August was dominated by hot and dry weather, although more unsettled conditions brought rain towards month-end. An exceptional heatwave impacted England and Wales between the 10th and 14th, with amber heat alerts issued. Total August rainfall for the UK was below average; in parts less than two‑thirds of average. River flows were generally below normal to exceptionally low across eastern Scotland, England and Wales, but in the normal range and above in western Scotland. Despite rainfall at month‑end, soil moisture at many COSMOS‑UK sites remained well below field capacity, with some remaining notably dry. Groundwater levels continued their seasonal recession, with most sites in the normal range to notably low. Reservoir stocks for England & Wales were 61% of average, stocks in most impoundments decreased relative to average, some substantially so. Record August lows were reached at Wimbleball and the East Lothian group (in series from 1987), with Ardingly and Clywedog also well below average (35% and 38% below, respectively). Much of eastern Scotland was in moderate to severe scarcity all month, whilst by the end of August all of England and Wales was in prolonged dry weather or drought status. Restrictions on water use affected 30 million people, agricultural abstractions reduced and ecological impacts included increasing numbers of algal blooms and dead fish events. Despite some rain at month‑end and into the start of September, the significant deficits established over the spring and summer in many areas will require prolonged wet weather to recover. The Hydrological Outlook indicates that below normal river flows are likely to continue in the south and east throughout Autumn but are likely to be normal to above normal elsewhere.