Shetland beats Cornwall when it comes to sunshine

● Islands clock up more sunny hours than surfing mecca in month of July

With its windswept cliffs and storm-lashed islands Shetland may not seem first choice to soak up the summer sunshine.

But last month the Shetland Islands had more hours of sunshine than Cornwall which has built its reputation as being a mecca for surfers and those seeking an idyllic British beach holiday.

Shetland had 192.9 hours of sunshine in July, while Cornwall trailed behind with only 153.5 hours, the latest figures from the Met Office reveal.

This is only the eighth time Shetland, around 700 mile further north, has had more sun than Cornwall since records began in 1929.

In fact on 18 July a major incident was declared in the Cornish village of Coverack on the Lizard Peninsula after the area suffered flash floods with four inches of rain falling over two to three hours.

Several people had to be rescued, including two people trapped on a roof who were hoisted to safety by a helicopter. Over 50 properties were flood- damaged and roads in and out of the village were impassable.

Residents reported being hit in the face by giant-sized hailstones.

Meanwhile the average rainfall for the Shetland Islands for July was 2.68 inches while Cornwall saw 4.11 inches.

Mike Kendon, a climate scientist at the National Climate Information Centre, said that while July had not been a

0 Shetland clocked up 192.9 hours of sunshine in July while Cornwall trailed behind with 153.5 hours remarkable weather month, there had been some “significant events”.

“It is uncommon for Shetland to experience more sunshine hours than Cornwall at this time of year,” he said.

“There is also a notable gradient between a cooler, sunnier and slightly drier than average north-west and a wetter, dull and warmer than average south-east.

“Some of these statistics can be linked directly to a few significant weather events, with spells of thunderstorms bringing the majority of the month’s rainfall to some areas.

Mr Kendon added: “The presence of low pressure systems moving slowly over the UK at times have also influenced the temperatures and amount of sunshine hours.”

Caroline Mckenzie, owner of the family-run Scalloway Hotel, in Scalloway, six miles west of Lerwick, Shetland’s capital, said the July sunshine had been an added boost for all her visitors. “It certainly let all our guests see Shetland at its best. Most people come here to see the scenery and wildlife, not for the weather.”

0 Flash floods hit the Cornish village of Coverack