June 2017 was notable as being the hottest since the even more extreme June of 1976, the month that began the classic hottest summer of the 20th century.

Although there was a period of fifteen consecutive days devoid of rainfall, the month's rainfall total of 109.2mm was 194% of the average, making it the wettest June locally since 2007.

The excessive rainfall was largely due to an exceptional rainfall on the 27th when 76.5mms was measured; this figure alone is 146% of the average rainfall for the entire month.

Neil Evans informs me that in the Norwich area the 27th was the wettest June day since at least the end of the 19th century.

It should be noted that some localities recorded even higher totals, Santon Downham measuring 90mms. The storm originated over Iberia and drifted northwards, accompanied by sporadic thunder, and after passing our region deposited a record-breaking rainfall over Edinburgh.

Insofar as Norfolk was concerned, the brief heatwave between the 17th and 21st was unremarkable, although both the 18th and 19th just achieved top temperatures of 31C.

This warmth was brought to us on a 'Spanish plume,' a surge of hot air only marginally cooled by it's passage northwards over France. Most of us will remember this spell for its humidity and the very oppressive nights.

Although slightly later than usual, probably the most reliable of the annual weather singularities, 'the return of the westerlies' ushered a change of weather type after the demise of the heatwave.

This change is also defined as the European monsoon. Certainly the downpour on the 27th and the aroma it produced, mirrored to an extent the arrival of the monsoon on the sub-continent.

June 1917 at Norwich was a classic summer month of endless hot days and plentiful sunshine.

On the 17th the mercury reached 32.2C. Rainfall was adequate and of vital importance as the submarine campaign was making the threat of famine a very real concern.

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