Shetlands get more sunshine than Cornwall

THE Shetland Islands had more sunshine than Cornwall last month, according to Met Office figures.

It was only the eighth time since records began that the northern isles were sunnier than south-west England.

Average Shetland Islands rainfall in July is 2.68ins and although this year they got a little more with 2.79ins, they also basked in a delightful 192.9 hours of sun.

Cornwall usually has 3.92ins of rain, but saw 4.11ins and soaked up 153.5 hours of sun last month. The UK’s average amount of July sun is 94 hours, but this year it leapt to 162.4 – with Scotland’s levels 144.7 hours compared to its normal 103.

Heavy rain throughout July saw Hampshire soaked 118 per cent more than usual and the UK as a whole, 22 per cent more. Northern Ireland got the most rainfall with 4.45ins – 39 per cent above its monthly average. Mike Kendon, a climate scientist at the National Climate Information Centre, said: ‘Overall it hasn’t been a remarkable month for weather, however when you look more locally there have been some significant events. It is uncommon for Shetland to experience more sunshine-hours than Cornwall at this time of year.’