Parched East of England sees driest June on record

After the wettest start to the year in nearly two decades, the East of England has now recorded its driest June on record.

Some places in the Anglia region recorded barely 1 mm (0.03 inches) of rain during June when 54 mm (2.1 inches) is nearer normal for the month. Overall the region has had just 4 mm (0.16 inches) of rain beating the record of 5.6 mm (0.22 inches) set in 1962.

The dry weather has left a number of rivers running low and farmers worried about their crops.

Although reservoirs are brimming after a wet winter and ground water stocks are high, water companies are urging people to conserve supplies.

As well as being dry, June has also hot and sunny although not a record-breaker.

The hottest and sunniest June in East Anglia was recorded at the start of the famous heatwave summer of 1976.

In 1976, the monthly sunshine total was 282 hours while June 2018 is expected to be nearer 230 hours of sunshine.

The daily maximum temperature in 1976 average 24°C (75°F) while in June 2018 the daily high has been just over 21°C (70°F).

While other parts of the UK reached 32°C (90°F) or higher during June, the highest temperature achieved in the Anglia region was 29.2 (84.6°F).

That was recorded at Cavendish in Suffolk on 25 June and made it that hottest day of the year at that point.

That is expected to be beaten in July as the hot, dry spell is forecast continue in the East of England well into the new month.