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The 2nd dreadful summer in a row continues here in NW Scotland, with nearly 3 inches of rain falling over the past week (6 inches since 20 July), and there's been zero sunshine for 5 days-in-a-row now (following a total of only 73hrs in July). We may yet have the wettest summer on record, based on 144-year local series, but let's wait and see.
Meanwhile, attached please see photo zoom (contrast enhanced) into a funnel cloud that I spotted last Tuesday evening (9 Aug) at 17h50 BST, from Kildonan, South Uist, looking northwest out to the Atlantic ocean. Met conditions were not particularly conducive towards funnels at this time (anticylonic ridge, SLP of 1025-6hPa, anticyclonic vorticity). Even so, satellite pictures reveal a thin sliver of deep convection forming close to the leading line of cirrus curving southeastwards (again anticyclonically) outwards from the surface warm front many hundreds of miles to the west. The convection could be seen on visible sat images, as it was casting a shadow on the mid-level cloud deck below. I could see the convection base and tower punching through this mid-level deck from the ground. A prominent dark convection base could be seen, and a heavy shower followed (with a gust front) but there was no thunder. The funnel cloud dissipated over the sea after about 10mins and at no time could I see any disturbance on the water surface.
The Lewis precip radar was out of action at this time, as was the Met Office South Uist weather station (only a few kms distant) prior to the event (based from the later OGIMET reports, only a trace of rain occurred afterwards, with no notable events).
More photos can be seen on my blog: https://uhi-mahara.co.uk/view/view.php?id=5156

Edward, at least you're getting 'some' weather as here it has been one of the most benign summers for quite a while. We've had nothing that noteworthy since the thunderstorms of mid-June.

Your photo of the funnel cloud reminds me of one I saw in Birmingham (where I was a research student) in July 1999. I was moving house on an unusually (for Brum) hot and humid day and the sky darkened with a rumble of thunder. I looked up and above the roof tops I could see a funnel cloud. It was developing but moved out of sight before it became an actual tornado. Some damage occurred but it wasn't as bad as the one in 2005.

It's another sunny morning of blue skies but I've just noticed on the satellite picture that an extensive cloud sheet appears to cover most of the Britain Isles but stops just to the north of us leaving most of the South West in sunshine. Looks like that cloud could be heading our way. See photo.

Edward Graham wrote:The 2nd dreadful summer in a row continues here in NW Scotland, with nearly 3 inches of rain falling over the past week (6 inches since 20 July), and there's been zero sunshine for 5 days-in-a-row now (following a total of only 73hrs in July). We may yet have the wettest summer on record, based on 144-year local series, but let's wait and see.

Edward, I've noticed you've been having glorious weather over the last few days with temperatures over 20°C? The forecast for later in the week is looking a bit grim though.

You've joined us in the sunshine, monthly total here now at 142 hours after receiving a healthy boost as 4 out of the last 5 days have had unbroken sunshine from dawn until dusk.

Hi Nicolas
Yes, what a difference a week makes! Indeed, I should really have 'held fire' posting last week - even after 45 years of life, the vagaries of our weather continue to take me by surprise... Yes you are spot-on, it's been a glorious past week here with wall-to-wall sunshine (the only exception being Thursday when the haar lingered 'til afternoon). Today was perhaps the best of the lot with cobalt-blue skies - see sat pic and solar radiation curve below.
Of course, there is often a strong anti-correlation in weather type between NW Scotland and S/ SE England, today (Saturday 20th) is another striking example.
Although I haven't added up any totals/ calculated any means yet for August, I am guessing that we probably received most of our monthly average precipitation by the 12th, For the past week, it has been almost bone-dry (just 0.7mm total to this morning's observation) with three 20+C plus days (+22.2, +21.8C. +21.2C) and +19.4C today. We're sleeping with the windows open at night!
All the best
Eddie / Edward