What heat waves in British history have been so memorable that they are remembered as the Great British Summers of old? Here are some of the best heat waves of the past century.
2003
The first time that the 100-Fahrenheit temperature mark was ever broken in Britain, it was during the scorching summer of 2003. Keep cool this summer with Air Conditioning Stroud from https://acecc.co.uk/air-conditioning-near-me/air-conditioning-stroud
On August 10, the mercury reached 38.5C (101.3F), smashing the 1990 record of 37.8C (98.8F) in Brogdale near Faversham in Kent.
Around 70,000 people across Europe are estimated to have perished during the worst heatwave in Europe for nearly 500 years.
The UK escaped the worst of the weather after a two-week cool and rainy period between the end of July to the beginning of August.
The worst drought in 27 years was caused by wilting wheat crops, which led to a 12% shortage of the grain. This caused the price of bread to skyrocket.
Most Britons, however, were content to simply enjoy the first sustained heat wave for almost a decade, with a Glastonbury Festival that was notably mud-free.
1976
The hottest British Summer on record occurred in 1976 when temperatures reached at least 26.7C (80F) for 25 consecutive days.
Between June 22 and July 16 the mercury in England soared above 32.2C for 15 days.
Heat waves can last for up to five days. The highest temperature was 35.9C (96.6F), reached in Cheltenham on July 3.
The weather was ideal for women to wear some of the most notoriously skimpy outfits from the decade, but not for men who wore long hair or flares.
There were also some major downsides. Britain experienced its worst drought ever, and water was rationed by street standpipes.
1959
Before 1976, 1959 was the hottest summer on record.
The skies were blue for several weeks, with temperatures in most parts of southern England above 21C for more than 100 days.
The summer was long and pleasant, with just five days above 30C (86f), and very few rain showers that ruined picnics.
The five months between the months of May and September were the driest ever recorded and caused a drought.
1949
A heatwave that lasted from mid-June to the end of July worsened water shortages that were caused by a dry winter.
Even at night, temperatures in London did not fall below 24C (75C).
Sleeping in Hyde Park or other green areas was more comfortable than in their hot beds.
The normally wet Lancashire was hit by a drought that left the Rivington Reservoir, near Preston, bone-dry and the Leeds-Liverpool Canal impassable near Burnley.
