LIKE June, July was notably warm. The first five days continued the changeable, rather cloudy conditions of late June, although rainfall amounts were small.

A large anticyclone spread from the south-west and dominated the next 12 days, with dry, warm, sometimes hot weather.

The ninth to 17th were almost cloudless, while the 11th was our hottest day since August 2003.

The eastward passage of a weak occlusion, with patchy light rain, on the 18th introduced a warm, moist airflow until the 23rd, with variable cloud and patchy sea fog although the 21st and 22nd were sunny.

The last week's weather was controlled by two slow-moving depressions. Skies were mainly overcast with spells of rain on most days, especially on the 24th and 27th.

This wet ending lifted the month's rainfall above the July average although the previous three were wetter.

However, there have only been 13 cases of a warmer July since 1900. The total sunshine was slightly above average.

SUMMARY

Highest maximum temperature recorded: 30.7C. 87F, on the 11th.

Lowest minimum temperature recorded: 11.4C. 53F, on the 8th.

Mean maximum temperature: 22.3C. 72F (average 21.2C).

Mean minimum temperature: 14.0C. 57F (average 12.7C).

Total rainfall: 58.5mm (average 35mm).

Greatest 24-hour rainfall: 22.0mm, on the 23rd.

Days with measurable rain: 11 (average 8.6).

Total sunshine: 249.0 hours (average 240.7 hrs).

Days without sunshine: two.

Days with thunder: nil.

Barometric pressure: highest, 1033.7 mb, on the 11th; lowest, 1001.3 mb, on the 24th.

First published: August 9