June rainfall in Guernsey second highest in a century

Guernsey has seen its second wettest June in 100 years, with 122mm (4.8in) falling in the space of 30 days.

Only in 1986 did Guernsey see a wetter June, with 130mm (5.1in). The average June rainfall observed at Guernsey Airport is just under 50mm (2in).

Martin Crozier, Guernsey's senior met observer, said: "It's all down to atmospheric circulation patterns.

"We've had a feed of air in from the Atlantic for the last month. It's pretty atrocious," he said.

There was little sign of more summery weather as July began, with hail falling on 1 July in both Guernsey and Alderney.

Mr Crozier said it was only the third time since 1945 that hail had been recorded in either island.

He anticipated that the first two weeks of July would follow a similar pattern to June, with cool westerlies generally keeping the temperature below 20c (68f).

Total rainfall in the year up to 2 July was 7.9% above average at 414mm (16.3in), however the number of sunshine hours was 970 - slightly above the average.