London’s Missing Summer – Coldest, Wettest, Cloudiest for 18 Years

THE UK has had its coldest summer since 1993, new Met Office figures have revealed.

Today’s temperature of 15c in London highlights the Met Office’s research. Average London August temperatures are 18c.

“Since the last real heatwave in July 2006 we’ve had a run of average or poor summers in Britain,” said Brian Gaze of TheWeatherOutlook.

“But 2011 will probably be remembered as the worst of them.”

As well as lower than average temperatures, there has been more rain – about a quarter more than usual – and less sun – about a quarter less than usual.

“During the 1990s and 2000s, summer heatwaves were more frequent than usual, and perhaps some people began to think this was the norm,” Gaze told The Independent.

“During the last few years the run of poor summers has coincided with colder weather during the winter months.”