UK Weather Review: July 2017

July was generally an unsettled month with occasional periods of fine and dry weather. It began with cloud, rain and cool temperatures - particularly in the north-west - brought by westerlies, and weak high pressure at times for the south-east.

It was particularly warm and sunny on the 17th and 18th with minimum temperatures above 15°C in many places. This ended with a thundery breakdown on the 18th and 19th as a trough moved north-eastwards from the south coast. Some of the storms were severe, with hail and torrential rain leading to flash flooding in Coverack, south-east Cornwall. Residents reported hailstones the size of 50 pence pieces smashing window and around 50 properties were flooded. Properties, schools and hospitals were also flooded in north Wales, including Rhyl and Abergele. Some lightning damage was reported in parts of Essex, Sussex and Kent.

From the 21st onwards it was wet and often cool with heavy and persistent rain at times, particularly in the south. Scotland and Northern Ireland had the best of the sunshine and experienced mostly showery rainfall at times.

Overall, Northern Ireland and north-west Scotland received above average sunshine. Rainfall across the UK was above average, with parts of central southern and south-east England receiving twice the amount of rainfall for July.

UK Weather Averages: July 2017 (Source: Met Office)