3rd July - Today's News: Driest and Hottest Ever June in Parts of UK

Latest model output suggests the heatwave to continue for another two weeks at the least, and beyond that Met Office forecasts indicate reasonable confidence similar conditions persisting into August for the south.....   There may be the odd day with temperatures dropping to the low 20s (ie, nearer normal) and maybe the occasional thunderstorm.  But warm, dry and settled is the theme for the foreseeable future.  Whilst we have had hotter spells, it's been a very long time since we've seen such a long heatwave; bearing in mind too that May and June were both very warm months.  Indeed, sunny June hottest on record for Northern Ireland and Wales and as more data comes in, it looks like Scotland 'breaks temperature record' last Thursday (as was predicted).  And with so little rain the relentless heatwave transforms reservoir banks into arid deserts across the country.

In Snowdonia, evacuation threat eases over Bethesda forest fire as there's a hot weather warnings for hillwalkers and climbers - wuth emphasis not just on personal well-being but of fire risk.  I fear that before this spell is over we could see a very major, life-threatening event ....  especially when you see things like this: Peak District sky lantern fest is moorland 'fire risk' (they are a fire risk and danger to wildlife at the best of times)

UK weather: What are the effects of a heatwave? - well, loads of mozzie bites for starters ....  I must have lost a pint of blood to the bastards last night.  Though to be fair, until then I'd gotten off lightly.

San Francisco's Golden gate Bridge under eerie golden glow as wildfires spread across western US

Rare 'shelf cloud' appears like an apocalyptic nightmare as it slowly creeps towards the shore in new footage from Michigan resort

Snow hits parts of B.C. in July - albeit only up in the mountains

Five-ton tractor 'missing' in South Dakota following tornado 

Below-average hurricane activity forecast for 2018

South Africa's snow provides winter wonderland for some but misery for many others

Some good news from Thailand, but due to the rainy season having now set in, Thailand cave rescue: Boys 'could be in cave for months' - an afternoon's adventure turned into a traumatic experience that's by no means over yet. 

Bali volcano Mount Agung erupts again, sending 700 fleeing lava and explosions

I've yet to spot any this year (mainly because I'm tired enough with the heat - and mozzie bites - without going out in the early hours!) but climate change is making night-shining clouds more visible

How the world's first animals likely caused global warming

Rush hour above the clouds: FlightRadar24 shares amazing footage of busiest flight day

And today's bizarrest news story: Iran accuses its enemies of 'stealing clouds' to create drought.   Must be them chemtrails ..... !