I count 33-36 as mid 30s with an equal number of low 30s (30,31,32) and high 30s (37,38,39) otherwise there will be more low 30s than high.
With that in mind I know everyone's familiar with date records: https://www.torro.org.uk/extremes/date-records/max-temp
Only 3 days of the 31 (20th 23rd 30th) have records below 33.
That said, I agree that widespread 30+ temperatures are are normally harder to achieve in August. But antecedent conditions (soil moisture, soil temperature, SSTs, warming atmosphere) may facilitate somewhat this year.
Interesting is the fact that the month's records are more heavily weighted in the second half towards older records. Apart from 9th in 1911 the first 12 days are all held by 1990 or later. Then it changes markedly.
Oops. I think this post is destined for Forum Arms. Apologies.
Originally Posted by: Bertwhistle