July was characterised by air and sea temperatures higher than the climate norm, longer hours of sunshine, and windier days.

Standing at 27.7°c, the mean air temperature was 1.1°c higher than the norm, while the mean sea temperature exceeded the expected 24.7°c by 1.3°c. On the 24th and 25th, the sea offered little respite from the heat, as its temperature shot up to a maximum of27°c.

Luckily, this did not coincide with the month’s hottest day; the 13th, when the mercury hit the 38.7°c mark. Although quite high, this temperature was 4°c lower than the highest July temperature on record, back in 1988.

July’s hot days were accompanied by plenty of sunshine and a marginally lower cloud cover of 0.8 oktas. The first weekend of the month was particularly bright, with both Saturday and Sunday enjoying a full 12.9 hours of sunshine. Even the month’s dullest day benefitted from over seven hours of sunshine.

The mean wind speed for the month was 0.8 knots higher than the expected 6.8 knots, with a maximum gust of 33 knots recorded on the 25th. On the same day, thunderstorms were observed from the Meteorological Office.