Category: Weather and climate

Have just retreated indoors to sit by the fan which states a temp of 29C. I have filled some bowls with water for the birds and insects. We have a few more days of this I think. The south east looks totally parched. Tomatoes are ripening quickly at the moment.

Temperatures growing, but more concerning is the drought. I think my water butts will be ok until next week, we should not need a hose pipe ban here so I might resort to a hosepipe next week – my house plants take 7ltr a day, and the greenhouse another 10ltr/day and hanging baskets and front garden 5ltr/day.

It is 0900 and temp is 28C, at 0600 it was 25C. Cornwall has had some rain – unlikely here although I can hope.

So today should break records – with above 40C in SE and Midlands. 32C forecast here. 9am and it is 23C inside. Raab the fuc*ing nob says schools should not close and people should be resilient enough to enjoy the sunshine. 64000ha destroyed in Spain, Portugal and France with lots more in Italy, Greece and the rest of Southern Europe and North Africa and at least 10 fires reported in England and Wales. Resilient and enjoyment are not the words to describe these temperatures. Schools can be like furnaces at the best of times with poorly opening windows and lots of glass. Add in 30 sweaty bodies and the situation is ripe for serious problems.

09.50 Already 23C in my living room with all doors and windows open. Tomorrow estimated to hit 33C here I might keep an hourly tab to see how it increases. My memories of 1976 are not ones of the extreme heat, but of water shortages due to drought conditions. I suppose the water companies have been to busy filling rivers with sewage and directors/ shareholders pockets with cash to prepare for this entirely predictable event.

It has been 29C inside with all doors and windows open, and a breeze. Tomorrow does not look brilliant heat wise. Hit 30C at 17.00