DORSET has already had its share of rainfall this month – and we’re only halfway through. 

July has seen 120 per cent of its average rainfall across the county, according to the Met Office. 

A Met Office spokesman said England had 97 per cent of July’s average rainfall between July 1 and 15, Wales had 65 per cent, Scotland 49 per cent and Northern Ireland 47 per cent. 

London has had 154 per cent but in Scotland, Edinburgh has only had 40 per cent and Dundee 33 per cent. 

However, temperatures are expected to improve later this week, with forecasts saying the sunshine could come out over Bournemouth and reach 26C. 

Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said night-time temperatures could stay in the low 20s for parts of south-east England – officially classified as “tropical nights” if they do not drop below 20C – with there being health implications for the elderly or infirm. 

Ms Maxey said: “There are quite big regional differences but overall it’s looking like a wet month so far. 

“There is a caveat that, with a dry couple of weeks, by the end of the month things could even themselves out.” 

She said two or three heavy downpours often caused much of a location’s July rainfall totals, rather than a prolonged period of wet weather.