Last month proved to be the warmest June on record, according to an expert from the University of Reading.
Speaking a couple of days before the end of the month, the Department of Meteorology’s Dr Stephen Burt explained it was “very likely” June would be the hottest on the University’s records, which extend back to 1908.
He explained: “The mean temperature currently stands at 18.2 degrees celsius, 2.6 degrees above 1991-2020 normal, just ahead of June 1976, 18.1 degrees celsius, June 2006, 17.1 degrees celsius, and June 1940, 17.0 degrees celsius.
“Hot Junes are surprisingly uncommon, and it is very likely that this has been the hottest June in this part of the UK since 1846, and before that 1676, using the Central England Temperature series.”
Dr Burt added that rainfall levels were close to normal, with precipitation recorded on only four days of the month.
“Sunshine levels have been well above normal,” he said. “The Campbell-Stokes record to yesterday, Wednesday, June 27, amounting to 239 hours, against the 1991-2020 normal of 195 hours (+23%), with today and tomorrow still to be included.”
