ScottBlue

The last good summer that followed a washout summer was 2003. Where I am in the south west of Scotland the summer of 2002 felt identical to 2012. June and July were total right offs with the only settled spell of the season lasting a few days in early August. Maybe I am clutching at straws hoping for a repeat of 2003 but a sunny June or July without the constant rain and cloud would be acceptable.

I've found that in some recent poor summers, especially those with a dull/wet June, it is normally the late July period that brings the sunny warm weather. Last year and 2008 spring to mind, although I would like it to continue in to August this time, unlike in those years. Always nice to have any sunny spell running over the weekend for a true summer feel, out in the garden with friends and a few beers. Hopefully we get that because it will be autumn before we know it.

This summer has been very similar to 2002 thus far. In western scotland it rained throughout June and July that year with the only settled period coming at the start of August for a week or so. Some forecasts are predicting that's when any warm dry period will take effect this year. 2002 was followed by a great summer the folowing year but it's hard to imagine another british summer that isn't dull and wet after 6 on the bounce.

So far it's as poor a summer as any. Much like 2002 and 2007, I'll remember this year for the miserably wet summer months.

I have been thinking back to this period of late as it was the last time I remember a long period of settled summer weather. I flew back from Greece on the morning of the 17th and remember flying over the UK along the east coast to return to Glasgow. It was a perfect clear sky and I was fixated on the british isles from above with everything so visible. When I got home I recall telling my Dad it didn't feel a lot different to the heat on holiday. Also remember it was the one time in the 10 years I spent at my work that staff were permitted to wear shorts, and my neighbour commenting on all the barbecues I was having that summer. Truly splendid.