The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Weather: Wettest June in 79 years paves way for a dreich July.
WEATHER: Bleak outlook again for next week when dry start will turn to more rain
Scotland has been hit by a June monsoon – and July isn’t looking much better.
Forecasters said the recent deluge has resulted in the wettest June for 79 years north of the border.
An average of 148mm of rain – almost six inches and double the usual 82mm – poured down on Scotland from June 1 to 27, Met Office figures show.
Rainfall over the last few days means June 1966’s 150mm will be eclipsed, with this month likely to be Scotland’s wettest June since the record 167mm in 1938. Records began in 1931.
The Met Office forecast is for more rain today.
Although July should start with a drier weekend boasting temperatures of 14-18C, Atlantic rain will threaten early next week, followed by ever wetter and windy conditions from midweek.
The recent deluge is the result of a “European Monsoon” – increased rainfall blown in by strong westerly Atlantic winds.
The Met Office described the European Monsoon as an “ill-defined phenomenon” which may be linked to continental Europe’s land temperatures rising.
Just to rub salt into the wound, while Scotland has experienced a soaking, England has enjoyed a 35.4C heatwave – resulting in one of the hottest Junes since records began south of the border.
Met Office forecaster Grahame Madge confirmed the rather bleak outlook, saying: “There’s a reasonable amount of rain in the forecast.
“Next week should get off to a dry start but rain may spread, and from midweek it looks set to turn more changeable, especially across northwestern parts of the UK where wet and windy weather is likely.”
Meanwhile, Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: “The European Monsoon has returned, with Atlantic winds becoming more vigorous after moderating in late spring, bringing rain from the Atlantic”.
“There’s a reasonable amount of rain in the forecast