THE South West Environment Agency has warned today (July 21) that Somerset and the West Country are now in a state of prolonged dry weather because of the environmental impact of lack of rainfall and high temperatures.

The change applies to Bristol, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire and includes neighbouring parts of Gloucestershire and Hampshire, which also fall within the Environment Agency’s Wessex operational area.

Environment Agency officers are expecting more environmental incidents this summer caused by low river flows, high water temperatures with fish struggling for oxygen as weeds and algal blooms thrive in these conditions.

Water levels at groundwater sites are now starting to become notably low while the forecast remains largely dry with a chance of showers later this month.

Environment planning & engagement manager at the Environment Agency, Matt Akers, said: “There’s been a big difference in the environment in the past month.

“June had 132 percent of its typical rainfall. This month we’ve had less than 1 percent so far. We are seeing low river flows in places like the Hampshire Avon and water temperatures of 24C which is almost tropical.

“The Environment Agency is keeping a close eye on the situation and remains ready to respond to incidents created by these conditions.”

The Environment Agency has been active responding to incidents of fish in distress, most recently helping move hundreds of fish in the River Tarrant in Dorset to a safer location. Weed cutting and vegetation removal is also planned.

Despite a wet start to 2026, March to May has seen the West Country with below-average amounts of rainfall.

The Environment Agency’s Wessex operational area recorded 190mm in January (200 percent) and 144m (210 percent) in February, while March’s rainfall was 54 percent at 34mm and April 32 percent with 19mm of rainfall.

Above-average rain in June (132 percent) did not make up for that loss as 82 percent of it fell within the first ten days and not uniformly across the area.

The National Drought Group, which includes the Met Office, government, regulators, water companies, the National Farmers’ Union, Canal & River Trust, anglers, and conservation experts, are monitoring the situation.

The Let’s Save Water, water efficiency campaign is advising of simple ways for people can use less water, including shortening showers, fixing home leaks, swapping the hosepipe for a bucket or watering can, using a washing up bowl and using the eco mode on appliances.

The Forestry Commission, part of the National Drought Group is also reminding people of the danger of wildfires.

Wildfire adviser at the Forestry Commission, Rob Gazzard, said: “Wildfires do not start themselves; they are started by people, often accidentally, and they can quickly get out of control in dry conditions.

“Our soils and vegetation have lost so much moisture in this heat that any natural resistance to a fire has significantly reduced. Not only does it make vegetation more likely to burn, but it increases the intensity of fires once they start. This means fires take hold and spread quickly and are difficult to suppress.”