July lookback: A month to remember

July 2022 shattered its all-time national record amidst an intense heatwave where temperatures exceeded 40C.

July was a historical month. High pressure was largely in charge across the British Isles, which, coupled with a southerly air flow, allowed very hot air to move in from North Africa and Iberia, and remain in situ.

As a result, 40.3C was recorded on July 19th, for the first time ever. It has also been the second warmest January to July on record, and overall, the UK saw its fifth warmest July since 1884.

Following this intense heat and a lack of rainfall, several places also saw their driest month on record. This included the entirety of southern England, which provisionally only recorded 10mm on average.

Additionally, it was the driest England in July on record since 1935. England had just 35% of its average rainfall for the month, although that wasn’t the case across the board.

Whilst many places suffered in the extreme dryness, Scotland saw 81% of its average rainfall, proving a stark divide in regions. Overall however, the UK as a whole received 56% of its average rainfall for July, making it the driest July in over 20 years.

August has once again opened with a north/west – south/east divide in terms of its temperature and rainfall. Whilst it is on the cooler side so far for most, there are signs of high pressure building back in, alongside above-average temperatures.