matty007

How unlucky can you get!!. The big cluster is moving just to the right of me. Must be epic for the east coast though.

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No. I said it could take the highest tempreture, but not the all time record.

Virtually every synoptic was more optimum than 2003. Why would it not of been likely? Preety sure bookies would have taken very short odds on the maximum being beaten.

Preety sure it's the hottest day I've ever recorded. My station maxed out at 37.5c at around 3:45. I don't recall it ever getting over 37c here.

It's going to go bang.

It was the cloud.

Well done Rob

When did I say I wasn't satisfied? Purely from a weather perspective, I am very satisfied. I'm pretty sure it's been the warmest day ever in my location, and this week has been lovely indeed. I had a picnic earlier and thoroughly enjoyed the warm weather. What's more, the wind was fairly low too, so couldn't ask anymore really from a enjoyment and satisfaction point of view. If we are talking about a nationwide and record point of view..Then yes, I am not 100% satisfied. While it was the hottest July day ever, with the very very extreme synoptics on offer, it should have been the hottest day ever recorded. I mean seriously..With uppers 2-3c warmer than in 2003, a lower wind speed, the optimum time of year...how did we seriously not beat 38.5c? It can of only been the cloud, because everything else was as about optimum and extreme as you could possibly get. I get the feeling that I am not the only one who will be feeling this way. It has been very warm for days on end with very little to no cloud. Then suddenly when does the cloud decide to show up? At the most inconvenient and unlucky point imaginable. Only in the UK could this happen. People have mildly berated me for supposedly exaggerating the effect the cloud today had on temps. However, if you look at the data, the facts speak for themselves. Heathrow's temps flattened for quite some when fairly dense cloud passed by, and it took them some time to start rising again. Regardless of whether they start to rise, it is still time that is lost, and more ground to recover. If you lose £5 and then win £10, you are still technically £5 behind what you should have been. The temps would certainly have been at least a degree warmer if the cloud had stayed away, maybe more. Look, what's done is done. Still a wonderful day. But you must see that it was immensely unlucky and unfortunate timing that cost us what should have been the hottest day on record. I am a weather lover, and a sun lover. But I also like to see extremes and records broken. While this day was indeed wonderful, and I will remember it as very very warm, I will also remember it as being the day that the UK had the most extreme synoptics imaginable and still failed to beat the all time record and near 40c.

I think 40c is the absolute limit. Without any cloud, I think it could have been achieved today. I mean, the Synoptics were as fierce as you can possibly get. Uppers were higher than 2003 Not getting 40c I can accept, but 38.5c really should have been breached. The fact the 2003 record is still in place when we had higher uppers today and a prime time of the year, is very disappointing from a record point of view

And you don’t think that is an accurate claim? I don’t have precise figures but there was quite an extended time with cloud cover. Even when the sun comes back out, you have still lost vital warming. We only needed another 0.5c, this would 100% have been done with less cloud, and very close to 40c, perhaps even on it. It doesn’t matter, it’s done now, and it’s still be a fantastic day. But we were extremely unlucky the cloud came in like that I so wanted that 2003 record to go, and with the Synoptics, it really should of done

Exactly.

Why do people keep being sarcastic with me. I am simply making my observations. Its not an unrealistic hypothesis to think that without all that cloud cover, we could have easily squeezed another degree or two.

It did take cloud into account, but not to the extent that we had. We had a lot more cloud than was showing on most of the models, and forecasts. With less cloud, the record certainly would have gone, and 40c maybe.

Yes. Amazing day but very very unfortunate to be honest. The Arpege was bang on with 40c in my opinion. But the unexpected cloud knocked off a degree or two. Couldn’t write it

Think it will just fall short. Quite unbelievable to be honest considering we had hotter upper air than 2003 and it is at the optimum time of year. Things couldn’t have been lined up better. But that’s that damn cloud for you. Once again it is a party pooper. Still a small chance that Kent may just squeeze it, but unlikely as it’s 4pm. There is also a chance it may have already been broken but not announced. Gut feeling is though that it’s just short

Are there actually any official stations in Kent anymore, at least anywhere near Gravesend?

There are a few unofficial stations that are higher than the official ones. Most of them very reliable and accurate In my experience it’s quite common for the reliable unofficial stations to be higher than Heathrow etc Not that they are counted of course, which is rather annoying

Umm, I’m not too sure. I think that is achievable. You also have to remember that sometimes maximums go unnoticed and are announced later (Faversham 2003 for example) Just because they are showing 37-38c now, does not mean that has already not been surpassed

Clouds clearing nicely now where I am in Cambridge. Full sun and milky sky. The race is on.

I’m not sure as to the optimum warm time this time of year but we probably have until about 4pm to try and achieve it. If Cambridge really is showing 38c now then it is easily possible

Well, if I end up with egg on my face I would not mind accepting it. To break the all time record in or near Cambridge would be amazing to say the least.

Yeah, it’s done. Wouldn’t have enough time to recover

I suspect Cambridge won’t get hot enough to surpass 38.5c Think the clouds ruined it in London

I suspect the cloud has scuppered it. There is even some cloud near Cambridge now. Not much, but hides the sun occasionally. I actually made a joke the other day that the cloud would arrive at 2-3pm and ruin the chances. Never wished for it to be right. Very very annoying indeed and typical Britain. Why couldn’t it of held out for another hour or two