The longest dry spell in over 30 years for central England raises concerns about drought and when it might rain.

Dry, cracked earth is already evident in some parts of the UK, like here in Cambridgeshire Summer so far has been exceptionally hot and dry across much of the UK, with three widespread heatwaves and the longest run of dry days in central England since 1995. England, Wales and eastern Scotland have been the driest areas over recent weeks, and this follows a very dry spring in similar regions. Very little rainfall is forecast through this week for most places, with only a few light showers possible, mainly close to coasts. As we head through the second half of summer, what are the longer range predictions, and are we heading into drought for the second summer in a row? Rainfall so far this summer has been below average across the UK as a whole, but there has been large regional contrast. Up to the middle of summer - 15 July - parts of eastern and north-eastern England had received just 26% of their total expected summer rainfall. Areas of northern and western Scotland had more than average for the first half of the summer, though. For central England it has been the longest dry spell since 1995. Wisley in Surrey has seen 33 consecutive dry days.