Top 10 hottest summers in London: The months when it stopped raining

Tuesday, July 17, 2012
10:46 AM

This year has been a complete washout so far, but you don't have to think too far back to when London was enjoying its hottest ever summer.

Ellie Bisco,,18, Ailbhe Gray, 20, and Rebekah Tiller, 18, enjoy the hot weather as they relax at the Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park, London

That magical time came in July 2006, based on average maximum daily temperature, as the top 10 of hottest summers in the capital shows.

The hottest temperature ever recorded in London was 38.1C (100.6F) at Kew Gardens on August 10, 2003.

In an average year, the capital will experience 28 days that are warmer than 25C (77F) and four days where the temperature is over 30C (86F).

Top 10 hottest summers in London (since 1948):

1. July 2006, 28.2C, 82.8F

2. July 1983, 27.6C, 81.7F

3. August 1995, 27.0C, 80.6F

4. July 1976C 26.6C, 79.9F

5. August 2003, 26.4C, 79.5F

6. July 1995, 26.3C, 79.3F

7. July 1994, 26.2C, 79.2F

8. August 1990, 26.0C, 78.8F

9. August 1975, 25.9C, 78.6F

10= August 1997, 25.8C, 78.4F

10= July 1987, 25.8C, 78.4F

Source: Met Office

This list is featured in The Top 10 of London, a book by Alexander Ash, published by Hamlyn, £10 www.octopusbooks.co.uk