June began with unsettled conditions across the UK – a sharp contrast to the exceptionally dry spring. The second half of June was drier, with southerly air masses bringing heatwave conditions across England and Wales. It was the warmest June for England (2.5°C above long-term average) and the second warmest for the UK as a whole (both in series from 1890). Although total UK rainfall was average overall, this masked a stark contrast between above normal rainfall in northern and western Britain and below normal rainfall elsewhere. River flows across central and eastern Britain continued to recede and were notably to exceptionally low at month-end. Low river flows and very dry soils caused ecological stress (requiring fish rescues in Shropshire) and agricultural impacts (reduced crop yields and irrigation stocks). Groundwater levels across most of the UK continued to decline and were mostly normal to below normal. Reservoir stocks at most impoundments remained below average, with pronounced deficits of over 20% at East Lothian, Washburn, Bradford Supply Zone and Derwent Valley; with some (e.g. East Lothian, Washburn and Ardingly) registering new June minima. Drought status was declared in Yorkshire on the 9th and remained in place for north-west England. Many regions remained on alert (“prolonged dry weather” for regions in England and eastern Wales, and “moderate water scarcity” in eastern Scotland). The latest Hydrological Outlook indicates that below normal to low river flows and groundwater levels will persist across eastern Britain. Early July has seen some summer downpours, but many areas have remained dry, with further heatwave conditions. There is a continued, and heightened, risk of drought impacts through summer, on agriculture, the environment and water supplies, especially across eastern Britain.