...but this July is still set to beat the heatwave of 1976
SCORCHING temperatures have made this month even warmer than July in the sweltering summer of 1976, provisional figures suggest.
Splitting the UK into ten regions, the Met Office found every area recorded higher temperatures this July than they did 42 years ago.
South East and Central Southern England, East Anglia and the Midlands were noticeably hotter.
In July 1976, the maximum temperature in the South East – the hottest part of the UK – was typically 24.9C (76.8F). However, in 2018 the average was 26.5C (79.7F).
Because the figures so far only cover up to July 28, and the final days of the month were cooler, this year’s final July averages may decrease.
Met Office forecaster Rachel West said: ‘Yesterday’s weather was not that unusual, even for July. The reason it stands out is because it has been so settled for weeks now.’
She said there would be sunshine and showers in most areas today and tomorrow, adding: ‘ From Wednesday... temperatures will start to rise again.’