We have experienced a quite remarkable series of eight consecutive months with above average mean temperatures. July 2014 was the sixth warmest I have recorded with a mean temperature of 1.4C above the 30-year average. The month produced many hot days in the second half, three days exceeded 28C, the hottest day being the 24th with a peak temperature of 28.8C. The hottest July occurred in 2007, which was 3.2C above the average.
The rainfall totalled 47.2mm, some 78% of the 30-year average and was the driest July for four years. The details for the extremes are 127.2mm in 2007 and a mere 10.1mm in 1999. Due to the very wet months at the beginning of the year it is still the highest rainfall total for the seven months of the year from January to July with a total of 685mm. For comparison, the seven-month total was 678 mm in 2007 and just 279mm in 1996. The wettest day was the 7th when a total of 17.6mm was recorded.
The amount of moisture that re-entered the atmosphere from the ground, plant matter and surface water was 114m leaving a deficit over rainfall of 67mm.
Solar energy was 117% compared with recent years. The maximum number of hours of direct sunshine was 13.4 that occurred on the 10th.
