A ridge of high pressure brought fine and sunny weather for the 4th and the 5th, and following that an anti-cyclone covered the UK, giving a warm, dry, sunny week. Almost 15 hours of sunshine was recorded under a totally cloudless sky on the 11th. The fine and sunny weather ended on the 14th when a cold front brought a cooler north-west airflow, but conditions became more comfortable. From the 17th the weather turned warmer again and there was quite an uncomfortable night on the 19th/20th.

However, there was a cool and unsettled interlude between the 20th and the 22nd. High pressure built from the 23rd onwards and a large anticyclone from the continent covered the UK on the 24th onwards. No rain fell in the final seven days and conditions anywhere practically in the UK were dry and sunny. Temperatures progressively increased and the highest temperature of the year so far occurred on the 31st, when 86F was recorded.

No sunless days were recorded during the month. Both day and night-time temperatures were well above average. Only twice did night-time temperatures fall below average. The month would have been exceptionally dry if it wasn't for the thunderstorm on the 3rd July.

Kevin Phillips - 8.50pm - Wednesday 4th August 1999.