davehsug

Rain has reached here, but nothing very heavy, just steady.

It was the duration that made this week less pleasant. My flat was actually hotter than the July event, and it hasn't cooled today, as there's been not much breeze to help clear the heat out. I just want a decent few days from Sunday (yeah, I know- gulp), whilst I'm in Blackpool. Just good enough to sit out and enjoy it. 20c will do if there's sun and not too much wind.

It may be welcomed by you, but I have plenty of room for more summer thanks

I take it back. Fizzing out very quickly, just another blue disappointment soon I daresay.

Development over North Wales behind the drizzly band. Maybe a chance later?

Thick cloud approaching, quite a cool breeze, but that's more likely due to the previous heat! Not optimistic for thunder.

Yes, something I've thought about too. I remember in the late 60s, when I became interested, how a summer spell, would build over a few days, nudging up towards 25. 30 was a very rare sight, and reserved for the South. You never went straight in at those silly temperatures. Now, even the most bog standard 2 day affair pitches straight in at that, and 30 is virtually the minimum requirement for a summery spell.

Clouded over here, but it's quite thin. Wonder if there's an outside chance of a nice surprise late evening/overnight?

Clouded over now, but it's fairly thin and still hot. Wonder if there's a chance of something overnight for us in the far North West? Not forecast, although there did look like the odd shower breaking out towards morning, on the TV forecast.

Probably the last day of endless sun and hot temperatures I hope we can at least squeeze the first rumble of the summer out, sometime in the next couple of days. After that, I'd like a return to something more settled from next weekend please.

Be careful about sunburn too, yes the sun's lower, but in my younger more carefree days, I always went away last week August, 1st week of September and frequently burned, because you know, sun cream was for softies. Such stupidity.

Why not enjoy the 90% of the rest of the year, that's full of grey skies, wind, (usually) rain and miserable temperatures?

Yes indeed. A good August is something we'd all but forgotten. Was it maybe 2006? I'm never sure about these things. I'm always amazed that people can remember stuff. I just about hold on to the big stuff like 75 & 76, the winter of 81/82, summer 96 Dec 2010 and so on. Anyhoo, I'm cautiously optimistic that my few days in Blackpool from the 21st, doesn't look like the usual cold, windy washout, though there's time of course!

Are you saying that they should implement hosepipe bans, even though they are happy with their supply, just because others have? My own area is supplied by underground water, and even in the driest years, we've had no restrictions. Some areas are just lucky.

Cloud seen! Thought it worth reporting.

Yes, 1976 was the gold standard. I really don't remember the heat, I was a teenager and quickly became acclimatised. What I do remember is the weeks on end of glorious sunshine, I'm sure there was the odd cloudy day, but time has removed them from the memory. I get a bit annoyed when people compare this summer to 1976. Apart from this week, it may have been hot at times, but there have been lengthy spells of cool, cloudy and sometimes wet weather- at least here. A decent summer but no 1976 for sure.

Me too, must be a Stoke thing

I was thinking that when I went out for 10 minutes at dinnertime. It was about 27c. It didn't feel too warm at all, and I would normally be getting towards my comfort limit at that. I did think back to July, and I remembered what real heat felt like!

Just delighted that we're finally going to get a decent spell of clear skies and sunshine. Sure, we've had some exceptional heat and a lot of dry weather, but we've also had long runs of days on end of cloud, wind and cool days, especially pre mid July. This is just a good summer week, perhaps a bit warmer than most of us would prefer, but miles better than what's become our standard August washout. Enjoy it and think of it when perma-November returns shortly.

Yes, it was clear here earlier, but clouded over now. Very thin though and still quite bright, with hazy sun occasionally.

It would be etremely unusual for August. Very much a spring/early summer phenomenon when the North sea is still very cold, rather than just bluddy freezing.

Shouldn't last too long. I'm in Blackpool for a few days from 21st, so any chance of summery weather will be gone by then. Even in the best of years, I carry a wet cold and windy curse with me.

Heavy downpours this morning, coming from the Irish sea. Unusual for this time of year. Indicates that either the air aloft is unusually cold, or the sea unusually warm, or maybe a bit of both.

Just a short drive away, we've had a couple in the last week or so!

Aaand, it's pouring down again.