Rain is on its way – but not for the UK’s driest areas

• The UK experienced its driest July in England and Wales since records began, with 19 English counties recording effectively no rainfall.
• Amber heat health alerts are in place for parts of England, with yellow alerts elsewhere, as high temperatures are expected to strain the NHS.
• Rain and showers are forecast for Northern Ireland, Scotland, western England, and Wales on Tuesday, but much of the Midlands, east, and south-east England are expected to remain dry, according to the Met Office .
• Thunderstorm warnings are in place for Northern Ireland from 12pm today, while areas that do see a heavy downpour are at risk of flash flooding.
• The drought has significantly impacted farming , with industry leaders warning it is “one of the most severe droughts many farmers and growers have lived through”.

IN FULL

Thunderstorm and flash flood warning as latest heatwave comes to an end