June 2002

The averaging period used for the following assessment was 1961-1990.

UK overview

Mean temperatures were close to or slightly above average across the UK, with temperatures 2 °C above average across Shetland. Very wet over Northern Ireland, northern England and southern Scotland, with between 150 % and 200 % of average rainfall.

Thunderstorms and heavy rain affected south-east England and East Anglia overnight 4th/5th, with 42 mm of rain being recorded in parts of Surrey and Greater London. Top temperature of 29 °C over East Anglia on the 17th.

England and Wales diary of highlights

Rather unsettled first half with some thundery rain at times. Changeable and cool at times but mainly dry second half.

1st to 4th A dry sunny start to the month and hot in many places on the 2nd with Jersey climbing to 28 °C. However, thundery rain affected north-west areas, while scattered showers broke out in the south-east later. A cold front on the 3rd brought cooler conditions and thundery showers, some accompanied by hail. Although mainly dry on the 4th, occasional showers affected the north-west.

5th to 11th Mostly unsettled as low pressure hovered nearby. Overnight on the 4th/5th thunderstorms and heavy rain affected south-east England and East Anglia. Hook (Surrey) and Morden (Greater London) both received 42 mm of rain. The next few days saw variable winds, patchy mist and fog and scattered outbreaks of rain, sometimes thundery. From the 9th to the 11th a rather cool showery south-westerly airstream covered the region; some showers were heavy and thundery. Mumbles, near Swansea, reported a gust of 54 knots on the 10th.

12th to 17th Generally changeable with the south-east coming off best near to high pressure on the continent. The period started chilly and cloudy with some heavy thundery rain in the north-west on the 13th. Thundery rain also affected northern England on the 14th, and later in the day in south-east England. Conditions became brighter and very warm or hot later with 29 °C being reached over the south-east and East Anglia on the 17th. That same day a weak cold front edged eastwards clearing away hill and coastal fog which had been residing around west and south-west parts.

18th to 21st After some thunderstorms in the south-east early on the 18th it became mainly sunny and dry but with some slight rain on the 21st. Most places had temperatures near or rather above normal especially in the south-east.

22nd to 26th Mostly settled and dry with plenty of sunshine under the influence of a ridge of high pressure stretching from the Azores. The south-east and East Anglia had the highest temperatures where it was rather warm at times. A cold front brought some rain into northern districts on the 26th.

27th to 30th Low pressure over Scandinavia fed cool north-westerly winds over the region, bringing good sunny periods and dry weather for the most part but with some showers in north-east and central England on the 27th. The last day saw Atlantic fronts bringing patchy rain eastwards, and some heavier pulses around Snowdonia and Cumbria.

Scotland diary of highlights

Unsettled, with predominately south-westerly winds, bringing cloud and rain to the south-west, but fair weather to the Northern Isles.

Apart from a brief interlude at the beginning of the month, low pressure to the west of Scotland maintained an unsettled and changeable regime throughout June. During the first half of the month, winds blew mainly between south-west and south-east, but later on south-westerlies dominated, with a brief spell of north-westerlies occurring towards the end.

Showery weather prevailed, and there was a marked contrast between the south-west, which bore the brunt of the showers, and districts to the north and east, particularly the Northern Isles. Here it was warm and sunny, while Glasgow, Prestwick and Eskdalemuir experienced only 4 days without measurable rain. This is probably a record, beating by one day the events of June 1972.

From the 5th to the 7th, the centre of low pressure shifted towards the English Channel, and warm easterly winds covered Scotland. Many places in the north and north-west enjoyed a fine spell, with the temperature at Lochcarron reaching 27.6 °C on the 6th.

Northern Ireland diary of highlights

Wet and dull. Unsettled conditions made this a wet and dull June in all areas of the province. Conditions by day were also cool, with daily maximum temperatures below normal in all areas, however by night minimum temperatures proved very mild.

1st to 8th Unsettled with bands of rain closely pursued by showers and sunny spells. Conditions were however cool from 2nd to 4th, with daily maximum temperatures struggling to exceed 13 °C in many areas on the 4th. The 4th also saw the lowest night-time minimum temperatures of the month, with values falling as low as 3 °C in parts of Fermanagh. The 3rd and 5th were very sunny days in most parts while in contrast the 7th and 8th were dull in many locations.

9th to 13th Unsettled and cool with below normal temperatures. The 13th proved the wettest day of the month in most locations, with up to 25 mm of rainfall recorded in some parts on this date alone.

14th to 22nd Generally unsettled. The 14th proved the warmest day of the month in all areas of the province, with daily maximum temperatures reaching highs of about 21 °C in parts of Down and Londonderry. Temperatures then fell below normal on the 16th and this also proved a dull day across the province. In contrast daily sunshine values reached double figures in many parts on the 17th, 18th and 20th. Thunderstorms and heavy downpours gave as much as 20 mm of rainfall in parts of Belfast between early evening on the 21st and mid morning on the 22nd, leading to flooding problems in the Greater Belfast area.

23rd to 28th Changeable with scattered showers and sunny spells. Many areas did however escape these showers making this the driest spell of the month in most parts. Daily maximum temperatures fell below average for the time of year on all dates but the 25th. The 23rd, 25th and 27th were the sunniest days during this spell, however measurable sunshine was recorded on all dates.

29th to 30th Cool and unsettled with bands of often heavy rainfall and little sunshine.