100.5F at Tonbridge, 22nd July 1868

[Weather-history]

There was a very notable heatwave during mid July 1868 where maximum got into the 90+Fs including a temperature recording of 100.5F at Tonbridge on the 22nd of July 1868. However, this figure is now discredited as the temperature was not recorded at standard exposure.

15th-22nd July 1868 CET: 20.6C

Here is a selection of some other temperatures recorded during that period although the readings are questionable as to whether they are what we would call "standard exposure"

[Summer of 95]

I've always wondered, if Greater London/SE was as built up then as now, what these 19th Century observers would have recorded and whether given the acceptance of today's London figures we should accept that 100F reading. Also that "Hot Wednesday" early in the 19th C I've heard mentioned as a plausible candidate for Britain's first 100.

Ross (if it is Ross-on-Wye) and Hereford have some big differences considering there's only 10 miles between them- also Newent on the second table never made higher than 88 when Ross made 94 (again about 10 miles).

[Kentish Man]

The fact that Tunbridge Wells, a few miles down the road, only reached 92.4 deg F that same day makes that Tonbridge figure look a little dubious. Tonbridge would be potentially slightly hotter being on somewhat lower ground and in something of a natural bowl but a difference of 8 deg F scarcely seems credible.

Edited June 29, 2008 by Kentish Man