Scorched grass and dried out river beds have been spotted across Leeds after the driest July on record.
July 2026 was the driest for England and Wales since records began 190 years ago, according to the Met Office after England recorded just 6.5mm of rainfall and Wales 9.3mm, both less than half of the previous records for the nations.
The dry conditions have been accompanied by exceptional warmth across much of the UK and now as Leeds prepares to be struck by yet another heatwave, parks and river beds across the city are looking more dried out than ever.
Yorkshire Evening Post photographer Gerard Binks captured these pictures...
1. Scorched grass and dried out river beds across Leeds
Ardsley Reservoir near Wakefield looking drier than ever. | Gerard Binks
2. Scorched grass and dried out river beds across Leeds
A very low Lindley Wood Reservoir near Otley. | Gerard Binks
3. Scorched grass and dried out river beds across Leeds
A sunbather on the parched grass in Hyde Park, Leeds. | Gerard Binks
4. Scorched grass and dried out river beds across Leeds
The parched grasses and reeds at Aire Park, Leeds. | Gerard Binks
5. Scorched grass and dried out river beds across Leeds
Almost three-quarters of England is in “flash drought” as a dry start to August follows the country’s driest July on record. | Gerard Binks
6. Scorched grass and dried out river beds across Leeds
Highs of 34C are currently predicted for Leeds on Thursday. | Gerard Binks