July 2006 was the warmest month on record across the UK, the
Met Office has declared today. With the final figures now available,
the UK mean daily temperature for the month was 17.8 °C,
breaking the previous record of 17.3 °C set jointly in
July 1983 and August 1995. The UK series dates back to 1914.
UK figures for July 2006
Mean daily temperature: 17.8 °C (warmest month on
record)
Mean daily maximum temperature: 23.1 °C
Monthly rainfall total: 50.9 mm (73% of the normal monthly
figure)
Monthly sunshine total: 263 hours (over 50% above the
July average)
Many areas saw local and regional temperature records broken
in July.
England experienced its hottest month on record with
a mean temperature of 19.3 °C
England experienced its sunniest month on record with
301.5 hours, beating the previous record of 284 hours
in June 1957
Scotland experienced its hottest month on record with
a mean temperature of 15.6 °C
Wisley in Surrey recorded the highest July figure anywhere
in the UK at 36.5 °C
A new Welsh record for July became established, as 34.2 °C
was measured at Penhow near Newport, Wales
Other European countries are also reporting a record-breaking
July. Notably, Germany has had its hottest ever month, (records
date back to 1901) and Denmark has recorded its hottest ever July.
Met Office Hadley Centre scientists are analysing this data to
assess the risk of future very hot summers as a result of climate
change.
