The CETs for this year so far are pretty similiar to those of 1961. April is the biggest difference between the two but it has been pretty similiar.
Indeed. 1997 is also very similar if you start from February.
The summer of 1961 was very poor. 1997 was mixed with a cool June, average July, but hot August.
We are due a hot August. Since 1997, only 2003 had an August CET above 18C. In fact since 2004 the August CET has never been above 17C. But then again since 1950 the August CET has only been higher than 17C on 12 occasions, so about once every 6 years on average. Given it has been 15 years now since the August CET was above 17C we are most definitely due a hot August.