July 2006 will be remembered as the 'Hottest July' on record and the 'Sunniest' too. The mean maximum for July was 25.1°C which was helped with the maximum temperature of 34.4°C being recorded on the 19th. There was only one day throughout the month were no sunshine was recorded. Another record occurred on the 17th where 15.5 hours of cloudless sun radiated on the Wiltshire landscape. There was 314 hours of sunshine for the whole month accounting for 146% of the 30 year average. The previous best sunshine record was recorded in 1971 with 288 hours. For these exceptional records glorious sunshine, cloudless days and high temperatures you would think what a wonderful summer month. However, in the first week a deluge occurred where 48.8mm of rain fell from the skies in a 24 hour period. This downpour was a welcome relief from the previous month of hot balmy days and nights.