highest in three years.

So far, roughly four inches of rain have been recorded for the month of July, said Ed Loder of the Bermuda Weather Service.

With two more weeks to go, this month may still beat a 1994 high of 6.85 inches of rainfall.

And the total rainfall to date is already some six inches above average at 33.91 inches.

But 1998 still needs to produce a lot more water before setting any truly long term records.

For the past half century, July, 1987 leads the way in mid-summer deluges. An impressive 10.6 inches fell that year.

And for yearly totals, 1962 stands tall with an imposing 75 inches of rain. At the other extreme, 1975 had both the driest July and driest year.

Less than an inch was measured that July, and only 37.1 inches fell in total.

For the rest of this month, the absence of tropical systems should provide some rain relief.