject to a drought warning, with 9% on drought alert, said researchers.


The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.

KSL 5 TV Live

World News

Italian Firefighters work on the balcony of a building of the San Giovanni Evangelista Hospital aft...

Nicole Winfield, Associated Press

A hospital fire near Rome kills at least 3 and causes an emergency evacuation of all patients

A fire broke out in a hospital on Rome's outskirts, killing at least three people and forcing the overnight evacuation of the smoke-filled facility and its nearly 200 patients, officials said Saturday.

7 hours ago

NASA astronaut Frank Rubio checks tomato plants inside the International Space Station in October 2...

Jackie Wattles, CNN

Tomato lost in space by history-making astronaut has been found

Perhaps nowhere in the universe is a fresh, ripe tomato more valuable than on the International Space Station, where astronauts live for months at a time subsisting mainly on prepackaged, shelf-stable goods.

1 day ago

A view shows a "bakery-prison" where slaves and donkeys were confined to grind grain for bread.
Man...

Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN

Pompeii archaeologists uncover bakery that doubled as a prison

An ancient bakery operated by slaves has been discovered in the ruins of Pompeii, the Pompeii Archaeological Park said in a statement.

1 day ago

FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin leads the meeting with top security and law enforcement off...

Jim Heintz

Putin will seek another presidential term in Russia, aiming to extend his rule of over two decades

Vladimir Putin has moved to prolong his repressive and unyielding grip on Russia for at least another six years, announcing his candidacy in the presidential election next March that he is all but certain to win.

2 days ago

The Consul General of Israel, Israel Bachar (middle), meeting with two of Utah leaders...

Erin Cox

Consul general of Israel visits Utah, believes Beehive State can help Israel’s future

The Consul General of Israel, Israel Bachar, paid Utah leaders a visit this week, but his focus was not on the conflict alone.

3 days ago

Israeli military tanks roll near the border with the Gaza Strip on December 5, amid continuing batt...

Natasha Bertrand, MJ Lee, Alex Marquardt and Oren Liebermann, CNN

US officials think Gaza ground operation could end by January

US officials expect the current phase of Israel’s ground invasion of Gaza targeting the southern end of the strip to last several weeks before Israel transitions, possibly by January.

4 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Users display warnings about the use of artificial intelligence (AI), access to malicious software ...

Les Olson

How to Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats

Read our tips for reading for how to respond to rising cybersecurity threats in 2023 and beyond to keep yourself and your company safe.

Design mockup half in white and half in color of luxury house interior with open plan living room a...

Lighting Design

Lighting Design 101: Learn the Basics

These lighting design basics will help you when designing your home, so you can meet both practical and aesthetic needs.

an antler with large horns int he wilderness...

Three Bear Lodge

Yellowstone in the Fall: A Wildlife Spectacle Worth Witnessing

While most people travel to this park in the summer, late fall in Yellowstone provides a wealth of highlights to make a memorable experience.

a diverse group of students raising their hands in a classroom...

Little Orchard Preschool

6 Benefits of Preschool for Kids

Some of the benefits of preschool for kids include developing independence, curiosity, and learning more about the world.

England and France have had their driest July in decades