JULY was a month of hot sunshine, heavy rain and thunder. As we enter the last month of summer, what does August have in store for Hampshire?

Weather experts at the Met Office have been giving details on how they think the month will pan out. Unfortunately it doesn't sound very promising.

A spokesperson for the Met Office explained: “An unsettled theme is going to be largely dominant for the Hampshire area heading through this week and into the weekend. On Thursday in particular there will be some persistent rain that will continue into Friday. Saturday will be showery with a chance of heavy downpours through the middle of the day and into the afternoon. While Sunday looks a bit clearer, there will still be showers about.”

The good news is that warmer weather could be on the way towards the end of the month with ‘above average temperatures’ likely.

But does this mean Hampshire will have another heatwave?

Experts at the Met Office said: “Whilst warmer conditions in the longer term forecast that doesn’t constitute two heatwave being imminent. It is merely an indication that warmer conditions could return. For heatwave conditions to be met in Hampshire we would need to see temperatures of 27°C or above for three days running.

“The average maximum temperature for an August day in Hampshire is 21.9°C and as I said even though the long-range forecaster showing that temperatures could be above average that could mean that it climbs to 23°C.”

The full Met Office forecast for August

Today

A bright and largely sunny morning for many. Warm sunny spells during the afternoon with a few heavy, slow-moving showers developing, mainly inland. Light winds. Maximum temperature 22 °C.

Tonight:

Any showers fading away through the early evening, then remaining dry overnight with partly cloudy skies and occasional clear periods. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature 10 °C.

Wednesday:

Another fine and mostly sunny start. Sunny spells and scattered showers developing late morning onwards, some heavy and locally thundery by the afternoon. Light winds. Maximum temperature 23 °C.

Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:

Sunny spells and showers each day. A risk of afternoon thundery downpours at times, perhaps with a longer period of rain Thursday. Becoming breezier. Temperatures near normal or rather cool.

Saturday, August 7- Monday, August 16

A mixture of sunny spells and showers, with some drier interludes is the general pattern expected through the start of this period, as unsettled, changeable conditions continue to dominate. Some of these showery spells may merge to give slightly longer spells of rain, with some thunderstorms likely to develop from these.

Torrential downpours are likely in some places. There is a risk of strong winds at times for some, and temperatures are expected to be below average, but perhaps slightly above average in northern areas. Through the remainder of this period, it will likely turn more settled, though a few showers cannot be ruled out, especially in southeastern areas.

This will bring drier weather, with sunny spells for most through to mid-August, and temperatures trending closer to, perhaps above average.

Tuesday, August 17 – Tuesday, August 31

Whilst there are current signals of a drier and warmer than average period from the middle of August, occasional spells of more unsettled weather, primarily in the northwest, remains possible. Accompanying this is a low risk of short-lived thundery spells, these mainly in southeastern parts. Confidence through this period remains low at present.

However, most should see dry and fine weather. Above average temperatures continue to be indicated through the second half of August, with a small possibility of very warm conditions at times in southern areas.