This year has been considerably drier than usual in two-thirds of Britain’s counties, according to a new Sky News analysis of Met Office data.
Some areas have already introduced restrictions on water use in response to low reservoir and groundwater levels, and more are expected in the coming days.
See how this year’s rainfall compares to previous dry years using the chart below.
Drought is due to be declared in parts of England on Friday after the driest July on record in some areas and the driest first half of the year since 1976, when a spell of unusually hot weather caused severe drought in the Kingdom United and Ireland.
Temperatures are expected to reach 35C in England, making the country hotter than parts of the Caribbean.
The National Drought Group, made up of government and agency officials, water companies and other groups such as the National Farmers Union (NFU), will meet on Friday to discuss the prolonged dry weather.