SOARING temperatures made it a scorching June in Weymouth and Dorchester.

It was the driest June for nine years in the county town and the sunshine came close to beating the record in Weymouth.

Dorchester weatherman John Oliver said: “Rain fell on just six days, compared to the average of 11.

“It amounted to 29.1mm, representing 50 per cent of the average.”

He added: “The days were frequently sunny and warm with a mean maximum temperature nearly three degrees Celsius above the average at 22C, the highest since 1976.

“Day temperatures ranged from a cool 15.8C on the first to a hot 27.8C on the 27th.

“Eighteen days produced maxima above 21C or 70F.”

But clear overnight skies did result in cooler temperatures at night.

On the morning of the 20th the temperature plummeted to 2.3C, the lowest recorded so late in June in 50 years.

Weymouth had more than its usual share of sunny days – close to the record year of 1957.

The 30 year June average is 213 hours 48 minutes – this June was 320 hours and 30 minutes.

Bob Poots, Weymouth and Portland weatherman, said: “More than 300 hours of sunshine during June is exceptional.

“Only on four occasions has this outstanding amount of sunshine been recorded in Weymouth.

“Every month this year has exceeded the monthly average for sunshine, except May.”