So the heatwave finishes on 43.8 points then. 

I don't know, but it didn't reach 30c at all in 1980 or 1981, and the warmest day in 1985 was just 30.0c   1987 and 1988 both reached 30.2c

I posted the total on the previous page, thanks to a chart by Sryan Bruen on Twitter. 46 for the 1980s and only 1983 and 1989 reached double figures.

The graph below shows the number of days reaching 30C at Kew in each decade since 1881 

There have been 99 such days in the most recent decade on that graph (2017-2026) and part of this summer is still left

It took 85 years from 1881 to 1976 to get to almost the same number of days reaching 30C (93 times in that period)

Any idea what the other decades did in the 20th Century.  I imagine the 60s was the lowest of the whole century. 

Out of interest what is your criteria for the end of the heatwave? Is it the regional heatwave threshold?

I'm glad of a fresher few days, anything over a heat index of about 22c is enough for me, as I work outside in direct sunlight. Even sitting still in the shade outside sipping cold beer much over 26c-27c is plenty and 25c indoors is enough. If I worked in a shady office with aircon I'd have a different opinion. I only really like heatwaves between early May to Early August for an hour before and after the sunset/sunrise, and the nights. As soon as the sun is high enough with warm enough air it's 30+c in direct sunlight every quickly. September/October heatwaves are far more enjoyable due to lower sun angle/intensity.

The graph is here: https://x.com/SnowbieWx/status/2077335147448283555?s=20 

The 1960s managed 25 in total. We have had more than that just this year alone.

In the 1960s 25C was considered a hot day. Hard to imagine that now. 🙂🙂🙂

Depends where you are of course. I still consider 25C to be a hot day, or at least the lower limit for it to be considered one. A poor summer up here in the 1990s might have 25C as the highest temp reached all year.

Thanks.

50s - 38

60s - 25

70s - 58

80s - 46

90s - 86

00s - 85

10s - 80

20s - 105

I’m using 30C, not based on any official criteria but simply because when we’re comparing classic heatwaves of the past that’s the commonly understood number at which we all start to get interested.

1 point for 30, 2 for 31 etc. 

Supports my feeling that, adjusting for global warming since, the 90s were the greatest decade.

3 consecutive days reaching 27°C + qualifies. So what? Is there a hot weather payment to older folk? Of course not.

It's a reference with no point.

Define it yourselves. How does it feel?

Also, I'm starting to think Tove Janssen has a Bristol follower.

26C is not really a heatwave as it just warm I think it should be 30C to 32C classed as a heatwave.  Cyprus consider 41 or over classed as a heatwave.

You’re right. 26 isn’t a heatwave

As for the rest of your post you might as well say you prefer beef to chicken because it tastes of beef and chicken doesn’t 

Indeed 28c should be the threshold for all of England apart from Cumbria and Northumberland.  27c for rest of UK.

Heat coming back next weekend- but not scary heat. Just seen 31C for August 1st. I wonder what August has to offer.  🙂🙂

It offers 3½ minutes less daylight per day, on average, so even if the heat returns it won't feel quite as severe. (By comparison, we've lost 37 minutes of daylight down here in the last month, we'll lose that in 10 days in August).

I wouldn't be surprised to see another hot spell at some point, the atmosphere seems primed for it this year. Any hurricanes that head our way though will no doubt make it less predictable, they always add a bit of chaos to the forecasts!

Meanwhile, back in Watford, these were the highest temperatures for the last days of the heatwave.

July

17th - 29.7c

16th - 30.9c

15th - 30.3c

14th - 29.3c

13th - 29.3c

12th - 31.8c