June this year revives memories of the epic hot and dry June of 1976, when like this June, significant rain fell on only a single day.

Eastern Daily Press: Norman Brooks Photo: Bill SmithNorman Brooks Photo: Bill Smith (Image: Archant © 2014)

Remarkably that month had six days with maxima in excess of 30C, and on the 26th the mercury reached 34.4C. the monthly mean temperature of 18.0C was an exceptional 3.5C above normal.

Although unusually dry, the statistics for June 2018 are far less dramatic. It was the warmest June only since 2017, and the driest since 2013, and the maximum temperature of 28.1C was relatively modest.

Almost the whole of the month's rainfall fell during a thirty minute cloudburst on the 2nd, which caused local flooding in the Costessey and Hellesdon localities, but to the east of the city rainfall was insignificant.

Parts of our region are likely to have monthly rainfall totals of about 10mm - full details will be published by Terry Mayes, who runs the Norfolk Rainfall Organisation, whose monthly rainfall summary for Norfolk will be published mid-month in the EDP.

It is interesting to reflect that the rainfall of the 2nd yielded only 9mm less than the total rainfall for May and the period 3rd-30th June.

Yet again, our region escaped thundery activity, which threatened to spread north from France in mid-month, and again at the month's end. This anomaly also occurred in June 1976.

Those that may find the prolonged spell of excessive sunshine and arid conditions wearying may take solace from the fact that should the synoptic situation that has now prevailed for two months have occurred during any winter months, we would be gripped by intense cold, possibly rivaling some of the classic winters of the 20th century.

Although most of us are familiar with the sight of gritting lorries spraying roads with melting tar in extreme heat, railway companies have started to employ a novel method to combat the distortion of rail tracks during heatwaves - the metal rails are painted white! This is actually a sound measure as it reduces the temperature of the metal by a surprising 5-10C.

Footnote: At the time of writing, since the 10th June there has been only a single day with measurable rain. 0.4mms on the 15th.

Statistics for June 2018:

Total rainfall: 26.3 mms (49% of average)

Wettest day: 21.7 2nd

Days with rain: Four

Coolest day: 15.5C 4th

Hottest day: 28.1C 25th

Lowest minimum: 6.1C 11th

Average temperature: 16.3C (2.0C above average)