10 August 1911 (36.7C/98.06F)
On the hottest day in seventy years, a meteorological correspondent writing for the Manchester Guardian told readers how ‘torrid’ conditions were in London, the only relief being a gentle breeze from the north.
13 July 1923 (34.4C/93.92F)
In 1923, experts were predicting that there would be no let-up eight days into the summer heatwave. The outlook was ‘perspiring’, said the paper.
19 August 1932 (35.6C/96.08F)
It wasn’t just the UK that was struggling to cope with temperatures in excess of 30C in 1932. According to reports, they were ‘roasting’ in cities like Paris, where it was 32C (89.6F) in the shade.
27 July 1933 (34.4C/93.92F)
As the heatwave of 1933 ended, reports warned about hurricanes from central Europe.
29 June 1957 (34.4C/93.92F)
The summer of 1957 will be remembered for a month of solid sunshine in June, with temperatures nearing 36C (96.8F).
5 July 1959 (34.4C/93.92F)
In 1959, the southern half of the country basked in fine weather on the hottest day of the year, but day trippers to northern coastal resorts were sent running for cover as torrential rain followed a sunny start.
3 July 1976 (35.9C/96.62F)
The sticky summer of 1976 led to such severe water shortages that families were encouraged to share bath water. The Observer’s Sue Arnold took to London’s streets to see how people had adjusted to living in a hot country.
3 August 1990 (37.1C/98.78F)
Cheltenham entered the record books in 1990 as it registered the UK’s highest ever temperature, breaking the 1911 record.
1 August 1995 (35.2C/95.36F)
The UK enjoyed warm weather all summer long in 1995, with temperatures peaking at the start of August (35.2ºC/95.36F).
10 August 2003 (38.5C/101.30F)
The Met Office confirmed a new record for the highest-ever temperature was in Brogdale, Kent, where it reached 38.5C (101.3F). Temperatures in parts of the UK could climb above 35C (95F) later today.
