Is the heatwave hotter than the summer of 1976?

We had snow on the 4th June 1976, then 2 days later the heat was cracking the flags until mid September. Not one wet day, just blue sky day after day.

We had planted a very long hawthorn hedge right around our boundary the autumn before. Just little 6 inch sticks. I nursed them throughout the summer by lugging all bath and dishwater out there, as of course we had the hosepipe ban. I was very pleased that I only lost two. Just occasionally I will still make a diversion and drive past my old house, and and feel a sense of pride that the hawthorn hedge is flourishing.

Thus ‘heatwave’ hasn’t lasted very long yet. It’s only the 2nd week where I am and it hadn’t been a whole two weeks. It will have to continue for several more weeks for it to even be classed as a ‘long hot summer’. I wish!

No,it was hotter in 1976 and it went on for weeks as many have posted.
I remember watching tv and being advised to save water bath with a friend and only flush when you need to.
Hose pipe bans too.

My DD1 was born that year-we breast feeding mums just couldn’t drink enough! DH used to suggest which plants I could pour dishwater on (no dishwasher then) during the day ?

42 C is hot - not sure about 35C, just normal Summer or it was until the climate changed and it became cooler here over the last few years.

Oh such heady days, I was 18 and about to go to uni. It lasted 66 days not the few days we’re experiencing now. I remember feeling indescribably hot but not minding it much apart from the day I got dreadful sunburn at the beach and not using sun cream (not a thing in those days). It just seemed like an endless carefree summer ?

We got married on July 3rd 1976 .Wedding dresses were mainly, high neck and long sleeves !
The hot weather went on for weeks and no rain.

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In 1976, the temperature (in England, at least) reached 32 degrees Celsius for 14 consecutive days. Our family photos show a baked landscape - and a baked family!

I was as Grandma70’s was, not such a big deal, now older it’s unbearable heat.

Sorry, two children under 4. Two under 42 would have been much easier.

I had two children under 42 in 1976. It was pretty horrendous. At least this time I don’t have much to do. The only advantage 1976 had over 2021 for me was that I was younger and more energetic, and looked much better in skimpy clothes than I do now!

OMG I don't even remember the heat wave of 1976! I had two children of 5 and 3 and was a stay at home mum. I have diaries going back that far I will take a look

I will be back.........

What did I do there? Sorry

DS born in August 1976. No, it was hotter and as others have said, started late May I think.

Govt advised sharing baths to save water. I remember watering the garden with washing up water daily, we were told the soapy water would kill the weeds.

seacliff

It was nearly 2 months for us on Essex in 76. I do wonder if we used to have a dryer heat then, as it didn't seem quite so debilitating. Global warming or anno Domini?

I caused a fire that summer …chip pan …and remember being able to leave all the furniture outside in the garden while everthing was cleaned and redecorated, without even considering the possibility of rain.

Here's an article in the Bristol Post:
www.google.com/amp/s/www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/1976-heatwave-met-office-weather-5655686.amp

33⁰ expected in some areas today, apparently.

It went up to 35.6C in 1976.
Not there yet.

tanith

I was very pregnant with my son during that heatwave he was born the middle of July, and trust me it went on for weeks I spent many hours just sat in the shower to try to keep cool even after he was born it was still very hot and stormy. It’s only been a few days ?

I was pregnant that year too, the heat was awful.We had stand pipes fitted to get water, further up the road and gardens looked like deserts.

It rained on one day the summer of 76 - our wedding day!

I can remember emptying the twin tub into buckets to pour on the grass turf which had turned brown.

I meant to start with 1976 was as hot if not hotter

Certainly as hot, if not hotter but, more important it went on for weeks. As I remember a Minister for Drought was appointed and that sorted it! ☔️☔️☔️☔️☔️

The heatwave of 1976 went on for weeks of relentless hot days. My eldest daughter was born in June and the last month of my pregnancy was unbearable.

I think it was hotter and remember my American Tan tights sticking to me at work!!

I’ve just googled and it says the hottest temperature in the 1976 heatwave was 35.9 in Cheltenham on July 3rd.