East Anglia enjoyed its hottest July in more than 20 years - and almost the driest since records began.
The summer was a scorcher, with thousands taking advantage to sun themselves on our beautiful beaches and coastline.
Forecasters say it was close to a record breaker in East Anglia, but the odd patch of cool weather and rainstorms took this summer out of the running.
However, the MET Office say UK-wide, the summer was the joint hottest on record - matching the heat waves of 2006, 2003 and 1976.
Phil Garner, forecaster at Weatherquest said: “It was the second driest June on record for the region. It was a close run thing though until the very end of the month when we had some rain that pushed it over.
“We had 12% of normal rainfall in June but it was only the seventh warmest due to the cool start of the month.
“The highest temperature recorded in the region through June was 29.2C.
“July was a bit more sparkly - it was the eighth driest month and the second warmest on record.
The hottest was in 1997, more than 20 years ago.
“The highest temperature in the region was 32.7C which was recorded in Tibenham.
“Up until July 26 most places in East Anglia has seen just 2% of average rainfall. Until then it was going to be a record breaker.
“Then we had the thunderstorms on July 26 and 27.”
The hot weather has been a boom for tourism, with thousands visiting East Anglia for some fun in the sun.
However, the hot dry weather was not all good news as it was revealed Suffolk suffered nearly three times more field fires than usual, rising to 47 from 17 last year. As the sweltering heat turned grass and vegetation yellow, Suffolk fire chief Mark Hardingham issued warnings for people to be vigilant, describing conditions as ‘tinder dry’.
The hot dry weather has also had a detrimental impact on Suffolk’s farming community, with some saying the bacon prices may be set to rise as the result of smaller litters.
Jimmy Butler, co-owner of Blythburgh Free Range Pork said the animals eat less in very hot weather, meaning it takes them longer to reach full weight.
He added the weather had led to a what shortage which had also affected pork production in the county.
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