The weather improved on the 7th and the 8th was a fine, sunny day but thundery rain spread north from France on the 9th. Heavy showers fell that evening but at least the weather was warmer. High pressure re-established itself on the 11th and the weather was fine from then on. Conditions turned hot from the 17th and there was four very sunny days, two of brilliant sunshine, between the 17th and the 20th. The temperature rose to 90F on the 18th, the hottest day recorded since the 3rd August 1990 and 15.3 hours of sunshine was recorded on the 19th. However during this spell the nights were also quite oppressive, as the minima between the 18th and 20th were 61F, 63F and 61F.
The hot and sunny spell ended on the longest day of the year, the 21st, when a vigorous depression drifted slowly east to bring cloudy and showery weather with fresh winds. Heavy rain fell on the 22nd but the month was rainless from the 23rd onwards with another ridge of high pressure, though this was from the North-West which meant cooler temperatures and nothing like the mid-month heat wave. There was a spell of respectable temperatures between the 26th and 28th but the final two days were, whilst remaining dry, cold and dull with North-East and East winds and maximum temperatures of only 55F and 56F.
Daytime temperatures were marginally below average but night-time temperatures were 1C above. Overall, temperatures were above average and June 2000 has been the warmest June recorded since that of 1992. Rainfall was slightly below average, but the month was often dry and most of the month's rain was on the 2nd, 3rd and the 22nd and in the thunderstorm on the 4th. Sunshine was below average, but it was a sunnier June than in 1997 or 1998. This didn't stop sunshine being below average for the first month since August 1999.
Kevin Phillips - 7.45pm - Sunday 2nd July 2000.
