Thread: Britain has coldest summer in 18 years

Summer? It's the coldest for 18 years... but it didn't stop these people from making the best of the weather

By Hugo Gye
Last updated at 1:02 PM on 30th August 2011
Comments 96

As these hardy souls braving a rain-lashed Blackpool beach yesterday would no doubt testify, the wash-out weekend capped off a disappointing few months.

In fact, much of England has experienced its coldest summer for almost two decades.

According to the Met Office, the UK’s average temperature from June 1 to August 15 was only 13.9c (57f), the lowest in 13 years.

But temperatures in central England – between London, Manchester and Bristol – have averaged 15c (59f), the worst since 1993.


Not quite tanning weather: Neil Tiddy, 23, and Lauren Sugden, 21, trying to enjoy Blackpool yesterday

If the overall summer temperature, to be released by the Met Office when the season officially finishes tomorrow, is lower than 13.7c it would make it the coolest since 1993 as well.

Helen Waite, a forecaster for the Met Office, said: ‘The average temperature for central England this summer has been just 15c. This sort of temperature is normally typical of September.

More...Rocking it like Rio! Notting Hill Carnival sees hundreds of thousands on the streets for Europe's biggest festival

‘Generally speaking, you would expect to see temperatures of at least 17c (63f) for this time of year.’

Nevertheless, beach-loving Britons braved the cold and rain, with Bournemouth, Brighton and Blackpool all reporting busier-than-usual trade.

News of the low temperatures, which are more typical of chilly autumn than sizzling summer, follows a miserable Bank Holiday weekend which saw major disruption to roads.


Water shot: Footballers take to the water in the annual river match in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire


Spray: Giant waves crash over the sea walls at Whitley Bay in North Tyneside


Making a splash: Players attempt a tackle in the Bourton-on-the-Water river match

Motorists heading home after the long weekend faced tailbacks of up to six miles in some areas, with more than 40 major incidents reported.
Ian Cox, a travel supervisor for Traffic Master, which provides data to the AA, said: ‘A lot of the accidents have involved caravans with people travelling back from their holidays.’

A crash on the M25 caused delays of up to an hour, while other hot-spots included the A27, M1, A64 and M5.

Brits made the best of a mixed bag of weather at the end of the the Bank Holiday weekend after enduring two days of dreary rain.


Spectacular sight: Spray from a massive wave engulfs two people at Whitley Bay


Festive: The Notting Hill Carnival will finish in a welcome burst of sunshine today

Revellers at the Notting Hill Carnival in London were cheered by a late burst of sunshine, but the improved weather came too late to save Reading and Leeds festivals.

In Gloucestershire two football teams defied the damp conditions by taking to the river to play their annual match on the River Windrush.
And in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, crowds gathered to see a series of spectacular waves crash onto the shore caused by rough weather in the North Sea.

Things aren't about to get better though. The forecast for the rest of the week however isn't good - with Britain set to be hit by mist and drizzle as the start of autumn ushers in.


Colourful: Today's performers at the Carnival have welcomed the improved weather


Sunshine: These drummers played at the Carnival earlier today


Deserted: Brighton Beach has fared less well, with hundreds of its usually sought-after deckchairs left empty



Heavy showers sweeping across the UK ruined the plans of those hoping to see out the end of summer by escaping to the beach.

But although Notting Hill Carnival saw festive scenes in the London sunshine, not all of the country was so lucky.

Windswept Brighton Beach was nearly deserted, with the few hardy souls who ventured out wrapped up in waterproofs and windbreakers. Yesterday heavy rain showers fell across the majority of the UK, with the South, the Midlands, and Wales experiencing the worst downpours. It followed similar weather conditions on Saturday.

RECORD POLICE NUMBERS TODAY

More than 6,500 police officers are due to take to the streets for the second day of the Notting Hill Carnival today.

Record numbers of police officers will be on duty with London's reputation at stake in the wake of widespread violence and looting earlier this month.

The festivities got off to a largely peaceful start yesterday despite 53 arrests, as revellers descended on the capital for Europe's biggest street festival.

It is expected more than a million people will attend the two-day event.

Last night Commander Steve Rodhouse said: 'Traditionally Sunday is children's day, thousands of people came out in Notting Hill today to take part in this vibrant event which is so important in the capital's calendar.'
London Mayor Boris Johnson has issued a rallying call to 'let the true spirit of London shine through', hoping the carnival will help heal wounds left by the riots.

Campers at Reading Festival were forced to don plastic ponchos and wellies, while organisers laid hay on the ground in an attempt to prevent the site becoming a swamp.

And the first day of the Notting Hill Carnival was also affected, with party-goers forced to dash for shelter at regular intervals.
Despite the improved conditions today, the summery conditions will end in the next few days - even though the equinox which marks the scientific end of summer does not come until September 23.

A Met Office forecaster said: 'There will be some patches of fog and mist. This type of weather is typical for autumn and around November time.'

However, he added that temperatures will remain relatively high, reaching 21c (70f) in some areas.

Officials have issued warnings to those planning to use the roads this week, as they expect unusual levels of traffic due to the end of the Bank Holiday.

The Highways Agency reported large volumes of traffic on the roads over the Bank Holiday, with an estimated 16 million vehicles taking to the roads on Friday alone.

And a survey by insurers AXA showed that the week after the August Bank Holiday was the worst period for road accidents over the whole summer.

Crashes peak on the Wednesday after the holiday as Britons rush back to work and school.

An AXA spokesman said: 'We are aware that the week following the bank holiday will be extremely busy as per usual, which increases the likelihood of accidents occurring.

'But people need to be better prepared, take precautions when driving and ensure they drive safely.'

Warnings were also issued by coastguards after a number of holiday-makers who braved the beach were cut off by tides over the weekend.
SUNNY TODAY - BUT AUTUMN'S ON ITS WAY

Today: Sunny intervals, with highs of 19c (66f) and lows of 10c (50f). Some light rain in the North.

Tomorrow: White cloud, with highs of 20c (68f) and lows of 9c (48f). The North will see heavy showers in the morning.

Wednesday: More white cloud, with highs of 21c (70f) and lows of 8c (46f).


Mudbath: The Reading Festival site was turned into a swamp by torrential rain over the weekend

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... ls-in.html

look people... global warming ENDED in 1999 and it has been cooling ever since

mostly due to the lack of sun activity and others say we are on the cusp of a mini ice age which is FAR WORSE

either way Al Gore-leony the MAFIA King Pin of the Global Warming Money Laundering Scam~a~Rama needs to be put on Trial for the Scam of a Life Time