Archive, August 2023: This report describes the previous month’s weather and a forecast made at the time.
In July 2023, local observer Michael Hilton recorded 237.4 mm of rain (about 9.35 inches) at his independent Harpur Hill station. It was the wettest July in his published records from 2003 through 2023.
The figures below come from the independent Buxton Weather station. The photographs show the separate Met Office climatological station on The Slopes.
The Harpur Hill station recorded about 123 hours of sunshine and an average temperature of 14.19°C that July. Its records include sunnier Julys, such as 2006 and 2018.
Check out the monthly comparisons (image from Buxton Weather):
Following a warm, dry June, July 2023 brought frequent rain to Buxton, from drizzle to heavier downpours.
Why has Buxton weather been so bad and what is the jet stream?
The jet stream is a band of strong winds high in the atmosphere that helps steer and shape weather systems. Its position and strength change over time.
When the jet stream bends, the paths and speed of pressure systems can change, influencing the weather experienced at ground level.
The Met Office reported that the jet stream shifted south during summer 2023, with low-pressure systems bringing wet and windy weather to the UK through much of July and August.
Will it get any better?!
In early August 2023, local forecasters were hoping for more settled weather later in the month.
The article was written ahead of Buxton’s Eat in the Park festival in August 2023.
With thanks to Buxton Weather and Buxton Weather Watch for information included in this article. 😎
Advertisement
