July 2026 Commentary

July was the hottest calendar month that I have recorded in Cerne Abbas since beginning recordings twenty years ago. It was not only the hottest but by an average of 2 C per day, an extraordinary amount.The previous hottest month had been July 2018 with the figure of 21.3C for every day that month compared to an average of 23.C every day in July 2026.

For the twelve days from the 6th to the 17th the temperature reached 30 degrees c. or above though not reaching last month's record of 36.1 degrees c. on both June 24th and 25th. During July, the day-time maximum again reached 30 degrees on the 29th. A maximum of 25 degrees c. or above was recorded on every single day in July. Night-time temperatures varied between 13.5 and 21 degrees c.(fairly warm to fairly hot) with four nights reaching 20 or more.

July 2026 was also the driest month recorded in Cerne Abbas over the last twenty years with only 1.2mm measured. This amount fell around 8am on Sunday the 26th. There was rainfall on at least two other occasions but nothing that could be measured. The previous driest month for Cerne Abbas was June 2018 when 2mm. was recorded. The average rainfall for July over the last decade has been 64mm.(always one of the driest months)

This dry spell has really been going from June 12th since when we have had less than 5mmof rainfall.

The areas of short grass around the village have turned orangey-yellow while the nettles and weeds have gone berserk though the river is still flowing, thanks to last winter's heavy rainfall.

Philip Spray