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PUT IN THE SHADE BY 76


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Posted
  • Location: Battersea, London
  • Location: Battersea, London

In September 1962, when my late dad came to the England, from the relative tropics of Nigeria, for what was just a few years, he could not have chosen a better time to arrive. lol.. Little did he know that he was about to experience one of the coldest winters in history.

The winter of 1962/63, just like the Summer of 1976, has been the benchmark to compare past and present weather. As far as 1976 is concerned from time to time, we get a Summer that tries to challenge it only to be put in the shade,

Whether it`s the Summers of 1996, 1997,2003 and 2006, or going back in time top Summers of 1911 or 1947,all these Summers have been put in the shade by 76,has it shines it`s beam, from the top, being the best Summer months(June, July. August).the number 1 since records began. So why was the Summer of 1976 so good, well it was more about the length of continuous sunny days and hot weather, that lasted throughout the Summer months. On this exact day(23Jjune1976)),40 years ago, a  hot spell of weather began, the temperature hit 32c for 15 consecutive days somewhere in England.  On the 28th of June, Southampton recorded a temperature of 35 degrees, and on the 3 of July, Cheltenham recorded a temperature of 36degrees(35.9, both record highs at that time) The fine hot weather continued until the last week of August.

The only thing I remember of the Summer of 1976, was dad saying that it was so such a great summer, incredible that, he had never experienced anything like it.( neither have we since RIP) I was 8 at the time. How time flies so fast. Fast forward 40 years later, what an occasion for the Summer of 2016 to challenge 76, how is it doing so far, well, well, just imagine the Summer of 1976 was human, 76 Summer must be laughing:rofl: big time at 2016 rather weak attempt to challenge it. Flaming June has become raining June, and with maximum temperatures  of 11, and 12 degrees at the begging of this month(June) in Southern England, unfortunately Summer 2016 has already been put well into the shade, I do not need to tell you, that it`s in good company with so many failed challenges,

As matter of fact it could well be the case that in 40 year time, despite climate change,1976 could still be beaming it`s light at number1, It wont surprise me at all, but by then most likely I would be 6 foot under.

If you have any views about the Summer of 1976, please feel free to express them below.

Gender Male Location Battersea, London.

 

 

 

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Posted
  • Location: halifax 125m
  • Weather Preferences: extremes the unusual and interesting facts
  • Location: halifax 125m

I think most people agree 1976 was the best summer,but you could pick different summers if you were talking about extended summers of sunshine totals.IAm not sure why I cannot recall 1976 exactly as I was 7 years old but the best I recall was 1995 followed by 1984 and 1989 and if you look at the Manchester summer index it is a close run thing so I have to disagree that 1976 was way ahead of the rest .

Summers in order with the best at the top and the worst at the bottom

1976 301

1995 298

1983 278

1955 277

1911 274

1984 271

1959 269

1975 268

1949 267

1989 262

1947 255

1933 251

1901 249

1921 249

2003 247

1925 246

2006 246

1996 245

1935 243

1994 240

1934 238

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Posted
  • Location: North York Moors
  • Location: North York Moors

From drought perspective 1976 is in a league of it's own.

An exceptionally wide area was very dry indeed which was greatly exacerbated by a long run of very hot days starting about now.
The dry spell actually started in 1975 and the winter between had very few wet spells.

https://t.co/apt2Og6Q2y 

Edited by 4wd
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Posted
  • Location: halifax 125m
  • Weather Preferences: extremes the unusual and interesting facts
  • Location: halifax 125m
3 hours ago, 4wd said:

From drought perspective 1976 is in a league of it's own.

An exceptionally wide area was very dry indeed which was greatly exacerbated by a long run of very hot days starting about now.
The dry spell actually started in 1975 and the winter between had very few wet spells.

https://t.co/apt2Og6Q2y 

I guess each region is different but this area was drier in 1995  and into 1996,there was a well near us that never dried in 1976 yet was dry for months in 1995.The rainfall here between may to august inclusive was half in 1995 than that of 1976.You may have seen on the tv wagons of tankers ,hundreds of them around the clock tankering water into Halifax for months because water was so low.I worked on a farm at the time and we could go muckspreading in the depths of winter loaded up [95/96] on land we struggled to get on even in summer.I think the 1976 drought ended in September with a very wet sept/October whereas 1995 was very dry throughout and right into 1996 which was also very dry,resevoirs never filled the whole winter.

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  • 1 month later...
Posted
  • Location: Powys Mid Wales borders.
  • Location: Powys Mid Wales borders.

1976 cannot be beaten,1983 was the next good one I remember.

Then a run of 3 years 1989..1990 which hasn`t been mentioned and 1991 not quite so good but still dryer than recent summers with a good burn factor on the grass but 1995 was the last great year,a brief spell in 2003 then we had 2006 but august was poor then 3 years ago.

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Posted
  • Location: Edmonton Alberta(via Chelmsford, Exeter & Calgary)
  • Weather Preferences: Sunshine and 15-25c
  • Location: Edmonton Alberta(via Chelmsford, Exeter & Calgary)

I rate 1995 above 1976 as a summer closely followed by 1983...by the time we got to 2006 my enjoyment of heat had waned to point where I found July 2006 a hard slog.

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  • 1 year later...
Posted
  • Location: Efford, Plymouth
  • Weather Preferences: Misty Autumn Mornings, Thunderstorms and snow
  • Location: Efford, Plymouth

I just remember a bit of 1976 but 1995 was my hot summer. Being 21 and in the pub most nights it was amazingly hot- and just kept giving warmth and then heat 

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Posted
  • Location: sheffield
  • Weather Preferences: Basically intresting weather,cold,windy you name it
  • Location: sheffield
5 minutes ago, philglossop said:

I just remember a bit of 1976 but 1995 was my hot summer. Being 21 and in the pub most nights it was amazingly hot- and just kept giving warmth and then heat 

So you remember weather when you were 2 years old.......wow!:D

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Posted
  • Location: London
  • Location: London

Born in May of 76, so I have no memory of that summer. But, my family used to mention it from time to time, and told me 1975 was also hot.

The earliest memories of a hot summer was July and August of 1983, and the following summer of 84. At the time, it just seemed the norm to have long hot sunny days. 

1989 and 90 stand out more so, as I was a teenager by then. Both Summers were warm or hot with long dry spells, and a very mild winter between them.

Then we had to wait again until 1994, although the August was slightly disappointing, July of 94 was the hottest since 83 at that point.

1995 was the best of the bunch though. After what seemed to be a poor start to summer, with May and the first half of June being cold and dull, the heat arrived mid month, and apart from one or two days of rain, we had weeks of unbroken sunny and hot days. 

Summers haven’t been bettered since. 

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