After an exceptional summer in 2003, it looks
as though the summer of 2006 could well match it. By 2.20pm
18th July 2006 - the mercury levels in Lyneham hit the magic
30°C (86°F) which was 3°C
hotter than Heraklion (27°C (81°F))
in the Mediterranean island of Crete. From then on, all afternoon,
with unbroken sunshine and relentless scorching temperatures,
the mercury hovered around the 87°F marked, right
up to the early evening at 7.30pm. During the day, (18th July
2006), the maximum recorded temperature for Lyneham was 31.3°C,
a staggering 88°F. The hottest place in the UK
was recorded at Heathrow, 34.3°C (93.7°F).
Following 12 hours of unbroken hot sunshine, as the evening
summer sun set beneath the Avon Vale horizon, warm ground
and sultry conditions did not help to provide some respite
from the heat. A long sticky and balmy evening was experienced,
thermometers did not drop below 16°C. As soon as
the early morning summer sun emerged, temperatures started
to rise rapidly. By 9am the Lyneham thermometers recorded
21°C. As predicted the record for the hottest July
day ever to be broken at Lyneham today was reached, thermometers
toppled 34.4°C (93.7°F) at 3.24pm, breaking the previous
temperature of 32.9°C set way back during the tropical
summer of July 1976.
The country is already sweltering in hotter weather than
holiday destinations such as Ibiza, Benidorm, Crete, Malta,
Nice and Tenerife. Around the country, Wednesday 19th July,
is the hottest July day since records began, with temperatures
soaring to 36.5°C (97.7°F) at Wisley in Surrey. The
new high breaks the record set in 1911 at Epsom, Surrey.
Please be careful: As we bask in these exceptional warm
days, please remember the Sun Safety facts and stay safe,
especially children. You can not step back the damage. more...
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